Ports of Call

Our first stop on the cruise was Marseilles, France. I have a particular fondness for France as I took French for 6 years growing up and traveled to France on two foreign exchange programs in middle and high school. I was looking forward to visiting Marseilles.
The weather was cool and damp. We got off the boat and boarded buses according to our selected excursion. Grant and I selected to visit Cassis along with a tour of Marseilles. Marseilles is the largest city in France. It was a typical large city, busy, dirty and not particularly tourist friendly. We did, however enjoy our excursion. I was able to get a pastry at a local French bakery and walk the quaint streets of the fishing village.

mmm...French pastries!

 Us and the Mediterranean

 A rare sandy beach on the Mediterranean coast

A few photos from Cassis

After our stop in Marseilles the boat headed to Monte Carlo, Monaco. Monte Carlo was decked out for the upcoming Grand Prix. We were able to drive on the Grand Prix track as a part of our excursion.

Driving on the Grand Prix course

At this stop we visited Villefranche, another French coastal town on the Cote D’Or. It was very charming and our guide was amazing. We had a small group and had plenty of free time.

 View of Monaco

 On our way to VilleFranche

 View of Nice.

 Grant in VilleFranche

 Me and the pregnant statue! :)

 Grant in an old covered road

 Cool pic of some of the boats in the harbor.

 A couple photos on our way back to the boat.

That night we would stay docked in Monte Carlo until midnight, but we had to be back on the boat for our 4PM President’s Circle of Excellence Award Gala. I had heard that there would be a special guest at the gala…I thought maybe a musician…