Monday, July 21, 2014

The French Riviera, Part 2

Eze, France

At the Villefranche train station
Pictures say more than anything else when it comes to Eze.  What a beautiful little town full of breathtaking views, cobbled streets, and quaint allies and alcoves.  After the short train ride from Villefranche, just be sure to focus on the scenery during the bus ride up the mountain, instead of the cliff-side hairpin turns made by the care-free European bus driver...








Beautiful Channa- a close friend of Princess Tiana.


Lunch with Kaila.  Don't forget the wine!

The Disney Magic was on the other side of the mountain, but a beautiful view none-the-less




And so that is a snippet of Eze.  Abounding in fresh lavender and other herbs as well as breath-taking views.  Definitely worth returning to these hushed, narrow streets.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

The French Riviera, Part 1

Villefranche, France

The quaint town of Villefranche
Ah, the French Riviera.  One day I will give Paris a second chance but until then, I would always choose the south of France first.  This was one of the five ports we visited on every cruise over the summer.  Pronounced "vil-fraah-sh." (Sorry, I don't write dictionaries for a living.  That's the best I've got.)

We always spent time with our furry friends in the mornings because of tendering, but also had plenty of time to spend in port after all the guests were off the ship.  Tendering is when the ship is anchored a ways out from the port and small boats are taken to shore.  Villefranche tendering was quick and painless.  The boats were frequent so it was no hassle.

Chip and Dale admiring the view of Villefranche from Deck 4.

A favorite stop here in Villefranche was a creperie where the woman spoke no English and made the best crepes.  With only a few tables outside of the little walk-up counter, if you were willing to withstand the heat of her cooking and the Mediterranean summer, there was no room for disappointment.

Later in the summer Kristine and I took advantage of the beautiful scenery of the small town and did a just-because photoshoot.  Her talent left me with some great photos and a fun afternoon.

There was a small beach here, but we most often enjoyed the small cobbled streets and shops, took day trips to nearby towns, or utilized internet at cafes.


Minnie was so excited to see the view!