Ouzo, Schnapps, Rosé & Prosecco

[Gem56]

We took the scenic drive from Bern back to Evian via Mt Blanc and Chamonix. Very pretty! It took us a couple of hours longer than the direct route, however it was so worth it.

 

[Gem56]

 

[Gem56]

 

[Susan Marks]

View attachment 172023

View attachment 172024

View attachment 172025

View attachment 172028

View attachment 172029

View attachment 172030

View attachment 172031

View attachment 172032

View attachment 172033

Those picture-postcard views must have almost taken your breath away. Magical photos.

 

[VPS]

Fantastic photos @Gem56 - beautiful part of the world

 

[Gem56]

Fantastic photos @Gem56 - beautiful part of the world

Thank you.

 

[Gem56]

Those picture-postcard views must have almost taken your breath away. Magical photos.

What amazing country. I lost count how many times I said WOW!

 

[Gem56]

On returning to the Hilton at Evian, they had changed the Lounge hours since our previous stay - previously 6-8, now 5-7 and it was just on 7. However, the lovely Julie who was incharge of the Lounge, welcomed us back with open arms and put together a plate of nibblies for us and gave us a bottle of bubbly, even though the lounge had been closed for 5-10 mins. In fact, all the staff at this hotel couldn't have done enough for us.

We then wandered down to the waterfront for a meal. Heading back to Switzerland the following day so meals were going to be on the skimpy side there.

 

[Gem56]

Geneva

The same situation as at other city hotels, included with the city tax is a free transport ticket which covers trains, trams and buses. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express - on points - at the airport. We only had the tail end of the day so hopped on a train to see as much as we could squeeze in.

 

[Gem56]

These European cities have very efficient tram systems... until something goes wrong. This tram stopped to pick up and put down, the problem was he couldn't get going again. It was peak hour and it was loaded with passengers. Horns were blowing as one could imagine, but it was clearly out of this poor tram driver's control.

It's not like you can just push it off to the side to allow other trams to go around. We are guessing that they would have to get another tram to push it down the line.

 

[Gem56]

There's a history lesson displayed on the outside of the walled city, If only we could read it all, however we got the drift.

 

[Gem56]

Inside the walled city











Cathedrale Saint-Pierre

 

[Gem56]

 

[Gem56]

 

[Gem56]

We collected @Mattg from the airport in Geneva and proceeded through to Avignon via Annecy.







Hôtel de Ville d'Avignon




Palais des Papes


Sur le Pont d'Avignon
L'on y danse, l'on y danse

 

[Gem56]

Bar 46 - One of our favourite restaurants in Avignon. Escargots drowing in garlic butter, frogs legs, creme brulee. Sorry, I can't remember what the other thing is.

 

[Gem56]

Walking back to the hotel and we heard music so decided to check it out. It was obviously some sort of celebration - lots of wine glasses and platters of hors d'oeuvres. As soon as the music was over we left - just in time it appeared because they were locking the door, probably to keep people like us out.

On returning to the hotel when I had internet connection, I discovered it was a Women's Fashion event. I can assure you that none of us looked the part! We enjoyed it just the same.

 

[Gem56]

Arles

The markets in Arles have been held every Wednesday and Saturdays since 1584. Some 400 stall holders attend and you can purchase just about anything that you might need, eg, fabric on the roll, floor rugs, mattresses, doonas, kitchen utensils, along with all the normal market items ie shoes, bags, clothes etc. Then there are the food vendors - seafood, processed meat, spices, cheese, bread, nougat, and of course, let's not forget the fresh fruit and vegetables by the dozen,

 

[Gem56]

The Amphitheatre in Arles. Built in 90AD and seats over 20,000 spectators. As with most of these arenas, it was used for chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles. It's still used today for bull fights and concerts.

 

[Gem56]

Views from the top of the amphitheatre











Gladiator School