New Years Eve in Florence was great- after having an awesome guided tour by a local around the city, seeing the famous sites of this old capital city and the influences of Michael Angelo, we then had ample time for shopping (Florence is very well known for its leather goods).
That night we had an amazing group dinner with plenty of good food, wine and company and finished off the meal with the Italian custom of eating lentils (it’s good luck to eat some on New Years Eve). We exited the restaurant to find the streets packed with people, as they had local acts and bands playing in the various town squares.
We soon found ourselves (thanks to our awesome tour guide Gerry’s recommendation) at a bar called Red Garter which was packed with Italians and Contiki tour groups. After a few drinks & some Dutch courage, Ben, Daniel (a South African guy from our tour) and I found ourselves on stage singing Sorry by Justin Bieber. We didn’t get booed off the stage so that’s hopefully a good sign, but seeing as I already had blurry vision..I’m hoping everyone else that had to listen was equally as boozed as were were! After lots of music and dancing I ended up arriving back at the hotel just in time to repack my bags before the coach left at 7am.
We started our way to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower. Luckily we got there before the crowds so were able to enjoy taking photos and walking to the top of it at a leisurely pace. Beware though, you can definitely feel the lean walking up and if still mildly intoxicated and not feeling worse for wear…you surely will after that.
Pisa was our last stop in Italy and we continued through the beautiful mountains and countryside of Genoa as we made our way to Monaco/South of France. We only had a few hours to check our Monaco but it was fascinating to see such a wealthy small country, filled with super yachts and lamborghinis. It was awesome to go onto the Grand Prix track as well and check out their winter markets. However, after having a quick look at their real estate I think it’s going to be a long time before I can even afford a bathroom there!
Late afternoon we carried onto Nice where we were to stay for 2 nights. Nice was incredible and it’s so easy to see why it’s a top holiday spot- even in winter their runway was still packed with private jets. We stayed at the NH Nice hotel was was really nice (and had an amazing buffet breakfast too). After travelling on tour now for 2 weeks it was so nice to be able to relax for, have lots of time for shopping/walking around town and of course to check out their local French markets and amazing food. Our hotel was right near a winter carnival so I took Luke and Leia on a massive freefall type ride which was so fun and only 7 Euro per person (in NZ a similar type of ride in our CBD is about $40 NZD per person).
After 2 nights and feeling well rested we made our way to Lyon. Lyon is such a cute old town with many silk tunnels/secret passageways through buildings and streets (best place to play hide and seek for the young and young at heart). After another relaxing night in a beautiful hotel and swim in their indoor pool, we were ready for our last 2 days in Europe..in Paris!
I had lowered my expectations on Paris as had been warned it was quite dirty, overcrowded and too touristy. I was to find however quite the opposite.
Our first afternoon in Paris we spent doing a river cruise on the Seine River. The Seine River runs through the middle of Paris and I definitely recommend it if you are only there for a short time as you get to see all the famous sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, Grand Palais and more (without all the busy traffic).
That night we had our last group dinner at a beautifully grand restaurant, just off the Champs Élysées. Starting with champagne and proceeding to entrees of Escargot and French onion soup, Mains of Beef Bourginon, Coq au Vin and a seafood dish, all finished off with Crème brûlée or profiteroles. And of course like all of Europe…lots of wine. It was a bittersweet night as everything was amazing but it was starting to dawn on me that we only had one more night with this fantastic group of people (even if they were mostly Aussies).
I had always been a bit weary of tours (as previously mentioned) and much prefer independent travel, but Gerry and our awesome tour group definitely changed my mind. I would without a doubt recommend a Trafalgar tour, especially through places that have lots of historic and cultural sites as you are able to get best and quickest access to them, have special local guides for the area, and have an awesome travel director to guide you to hidden treasures and best hotspots in town (ensuring you’re not wasting any time on bad food).
For our last day in Paris, Mum and I spent the morning on a tour through the Palace of Versailles. After seeing how intricate and elaborate each room is, I understand now why there was a revolution! It was particularly cool to see the hall of mirrors and the gardens. The downside is that it is packed! So I would advise to go around this time of year as I can’t even begin to imagine how much worse it would be in peak season (summer). Also I would allow lots of time to do it as since we were on limited time, we were unable to stay for as long as we would have liked.
Afterwards we met up with the rest of the tour group to go up the Eiffel tower. It was surreal. I recommend walking down it (definitely take the lift up) as it is so cool seeing inside of the tower and also the different sights as you descend. We then spent the rest of the afternoon shopping (window shopping and eating for me) on Champs Élysées.
Our last night in Paris (and Europe) was spent at the Moulin Rouge with an included dinner (Luke and Leia stayed behind with some people from the tour). It is definitely a bucket list thing to do and unlike any show I’ve ever seen. I never thought I would find topless dancing so elegant and classy. I was so amazed with the variety acts too, from rollerblade acrobatics to swimming with large snakes in a tank- I still can’t decide my favourite act.
It was a perfect ending to our European adventure and I’m so grateful for all the experiences, amazing food, weather and people I’ve encountered.
Now for the next leg of the journey…Los Angeles and a week in Utah skiing!
Until next time,
Chalisa
xxx
A Kiwi That Flies 