Bonjour From Nice!
Almost time to head back to NY from our vacation in Nice, France, which has been wonderful!
First of all I was delighted that the cigade (cicada) is viewed as a good luck symbol in this part of France, and I promptly purchased a refrigerator magnet as a souvenir! ;)
Rented a car and toured down to Cinque Terres on the northern Italian coast. It is a national park of 5 ancient villages, and you walk between them on paths that follow the terracing on the hillsides, above the Mediterranean Sea. Quite dramatic, with some narrow trailways and lots and lots of stone steps! Some nice bees (one as big as a bumblebee but all black, very handsome looking!)
Drove to a bunch of medieval villages, all on top of steep hills to provide a better defense. Narrow streets to walk along, with no room even for small European cars! Great views of the sea and the nearby limestone big hills/small mountains, with snow covered Alps visible in the far distance.
Saw Cezanne's grave at one small village (also viewed his museum in Nice), and there was a very nice kitty hanging around one of the graves, who snuggled up with Lizzy to get a good scratch!
Off to pack (boo-hoo! ;), and take off tomorrow morning, bringing home many nice memories! :D
First of all I was delighted that the cigade (cicada) is viewed as a good luck symbol in this part of France, and I promptly purchased a refrigerator magnet as a souvenir! ;)
Rented a car and toured down to Cinque Terres on the northern Italian coast. It is a national park of 5 ancient villages, and you walk between them on paths that follow the terracing on the hillsides, above the Mediterranean Sea. Quite dramatic, with some narrow trailways and lots and lots of stone steps! Some nice bees (one as big as a bumblebee but all black, very handsome looking!)
Drove to a bunch of medieval villages, all on top of steep hills to provide a better defense. Narrow streets to walk along, with no room even for small European cars! Great views of the sea and the nearby limestone big hills/small mountains, with snow covered Alps visible in the far distance.
Saw Cezanne's grave at one small village (also viewed his museum in Nice), and there was a very nice kitty hanging around one of the graves, who snuggled up with Lizzy to get a good scratch!
Off to pack (boo-hoo! ;), and take off tomorrow morning, bringing home many nice memories! :D