Yesterday we spent the day and night in Contikis own French Chateau. The Chateau was once owned by French royalty and Contiki purchased it about 40 years ago. The Chateau is in the Beaujolais wine region of France. We spent our first night in the Beaujolais region in the city of Lyon because the Chateau was full with other Contiki groups. We enjoyed another nice "luxury" hotel before our stay in the Chateau last night which was beautiful but had communal bathrooms and showers.
We went to the Chateau on the first day we arrived in the Beaujolais region to taste the wine that is made there by a guy nicknamed JC (I can't remember his full name). JC and his family have been making wine there for just over 100 years. All the wine I've had in France so far has been really really good. We then went to Lyon for a quiet night before driving back to the Chateau in the morning.
Yesterday we were given picnic baskets filled with a yummy lunch and a map with directions to what Contiki call "the top of the world". The top of the world was about an hours walk/hike from the Chateau. It was difficult to find despite the map and although we went off the track once we eventually made it there and the view was amazing.
After our picnic lunch we walked back to th Chateau to have a swim in the pool and chill out before dinner. Dinner was cooked by Contikis chefs and it was pretty good. We had a traditional French dish which I cannot remember the name of but it used to be fed to the poor but has gotten better over the years and is now enjoyed by people all over France. It was like a stew with sausages and vegetables in it. We also had profiteroles for dessert which were soooooo good! I have lost count of the crossaints and pastries I've eaten here in France.
Last night we had a "P themed" party at the Chateau where we had to dress as something beginning with the letter p. Given we only found out about this party a couple days before, most costumes were slapped together at the last minute. Abby and I purchased white tshirts and markers to go as pictures and got our new friends to draw little pictures all over us. We wrapped Hannah up as a present and Shayna made use of her workout clothes she brought to dress as a personal trainer. The party was in the basement where there is a bar and club. It was really packed as there were two other Contiki groups there too. We had a great night and after our stay in the Chateau we are really starting to feel more like a family.
Today has been a travelling day, which has been nice as everyone has been able to recover and recharge on the bus. The bus by the way is really nice and comfortable. We were lucky to get this particular coach as it is a new 2017 Contiki coach. Contiki use their coaches for 7 years before replacing them so it's pretty good that we got this nice new one.
We have travelled into the French Riviera and just stopped at a French perfumery to learn about how they make their perfume and test some of their scents. We are now half an hour away from Nice where we will be spending the next two nights in a hotel. Tonight we have a "walk about dinner" where Contiki have given us 10 euros to use as we please in Nice. We are then heading to a pub/club called Wayne's bar to celebrate one of our fellow travellers Taylor's 22nd birthday.
Tomorrow we will have a free day in Nice, we are planning on spending it at the beach. Then we will get dolled up to dress to impress as we drive to Monaco to go to the Monte Carlo Casino before going back to our hotel in Nice. I'm super excited as I have heard Nice is beautiful and the weather here is amazing. Today and tomorrow are both 27 degrees with clear blue skies. The water is said to be really clear too.
Thanks for everyone who's been in touch with me and reading along :)
Contikis French Chateau
We went to the Chateau on the first day we arrived in the Beaujolais region to taste the wine that is made there by a guy nicknamed JC (I can't remember his full name). JC and his family have been making wine there for just over 100 years. All the wine I've had in France so far has been really really good. We then went to Lyon for a quiet night before driving back to the Chateau in the morning.
Tasting JC's award winning wine
Yesterday we were given picnic baskets filled with a yummy lunch and a map with directions to what Contiki call "the top of the world". The top of the world was about an hours walk/hike from the Chateau. It was difficult to find despite the map and although we went off the track once we eventually made it there and the view was amazing.
Top of the world
After our picnic lunch we walked back to th Chateau to have a swim in the pool and chill out before dinner. Dinner was cooked by Contikis chefs and it was pretty good. We had a traditional French dish which I cannot remember the name of but it used to be fed to the poor but has gotten better over the years and is now enjoyed by people all over France. It was like a stew with sausages and vegetables in it. We also had profiteroles for dessert which were soooooo good! I have lost count of the crossaints and pastries I've eaten here in France.
Soaking up some sun
Last night we had a "P themed" party at the Chateau where we had to dress as something beginning with the letter p. Given we only found out about this party a couple days before, most costumes were slapped together at the last minute. Abby and I purchased white tshirts and markers to go as pictures and got our new friends to draw little pictures all over us. We wrapped Hannah up as a present and Shayna made use of her workout clothes she brought to dress as a personal trainer. The party was in the basement where there is a bar and club. It was really packed as there were two other Contiki groups there too. We had a great night and after our stay in the Chateau we are really starting to feel more like a family.
Today has been a travelling day, which has been nice as everyone has been able to recover and recharge on the bus. The bus by the way is really nice and comfortable. We were lucky to get this particular coach as it is a new 2017 Contiki coach. Contiki use their coaches for 7 years before replacing them so it's pretty good that we got this nice new one.
We have travelled into the French Riviera and just stopped at a French perfumery to learn about how they make their perfume and test some of their scents. We are now half an hour away from Nice where we will be spending the next two nights in a hotel. Tonight we have a "walk about dinner" where Contiki have given us 10 euros to use as we please in Nice. We are then heading to a pub/club called Wayne's bar to celebrate one of our fellow travellers Taylor's 22nd birthday.
Making perfume
Perfumery shop
Tomorrow we will have a free day in Nice, we are planning on spending it at the beach. Then we will get dolled up to dress to impress as we drive to Monaco to go to the Monte Carlo Casino before going back to our hotel in Nice. I'm super excited as I have heard Nice is beautiful and the weather here is amazing. Today and tomorrow are both 27 degrees with clear blue skies. The water is said to be really clear too.
Thanks for everyone who's been in touch with me and reading along :)
What a wonderful time you are having with your three girl friend's traveling through so many countries with many more days of discovery to come.
ReplyDeleteHi Alison, you were very creative for the idea of the 'P' costume! It sounds like you are having a fantastic time ☺️💖
ReplyDeleteI think you are have such a terrific time! you look great in your new red swimsuit, obviously soaking up the sun over there.... my mouth is watering at all the descriptive posts of yummy food, complimented with French wine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, I am having the best time, currently lying on a beach in Nice :)
ReplyDelete