France 2016
In May of 2016, Tom and Iris had a great time traveling to France with friends Bruce, Kaye, Liz and Ron. They rented a very cool 300-year-old home in the small village of Bonnieux for 11 days. They enjoyed the time together at the house playing petanque, drinking local wine, dining in the "cave", and playing card games every evening. During the day they explored and shopped in Bonnieux and ventured out to see the towns of Goult, Gordes, Roussillon, Saint Remy, Les Baux, Gigondas, and Apt. They had a wonderful experience at the home of Chef Jean-Marc Villard taking a French cooking class. They attended an opera at the Grand Opera Avignon and a concert in Bonnieux's 12th century church. They took a scenic drive up Mount Ventoux.
Tom and Iris stayed in France an extra 7 days on a Viking river cruise from Arles to Lyon, enjoying the food and local wines. From the boat, they did guided walking tours through the cities of Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, and Lyon. They traveled to Les Baux and saw a Marc Chagall art installation within a huge limestone quarry. They went wine tasting in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Beaujolais regions. From Tournon, they boarded a steam train for a scenic ride through Doux Valley. In the Burgundy region, they visited a goat cheese farm and truffle farm.
Home Sweet Home in Bonnieux
Bonnieux
Goult, Gorges, and Roussillon
Le Pont Julien (Roman bridge)
St-Paul-de-Mausole Monastery
Shopping and Cooking with Chef Jean-Marc
Opera at Grand Opera Avignon and Concert at Vieille Eglise
Gigondas, Vaison-la-Romaine, and Mount Ventoux
Viking River Cruise
Arles Roman Amphitheater
Marc Chagall Art Installation in Les Baux Limestone Quarry
Les Baux
Avignon Pope's Palace and Pont St-Benezet
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Wine Tasting
Viviers
Tournon and Steam Train into Doux Valley
Vienne
Lyon
Beaujolais Wine Tasting
