From Lucerne to Paris

Saturday 5th June.

Up early for a 7.30 departure for the long trip to Paris, over 650 km to be traversed.

Once we crossed the Swiss Alps and the Rhine River the km slipped away and we were on our way, travelling through the beautiful French country side, mile after mile of forest and fields of mustard, grapes and wheat. In France the Motorway does not go through the villages so apart from the usual coffee and lunch breaks we made good time. We arrived in Paris about 4.00 pm; we found beautiful wide streets and a huge traffic jam. Our driver Piero got us to our hotel with his usual skill, so we checked into the best rooms we had encountered through the trip so far.

By the time our suitcases arrived in our room we had no time to write the blog for the day, as we were heading out for the Paris illumination dinner. This was our chance to stretch the boundaries of our eating, Ian had Quiche and Jamie had Escargots for entrees followed by a regular main course. After the meal it was time to see the Paris lights, spectacular, the Eiffel Tower lighting burst into life about 11.00 pm. It was special. We got back to the Motel around midnight so no time for the blog.

Sunday the 6th June.

Slept in to 6.30 then out for breakfast and on the bus by 8.30 for the tour of Paris, we drove through the tunnel were Lady Di met her demise( we had more success in getting through the other side ) and then the trip up the Eiffel Tower another thrill for those that don't like heights. We had lunch on the Champs de Elysees, as you do. Then in the afternoon it was off to the palace of Versailles, 1000 rooms of art and extravagance and 2000 acres of manicured gardens it was a real eye opener. Back to the motel for a couple of drinks then out for tea with a few of our fellow travellers who were not taking in the Moulin Rouge Show. Paris is one city we all feel we would like to come back to, so elegant so much to see.

Tomorrow London