End of our journey. Day before 'departure'

We have had no wifi for a couple of days so need a carch up.  Cant backtrack or lose connection so not sure what I've said previously. So semi short version....train late from Paris so we list/missed reserved connection in Mannheim...good ol' Octoberfest has blasted chances of getting any replacement reservations to Munich, so had an interesting time with the ticket agent trying to get us on a train. We had choices.... One person go on next train with three following an hour after that OR an even later one than that we can all go but no reservations on first leg and confirmed seats on second leg  into Munich. Not too bad to stand fir the first hour if need be i guess!  Only problem with that scenario was that two if us were in the first train separated by an attached engine and the ither two in the back if second train... And only one ticket for all four!  Sue and Terry had to keep fingers and all other apendages crossed that their photocopies and explanations of train trouble would keep them from being thrown from the train!!!  They did have hassle but guess they must not have looked like criminals because they were allowed to stay on board... Whew! Catastrophy averted!  We also got a seat so no standing.  Love that ticket agent. She did us good!
Our trip from the station to our hotel was fun as we had ' Mario Andretti' behind the wheel!  He must gave wanted to get back ti the station because he literally took our life in his hands with the trip!!!!
Hotel we booked was fantastic. One of the nicest hotels we have ever been in and considering its octoberfest a VERY goodvalue!  Thank you Sue!!!  Certainly the best service in a restaurant. Bar non a five star.!
We had good tutaledge on traversing the underground on our trip so as old pros we made our way todowntown  to experience the sights of this beautiful city!  I could come back here no problem! Very clean and comfirtable and the people are charming!
Some if the best food we've had on the trip and like i said ... The service was white glove
I'm sad to go home but excited as well. The kids are coming to stay after we get home and i cant want  to see Mason. Havnt seen him since June and want to see Jen and Ryan as well. Miss them all!  Will be so good to catch up and get our hugs in!
Until we meet again!  From Munich...
Auvidazein

One more night in Paris!

It's been a fantastic visit here and a fantastic day. Even though the guys were a little under the weather they were troopers and the four if us walked about forty minutes to the D'Orsay gallery. OMG was it fantastic Renoirs, Picasso , Monet, Manet, Toulouse Lautrec and so many more!  Awesome works in an awesome gallery. We left and picked up a picnic and sat and ate in a charming little Parisian park. Was so nice to finally not be rushed. The boys were once again troopers and went and did laundry. I got to put my feet up and have a snooze in between eliminating a hundred pics off my camera!  Does that give you an idea of how many I actually have left???
Oh yeah did I tell you about our last evening. So special saying goodbye to the wonderful people we have spent the last three weeks with. And our guide and now friend Lusa from Bothel Washington. What a wonderful person she is. This trip would not be the same without her!  We said our goodbyes and walked to the Eiffel Tower. I sure wish I could post the wonderful pics I took!  I will do that when I get home. What a site. We stood under the tower looking up. OMG
It's been a cornocopia of wonders here in Paris. I have been pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed everything... Even the metro...well maybe not enjoyed it but pretty much figured it out. Even how to distinguish the pickpockets .  You have to be here to appreciate the beauty and history.
We are going out for a last supper here with a couple we met Jon and Mary. Been fun to spend time with both if them. Mary is a fantastic jeweller and has given me lots if great ideas.
Arivoir!
Xxxxx

The French Connection

I cannot believe how be beautiful this city is!!! Coming into it I still have not picked my jaw up from the floor!  We have had a wonderful day...Got here just after lunch and checked into our funky hotel and then checked out Notre Dam cathedral.  I am still in awe!
Just got back from a beautiful dinner in the town square!  OMG... There are several million people in Paris... Largest number of people in a European city.  Wall to wall people sitting out on the sidewalk side by side.  Was an interesting day learning the metro system and all the pickpockets. Ran into several .
Getting tired do off to bed. Up early to go to the Lourvre tomorrow morning and the orsay gallery in the afternoon.
Miss everyone

Oui oui, mes Amis!!!!!

Ah,  France it is today!  We left the beauty of the Swiss alps for the beauty of France!  Arrived in Beaune this afternoon with sunshine following us the whole day! We were introduced to a wonderful vintner and her winery and her wines!  Yuppers Deb imbibed!  After a few glasses( actually just part glasses) of vino we found a great outdoor restaurant to try beef bourgignon !  To die for!  Very Bon!
We are off to Paris tomorrow to see Notre Dam and then the Lourvre the next day. Will be sad to say aurivour soon!
Hugs xxxx

The Swiss Alps!

Got up early this morning and took the tram up to ten thousand feet to a revolving restaurant at the top of the world!!!!!  What an amazing day!  We walked and walked and walked through the Alps over hills and dales and through the forests.  We had picked up a picnic lunch so sue, Terry, Bill and I  parked our butts and enjoyed the view overlooking Murren Switzerland.  OMG what a View. Will post pics when I get home. We are overtaking the restaurant trying to do emails nd get caught up on wifi.   Our hotel is Heidi's house ( at least looks like it at he edge of town with nothing around) and our room is grandma 's attic!  Literally!!!  Squeaky floor and everything. Pine room with single beds end to end. Fun overlooking the valley .  We have had an interesting time with Swiss francs and the expensive cost of everything. My lunch alone yesterday was 25 francs which is about 40.00 Canadian  
And I just had fruit and cheese ns a water ( water was 5 francs for a small bottl). Needless to say we will not be eating here much more !
Miss everyone
Xoxoxo

Oh what a beautiful day! Cinque Terre

Words cannot describe how beautiful, fantastic, perfection ( but still no toilet seats ....) and the food!!!!!
We actually got to sleep in this morning. Awoke at eight and then read for half an hour !!! Talk about decadent!!! Had breakie and then we headed off to Levanto which is one town over to the north ( I think) and wandered around with new friends Mary  and Jon from Fargo North Dakota   They had been there before and Mary, who is a fantastic jeweller wanted to go back to check out this great bead and pottery store she had been to at that time. Of course I could not decline the invitation to join them so the four of us headed out on our adventure.  We bought train tickets not having a clue what to do  we muddled through and made it through all the pick pocket threats and wandered the streets looking for this shop. Don't know how we did it but our muddling paid off and they found it!!!... And did we have fun!
Girls had fun and boys lounged outside under the shade of a big tree waiting for us.  We were awhile!
We had a beautiful lunch at an outside cafe and then back in the 'mugger central' train and headed past Monterosso ( where our hotel is) and  headed for Vernazza.  Holy cra-!!!!!picture post card scrumptious.  Did I say I love it here?
We checked out the marina and then took the ferry back to Monterosso.  Bill went sunbathing if course on the sands of the Mediterranean....how cool is that!
I visited with sue and terry and had show and tell!
Jon made reservations at a beautiful restaurant on top of a cliff.  What a view!  Spectacular!
Our day ended with , of course sidewalk gelato !!!!!yum

Off to Switzerland tomorrow!  Supposed to be sunny again!
I have to go I am falling asleep while typing and my spellcheck is having a field day!!!
Love and hugs
Deb

P.S.
Read this at your own risk because spellcheck and myself are at war!!!

Roma!

It's  Friday... I think
OMG. What a day!  Yesterday was soooo tiring. We walked to the Colleseum.  Awesome place.  Then walked from there to the Parthenon.  Sooo very awesome! Incredible dinner.  Supposed to be a small finned and ended up with another five course Italian dinner.   Awesome!  Walked from
There to the Trevi fountain.   OMG it is so wonderful and bigger and than expected and I was awe struck with the beauty if not only the day but the whole day!!!  We learned how to use the subway and sll did magnificently.  Even after all our hints  on how to protect our possetions one of our group was swarmed and robbed on the subway.  Another story!  On the way back the woman's hubby was robbed. Can't believe the luck. About 65 euros together. We got back and after sll the vino we had at dinner without too much problem.  And all fell into bed!  Never woke up until six this morn.
Now today we did the Vatican. Oh boy. Now we are once again exhausted .  We literally walked our assisis off!!! Tomorrow we get a relaxing six hour bus ride to cinque e Terre. Yippee!
So much stuff but have to go to bed... Up at six again and on the bus at 8 .
Good night all
Hugs