Wednesday 1/15/20

-Our flight. Cathie upgraded us
–Thus we were able to stop at the Polaris Lounge
Wed 1/15 UA987 ORD->CDG 6:25pmCT to 9:40amCET

Thursday 1/16/20 Ste Chapelle, Notre Dame

-Good flight, on time.
-ATM machine gave us mix on euro bills (for once)
-Driver met us at baggage claim. Nice luxury ride to the hotel. 90 minute drive, lots of traffic
-Hotel Edouard VII on Ave de l’Opera
–Room was ready 211. Nice room, very of side street. Warmish. Bathroom nice. Bed comfortable
–Nice welcome letter, really helpful Conseierge (Ebau)
-Weather: clear sky, temp in the 50s
-First stop Ste Chapelle
–walked, longer than I thought
–we originally got in the wrong line
–not that crowded, nothing under-construction
–beautiful stained glass
-We then stopped at the cafe across the street Les Deux Palais
–We stopped there back in 2014.
–It was cool out side, but still nice enough to sit outside, in January!

-We then walked over to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
–They were putting giant custom shaped wood beams under the flying buttresses
–The informative posters say that the whole structure is very fragile.
–This was shockingly sad
-We then crossed the river heading North by the Pompidou Center
–We bought somes gifts from Pylones (same shop as what we found in Nice)
–We had a nice long walk through the neighborhood
–Lots of people, cafes, shops. Looks local (vs touristy)
–I think this was a walk from the 3rd to 2nd to 9th arroundisement
-I was walking really slowly, we couldn’t get back to the hotel in time so we stopped at an EXKi
–Cathie had to take a work call.
–We sat outside and had water and juice and Lemon meringue pie
–I probably fell asleep during her call
-We walked back. Long walk, probably 20 minutes
-We had dinner at the hotel restaurant
-To bed by 8:30.

Friday 1/17/20 – Musees d’Orsay and L’Orangerie;

CSO Concert

-Weather: Started cloudy but cleared and high of about 55
-Slept ok, got up for a little while
-Hotel breakfast, normal
-Our tickets for the Louvre were at 11am
–Walked over. Short walk
–right when we got there, they closed because of a strike
-Walked to the L’Orangerie
–got in right away, really nice Monets
–Interesting Félix Fénéon exhibit
–I nice person helped me with the stairs and encouraged me to use the elevator, restricted for people with physical difficulties
–We got a seat in the Orangerie Cafe — we had Quiche
-Then walked across the river to the Musee d’Orsay
–Online said wait on the ticket line was about 20 minutes
–Things have been rearranged a little
–Most of our favorites were up on the 5th floor now
–We had to hunt for the Van Goghs
–It was crowded and warm
–My feet were hurting but I was still moving
-We then caught a taxi to the Galleries Lafayette
–Cathie found a nice new evening purse
–The Chinese person ahead of us was using her mobile phone calculator to complain about the prices
-We headed back to the hotel, but stopped along the way at The Café du Cadran
–we had a couple of rounds of drinks, Cathie had her favorite Beaujolais Brouilly, I had 1664 beer
–We split a crepe
–Window seat, really nice waiters
–Multiple e-bike users
-Walked back to the hotel, concierge picked a Le Grand Cafe for us for a 6pm dinner
–Inside window seat, it rained while we ate
–Excellent menu, we order Côtes de Provence rose
–We even ordered desert
–We finished at 7pm
–Luckily the rain stopped
-We had to rush back to the hotel to catch a taxi to the concert
-Ebau got us a taxi and told him to rush us to the concert hall
–We got in the cab at 7:30 and his GPS estimated that we had a 40 minute drive
–But the concert starts at 8:30pm, were we going to be late!

-We got to the Philharmonie de Paris on time.
–We were in our seats bv 8:20
–The tickets were waiting for us at the Invitation desk
–Our seats (D16, D18) were on row 4, even with the third row of cellos
–Seats were elevated, roughly at the same height of the stage
–We met other people from Chicago
–One couple went to all the CSO Europe shows!
–Each of the pieces were warmly received by the audience
–At the end, the audience was clapping loudly in unison
–Muti did an encore!!
–At the end, we had a hard time to finding a taxi
–We got back to the room at 11:30pm or so
–Wore dress shoes, easier on my feet

Saturday 1/18/20 — Musée du Louvre

-We slept late and had breakfast at 10:30am
-Weather Sunny, clear, mid-50s
-At breakfast, we ordered Louvre tickets for noon
-We walked to the Louvre
–We walked on the other side of the avenue because it was so sunny
–No problem downloading the mobile tickets
–arrived at 11:30, got in the special line and got in quickly.
–The regular line was very long
–Mona Lisa was roped off, to allow a more structured viewing
–We saw all our favorites.
–I was limping a lot
–Nice lunch at the  Café Mollien. Quiche, limonade
–Bought some post cards and gifts at the store

-Walked over to the hotel stopped at the nearby Cafe Royal Opera
–Sat outside for an hour or so.
–Watched two protests walk by
–Learned that earlier in the day, the opera performed outside to show support for protests
–Cathie upgraded us to business class (cheaper)
-Bought cards at Brentanos, Librairie Americaine
-Back to the room
–reps
–nap until 6:30pm
-Walked along way to the Bourse and had dinner at the La Gallopin restaurant
–We were early, very few people in the restaurant
–When we left, it was packed
–Local people, no tourists
–Again we had a Rose wine Côtes de Provence
-Walked back, had a drink at the bar, then went to bed

Sunday 1/19/20

-Taxi pick up at 8am
-No traffic
-Checked in, through security by 9:15
-Left for our gate at 10:15, had “Access One” to bypass the (short) lines
-Bought a bunch of Laduree for family and classmates
-I fell asleep in the Star Alliance lounge
Sun 1/19 UA986 CDG->ORD 11:40amCET to 2:10pmCT
-Nice flight, I slept a little. Watched alot of movies
-Landed in Chicago. Got thru customs quickly
-Limo SUV came right away. It was crowded
-Cold. We had snow. 16 degrees. Driveway caked with snow/ice
-Thanked Vicky for watching the cats. They met us at the door
-We started laundry right away. Cathie had a business trip to Phoenix

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-We were happy that Sue was coming over. She’s helping with Grandma while we are traveling
-But we also had Vicky come over and watch the kitties. That’s ok, more is better
-We had a full day preparing to leave including taking down the Christmas tree
-Mike, Liane and Hannah all had to leave the 26th
–Mike cannot come because of work
–Liane was departing from Dulles
–Hannah was to depart from Detroit.
–Liane and Hannah’s flights have a common connection point in Amsterdam
-Cathie, me, Liz and Nora caught a limo to the airport at 3:45pm
–Our flights
Fri 12/27 UA952 ORD->MUC 6:05pm to 9:35amCET
Sat 12/28 UA9481 MUC->NCE 11:15am to 12:45pm

Saturday 12/28/19

-We made it to Munich on time and spent an hour in the very nice Luftansa lounge
-We were seated in an exit row on our LH flight to Nice
-The Alps were beautiful
-We landed on time and got our luggage promptly. The Nice airport is very small
-Our nice driver met us right away
–He spoke French to me the whole trip
-We got to our Hotel Masséna. The front desk staff spoke to me in French!!
-Our rooms weren’t ready until after 3pm
-Hannah and Liane who arrived 90 minutes before us found a cafe and we met them there.
-The cafe Monsieur Albert served us snacks and drinks on the sunny Place Masséna, really close to our hotel
-After two hours we went shopping
–Hermès — two scarfs
–Gallery Lafayette — just looked
-Then we went back to the hotel. Our rooms were ready (by about 4pm).
-We decided it was ok to take short naps. I slept from 5:30pm to 6:15pm
-Then we went to dinner. Based on the hotel’s recommendation, we went to the Les Épicuriens
–It was great. Niçoise food. We were the first ones there. By the time we left the place
was full.
-We planned our day for tomorrow: Vieux Nice and a cooking class
-I called our New Years Eve place: La Langouste +33(0)493 88 79 23. I confirmed the reservation but I need to pay on Monday
Ce serait mieux si on se parlait en français ? / Il vaudrait mieux qu’on se parle en français.
Où est l’ascenseur au sommet de la colline

Sunday 12/29/19

-Weather — mid 50s, mostly clear skies
-Ate breakfast at 9am. I slept the whole night!
–Very normal European breakfast. I had scrambled eggs, cheese, meat and croisant from a nice buffet
-We walked to the water front, found the elevator to the top of castle hill
–We followed the Quai des Etats-Unis going East
–L’ascenser du Chateau to the top of Colline du Chateau
–beautiful views of the new and old cities
–The sun came out, made it warmer
–We saw a very active aerobics class on the top of the hill. This is not an abandoned monument
–Painfully (for me), walked down the hill. Made our way to the old city (Vieux Nice)
–We shopped at the fantastic outdoor market, Marche du cours Saleya
–We ate at a cafe, La Civette du Cours
–We toured a church, Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice
-We went back to the hotel for a break
-Then we went shopping in Nice
–Bought shampoo and rinse at Galeries Lafayette
–Didn’t find anything else, but we had excellent crepes from Pinocchio food stand on rue Massena

-At dinner time, we took an Uber to a private home for a cooking class
–“Cooking: Are you ready to cook a receip from Nice” — booked through Air B&B
–She taught us to make ravioli
–She served us our ravioli, plus pizza. We had home made Terramasu for desert
–Lemoncello made from Lemons from her garden
–We shared the table with an engineer from Colombia who is working in Germany.
-The same Uber driver picked is up after the dinner

Monday 12/30/19 — Monaco

-Weather: same nice mid 50s weather. Clear sky, sunny all day
-We went to Monaco
–Tram to SNCF. Trouble with turn style, nice SNCF person
–Arrived at Monaco. 9am
-Walked to Casino de Monte-Carlo
–Steep hill
–beautiful views of facade, water and mountains
–entered Casino. open for tours until 1pm
–excellent cafe, next to Christmas park w/music. Café de Paris Monte-Carlo. Server knew I was paying
-took taxis to castle
–two taxis. cash only
–watched changing of the guard
–“Disney-like” charm and beauty. Great views
–Toured the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame-Immaculée  (sans Hannah)
–Lunch at wonderful out door cafe Le Bar Express — most of us had pizza
–walked through gardens and found Musee Oceanographie
-Walked down long trail from castle back toward SNCF station
-Walked through Christmas Market — very nice
-Had a challenge catching the train back
–5:26pm — rush hour, packed!!
–no up escalators working. I was exhausted
–Needed local people to help with Nice-Ville Stop
-Took taxi to our New Years Eve dinner place
–We needed to put a deposit down on our reservation
–at first had troubles accepting our credit card
–But person in charge was ok
-Back to the hotel. Exhausted
-Dinner near hotel: Maison Margaux
–seated outside, too cold, they moved us inside
–made friends with the server — treated us to lemoncello for dessert
–

Tuesday 12/31/19 — Cannes

-Weather: clear and cool. Started 45, high 55.
-New Year’s Eve
-Liane and Hannah need to catch an early flight next morning we booked at 4:40am limo!
-We all slept better. 8:30am breakfast
-We had a wonderful day at Cannes
–We took the tram and took the train to Cannes
–There was an InOui express train, but we bought TER tickets. 20min vs 40mim saved 3.5e person
–Arrived and right away stopped at a bakery that served Brioche Rolls with Sugar.
–Walked to the water front, passing by an excellent shopping area and flea market
–Walked past the famous movie theater where the annual film festival is held
–Saw lots of really big yachts. Cathie saw nostalgic pictures sans the yachts… that the Cannes she remembers.
–They were doing a big beach rehab. Lots of construction
–We made our way all the way over to the boat tour area and went on a cruise to Île Saint-Honorat
—We saw the vineyards, the monastery, the old fort/castle, and walked along the rock shoreline
—We bought lots a the gift store La Rina Boutique
—We were the 2nd to the last to be served at the restaurant La Tonnelle
—We had salads and Gnocchi, wine and dessert… right on the Mediterranean Sea. Beautiful!
—We took the 3:30 boat back. It was nearly full
–We walked through the Christmas market area, and made our way back to the train station
–We were lucky because the 4:53pm train starts in Cannes, so we were able to sit the whole way
–It was busy but not packed
-We got a tram back to our hotel

-Took naps to help prepare for New Years Eve dinner at 9pm
-We went to the La Langouste Restaurant.
–The hotel made us a reservation on 12/23
–We got there at 9pm and left at 11:45pm
–It was a wonderful 5 course meal with 3 bottles of rose and 2 bottles of champagne
–Each first 3 courses featured lobster
–We sat near a live band. Fun music. Just quiet enough that we could talk
-We left and quickly walked to the Massena Square.
–People were walking to the water front. Really crowded.
–Just in time for the countdown and fireworks.
–sent a picture to Mike
–Lots of impromptu fireworks
–Saw the police stop someone with big long fireworks sticking out of his back pack
–As usual, the Italians were the ones celebrating the loudest. Fun!
-Walked back to the hotel
–Had another bottle of champagne
–Shared with our server
–Went to bed by 1:30am
–Liz tried to stay up with Liane and Hanna until 4am
-I got a little sick, but it passed quickly

Wednesday 1/1/20 — New Years Day Movie, outside dinning

-Weather: Cool, Sunny, clear 45-55 degrees
-We hope Liane and Hannah’s early flights worked out. We’ll be sleeping!
-Liane and Hannah texted us from Amsterdam. All was well waiting for their connections back to Detroit and Dulles
-Cathie and I had a brief breakfast at 11:30am.
-I was able to check Liane and Hannah out of their room 215, as planned
-Then we walked to the park and found a bench and sat for awhile (Jardin Albert Ier)
-I was really sore, both feet and walked really slowly.
-I was happy to sit.
-We then went for a walk thru Vieux Nice. It was very lively with some shops open. The Marche was closed
-We bought nice things from Parfumeries Fragonard
-We did a lot of walking and by 2:30 or so, the crowds were less and we found a spot at the pizza place called. Da Giulia on Place du Palais
–That was good and light
–Outside.
-Going back to our London New Years, we decided to see a move
–Took the tram 2 stops
–Les 4 filles de Dr Marche — Little Women
–Cinéma Pathé Massénae at Jean-Medecin
–It was VOST - Video Original w/Sub Titles in French
–Really good for French learners
–Really good for me to rest my feet
-It was after 7pm and looked for a simple dinner near our hotel
-Took the tram back to Massena Place
-Bought gifts at the Pylones store
–Ate simple dinner at Le Liber’tea
–Outside, again
-Back at our rooms by 8:30pm

Thursday 1/2/20 – Villefranch-sur-la-Mer

-Weather: supposed to be cloudy, but turned out sunny 45-55, again!!
-slept well. Though got up early because went to be by 10pm the night before
-Had breakfast at 8:30. Normal.
-Toured the old city again.
–Bought nice things from the Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya
–Newpaper, plaque, greeting cards for next year’s holidays, herb de provence
—Le Comptor Familial wanted us to order from their website
—Papeterie Rontani — Christmas cards, I had my own bag!
–Went to the bank machine twice for 40 euros just to get small bills
-Dropped out stuff off at the hotel
-Headed for Villefranch-sur-la-Mer
–Took the 11:07 train
–Long lies at the kiosks
–Had to run to catch the over crowded train
–Got off after two stops. No problems
-Villefranche sur-Mer was really nice, perfect weather
–We followed the path way up away from the beach
–We saw the narrow streets of the old town
–We saw white cat (Ripley) and tuxedo cat (Monster)
–Just at noon we stopped for drinks at the Les Palmiers cafe
–After that we walked over the Citadelle de Villefranche from the 1500s, now the Hotel de Ville
—Really nice. Museums, view of the water front, old building structures
–By about 2pm, we walked our way down and found a cafe on the water front Spalato
—We were right on the water with a beautiful view
—Dueling seagulls and pidegons.
—Flying cheese. Our serve dropped Nora’s warmed cheese plate. We were teasing the Nora would have flying cheese nightmares.
–We walked over to Chapelle Saint-Pierre de Villefranche-sur-Mer, the Church with the drawings by J Cocteau. Really nice. No pictures, we bought post cards
–Cathie bought a sweater from the store Cargo Sud
–We caught the 4:16 train back to Nice (not crowded). Only two stops
-Took the tram back to the square.
–tried to book haircut appointments. All booked
–shopped at the bookstore across the street from the hotel, Librairie Masséna
-Took a nap until our dinner at 8pm
-We went walking toward the square to the water and a restaurant La Petite Maison
–It was very popular, but full.
-So we walked toward the opera house and found Le Grand Balcon Restaurant
–We had an excellent meal and deserts.
–We sat in a sheltered outside area… we had blankets
–We sat next to the owner. He was very nice to us
-We walked over to the waterfront, then headed back to the hotel by 11pm

Friday 1/3/20 – Musée National Marc Chagall

-Slept well, awake by 7:30am, breakfast at 9am
-Salon Gaspard – all full
-Weather: clear skys 45-55
-Last full day in Nice
-Breakfast at 9am
-Took Uber to the Musée National Marc Chagall
–part of the exhibit was closed, thus museum entry was free
–beautiful exhibits. religious in theme, very colorful
–drinks at a nice outdoor cafe, cute little white dog
–4 bus tours were visiting
–bought some post cards, plus a picture of a couple with a chicken (mike and Liane?)
-Walked to our destination, back toward the square, about 1km
-Walked past a rather large Alliance Française de Nice with a big cafe area
-Stopped at a Comic book shop BD Fugue Cafe
–Liz bought lots of books
–We had drinks at the cafe
–The staff was surprised when Liz pulled out her own back
-We continued walking back to the square
-Stopped to eat at the Pâtisserie Canet … fantastic!
–Cathie and I had Millefeuille
–Liz and Nora had Tarte Citron
-We also stopped at candy store 50.00 for my french class
-La Chaise Bleue
-Nice Jewelry at Esprit Malin

-It was nearly sundown, so we found a place on the water front
–Watched sun down on the balcony
–There was a student sitting next to us. we ordered her a round of drinks (tea)
–There was a lady from Paris sitting next to us who exchanged business cards with Liz
–The bar like us to much they made us some snacks
–we left after sunset, but…
-Liz fell into the Med
–after sunset, in the dark, at the waters edge, she slipped on the stones and fell in
–We could see the water crashing over her lit-up phone.
–She went back into the water to rescue her phone
–The phone was ok, but she was wet.
-We all rushed back to the hotel room to get her in dry clothes
–Liz was fine.
-We then went exploring and found a tapas place called Le Metropolitan
–Simple mini-burgers, mini croques, shimp
–Good music, fun server
-For desert, we walked over the popular crepe place called Ballanger.
–Lots of whip cream and sugar. Really good.
-Walked back to the hotel room to back.
-Reserved a car to the airport at 5:15am

Saturday 1/4/20 — Heading home

-Confusion with ride to the airport
-Return flights:
Sat 1/4 LH2277 NCE->MCE 7:40am to 9:05am
1/4 UA953 MUC->ORD 11:25am to 2:15pmCT

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