Tag Archives: wine

Last day, travel highlights and reflections. July 25 2026

As I sit in the Westjet Salon lounge at gate C83 at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, I am reflecting on some trip highlights. 

For me the most significant was my travel companions. A lovely hand-picked collection of friends and family who joined together with me. We offered each other support and kindness. Mostly I will remember the laughter. What fun we had!!!  

The two hotels we stayed in were comfortable and quaint. Centrally located and easily found. We shared spaces and enjoyed the walk ups. 

Mostly due to dietary restrictions I ate from grocery store purchases. We pooled our money in a kitty and purchased cheese, olives, fruit and wine.  It worked well. We shared cabs and walked many kilometres in the heat and bright sun seeking shade when we could. 

Few days in Paris getting familiar with the city sights and boat tours, hop on bus, evening river cruise, the sight of the sparkling Eiffel Tower. Market shopping with careful search for least expensive rose, white wine or sparkling French type Prosecco. Comte cheese and baby tomatoes. 

The Toulousers road trip, singing, driving, eating and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Our lovely hard working tour guide (CEO) Francoise was so helpful and always available to find washrooms and assistance with busses and little tourist trains, finding information centres and delicious food. 

The Taste of Toulouse food tour was extraordinary and delicious. Easy to understand with lots of samples to share- wine, cheese, olives, bread, charcuterie. Lovely introduction to local cuisine. 

The special access for Westjet gold status members to the airport lounge is really nice. It’s a perk that only I got to enjoy in our group today. Quiet, spacious and lovely. Breakfast was offered initially with gluten free baguettes 

For now I am signing off until my next travel adventure 

Bon soir. 

Bordeaux France 29-30 September 2025

Sailing up the Dordogne river to Bordeaux during breakfast onboard Sirena. We are sitting on the back of ship outside and enjoying the brilliant clear blue sky, the green flat coastline stretching for miles. We passed Pauillac where we will stop at tomorrow evening. 

Guest bloggers participate providing descriptive words. Rich in mystery. Colourful. Autumnal.  Peaceful and serene, glowing, wind kissed, verdant.  Radiant. Fertile. Lush. Vibrant. Dotted with farm buildings, spires and towers. Vineyards. Sheep. Cows. Charolais. River cruise ships. Vineyard estates. Church steeples. Water towers. Colourful Channel markers. It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood. Oh my. Perfect rows of vines in green fields. Each site begs to be described in vivid detail. The gentle wake of the ship rolling towards the shore in persistent waves. 

The ship parked right in town travelling under the bridges. 

Off the ship and a visit to Cite du Vins (museum of wine). Some fun activity. And five wines to taste. Yay. A tram to fountain where we will go on a city walking tour. 

Monument of Girond

Grand opera. (Like opera de garnier, in Paris)

3 moons. Symbol

Paris is a bigger Bordeaux. 

Replicated architecture in Paris to mimic Bordeaux. 

Romans brought wine vine 2000 years ago

Wine cellars in basement 

Big gates, big doors for protection and to collect taxes for people coming in to city

At Andrew’s cathedral. X inside. Killed on cross   Gothic style. Gargoyles. Spikes on top. 

Eleanor of Aquitaine. Movie. The Lion in Winter she died at 83 years of age with 11 children. 

Rue st Catherine longest. Pedestrian at now. 1.3 Kms. Triangle gate. North-south. 

Sculpture for blind people. Water mirror. Bridge. 

Wine tasting afterward at Coleurs du Vin. Women owns company. First one white , 80% Sauvignon blanc and somillion. Then clear red wine out of Merlot and cab sav. DeMeter With very strict organic rules. Less sulphites. Third one is Merlot. Very smooth. And a 4th complementary tasting. Very nice, sweet little place. 

30 Sep we set alarm to be up early. Gorgeous sunrise promises a sunny day. Hotel notre dame. 3 star. Very nice location and price advised my friend. Off to find market. Photos of doors, fromagerie, coffee, fleuriste, we purchase cheese and try while waiting for the tram. Past jardins publique. Exploring Bordeaux. Wonderful. A few churches with beautiful stained glass, large pipe organs. Some kind of soaked cinnamon sweet that others can eat. We spend some time in the most beautiful and interesting wine store, all wines of Bordeaux region, prices showing, round spiral staircase.  Up. Up. Up. Delight at every one of 6 floors. We make a few purchases. 

Back to the ship using our tram pass from yesterday.