Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Quick Update
As our hotel guy is letting me use his computer out of the kindness of his heart, this will be quick. We are currently in Rapallo, Italy and just got back from a day long hike and swim in the Mediterranean at Cinque Terre. Soooo very great. Ancient towns perched and stacked up on the hillside cliffs overlooking the crystal clear sea. Now we are ready to head out on the port town to find the best local food and drink in the neighborhood...spaghetti last night, but time to look into the seafood options. Past few days have been highly busy with the group and a really great time. Beautiful wedding in the French countryside and a roadtrip through Provence to reach this spot just south of the Italian Riviera. Tomorrow Hayden and I strike out to round out our European adventure just the two of us in Venice. Got to run, but hope you guys are all doing just great. Everyone here says hello...canàt wait to see you all again, but know that we are all together having great laughs in some of the most amazing places Içve ever known. Love you all, see ya in a few...
Friday, August 8, 2008
Friday Pig Roast
Hi everyone, I am writing this one from Tournon just outside of Valence where the wedding will take place tomorrow. Quaint French town with vineyards creeping up the sides of every hill along the river Rhone. I think we agree that we could totally live here. Met up with JR and Marie and the rest of the US contingent last night when we rode in on the train - ended up in the same car as some of the wedding party. Fun. So we hit the town and had a blast, probably awakening some pretty cranky French folk in the middle of the night... had to be expected. Earlier we left Paris and took a 12 hour tour in Tours of the chateaux in the Loire Valley. Neat for sure, but right now I do not want to see another castle for a good long time. Awesome weather. Tonight is a pig roast in front of the Tournon ruins then tomorrow the ceremony. Sunday we will go tubing down the Rhone with everyone in the sun and Monday we head out for Italy. Funny keyboards they have here... but will try to post pictures now. Having the times of our lives and love and miss you guys...
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Last Day in Paris
Hello again! After three days in Paris, we leave tomorrow at the crack of dawn for the Loire Valley with the castles and quaint towns. I think we are ready to chill after a few full days of crazy fun. Last night we played the part of a summertime Parisian and shared a bottle of wine on the Seine - earlier we checked out the Sacre Coeur and climbed to the top steeple to look out over the city. Sorry, no disc reader in this Internet cafe, but will post new pictures as soon as it is possible. Zach made it in tonight and more friends start rolling in tomorrow ...tonight after dusk we will go up the Eiffel Tower for a fine farewell to Paris. Hope all is well in your parts of the world. BTW, we were milling away the hours at a street cafe at 1:00am the other night and "Apple Bottom Jeans" came on... so we still get tastes of home even here. More later!
Bon soir, K & H
Bon soir, K & H
Monday, August 4, 2008
Vive la France
Hello from France! We arrived safely yesterday morning... without our backpacks (thanks once again, United) but we have been making the most of it and our doing our best to stink up Paris. This is truly one of the most gorgeous cities on the globe. We walked 1,000 miles in a day just absorbing everything and looking about. Our hotel is just adjacent to la Madeleine, which is great access to just about everything. Oh yeqh, update on the bags ...word is they have arrived in Paris and are in transport to the hotel, great news to our neighbors wondering why we are wearing our t-shirts inside out today. Seriously though, what an amazing place. I will try to upload some photos, but we have sipped coffee and wine in front of many of Paris' most beautiful landmarks...ps the Eiffel Tower is blazing bright blue at night (maybe for the Olympics?) and sparkles in dazzling white lights for 10 minutes on the hour...awesome. Hope you all are well! Love, Kate and Hayden
Thursday, July 31, 2008
KATE & HAYDEN TRAVEL BLOGFRANCE / ITALY 2008
Alright, so we're going to give this travel blog dealio a go. We have no ideas how often we'll be able to update this site via Internet cafes, but as we travel around France and Italy in the next two weeks... know that we're thinking of you guys, and hope you'll leave a post or two to check in and say hey.
At the very least, below is a sketchy travel intinerary ...so we'll be moving around France and Italy every few days.
Hope you're all doing well, and can't wait to come home and see everyone again. Au revoir!
(Night before leaving, Aug. 1 2008)
Alright...Saturday, August 2nd
- Fly to Paris
- Fly to Paris
10:37 AM 02 Aug 2008
Denver, CO
4:20 PM 02 Aug 2008
Philadelphia, PA
Flight: 6124
Travel Time: 3 h 43 m
6:15 PM 02 Aug 2008
Philadelphia, PA
7:55 AM 03 Aug 2008
Paris, France (Charles de Gaulle)
Flight: 754 Airbus A333
Travel Time: 7 h 40 m
Philadelphia, PA
7:55 AM 03 Aug 2008
Paris, France (Charles de Gaulle)
Flight: 754 Airbus A333
Travel Time: 7 h 40 m
Sunday, August 3rd
- Arrive in Paris at 8:00am
- Arrive in Paris at 8:00am
- Take the Metro to Gare Saint Lazare 
Monday, August 4th
In Paris - no plans
Tuesday, August 5th
In Paris - no plans
In Paris - no plans
Wednesday, August 6th
- Depart Paris for Tours. Train leaves Montparnasse station at 7:50am.
Take the Loire Valley Day Tour...
AZAY-LE-RIDEAU 
Visit of the CHÂTEAU D'AZAY-LE-RIDEAU.
Visit of the CHÂTEAU D'AZAY-LE-RIDEAU.
Built from 1518 to 1527, is one of the earliest French Renaissance chateaux. Built on an island in the Indre River, its foundations rise straight out of the river. The long low proportions and the sculptural decorations of Azay are Italianate, in the new antique taste, but the bastion corners capped by pointed cones, the vertical stacks of grouped windows separated by emphatic horizontal string courses, and the high sloped slate roof are unmistakably French. The playful fortifications and the medieval donjon towers gave an air of traditional nobility to the king's newly-ennobled treasurer. The sculptural details at Azay are particularly remarkable. On the ground floor, fluted pilasters on high bases support the salamander and the ermine, emblems of Francois I and Claude de France.
VILLANDRY
Visit of the famous JARDINS DE VILLANDRY which surround one of the last castle built on the Loire river edge during the Renaissance period (1536).
The mere mention of the name Villandry evokes splendor and perfection in the art of gardens.This space, a contemporary creation, is unique in Europe. It is inspired by the gardens of the 16th and 18th centuries.8 gardeners work full time in the gardens of Villandry, and plant about 60,000 vegetables and 45,000 plants in its gardens each year.
A small valley, with a stream running though it, descends from the plateau south of the chateau. Its slope makes it possible to have three levels of gardens on terraces.
- The highest level, surrounded by lindens, has a large pool, where the water needed for the moat is collected.
- The middle level, at the level of the chateau, is in three parts: "the garden of love", "the music garden" and "the herb garden".
- Finally, at the level of the outbuildings, is the most original of the three gardens: the ornamental vegetable garden that covers 12,500 square meters, that is renewed twice per year.
Visit of the famous JARDINS DE VILLANDRY which surround one of the last castle built on the Loire river edge during the Renaissance period (1536).The mere mention of the name Villandry evokes splendor and perfection in the art of gardens.This space, a contemporary creation, is unique in Europe. It is inspired by the gardens of the 16th and 18th centuries.8 gardeners work full time in the gardens of Villandry, and plant about 60,000 vegetables and 45,000 plants in its gardens each year.
A small valley, with a stream running though it, descends from the plateau south of the chateau. Its slope makes it possible to have three levels of gardens on terraces.
- The highest level, surrounded by lindens, has a large pool, where the water needed for the moat is collected.
- The middle level, at the level of the chateau, is in three parts: "the garden of love", "the music garden" and "the herb garden".
- Finally, at the level of the outbuildings, is the most original of the three gardens: the ornamental vegetable garden that covers 12,500 square meters, that is renewed twice per year.
CHENONCEAU 
Visit of the CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU.
Built in the XVIth c., it is one of the purest Early French Renaissance style works. The square dwellings, built in the riverbed itself on the piles of a fortified mill, the square building is the original chateau. On the bridge built by Diane, rises The two-level gallery completed by Catherine de Medicis. . You will discover the guardroom, the chapel, a superb 60 metres long gallery above the Cher river, Diane de Poitier and François 1st rooms. In the upper levels, you will admire the bedrooms of Gabrielle d'Estrees, Catherine de Medicis and Louise of Lorraine… Settled inside the two piles of the former mill anchored in the Cher river bed, the kitchens will reveal the art and ingenuity of the Renaissance builders. Not far from the gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, stands "La Galerie des Dames de Chenonceau" settled in the former Royal stables. Here are told the dreams, ambitions, the great projects and the destinies of those women who made the history of the place. A walk in the French style gardens will provide a pleasant end to your tour.
Visit of the CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU.
Built in the XVIth c., it is one of the purest Early French Renaissance style works. The square dwellings, built in the riverbed itself on the piles of a fortified mill, the square building is the original chateau. On the bridge built by Diane, rises The two-level gallery completed by Catherine de Medicis. . You will discover the guardroom, the chapel, a superb 60 metres long gallery above the Cher river, Diane de Poitier and François 1st rooms. In the upper levels, you will admire the bedrooms of Gabrielle d'Estrees, Catherine de Medicis and Louise of Lorraine… Settled inside the two piles of the former mill anchored in the Cher river bed, the kitchens will reveal the art and ingenuity of the Renaissance builders. Not far from the gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, stands "La Galerie des Dames de Chenonceau" settled in the former Royal stables. Here are told the dreams, ambitions, the great projects and the destinies of those women who made the history of the place. A walk in the French style gardens will provide a pleasant end to your tour.
AMBOISE
Visit of the CHATEAU D’AMBOISE.Built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries by Charles VIII, Louis XII and François 1er, the chateau is one of the first royal residences and a splendid example for gothic and renaissance architecture. Still nowadays it shelters an exceptionally well-preserved collection of furniture.
Leonardo da Vinci lived there his last years of life. He is buried in the St Hubert chapel, built in high gothic style of the fifteenth century. Overhanging the city of Amboise, you will discover from the gardens of the chateau one of the most famous panoramas in the Loire-Valley.
Visit of the LEONARDO DA VINCI PARC at Château du CLOS LUCE in Amboise :
A marvel of the Renaissance art, in red bricks and tuff, pure happiness accentuated by the playful game of red brick with white stone, was the residence of Leonardo Da Vinci during the last years of his life.
A marvel of the Renaissance art, in red bricks and tuff, pure happiness accentuated by the playful game of red brick with white stone, was the residence of Leonardo Da Vinci during the last years of his life.
THE CHÂTEAU where you will enter Leonardo intimacy (visit of his bedroom, workshop, kitchen and beautiful rooms of red brick and white stone) and discover his 40 marvelous inventions; Fascinating exhibit of models of his inventions.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRAVERSES where you will carry out an initiatory trip with Leonardo and his disciple. You will activate 12 gigantic and spectacular machines, will listen through 8 sonorous points to listen Leonardo' reflections and will admire 32 translucence canvass.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRAVERSES where you will carry out an initiatory trip with Leonardo and his disciple. You will activate 12 gigantic and spectacular machines, will listen through 8 sonorous points to listen Leonardo' reflections and will admire 32 translucence canvass.
- Arrive in Valence on Thursday afternoon, check into Hotel de France.
Friday, August 8th
In Valence - no plans
In Valence - no plans
Saturday, August 9th
Wedding at 4:00pm / Colombier-le-Jeune
Wedding at 4:00pm / Colombier-le-Jeune
Sunday, August 10th
In Valence - no plans
Monday, August 11th
Depart Valence for Genoa, Italy. No transportation plans yet made. We will either rent a car with friends or book a EuroRail pass.
Depart Valence for Genoa, Italy. No transportation plans yet made. We will either rent a car with friends or book a EuroRail pass.
Stay Monday night in Rapallo at the La Piazzetta hotel. It is the top floor of this building in the town square.
Tuesday, August 12th
In Rapolla - no plans.
From Genoa on the Italian Riviera, we'll be able to explore the cool 5 coastal towns of Cinque Terre - well known for its hiking and swimming holes.
Wednesday, August 13th- Depart Genoa on the 9:10am train for Venice.
- Arrive in Venice on Wednesday at 2:00pm. We need to get from the station at Venezia Mestre to the island of Venice (via train or shuttle boat – called the “vaporetto”).
- Check into the Hotel alle Guglie.
Thursday, August 14th
Venice – no plans
Thursday, August 14th
Venice – no plans
Friday, August 15th
Venice – no plans
Venice – no plans
Saturday, August 16th
- Depart Venice on the 12:52pm train to Paris (leaves from St. Lucia station).
- Stay in Paris Saturday night at the Hotel de l’Aveyron (walk from Gare Lyon).
- Depart Venice on the 12:52pm train to Paris (leaves from St. Lucia station).
- Stay in Paris Saturday night at the Hotel de l’Aveyron (walk from Gare Lyon).
Fly to Denver
1:30 PM 17 Aug 2008
Paris, France (Charles de Gaulle)
3:55 PM 17 Aug 2008
Philadelphia, PA
Flight: 755
Travel Time: 8 h 25 m
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