Buon Giorno Italia!

Buon Giorno Bella Italia.  Haven't seen you since I was a kid.  Lets reminisce again shall we?!

But before its official, we make one last stop in Eze France and I get to buy some more perfume and soaps at Galimard perfumery.
                                            


Behind the scenes at Galimard

      Okay, well one more last stop! Fragonard Parfumerie

What a great way to say goodbye to France. 

Once we arrived in Italy before heading to the hotel, we made a stop for a few hours in Verona. 

 Verona's Roman Arena is the third largest in Italy

No visit to Verona would be complete without seeing Juliet's balcony

Okay, so I'm only touching Juliet's boob because evidentally it is good luck!

.  It is many years now since visitors of Juliet's house started writing their names and love phrases on the entrance walls of this famous place. 

There was also a wall of chewed gum.  Not really to sure why???? 

Topped the day off with some amazing proscutto and Barrata pizza at a restaurant near the big fountain in the center of the town.

It's Nice to be in Nice, France

Spent the day at leisure in Nice.  Walked the shops and did some shopping.  Then I headed to the beach and enjoyed the view.  

Off to the royal palace again to catch some new side streets and last minute photos of the view of Monacco.  Said last hello and goodbyes to Monte Carlo by going and having an intimate moment with the high end dealerships.  Once we finished in Monte Carlo, we head back to Nice which is only 30 minutes.  We went to a club in town, which reminded me very much of a smaller Las Vegas nightclub.  A lot of French and Italian men standing around waiting to group you on the dance floor every chance they get. Ha ha

Famous hotel and casino, very expensive so be prepared if you walk inside you will spend lots of money. Hope you win some back at the casino.

                    Fountains in the center of the city where kids can kick around the water and play

                  Street market for all the people to come and eat good food and go to different carts

Welcome to Barcelona, Spain

Today, is one of our long days with Contiki as we leave Lyon and begin our four hour drive to Barcelona! What made it fun was having plenty of stops along the way!

  Once we arrived in Barcelona we made a stop at the Olympic Stadium.



The Stadium was used for the 1992 Olympic Games. The centrepiece of Barrelona's Olympic Ring, it is located on the hill of Montjuic.

As we drove to our next destination, I was able to get a view of the city

 

 

The statue is called "Monumento a la Sardana"...
It is a sculpture dedicated to the local catalonian dance called a SARDANA. and is made up of a group of children dancing in a circle. (Which is how the dance is performed).
The statue is on the Hill of Montjuic.



Monumento a la Sardana

We have now arrived at the Gothic Quarter where we see the Sagrada Familia,  It is a large unfinished Roman Catholic church designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi

A little night cap before exploring more of Barcelona tomorrow!!

 

Off to Lyon, France

Officially saying my last goodbyes to Paris and moving onto Lyon, France.  Made a stop at the old 12th Century Chateau Fontainebleu.  A place where some of the royals of France come to vacation.  It is a massive castle in a very small town.

If you walk toward the back there is a massive courtyard that is a beautiful spot to take pictures.  Off to the side is a large pond that had ducks swimming around, a building in the middle of the pond and a cute wooden boat parked off to the side.

Then head off to an outside market that reminds me very much of an outdoor swapmeet.  Clothing, food, accessories, meat and cheese stations.

Now off to Lyon!  After dinner we took the metro down to the old town of Lyon.  Walked up to the very top to see a view of the city.  As night falls the city and big cathedral had beautiful lights shining.  It was a panorama view to remember.