aliaschief

Thanks for the Fleet Report. On tour bus headed for a National park which France’s version of Grand Canyon. I spent 1 year in Danang on my first tour in Nam. Enjoy the day.

Last night’s dinner by Chef Voltaggio was outstanding. Every offering was fantastic but the shrimp and grits and pistachio brûlée were over the top delicious. Another beautiful day in Viviers, France.

Download when the download is good! Here are some photos we took in Chateauneuf du Pape wine region today. One of the most renowned wine regions and also the remains of the Popes summer palace in France and the towns name. The background mountain ,in vista pic is route of Tour Dr France bicycle race every three years. Last time summer palace was used was in World War II when Germans used it as anti aircraft battery. p

Let’s try pics again! Last night’s dinner at Papal Palace, Avignon, France.

Good afternoon. We had a wonderful evening at the Papal Palace. Great food, lot’s of wine and great musicians. Of course the historical setting really topped the evening off. Today we visited one of the noted wine areas in the world Chateauneuf du Pape which means new home of the Pope. There is still some remains of their summer home. Enjoyed a nice wine tasting and stroll through the village. It’s our turn tonight for the small special dinner with Chef Voltaggio and our boats Executive Chef. More pounds! Thanks for the reports. Au voir. Pics don’t want to load right now!🙁

Recently in Amsterdam didn’t see any rolling hills! That if funny!

We just got back from a tour of the olive farm. 6,500 olive trees produce 66,000 bottles of olive oil per year. They made us some wonderful tamponade served with homemade wine. Tonight a Scenic Line exclusive we are having dinner in the huge dining hall of the Papal Palace in Avignon. Hope the pictures download this time. We were in the dining room yesterday and it will be a great experience and will be interesting seeing it furnished for dining and a musical ensemble. Merci Beaucoupe for the Report and List. Au Voir. This is the Grand Papal Dining Hall.

Could not access CC yesterday so not sure if it was our signal or the site was down, We visited the Papal Palace and bridge of Avignon. Tonight, Scenic Cruise Line is taking us to the Papal Palace for a dinner in the grand dining room and entertainment by a musical ensemble. Should be a memorable experience. Many centuries ago this was the home of several popes. It’s huge! Today we are off to checking out an olive oil farm and cooking demonstrations along with tastings. Food on board as been superb. We have overnighted in Avignon and will depart after our special evening at the Palace.

Good afternoon. After sailing since yesterday afternoon we are now on the Rhône in L’Hermitage, France. Beautiful village. We will be going on another wine tour this afternoon. I was finally able to post some food porn pictures earlier today on the Saturday Daily. Chef Voltaggio’s dinner last night was superb and he had a wonderful cooking demonstration this morning. Off to check out the neighborhood. Thanks for the report and listings.

While I have a good signal here are some pictures from our wine tasting excursion. Miles and miles of endless vineyards. Excuse the previous double post!

While I have a strong signal here is some pics of Chef Brian Voltaggio’s dinner last night. It was exquisite.

While I have a strong signal here is some pics of Chef Brian Voltaggio’s dinner last night. It was exquisite.

I have tried to download some pics last night and today and have not had any success. We are kind of out in the boondocks on the Soane River. Went wine tasting this morning. Vineyards as far as eye can see and beyond. Weather is beautiful and we have been enjoying being out on top deck and enjoying the serenity and beauty of the river. Tonight Chef Voltaggio is preparing our meal. Food is fantastic, tours have been good and service from crew is over the top! Could get hooked on this River cruising. Oh no, another addiction!$$$ Hopefully, we will get enough signal strength to share some pics. Thanks for the report. Life is good.

Port Canaveral has been used several times on Canada to Florida repositioning cruises but not a regular port of call.

Last night meal a pate with cucumber mold, variety pork loin and pork belly and a very rum soaked desert. Delicious!

Good afternoon from Toulon, France. So far all is going along just perfect. There is 128 guest on-board and the large majority are Americans. We had a fine dinner last night with great amiable service. The cruise is all inclusive to the point we didn’t even have to show a credit card. Of course at the price charged you just pay up front. I was going to show some food pics of last night’s dinner but I couldn’t download them at this moment. In an hour we are headed for our first excursion which is a walk foraging with dogs for truffles and I believe that includes some wine and truffle tastings. Asked bar waiter last night if they had Crown Royal as it’s on the list but they can’t get it. I have heard this from other cruise bloggers on different lines. I settled for the Lagavulin 16. We had our safety drill this morning where we all headed up to top deck and donned our life vest. With no life boats it may be a swim to shore. The temperatures over here have have been unseasonably warm. Currently 70 but we actually had day in 80’s. So it’s time to get ready for our truffle hunt! Thanks for the reports. Au Voir!

What you see first dawn on a river cruise. Swans.

You can actually gain weight just walking through the famous Paul Bocus Food Market in Lyon, France. Transfer to boat in an hour. Thanks for the report. We enjoyed a nice walking tour this morning. Have a great day.

We’ll keep an eye out and ask around. DW is my personal planner and excursion officer.

DW believes she found the service under airport services or concierge services. Not sure if every airport has such services. They definitely have for handicap.

Correction we are staying at Intercontinental Hotel

On our way to a Bouchon! Should be great if we don’t fall asleep!

This International Hotel used to be a hospital. The bar is exquisite and beautiful as well as the cocktails.

Bonjour! Well we and baggage have all made it to Lyon, France. Our fight from Atlanta was on Air France, a Delta partner. The plane was brand new as it had been in service for only three weeks. Had lots of neat bells and whistles. With our limited layover in Paris we hired a service that leads you through immigration and to your gate. It was money well spent. This man met us at gate dressed in tails and got us through in a jiff. Avoided long lines got us on ground transportation. I believe that we would have struggled on our own. Being led around by a man dressed to the nines does draw some looks! Scenic rep met us at gate and introduced our driver and away we went to International Hotel which upgraded us to a room that overlooks the Rhône. It is time for a nap. Our view. Will read later.

Made it to Atlanta with no problems. Only three more hours to flight. Delta Sky Lounge has picked up there catering. Upon entering we were handed glasses of bubbly. Lot’s more free food selections and they even have a chef out here making chicken tacos. We have traveled so much this year that this flight will get me to Delta Platinum. Unfortunately, the planes are flying full and it’s getting rarer to upgrade. Take care.