Trip Report July,
2009
| July 2009 - Our photos from our July 2009 "Scouting" Trip |
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Also: SEE More photos in our Photo
Album
Jim Bailey & Donna Daniels, Castaways
Travel - French Cruise on Viking River Cruises
Cruises July 8
Wednesday Houston to Paris
Departed IAH to CDG 315 PM Flight is about 9 hrs
45 minutes
TIP:
Exchange or
buy Euros before you depart the USA. Buy Euro currency from the parent company
of Castaways, Fox Travel American Express. Currency delivered via FedEx to your
home or office. Or, exchange currency at the airport before you depart USA or
upon arrival at the airport.
July 9 Thursday Paris and Lyon
Arrive Paris CDG 730 AM
We decided to take the TGV bullet trqain
from Paris Charles DeGaulle (CDG) Airport to Lyon and Chalon-Sur-Saone since we
spent 3 extra days in Lyon before our preview cruise July 12-19, 2009.
Cleared immigration at CDG and collected luggage. Walked to rail office in
airport (below the Sheraton airport hotel) to exchange our pre-paid train
voucher for actual train ticket. Went to train platform in the airport basement
for train to Lyon station called Part Dieu (Part Dieu is named after the local
precinct in which the station islocated). TGV rail tickets cost approx USD
$130/person-Paris CDG to Lyon Part Dieu. Train trip takes approx. 2 hours from
CDG to Lyon Part Dieu station.
Picked up rental car in Lyon for 3
days rental. Pre-reserved/pre-paid in USA cheapest alternate.
We
found the TGV to be very comfortable and a fast alternative to reach Lyon city.
We tried an alternate method using an local train to Chalon from Lyon
and found it to be more hassle, especially with baggage, compared to taking the
Viking bus shuttle from Lyon Airport on the day of the cruise
TIP:
The easiest and simplest way to
reach the ship in Chalon-Sur-Saone is to fly into the Lyon Airport the day of
the cruise. Take the optional Viking Cruise transfer by luxury coach from Lyon
Airport directly to the ship, a 1 hour trip. It's worth it especially with
luggage.
TIP:
If you plan to
travel by train or TGV in France during your holiday, buy your tickets via the
internet before you depart the USA.
TIP:
If you plan to rent a car in France, pre-pay and arrange for
the rental before you depart the USA.
July 9 Thursday Lyon 78
degrees A beautiful day in southern France.
Sunny weather
everywhere in and around Lyon. Upon arrival at Lyon, rented National auto and
drove to our hotel on highway A-42, about 15-20 minutes from the Lyon Airport.
Napped for a few hours; dined at local restaurant nearby at 8 PM, then
to bed.
The roads are clearly marked and the A class tollways will
save you time. If you wish to explore the area, plan on taking the secondary
roads along the rivers and through the small villages for a taste of the local
favor.
TIP:
Use GPS in your
rental car or buy a good roadway map of southern France before you arrive in
France.
TIP:
If you drive the
toll ways, take Euros in coins and cash as well as a Master Card or Visa Card
to pay the tolls. Some toll booths are staffed; some are automated, thus the
need for cash, coin and charge cards.
TIP:
Enjoy the wines of Burgundy/Beaujoulais and Provence regions.
Just about everywhere you go in southern France, you will enjoy great bargains
in French wines….from $5-$15/bottle.
July 10 Friday Lyon
80 Degrees Beautiful day.
Drove downtown at noon, parked
Bettencour Square, visited Tourist office. Lyon is wonderful city to explore on
foot with plenty to see on a walking tour.
Visited Royal Hotel across
the street from the tourist office at Bettencour Square, walked across Saone
River to Old Town (dating from 15th century), visited Hotel Cour de Loges
again, saw Gerard, the Concierge who we met on business in April 2008. Evening
meal there, back to hotel for the night.
TIP:
If you drive downtown, park in the underground lot under
Bettencour Square which is in the heart of the city. Lyon is an excellent
walking city; the downtown can be explored on foot to most of the sites you'll
want to see. About 10 Euros (Price may vary depending upon time used).
July 11 Saturday Lyon/Geneva 78-82 degrees Another beautiful
day.
Drove to Geneva, 2 hours east on tollway 15 Euros 1 way.
Parked and toured the city on foot. Small downtown with much to see. Site
inspection of Four Seasons Hotel at Lake Leman.
Drove back to Lyon
afternoon. Stopped at medieval Perouges town about 15 minutes east of the Lyon
Airport off of A-42. Very impressive and fun to see. Town established 12th
century by tradesmen and craftsmen. The town is also used for movies as a stand
in for an authentic medieval village; one of them was for "Three Musketeers."
July 12 Sunday Lyon and Chalon-Sur-Saone 80 degrees Clear and
warm
Check out of hotel. Take train to Chalon Euros 24/person. Taxi
to ship from rail station, about 5 minutes away 5 Euros .
Arrive
Viking ship. On board about 3:30 PM. Met Cruise Director Mieke Bakker from
Amserdam. Found a great little street across river from ship for bistros/
restaurants at night. About 5-10 minute walk. Back on ship for "Meet &
Greet" at 6 PM. Port Talk, Dinner at 7 PM. Dancing in lounge. Sunset about
930-10 PM daily.
SUN TIME: Optional sun time: On deck from arrival
time to 7 PM, Dinner
TIP:
Purchase in Chalon a nice bottle of wine nearby to enjoy on the ship before you
depart on Monday.
July 13 Monday Chalon 82 Degrees,
clear
Breakfast 7 AM Morning tour to Beaune and Hotel Dieu 8:30 AM.
Beaune is center of wine country for Burgundy region. Beautiful scenery along
the way. Wine tasting in Beaune in 300 year old wine shop in town. Very pretty
place with terrific history and wonderful wines.
TIP:
If you enjoy French wines, this is a
great place to shop.
Back on ship about 12:45 PM. Afternoon: Viking
offered a pleasant walking tour in Chalon with extra time to explore the town.
You can't really get lost as the river is always nearby plus the ship always
offers great maps and town history. We declined optional tour to Cluny Abbey.
Met Rich from Tucson, who said tour OK but countryside scenes better. Spent the
afternoon in town.
Ship departed Chalon 6:15 PM. Port talk 7 PM and
dinner 7:30 PM. Specialty cheese talk in lounge at 9 PM. Dancing until 11:30
PM. Arrive Macon 11:30 PM and dock. Walk a block to town for local celebration
of Bastille day with fireworks & drinks.
SUN TIME: Optional sun
time on sun deck: All after noon in Chalon to dinner time. Actually, all day if
you decline the tour.
July 14
Tuesday Lyon Bastille
Day in France 78 degrees partly cloudy daytime. Light rain 7-9 PM, then clear.
Depart Macon about 8:45 AM to Lyon. Cruise Saone River. Beatuiful
scenery and great sunning along the way all morning on the way to Lyon.
1 PM Arrive Lyon and dock near the Hotel Dieu and Bettencour Square on
the Rhone River. Enjoyed daily shore excursion from 2 PM-6 PM. Wonderful,
interesting guide. Visited Cathedral Fouviere, old Town, Place Terraux, Hotel
de Ville, downtown sites. Great Guide. Extra time on your own to explore Lyon
on foot. Lots to see and to do. Back to ship at 6 PM after tour.
Dinner at Le Sud, Paul Bocuse's restaurant near Bettencour Square. (Paul Bocuse
was awarded chef of the century in France several years ago). Walked from ship
about 10 minutes to restaurant.. Great meal and even better bottle of red wine
from Burgundy. 10 PM back to ship.
SUN TIME: All day Optional nude sun
time: All morning from Macon to Lyon.
TIP:
If you spend any time in the city on your on, make extra time
for Old Town, located right along the banks of the Saone River.
July 15 Wednesday Lyon/Vienne 77-85 degrees, sunny and mild.
Morning is free time in Lyon for sight seeing/walking about. Don't waste your
time; ask ship staff about optional tours in the local Lyon area.
TIP:
Don't forget to spend a little
time in Old Town.
Depart Lyon noon. Lunch at noon onboard. See where
the Saone River joins the Rhone River, which originates in Geneva and Lake
Leman.
Cruise Rhone River as we leave Lyon and Saone river at noon.
Lunch and then time to spend on deck as we sail on the Rhone to Vienne for
guided tour there and Mini train ride to crest overlooking town and Rhone
River. Great sunning on sun deck while on the river as an option before you
reach the next port of call.
Arrive Vienne about 2:15 PM, Hot! Walking
tour at 3 PM to 6 PM. Vienne was a major Roman outpost during Roman times. Many
ruins left over including Roman amphitheatre at top of hill overlooking city.
Saw Sined Oconnor's practice session. End 5:15 PM. Life savers: Ice cream and
diet Coke we enjoyed at end of the tour. Stopped at Tourism office.
On
boat at 6 PM. Port briefing at 6:45 PM. Dinner at 7 PM in main dining room. On
to Tournon. China talk after dinner. Dancing in lounge. Arrived 11 PM Tournon.
Enjoyed a beer in town about mid night near the annual carnival on the
riverside.
SUN TIME: Optional sun time: All morning up to 2 PM.
Weather perfect.
TIP:
Enjoy
the river sunning as you sail from one port to the other.
July
16 Thursday Tournon/Viviers 92 degrees
Day tour 830AM to 12 noon
Valrhona Chocolatier AM, Yum Yum!! What a way to start the day.
TIP:
Enjoy the samples at the shop.
Don't be shy….take some chocolate with you. The tour of the local
vineyards and wine tasting at local winery. Wonderful tour in the country side.
TIP:
Enjoy the wine and take
some back with you to the ship. Back to town for tour and excellent art museum.
Back to ship for light lunch. Then on Deck for sun all afternoon. HOT!
Great afternoon for nude tanning.
Port talk at 6 PM Great presentation
about mustard of all things Dinner 7 PM.
Arrive Viviers at 8:30 PM.
Off ship for leisurely walk at 9 PM. Need to be off ship before 8:30 PM to
catch the best light for best photos. Great visit in town with many bistros and
flea market at night near the main road. Walk back to ship 10 PM. Visit beer
garden/pizza shop next to campground. To ship 11 PM or so. Dance on board to 1
AM. Viviers is our personal favorite for a wonderful, quaint village in
southern France. Ship departs 1 AM for Arles.
TIP:
Take your camera and proceed directly to
top of fortress hill for some spectacular shots at sunset about 930 PM. Try for
earlier time if you don't' delay
SUN TIME: Optional sun time on deck:
All afternoon
July 17 Friday Arles 88 degrees. Partly cloudy to
4 PM. Light rain for about 1 hr. at 4 PM.
Morning walking tour of
Arles with Johanna, tour guide. Roman Coliseum, Roman Theatre, great street
shots. Tour town on our own, see Van Gogh museum and street scenes he painted.
He was mentally disturbed part of his time while he painted. He lived in Arles
about 14 months.
TIP:
Take
your camera to catch some of the same scenes in town that Van Gogh painted
while in Arles, a beautiful walled city.
Back to ship for lunch at
noon. Afternoon free for those who want little to do.
Otherwise, we
took optional excursion to Les Baux and also to hospital where Van Gogh resided
for several months. On to quaint village to buy souvenirs. Overcast 2-3 hours,
light rain for 1 hr. Then, clear skies, back to boat.
Dinner at 7 PM.
Debarkation talk from Miekke, Program Director.
Sailed into Avignon 9 PM,
took photos and went into town to see local fair in evening. Dancing back on
board.
SUN TIME: Optional sun time: All afternoon in
Arles
July 18 Saturday Avignon 76 to 85 degrees. Clear cool in
AM and perfect in PM.
To town 9 AM for city tour on foot for
walking tour. Avignon has the largest walled portion of a medieval city we've
seen in all our tours in Europe.
Afternoon could be on own but we do
optional tour. Morning tour Pope's Palace….very impressive place built in
20 years and end tour at Main Market at Place Pie at Le Hall. Great shopping.
TIP:
Don't miss the market at
Le Hall. You can buy anything there in the way of food and wine. Back at 12 for
lunch. Afternoon tour 2-6 PM. A perfect day.
TIP:
If you are a wine lover or just drink
wine, do not miss this historic area, one of the top appellations in France.
This is a beautiful optional tour….the best experience and
highlight tour of our cruise personally. Great tour of the countryside to
Chataeuneuf-Du-Pape. This is a tour for wine lovers as we visited one of the
top wineries in the valley for tasting and wine purchase. A great stop…we
even met in the lobby some ex-Texans, two attorneys who now live in Paris.
Back to ship for farewell dinner and visiting with passengers. Jim
gets time to make short run along the Rhone river…..a great spot.
Evening dinner, final good byes. Pack up and off to bed.
SUN TIME:
Optional sun time: All afternoon on board on sundeck. Perfect weather.
July 19 Sunday 85 degrees clear
TIP:
If you depart France the day the cruise
ends, buy a bus transfer from Viking to reach the Marseille International
Airport.
Another perfect day. Depart the ship for 9 AM bus to the
Marseille airport to pick up rental car from AutoEurope-National. Bus trip
takes a little over an hour from Avignon to Marseille. Typically, bus transfer
cost is about $100 on board. Mikke Bakker Program Director on the Viking set
this up for us on the spot.
End Cruise Portion
************************************************************************************************
July 19 Sunday Driving Portion of Trip Avignon/St. Raphael/St. Tropez 85
degrees clear
Drive rental car from Marseille to St. Raphael to
Best Western LaMarina Drive time….less that 2 hours from Marseille to St.
Raphael. St. Raphael is beautiful. Hotel room not ready so we drive down coast
to St. Tropez to see what the hoopla is all about. City is nice but cannot
appreciate what the buzz is about. Visited Tahiti Beach resort where
Mike/Margie usually stay. Visit waterfront, Tourism office & bistro for
salad.
Drive back to St. Raphael about 5 PM to check in. Coast highway
is heavy with traffic with beach visitors on vacation. Unpack and settle in.
Enjoy the excellent wine we've bought along the way around the swimming pool at
LaMarina Hotel. Excellent vintage from Chateauful De Pape vineyards. Dinner on
the Marina with great meal and wine, friendly waiter from Morocco.
July 20 Monday St. Raphael/Cannes/Nice 90 degrees Hot
Clear
Jim up early and runs down coast to S/R and Frajus, the town
immediately adjacent southwest of S/R. Great run, beautiful scenery along the
way. Out for brunch next door at great little boulangerie for the best
chocolate/pastry baguettes we've ever tasted. Fresh produce everywhere, one of
the extras you get from a visit to France in the summer. Head north and east
along the coast road from S/R along the coast road with absolutely spectaculr
scenery at L'Esterel. Not as crowded beaches there. Stop for numerous photos
along the way from S/R to Cannes and on to Nice.
Visit area around
Nice airport and find rental car location. Visit Viking's Nice tour hotels:
Sheraton Four Points and Radisson SAS. Meet group managers there both places.
Tour hotels and visit the roof tops, both with pools and spectacular views of
Nice to see what the rich & famous do there. Radisson was where all the
world-famous musicians camped out for the annual Nice jazz festival….BB
King and many more.
Take the A-8 back to S/R…about an hours drive
west of Nice. Gas up for 36 Euros at loca BP station in S/R with a terrific
wine selection…..a common site everywhere. Back to hotel, enjoy wine at
hotel, dine at Marina for the evening meal , early to bed for drive next day to
Origan Village at Puget Theniers. .
July 21 Tuesday St.
Raphael/Puget-Theniers drive 85-93 degrees, hot & clear
Up
early. Enjoy pastries again at boulangerie for chocolate baguettes next door to
hotel. Yum Yum. Depart the hotel about 1:30 PM. Decide to take "Scenic Route"
from S/R to Origan Village via Fayence and St. Aubans. See many small,
beautiful villages…Mons is the best with incredible views of Provence
valleys and mountains. Detour due to construction near Collonges and back track
over the mountain via the medieval town of Entrevaux with its centuries old
monastery/fort on top of mountain about 600-700 feet above the town and river
valley.
Arrive Puget Theniers about 5-5:30 PM. Visit tourism office to
locate Origan Village, about 5 minutes from town. Arrive and meet Michelle
Auger, one of the managers and also operates Mondial Travel as an affiliate of
Origan Village. Also meet Michele Authier, owner of the Origan Village.
Check in to the cottage for two nights. Enjoy a bit of wine, see the
area and dine at the main restaurant for a great meal including salmon and BBQ
ribs.
July 22 Wednesday Puget-Theniers/Entrvaux
Jim
up early to run into town and back…about an hour. Beautiful run along the
river valley and back up to resort. Off for sightseeing to Entrevaux for
afternoon. Miss the baguette breakfast but buy the pastry anyway for road trip.
Tour the town. Stop at restaurant in town for great meal in the village at foot
of the mountain. Then, hike up the mountain for 30+ minutes each way to get
some great photos from the top of the mountains and valleys. Back down and
proceed directly to local market for 6 pack of "1664" French beer….a
perfect way to cool down! Back to Origan Village about 5 PM to meet for 2 hours
with Michelle and Michele about mutual business.
To restaurant for
dinner with them plus meet Michele's wife. Great dinner and good conversation.
Plan to meet next day for nude cruise in the bay in Nice, about an hour away
from Origan Village.
July 23 Thursday
Puget-Theniers/Antibes/Cannes 85 degrees, clear
At Origan Village
with Michelle and Michel plus about 10 other guests for visit to Nice. Depart
around 930 AM and arrive at Port Golfe Juan neat Antibes about 11 AM. Board the
boat, Meet Captain Jean Louise…… a great guy, sophisticated and a
great sailor. Sail nude from Nice/Antibes area, anchor off shore at island. See
the area called Billionaire Bay and location of the hotel where most of the
stars and celebrities stay for Cannes film festival. Anchor for lunch. Sail
more in the sun…perfect day. Sail back in front of Cannes to Antibes and
the port. Drive back to Nice to hotel about 8 PM. Gas up rental car and check
in at hotel for the evening.
July 24 Friday Nice 80
degrees
Up at 3 AM. Check out, return rental car about 430 AM at
Nice Airport terminal # 2 for Air France flight from Nice to Paris. Flight
takes about an hour. Connect in Paris CDG to Continental Airlines for flight to
Houston, 10 hrs 45 minutes.
**************************************************************
Transfer Memos
By train to Lyon/Chalon from Paris CDG
Airport
Cleared immigration at CDG and collected luggage
Pre-purchased TGV tickets On Line. CDG to Lyon to city train station called
Part Dieu (Part Dieu is named after the local precinct in which the station Is
located). TGV rail tickets cost approx USD $130/person-Paris CDG to Lyon. Train
takes approx. 2 hours from CDG to Lyon Part Dieu train station. 1 stop.
Collected luggage, exited train station to bus stop outside Lyon
station. Ask Information booth in train station, follow the signs for Airport
bus. Purchased Buy airport shuttle bus ticket at office next to bus stop.
Airport bus from Lyon Part Dieu departs every 20 minutes to Lyon Airport. Check
schedule. Shuttle bus from Lyon Part Dieu to Lyon Airport: 40 minutes Paid 9
Euros/person for airport shuttle bus/person one way to get rental car there.
Arrived airport. Went directly to SatoBus shuttle service just inside
bus Terminal stop. Inquired about shuttle service from Lyon Airport To Chalon
Sur Saone. Learned there are none. Must take private Taxi or order from your
hotel concierge.
MEMO re Transfers in Lyon:
By private
transfer from Lyon Airport to Chalon Sur Saone ship dock:
One must
pre-arrange private transfer to Chalon or take taxi 300 Euros one way.
Most hotels can call local transfer company. Up to 4 persons is about 400
Euros, 1 way
We rented a National auto for 3 days and picked up car
rental shuttle at curb, directly outside Terminal # 2 at Lyon Airport
By train to Chalon Sur Saone from Lyon Airport
Buy shuttle bus ticket at
SatoBus counter at Lyon Airport to Part Dieu train Station downtown. About 9
Euros Trip is 30-40 minutes with stops on Airport shuttle bus.
Cheapest way to Chalon: Satobus airport shuttle to Lyon Part Dieu train
station. Pre-purchase train ticket On Line from to Chalon at www.RailEurope.com
Approx USD $28/person one way to Chalon. Or buy ticket on the spot at station.
Train trip between Lyon Part Dieu to Chalon is about an hour to 1.3 hours.
Arrive Chalon train station and use local taxi to ship dock. About 5 minutes
From Chalon station. Approx 5 Euros cash for taxi.
Also: SEE More
photos in our Photo Album
For Reservations, contact
Jennifer at Castaways
Travel.
Escorted by James, Champagne and your favorite host couples you've
enjoyed over the years.
800-470-2020
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