Our Viking River France Cruise Begins in Good

5 years in the past, we took our first Viking river cruise on the Rhine River and so loved that first expertise. We had been hosted by Viking then and had one other cruise scheduled for 2020 and everyone knows what occurred that yr to derail journey. Quick ahead to 2024 and Viking once more hosted us on the Rhone River cruise in France, a spectacular journey that was as equal to the primary one. Viking didn’t put any necessities on what I write to do that cruise and I hope I do them justice as they’re a prime notch river cruise line and I’d extremely suggest the corporate for his or her consideration to element and group of the cruises and excursions.

This yr, we determined so as to add on a pre-excursion to Good, France, the place we started our journey. We spent three nights in Good after which took a bus to Avignon the place we boarded the Viking Buri for 7 nights cruise up the Rhone River, ending in Lyon, France. What a visit it was! I’ve obtained so many attractive photos to share with you, so I hope you’ll indulge me slightly over-sharing the following few weeks. There’s no solution to cram all of it in a few posts, so I’ll area them out.

Full Disclosure: This journey was hosted by Viking Cruise strains they usually comped our cruise (for Mark and me). We did, nonetheless, pay for our pre-excursion to Good and likewise paid for Mark’s air fare and incidentals. It was such a implausible expertise and I can’t suggest Viking sufficient. This cruise was extremely anticipated by us and didn’t disappoint in any means. We had been so lucky to be supplied this chance and we’re grateful for it. One motive we like Viking and different group journey excursions is as a result of as seniors, we don’t wish to have to determine all of the logistics of a European journey. It’s far more calming to have all of it deliberate for you and all you need to do it present up. 

Good

I believe there have been round 40 of us who began in Good because the pre-excursion to the Viking Rhone river cruise in France. It was a beautiful place to start this journey of a lifetime.

We flew in a single day and arrived in Good, France early the following morning. Flying like this can positively throw your physique for a loop and also you’ll be utterly exhausted while you arrive, however the perfect factor is to only hold pushing and shifting ahead and ultimately you acclimate to the brand new time zone. After we obtained into our lodge room that day, it was mid-afternoon and we did take a 2 hour nap earlier than heading out to see extra of Good on foot and to seize dinner out.

Viking had all of us on the pre-excursion staying on the Hyatt Regency on the waterfront in Good and it was a gorgeous lodge. The facilities had been excellent, with breakfast included in a beautiful atrium setting each morning.

That is the higher stage of the atrium with sunshine pouring in and a gorgeous view of the water. Are you able to think about this view on daily basis? It was gorgeous! After all, this space was the coveted breakfast spot and we didn’t get it on daily basis, however at the very least as soon as.

Searching the open home windows to the water. I’d by no means tire of this view!

And right here’s a shot of the within of the atrium with pool space. I didn’t get pics of all of the meals, nevertheless it was superb. Contemporary breads, pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, meats, cheeses, contemporary fruit and an omelette station. I’d suggest the Hyatt whereas in Good for certain, it was attractive.

Right here’s a shot of the Artwork Deco exterior at evening. After all, Mark beloved this.

Our room was very plush and comfy with a balcony with lounger and chair to sit down on and this was our view. We did lounge out right here just a few instances and it was so good.

Strolling alongside the water entrance promenade was a enjoyable expertise. You possibly can inform the folks of Good benefit from the outdoor and strolling, using bikes, and so on. It was a busy avenue and proper subsequent to the water was for pedestrians solely with the site visitors lanes to the within.

We headed out of our lodge to have a look round and had been directed just a few blocks away to a important avenue with retailers and eating places. We so loved exploring that first day and getting a style of the nation.

There was a bakery simply down the road and I had my eye on certainly one of these sandwiches, a primary French bread sandwich with ham and cheese. This one had lettuce and tomato too and was scrumptious for lunch.

I’m so fascinated by the attraction of Europe and Good jogged my memory a lot of Italy, with all of the out of doors cafes with bistro chairs, loads of pizza eating places, and many gelato. I wasn’t anticipating all of the gelato, however there it was so we had it on daily basis we had been in Good.

It’s a lot enjoyable to dine outdoor like this. We want extra of this life-style within the states. After all, we don’t all the time  have the country and charming buildings they do as a backdrop. It’s simply superb, I like the whole atmosphere.

We noticed this cafe and got here again right here for dinner that evening. It was scrumptious for our first actual meal in France.

I went inside to make use of the women room and this was the up the steps view. Attractive!

Weary and drained from touring, however we had been nonetheless smiling.

We had a strolling tour the following full day in Good and likewise a bus tour which took us to the highest of a hill for a panoramic view of Good and wow, was it attractive. It’s all the pieces you consider while you hear the French Riveria. We had lovely climate whereas in Good with temps within the mid-70’s. Excellent!

The views had been excellent right here.

Wanting again in the direction of Good.

After all, I needed to take loads of selfies of us. I don’t ever wish to overlook these moments in time.

Breathtakingly lovely.

Us once more!

It’s like a dream while you go to a spot like France.

Alongside the pedestrian promenade.

All over the place we seemed was magnificence so I took plenty of window and doorways pics.

It is a Russian church in Good.

The structure in Europe is simply so gorgeous, I’d by no means tire of this both.

Even the streets are charming and the coloured buildings add to that.

Ahh, gelato there you’re once more. We ate our fill of Amereno cherry. Mark obtained me began on that one. I do love Stracciatella too. I ate that whereas in Italy a few years in the past once I first visited and found gelato.

Once more, the charming out of doors cafes are so inviting. No surprise I like bistro chairs!

Our strolling tour took us to previous city Good and we meandered the streets as our information informed us historical past and info concerning the metropolis. Viking does an awesome job with their tour guides. All of us put on these listening gadgets round our necks with ear items so we are able to hear what the guides are saying. This continues while you get on the longship as nicely.

The squares in France had been equally as lovely as Italy. They actually know easy methods to decelerate an savor the moments.

These streets simply beckon exploration.

Colours are so vibrant on the Mediterranean coast.

And in France, macaroons are too. We had just a few of those, however truthfully gelato has my coronary heart.

A store show alongside the way in which.

So many eating places and retailers to soak up. We barely made a dent, nevertheless it certain was enjoyable.

I used to be texting my sister and Lauren and Lauren urged me to strive a crepe, so we stopped in slightly crepe store and I obtained a salted caramel crepe. It was scrumptious! Mark handed on this one.

I seen plenty of carousels in France they usually had been so fairly.

Plenty of statues and memorials too, all the time lovely.

We went again to one of many eating places the information advisable for and early dinner and it was scrumptious. I obtained a nicoise salad (whereas in Good!) and it was so good. The restaurant was Le Safari within the coronary heart of previous city. Simply search for the blue awning.

Together with contemporary pasta and mussels. So good!

Mark obtained a shrimp dish and we each had been pleased.

Our information informed us these was artwork by an area artist (I believe). It’s a blue chair that from a distance seems to be 3D, however in actuality its flat.

Sundown in entrance of the Hyatt.

After dinner gelato.

I believe it was the second evening after being out on an tour, we went again to the lengthy strip of retailers and eating places and selected pizza. I didn’t know pizza was so prevalent in France both, nevertheless it was scrumptious.

You possibly can inform them what you need on it and they’ll make it to order. We obtained the margherita pizza with olives and mushrooms and it was out of this world. So good!

Such a cheerful spot when the solar goes down.Watching all of the folks strolling alongside and consuming out and having fun with life was good.

I’d like to eat dinner outdoor like this each evening, wouldn’t you?

Sure, I did love Good!

It was particularly lovely at evening.

Extra selfies after which it was sleep for us!

Antibes

On certainly one of our days in Good, we took a bus tour to Antibes after which on to Cannes for lunch. What a deal with that was! About 20 minutes away from Good is the lovely, quaint and delightful city of Antibes. I beloved it a lot. I had heard of Antibes in passing, however actually perked up once I noticed we had been visiting right here as a result of certainly one of my weblog pals, Brittany from Addison’s Wonderland simply purchased a home right here and is placing her stamp on it. In case you don’t comply with her, she has a tremendous weblog, with lovely colourful designs and she or he travels rather a lot together with her hubby, John. They’ve been engaged on the kitchen there over the summer time and I watched her on Instagram with all of the updates. After I noticed she had purchased a home right here, I used to be further all for seeing this city. It doesn’t disappoint!

There’s a harbor full of lovely boats in Antibes.

Together with a ferris wheel.

After all, we needed to take extra selfies on this lovely place.

Contemporary fish alongside the way in which.

It’s an previous walled metropolis, so has a very nice vibe of Outdated World Europe.

We didn’t have a number of time in Antibes, however I certain beloved what we noticed.

I can see why somebody would wish to reside right here and benefit from the local weather and fantastic thing about France.

How about that carved door?

Attractive, proper?!

Mark in entrance of a knife store. He can’t journey along with his pocket knife, so I assume he was inquisitive about this store.

This was melamine dishes, however they had been lovely in an olive sample. So Mediterranean!

There was a cute out of doors market happening whereas we had been there, so I seemed for one thing I may slot in my baggage to convey again. I discovered these classic French prints ($70 Euros for each, not a cut price, however a enjoyable momento) and introduced them dwelling. I’ll add them to my gallery wall in the lounge to recollect our journey.

The city is sufficiently big to be busy and attracts vacationers, however nothing like the larger cities.

I’d love to hold right here for just a few days.

They embellish for fall too!

Cannes

Subsequent cease was Cannes. We had been in a gaggle tour bus and wound our means alongside the coast line to Cannes, which was additionally very fairly. After all, Cannes is called the playground of the wealthy and well-known and the movie pageant held there every year.

It was a beautiful drive alongside the coast, image excellent blue skies and water.

We had been solely there for a brief go to and lunch, however the information identified this mural on the constructing that depicts the movie pageant. Plenty of well-known previous film stars are proven.

We had enjoyable strolling round and seeing some retailers and actually loved the lunch.

I ought to have made a be aware about this restaurant. It was charming they usually had all the pieces prepared for us to take pleasure in lunch.

It had an awesome vibe to it.

Caprese salad to start out.

And a fish dish for lunch, so good and attractive.

I couldn’t get sufficient of the blue shutters throughout France. All shades of blues and greens had been prevalent and I took so many pics of them. We had been completely entranced by Good and particularly Antibes. I’d positively return there given the possibility. The French Riviera is as lovely and I assumed it will be!

I’ll be again with the begin to the Viking Rhone river cruise subsequent week. I couldn’t depart this a part of the journey out. The pre-excursion to Good was pleasant and all the pieces I hoped it will be!

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