European Vacation 2008

On Saturday, 18.May, we drove about 450 km from Rocamadour in southern France to “Mama’s” in Empuriabrava on the northern Meditarian coast in Spain (Costa Brava). We used the fast A roads via Toulouse, Carcassonnne and Narbonne and only go back onto local “N” roads after Perpignan to go along the spectacular coastal road via Port Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer into Spain and on to Llanca and finally to Empuriabrava.

The 5 nights (4 days) were spent mainly with family and eating home cooked meals as one would when visiting “Mama” :-). We needed to update the TV (with a new 26″ flat screen) as the old one had just died the day before our arrival, as well as the Laptop with another second hand unit (only is used for family eMails by Mama - who is after all 87 this year).

We did manage to go back to Ca La Maria for Lunch before we left. As on previous visits we had an excellent traditional Spanish meal - including Pigs Trotters, Pigeon, Leg of Kid (Goat) and of course the famous local Anchovies.

Leaving Mama and her trusted little dog companion “Teddy” was not easy as usual.

On Thursday 15. May we set off from Saint Remy on the long journey to Rocamadour. As expected the trip was through the hills between Nimes and Milau was slow going. We again used a short section on the A75 to pass over the valley of Milau via the impressive Viduct which marked the half way point of the days travel. After this it was back to ‘N’ roads via Rodez towards Rocamadour.

This is the 4th time Jacqui & Hans (3rd for Jim) have been to this Cite Medieval built against the rock of a deep valley. The Grand Hotel Beau Site [ www.bestwestern-beausite.com ] and it’s Restaurant Jehan De Valon has seen us celebrate a number birthdays - this time it is Jacqui’s 50s (and she’s not too happy about this one ). We always stay in our favourite suite ‘22′ on the second floor of the old building [comprising a good size bedroom and a seperate small sitting room.  The bedroom is overlooking the narrow single lane main street and the bistro court yard with the valley beyond.

On Jacqui’s Birthday we took the car south to the wine district of Cahor, and followed the “Le Lot” river first west along the southern bank and after reaching Puy-l’Eveque we returned east towards Cahor on the other side (northern bank) - unfortunately the weather was not on our side and by about the half way mark the rain had really settled in. Sadly for us - but without it this region well known for it’s rich wine, Walnut and Safron would be able to produce it’s goods.

In the evening we enjoyed one of the splendid meals “Jahan De Valon” is famous for - see our seperate report under the food category.

The last day (Sat 17.May) in Rocamadour was devoted to shopping in the small shops lining the cobble stone single lane street of this village as well as visiting one of the many Foi Gras producers of the region to get Jacqui’s “fix” of this godly delight for the next couple of days :-)

We have arrived in Saint Remy at the same place we have stayed at on our two previous visits to the small famous (think Vincent von Gogh) town in the Provence area in southern France. The Hotel Villa Glanum [ www.villaglanum.com ] is a group of small cottage style rooms in an L shape formation with Olive trees in main court yard area. Some of the rooms face the large swimming pool - and we always have so far been lucky enough to be able to stay in a couple of those rooms facing south. Privacy is made possible by hedges and lot’s of bushes and flowering plants. Originally it was only a Bed and Breakfast place (this time the dining room also offers a small menu of basic very good french cuisine. We are pleased to report that the place has undergone some improvements in all areas since the new proprietors took over some 3 years ago. (the original owner passed away just two days before our stay 4 years ago)

We took the first day of our stay and visited the old roman aquaduct site at Pont-du-Gard. [Something I have been meaning to do for some time ;-)]. It is a very impressive monument from the roman days and the current presentation and support site has been developed extremly well by the appropriate Authority.
It is a tourist attraction well worth the visit - there is no entrance fee, instead a high parking fee is charged. The support building complex has a small cinema and an excellent historical display as well as a good selection of the usual tourism geared services.

On our way back to our hotel we stopped over in Beaucaire - enjoyed a walk along the large boat harbour with many specially build / modified barges and modern “house boats” to enjoy the french canal system. The town is supplying good mouring and repair facilities for these new age boating community. We enjoyed and excellent lunch at the La Marine Brasserie (see seperate entry under Food Reports).

We needed a good rest after a long drive [560km] from Mestre / Venice (only interupted by the excellent lunch in San Remo). Menton is an old established little seaside resort town between the french border with Italy and the small State of Monaco - on the French Cote D’Azure.

We staid for two nights at the Hotel Price de Galles in the western end of town.
A normal 3 star establishment with clean rooms (ours with small balconies overlooking the Mediteranian), a good healthy buffet style breakfast and a small Restaurant “Le Petite Prince” where Jacqui and Jim had meal on the second night.

On our rest day (the 2nd day) we had an excellent lunch over the road from the hotel at Elsa Plage - a place not unlike La Fontana in San Remo.
Once again we enjoyed a mix of excellent seafood - Prawns, Calamary and Sardines with French fries and Salad.

We booked online into the Hotel Plaza in Mestre (Main land city associated with the Islands of Venice).

The hotel is located directly opposite the Railway Station which is supplying service to Venice every 15 minutes. And the other reason we chose this hotel is it’s close proximity to the Hertz Car Rental branch in Mestre (two doors away as it turned out).

The website [ www.hotelplazavenice.com ] for the hotel did not really reflect the excellent rooms and service available at this establishment. It is a lot cheaper than anything we could find in Venice. It has easy access - located on a main street and opposite the Railway Station - and has plenty of Parking. The staff is VERY helpful and the food is very good. Rich selection avaiable from the buffet breakfast. The Dinner Menu offers a good choice of dishes with extra specials and wines suggested by the waiter - all of whom very very well experienced and seemed to enjoy their profession.

This Hotel has improved this travellers opinion of Italian hospitality - which from privious experience was possibly ranking as the lowest in European countries.

We can highly recommend the Hotel Plaza in Mestre - in the 3 - 4 star category.

 www.clarence-hotel.co.uk

This establishment in Windsor (West of London) has been our preferred place to stay for the last 3 trips to London / UK. It’s close to the airport (LHR) in a quiet location - except for being in the flightpath of the early morning (6am onwards) airport traffic.

The hotel offers comfortable onsuite accommodation and an excellent (friendly) breakfast service.
NOTE: Late night or very early morning arrivals are not well catered for as there is no “night porter” service and the front door is locked [every client has a key once signed in :-)]

Windsor is (as most will know) the home of the Royal Family (Windsor Castle) and it’s also next to Eton which is a well known College town.

Both towns - Eton & Windsor offer a good choice of little eating houses and speciality shops - some in old fashioned village atmosphere.

Our stay at this hotel: Saturday 03. -  Wednesday 07.May 2008
Rates: 82 pounds per person incl breakfast

This section of this website will have our observations recorded as much as we have time (and feel like) - Don’t expect too much - as from past experience we did not always have access to the ‘net and often just didn’t feel like sitting in front of a keyboard to record what we had seen and done …..

I will try this time - also as it will help us remember details later