No, I am not Gene Kelly, and Betty is not Leslie Caron. Even so we are a couple of Americans off to France for a few weeks.
We begin with a two-day chance to overcome our jet lag and see some of Paris. Then, it will be time to board a long boat for an eight-day river cruise along the Seine River from the heart of Paris to Normandy. Every day features a chance to explore the towns and locations, like Monet's gardens in Giverny.
Upon our return to Paris, we take a train to the city of Caen where a private tour has been planned so Betty and I can explore some of the very deep roots her family has in parts of Normandy.
With a family connection going as far back as William the Conqueror, her maiden name, Montgomery (or Montgomerie) is attached to several castles and large estates. We will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore her history and dig into family legends she has only read about on Ancestry sites.
Her dad came ashore during the D-Day invasion at Utah beach and spent the next two years performing his military duties as an Army Captain, helping the Allies defeat the invading German forces. We will visit the beach he landed on, as well as visit the villages and countryside where he lived.
Finally, a train trip back to Paris, one night to catch our breath, and then a 16-hour trip home. Until then, this blog is taking a break. Look for a fresh post on September 11th, and then plenty of pictures and embarrassing stories of attempting to speak our very limited French.
Nous souhaitons bon voyage et bonne sante
(Wish us safe travels and good health)
Voyagez en toute sécurité et bon voyage! Au plaisir de connaître toutes vos aventures à votre retour! (Travel safely and have a wonderful trip! Looking forward to hearing about all of your adventures when you return!) My high school French has failed me miserably in the intervening years because I rarely use it. Thank goodness for Google Translate!
ReplyDeleteYes, Google translate will be heavily used!
DeleteWe are looking forward to seeing you and Alan next month.
Wishing you safe travels and good health!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! And to see all the places that have special meaning to your wife and her family history is wonderful.
Are you going on a Viking cruise? I would love to go on one of their river cruises, and I hope that the rivers have recovered. I would hate to go on a cruise and then have to be bussed due to low water levels.
Looking forward to pictures and stories when you return. Have a wonderful trip!
This will be our second Viking River cruise. With no more than 190 passengers it feels like a large family getting together. I have not read of low levels on the Seine, so we should be ok.
DeleteYes, pictures galore!
How wonderful! I spent two weeks in Normandy in July for a family wedding. We were able to visit Juno Beach (where the Canadians landed) and spent a day at Giverny. So lovely!
ReplyDeleteWe will be doing two beach tours, one for the Canadian landing and one for the American locations where Betty's dad landed.
DeleteHave a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteHi Bob (and Betty!). Have a wonderful time. All of us fans will waiting to hear your report on your blog when you return! ~Kathy
ReplyDeleteHave a GREAT time! -- Daryl & Mary
ReplyDeleteMy family hails from the Island of Jersey, just off the northern coast of France. We often fly into Paris and then venture out to St. Malo, board the ferry to Jersey and then stay on the island for a week or two. Enjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your travel report when you get back -- and lots of Betty's photos!
ReplyDeleteSounds marvelous! Have a wonderful trip! Look forward to reading all about it!
ReplyDeleteCharlene H
Have a wonderful trip Bob and Bety!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing about your trip. Hope you make it to Ranville ;-)
ReplyDelete