Holiday afterthoughts
July 28, 2012 108 Comments
Chateau de Sarceaux from the distance
My sincere apologies for the long absence on this space. First, both work and home fronts went haywire in the weeks preceding our holiday and then our holiday for almost 3 weeks in France kicked off but internet connection then became a precious commodity.
Lots of stories to tell — which would take me a while to do together with the pictures that I also enjoyed taking along the way. Just when I thought I’ve seen it all from the many travels I’ve done in the past, this recent holiday brought in new and amazing surprises.
I will take you along to a French chateau where we spent one lovely evening wining and dining with the marquis and the marquise and to our camping experience in Cap Ferret where we had the best of both the Arcachon Bay and the Atlantic Coast as well as some of the amazing vineyards which produce some of the best French wines. Then we will move on to the Dordogne Valley which at first I thought was some backwaters of France but whose charm would hook me forever from its many amazing surprises that run from its many feudal castles to spectacular gardens, sunflower fields, Medieval villages, lively markets and so much more. Capping our holiday was a side trip to Monet’s garden in Giverny complemented by a lovely stay in a very cozy bed and breakfast where we felt very much at home.
Francesca became friends with the family dog right away
Our bedroom with original period furnishings — felt like a step back in time.
The little princess at the dining room
The Atlantic coast
Father and daughter are such water lovers — this place is paradise for them.
Our family
One of the many games to enjoy in the almost empty beach front along the Atlantic coast
Oyster stalls in Gujan Mestras along the Arcachon Bay
Father and daughter with the Medieval city of Saint Emilion in the background
The little girl in Saint Emilion
Our family in Saint Emilion
Saw lots of macarons in Saint Emilion and had to buy a dozen of different flavors.
Wine chateaux abound in Saint Emilion and this is just one of the many that we saw along the way. The little girl is showing off her tumbling skills here.
Wild flower fields we passed by in the Medoc area
Vineyards in the Medoc area oftentimes stretching to as far as the eyes can see
Sunflower fields
Sunflowers
Our family in a field of wild blooms
The little girl with her haul of dead crabs in Gujan Mestras
The Dordogne river in the afternoon
Netting young trouts in the Dordogne
Opa and Oma flew in through Bergerac for a few days, much to our delight. They stayed at a very cozy hotel in nearby Le Coux et Bigaroux.
We celebrated Dad’s birthday with lunch in Sarlat and dinner in Audrix.
Together we visited the Chateau de Hautefort and were very impressed by its gardens
Our family in Chateau de Hautefort
Monet’s home in Giverny
Monet’s pond of lillies
Lillies in Giverny
