Arles, Aix En Provence, Nice, Monacco, Ez

We stayed on the French Riviera for two days.

We learned that late night French television is a big hit with the Real Life Rio de Janero and the French bachelor.

On our way to Nice, we ventured into the Provencial city of Arles where we visited a Roman amphitheater.  

Arles

To have the very best time, go where Anna goes, do what Anna says ~ at least that's my motto.

Thomas's soul ascending into heaven in the form of a baby, being lifted by angels

We've taken to statue modeling.

Van Gogh

Van Gogh square

Cezanne

On the Santiago de Compostela - a pilgrimage I plan to make.

We then moved through the French country side to Aix-en-Provence (a hip little mini Paris) where we shopped and ate lunch.

Our boys enjoyed testing the self sanitizing space toilet in Aix-en-Provence

The Market in Nice

Jake playing football with a little local

Our very dreamy tour manager Anna Costas

 Cote d'Azur

Monacco

 Lifestyles of the rich and famous

A short hike to Eze

the gardens of Eze

A local olive wood worker

The boys loved the idea of the Ferrari Spyder experience.

Charles

Locke

Tanner and Reagan

Manoli

 We sleep when we can.

 I would take them anywhere!

 Mom's and their boys. (Mammone!)

 I'm really getting into the selfie phenomenon.

Our favorite friends from the Chicago group, Irish Mike and Mary Kate

Picnic from the market in Nice in Monacco

 Shopping in Nice

This local saved them from being hit by a train.

And sweet Locke carries the bags.

 Au revoir France, Bonjourno Italy.  Tomorrow we leave for Florence.

Road Trip

Today we rested a little on the bus ride to the Languedoc and Provence regions of France.

We traveled along the coast to Carcassonne, visiting travel rest stops along the way. 

Our tour manager Anna's bathroom rule is one in the hand is worth seven somewhere else. We are increasingly learning the value of Anna's knowledge, in that rest stop bathrooms are better than contracting the plague in the medieval village

Jose Enrique is our driver until we arrive in Nice.

High Fructose Corn Syrup is banned in Europe :) Snack food is often sold out of self serve kiosks, ice cream, soup, cafe au lait, even McDonalds.  .

On to the perfectly preserved medieval village.

a Medieval village, originally fortified in 100 BC by the Romans and then home to the Inquisition

And then to the Pont du Gard ancient Roman Aqueduct built between 40 and 60 A.D.

 

Source of fresh water for Nimes from the 1st - 6th century A.D.

"Wait, Let me take a selfie." with Locke

Avignon for the night in Provence

Palais des Papes

After dinner we walked to the Papal Palace. 

During the meal, Delaney and Ivey sat with the group traveling from Chicago and taught them all things southern, y'all, boiled peanuts, grits, and BoJangles.

Tomorrow we move on to Nice, the French Riviera, via Arles, a former home of Vincent Van Gogh.