Our first stop after leaving Tuscany was Genoa, a gritty port town on Italy’s Mediterranean coast with a bustling industrial harbor next to a redeveloped family friendly, touristy Porto Antica…think Baltimore’s Inner Harbor…filled with shops, restaurants, playgrounds alongside working fishing boats, small pleasure craft and whale-watching boats. We enjoyed strolling around here on a Sunday evening, but found it was almost deserted during the day on Monday.
Our apartment is a rather cool loft in an old industrial building very near the port.
We encountered a nasty bump in the road when we discovered on Monday morning that someone had stolen two suitcases from our car (along with sundry other small things). When we are on these road trips staying one or two nights in a place, we pack so that we have everything we really need in one suitcase while the other holds out of season clothing and other things that won’t be needed until our next long stay (like checkbooks, airline reservations, receipts, larger size cosmetics, etc). Fortunately, we always keep our cash, credit cards and passports with us. It was these ‘extra’ suitcases that we lost. We spent much of the day finding the Polizia and reporting the loss, then calling USAA and reporting it to them. What a pain!! I guess it’s fortunate that there’s really not much to see in Genoa because we sure didn’t have time to see it!
Next stop: Nice. The drive here from Genoa was quite short and, so we were able to take our time today. We took the Autostrada as far as San Remo and drove down to the coast. We then meandered along (much to the consternation of our GPS gal, who kept trying to get us back on the Autostrada…), taking in the scenery, weaving among motorcycles and bicyclists.
We then drove through Monaco, along the route of the Monte Carlo Grand Prix…though not nearly as fast…
We arrived in Nice by early afternoon with plenty of time to walk down to the old town and get a bite to eat in a sidewalk café. I must say, it’s nice to be back in France, but now we have to remind ourselves to say ‘Merci!’ and not ‘Grazie!’ Our apartment is high on a hill with a fabulous view of the city.
Only one night in Nice and then on to Montpellier, with a stop in Aix-en-Provence along the way. This town is filled with young people…40,000 students, we’re told! Perhaps that’s why there is giant Apple store in the main square! Here we also saw probably the strangest church altar ever…it looks like a surreal movie set…
Montpellier is a rather large city (8th largest in France and fastest growing in the country). We are staying outside the city center but have easy access with the extensive tram system. The large Place de la Comedie is a lively square surrounded by beautiful Renaissance buildings and lots of cafes spill out onto the square.
The weather is getting warmer (58° today) but the skies have been gray during our stay. The consolations include good baguettes again (!!) and a return to the country of foie gras!
Next stop Barcelona!
Having two suitcases stolen sounds pretty upsetting. I’m impressed that you seemed to have taken it in stride. Bravo!
I’m so sorry about the theft of your suitcases. The exact same thing happened to us in Little Italy in NYC about 20 years ago. Go figure.
I hope (at least) the Salami was very good in Genoa. Have a safe trip to Barcelona. Maybe take in a bullfight, but assuming they still have the real thing, be prepared for protesters when you exit, but while loud they are peaceful, or at least were about 10 years ago. Great city. OLE
You sound like professional victims of theft. You did you diligious with reporting and rolled on. I am glad you could get back on track without ruining the next days. I guess your thefts in Btown were good preparation. I hope you continue to enjoy and discovery. Best, Kathy
Am so enjoying your journals and am envious of your being able to do this.
I just hope that you had lots of dirty clothes in the stolen bags. We hear about this happening and I guess you are a testimony to the rumor being true.
Am looking forward to your time in Barcelona. Steve and I are going there after a cruise in September
What are you hearing about views of the US during this period. In Sept when we were in Europe people were just hoping we didn’t elect Trump.
Every day here we just cringe first, then cry, and finally really worry.
Love to you both
Gwen and Steve
Bummer. Sorry to hear about the theft and the hassle.
Something tells me it won’t slow you down.
Kathy and Rick
Janet and I were remarking the other day about how much we are enjoying your travelogue. Love all the pictures of those quintessential, tiny French villages.
Thanks for all the time spent keeping us up to date.
Jeanne
Theft in Barcelona is an artform. Police don’t even take reports from victims, a waste of their time. No threat of personal injury, they are so slick, it’s unnecessary.
Just enjoy the variety of treats for the mind, the eyes and the palette.
a friend clued me into your blog. well done. so many of the places you’ve written about on this trip are very familiar, from the 70s through 2006.
We read your posts with great interest and love traveling with you in spirit! So sorry about the luggage loss. Guessing that some shopping is in order. Thank goodness you had all the important documents with you.
Travelling back from Amsterdam on a business trip I have time to catch up on your travel log. We feel sorry for your stolen bags. Be careful in Barcelona too. I hope you will have time to visit the Sagrada Familia. There shouldn t bee too much tourists at this time of the year. have a good time. Helene and Roland.