Destinations

On a recent trip we had a 11 hour, overnight layover in Abu Dhabi.  Our incoming flight landed in Abu Dhabi at 9:40 pm.  Our connecting flight left the next morning at 8:45 am.  That adds up to an 11 hour layover. We decided the best plan was to get a hotel room and try to get some sleep. We looked at hotel options close to the airport and decided on Aerotel. Aerotel is not only close to the airport, it's in the terminal. Aerotel is located airside, within the transit area of Terminal one. If Abu Dhabi is your layover, you don’t…

Warmth is all around as we walked through old town Nice in France.  We can feel the sun’s warmth on our faces and see it on the facades of the building and alleyways.  The colors on the buildings in Nice are definitely warmer toned than you find in northern areas of France. Old Town Nice Alleyways in Nice The old town open air market, also known as Cours Saleya Market, is filled with the fragrance of flowers from local growers.  Soap vendors, also known for France’s lavender soaps abound.  If you are hungry, you will find a good amount of…

The opulent, iconic and pink two-story French seaside mansion called Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is on the Cote D’Azur in France.  Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild built the villa in 1905.  After her death it was donated to the Academie des Beaux Arts.  Pink is my favorite color so we had to stop and see this beauty for ourselves.  It did not disappoint! With its nine distinct gardens, it will take a bit of time to see it all.  Well by the Entrance Most popular and photographed is the picturesque French Garden with the pink villa in the background.  Many a…

Claude Monet returned to the Italian Riviera this past spring and it was a special treat to see his paintings.    "Monte Carlo vu de Roquebrune" by Claude Monet We took the train from our hotel in Nice, France to Ventimiglia, Italy. After arriving, we made our way through the busy train station until we stepped outside and the warm Italian sunshine kissed our faces. From there, we walked a couple of blocks to the bus stop and purchased our tickets at at a nearby cafe. The bus would make the windy trip to the mountain village of Dolceacqua. Mountain…

In London, you’ll find artwork in the museums and out on the streets. London boasts a rich street culture. A great example is the multicolor mural of Shakespeare on the Southbank of the River Thames. To find this mural head towards the Globe Theater. The Globe is a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original theater where his plays are still performed. Once you pass the globe, continue East along the river towards Borough Market. After a five minute walk, you'll be greeted by a giant, multicolor mural of Shakespeare. The artwork is by James Cochran, an Australian artist, who is also known…