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
