Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Pérouges, France: The 15th century medieval walled town perched on a hill that felt as though time had simply decided to stay awhile. With its weathered stone walls, flower-filled windows, winding cobblestone lanes, and quiet corners tucked behind centuries-old doors, Pérouges was one of those places that invited you to slow down and notice every detail.
Click HERE to see many more pictures of this beautiful town!
Mom and I were so glad that we chose to do this tour with Viking Cruises on our Rhône River cruise. The tour was fascinating, the town was gorgeous, and the history was inspiring. This past year we have talked often about this tour and it has reminded us that beauty is not found in perfection. It is found in the worn places, the weathered places, the places that have endured. And perhaps the same is true for us. The chapters we never would have chosen, the unexpected turns, the seasons that seemed to change everything often become the very stories that shape us most deeply.
There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.
Mom and I were so glad that we chose to do this tour with Viking Cruises on our Rhône River cruise. The tour was fascinating, the town was gorgeous, and the history was inspiring. This past year we have talked often about this tour and it has reminded us that beauty is not found in perfection. It is found in the worn places, the weathered places, the places that have endured. And perhaps the same is true for us. The chapters we never would have chosen, the unexpected turns, the seasons that seemed to change everything often become the very stories that shape us most deeply.
There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.
// Leonard Cohen //
My Viking Story | Caravan Sonnet | Pérouges, France
My Viking Story | Caravan Sonnet | Pérouges, France
Happy Saturday friends!
It is hard to believe that it has been a full year today since our beautiful Rhone River Cruise! I am excited to share a few final reels of this beautiful adventure! Last night on IG I shared a reel all about days three and four which included time in Avignon and Viviers! Before you read anymore here, I would be honored if you would please head on over to watch, comment, and like this reel by clicking HERE!
I understand that in the world we live in and the constant reels and pictures it may not seem like a lot, but to me this means so much more than you realize. Every view, like, comment, and share on a reel truly matters more than most people realize. Instagram quietly uses those small signals to decide whether a post should be shown to more people. When you watch, tap the heart, or leave a thoughtful comment, you’re helping the story reach someone else who might need to hear it too. For a small content creator like me, those simple moments of encouragement from this community make a real difference and help Caravan Sonnet continue to grow in the Instagram space. So please take just a quick moment to click HERE to do this!
Thank you.
If you are interested in more information about days three and four please click on these links below and as always feel free to let me know if you have any questions!
Day 3- Avignon and Taste of Provence Dinner
Avignon Walking Tour (IG Reel)
Theatre of Avignon (Grand Opera Avignon) (Blog Post)
Carrousel Belle Epoque (Blog Post)
Palace of the Popes (UNESCO site) (Blog Post)
Viking Delling Food and Dining Review (IG Reel)
Day 4- Viviers and Cruising the Rhone River
Viviers Walking Tour (IG Reel)
Happy Saturday! I hope you have the most wonderful day!
When I went on my first Rhone River Cruise with Viking last year, I was a complete newbie. I had never been in that area of France and I didn't know much about the area prior to the trip. We had done our amazing Rhine River Cruise with Viking in 2017 so I was familiar with European River cruising but I searched for the best packing lists for the Rhone River as I didn't want to forget anything in all of the excitement! I narrowed a few items down that we found to be the most helpful and practical and here are five things that people often forget to bring on their first Rhone River Cruise
1. Local Currency
One of the most important things that you can do to prepare and bring on your trip is some of the local currency where you will be going. You can do this ahead of time at your bank or at a local vendor which will result in less fees than if you use a money exchange booth in an airport. While some people would prefer to use their credit cards - which is great, you will still need to have money for tips or for small shops that don't take credit cards so make sure to prepare for this ahead of time. I personally found that while many of the places took credit cards (especially in the bigger cities like Lyon), the smaller towns that we visited (like Arles) shop owners thanked me for using cash instead of a credit card as I spoke with them.
2. Passport Holder/Wallet
You will need to have your passport with you and I would definitely recommend carrying it with you at all times, even while you are on excursions. I use my wallet which is an older beautiful green Travel & Passport Wallet that is no longer available, but is very similar to THIS ONE and I love it!
You will need to have your passport with you and I would definitely recommend carrying it with you at all times, even while you are on excursions. I use my wallet which is an older beautiful green Travel & Passport Wallet that is no longer available, but is very similar to THIS ONE and I love it!
If you are looking just for a Passport Holder and don't want the entire wallet- there are so many different adorable passport holders that are available today! A favorite I found (for less than $10!) is THIS ONE (which has more than 22,000 amazing reviews and comes in TONS of different colors!!) The best thing is that many of the colors are currently are on sale!
3. OTC Medications
While it is true that you can purchase all different over the counter medication when you are off the ship- it can be more pricey and also be difficult to find depending on where you are traveling. There were several pharmacies at different places we stopped (so it is not impossible) but it is just easier to bring your medications with you. Most Rhone River Cruises do not have a doctor but there is a basic first aid kit available. You will want to think ahead and bring some of your own items.
Prone to seasickness when you travel? River Cruising is a beautiful answer for those that may struggle with this, but I did meet a few people on our cruise last year that were seasick. If you are very sensitive- definitely check out my post 4 Ways to Prevent Motion Sickness when Traveling by clicking HERE!
Even though river cruising is an excellent choice for those who are prone to seasickness, there were still some people who said the movement on our cruise was difficult to them. A lot of people use Dramamine (or the patch) for motion sickness on a cruise which is a wonderful option, but ginger can be a great natural resource to help with nausea. You can read more about ginger and its health benefits by clicking HERE. I have mentioned this in several posts but I swear by THIS ginger here. It is organic and for less than $15 you can save yourself a whole lot of sickness!
4. Comfortable Shoes/Sandals
I shared this in my post, 13 Must Pack Items for Your Caribbean Cruise, but it is a definite thing to remember. Pack comfortable shoes and sandals!! You definitely want to look cute and have fun, but you don't want your cruise ruined by blisters either so take the time to pick out cute and comfy shoes. On a river cruise you do TONS of walking and you will want to make sure your shoes are comfortable!
5. A Watch
I was surprised to hear this suggestion from those who had done a lot of river cruising but honestly, have now seen the value in having a watch. One of the best parts of a cruise is having the chance to take a break from the "real world" and simply enjoy the moment. But if you are wanting to make sure that you are ready to meet for excursions, meal times, etc. and want to put away the phone, you will want to know the time. Five years later, and I still love my fitbit versa and totally recommend it! You can find it HERE!
What about y'all? Any items that you wish that you had brought on your first Rhone River Cruise that you would recommend to a first-time cruiser?
Read more about our amazing Rhone River Cruise below:
And here are some cruising tips from over the years of blogging!
Cruising Tips:
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
When you leave Paris for the most charming Medieval City in Normandy…
Just a little over 2 hours by train, it truly felt like stepping into another century. Cathedrals that inspired Monet, cobblestone streets, architecture that was artistic, history that was around every bend, and cozy romantic spaces that make you want to linger forever.
Rouen you are truly incredible. If you are traveling to Paris make this part of your plan to visit. You will not regret it. Comment “Rouen” and I will send you more inspiration from my time visiting this beautiful area of France.
See more pictures from my beautiful time in Rouen HERE!
Caravan Sonnet | Normandy History | History Professor
Happy Wednesday friends! Today I am so excited to share more about our stay at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn in Marseille, France! If you want to see an IG reel all about our stay click HERE! This really was the perfect way to start our Rhone River Cruise Trip! If you are going on a Rhone River Cruise (in the direction of Avignon to Lyon) and are looking for a place to stay before - I can't recommend this property enough!
There are certain places that quietly shape a trip—not because they are extravagant, but because they offer something increasingly rare: ease. Our stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Marseille Provence Airport was exactly that. Close to the airport (less than 2 miles away), a soft place to land just outside the rhythm of the city—simple, calm, and far more beautiful than I expected for the price point.
First Impressions: The Kind of Arrival You Hope For
We arrived after a long overnight flight—one of those travel stretches where time blurs and sleep never quite comes. And y'all this is where this stay mattered most.
Instead of navigating a busy city center on little rest, we stepped into something entirely different: quiet, light, and immediate calm. The staff were genuinely warm and welcoming—from the first pickup a at the airport shuttle, gracious in that way that makes you feel taken care of without effort, and most importantly it felt like they understood exactly what travelers need in that moment: ease, kindness, and a place to simply exhale.
For us, it became the perfect transition point—a gentle landing before the journey really began.
The Room: Simple Cozy-Luxury, Done Well
Our room was exactly what I look for when traveling to Marseille- a clean, safe, quiet room, but it became so much more than that. If you saw the instagram reel (click HERE)- you will understand how we were completely shocked at the large picture window in our room that showed incredible views of the bay area. We didn't even ever turn on the TV - when we were in our room we simply just kept looking out at the window watching the beauty and settling in to this quiet space that felt more luxurious than you could imagine.
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The Details That Matter
For me- I had hopes that it would be a very nice stay. A place that would be safe for two women traveling alone and it was much more than that! It was a stay that truly was a resort like oasis and despite being near the airport- you never felt like you were at anything but a lovely resort in Southern France.
The "small" details added up:
1. A seamless airport shuttle that removes any stress on arrival (and taking us back and forth for travel into Marseille the next day and for when we left the property to meet up with the Viking Shuttle Service) and was absolutely lovely. The small mini-vans make you feel like it is a luxurious car service, not a simple hotel say.
2. An on-site restaurant with a terrace that feels relaxed, not rushed and also provides room service which we used two nights so we could watch the sun set from our room. They also were very accommodating to my allergies! The food was delicious y'all and extremely affordable.
3. A pool and outdoor space that invite you to linger just a little longer - there are lots of places to sit, linger, and just enjoy the beautiful property.
4. Staff who are attentive, kind, and consistently helpful. We found this with all of the staff- and they were just amazing. They were attentive, kind, and just genuinely welcoming. We arrived so exhausted and when our credit card wouldn't work to pay the security deposit, they helped us with the details and said not to worry about it. (Once our bank opened up I of course went back down and took care of this, but the kindness to two women who had a brief issue with their bank and couldn't deal with it with the time difference was just exceptionally kind. We had paid for our stay but for some reason the bank briefly blocked the additional charge thinking it was fraud.) The staff's reaction set the tone for everything. I admit I was near tears being so tired and their kindness immediately just changed the entire situation.
These are the kinds of touches that quietly shift a stay from fine to memorable.
.jpeg "hilton garden inn marseille / marseille, france")
Affordability
This is where this stay truly stands out.
There’s a narrative in travel—especially in the South of France—that beauty must come at a high cost. And yet, this stay gently challenged that.
The Hilton Garden Inn Marseille Provence Airport offers something I am increasingly drawn to: affordable cozy-luxury.
Not in a flashy sense—but in a grounded, intentional way. A place where you can rest well, feel taken care of, and still travel thoughtfully.
The amount we spent? $109 (US) each night. This includes taxes and everything. Y'all. Absolutely unbelievable considering the other properties were ranging from $400-$1000+ in Marseille.
A Perfect Pause Before the Rhône River Cruise
This part felt especially aligned for our trip. We were preparing to begin our Rhône River cruise with Viking—traveling from Avignon to Lyon—and this stay became the ideal in-between.
Instead of rushing, we had space to rest, reset, and arrive well before continuing on.
If you’re planning a similar itinerary, this is such a strategic (and peaceful) choice:
1- Fly into Marseille
2- Stay here to recover from travel
3- Explore Marseille at your leisure
4- Then continue on to your cruise departure point
It transforms the start of your trip from exhausting → intentional.
Location: A Different Way to Experience Marseille
While it’s not in the heart of the old port, the ability to travel to Old Port was incredibly easy. This location offers a different kind of rhythm:
1. Close enough to explore Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and the surrounding region
We actually considered renting a car prior to our trip and exploring more of the region. If you are able to do this I would highly recommend it. With my work schedule and the amount of vacation days I have this was just not possible, but would definitely recommend this. We opted to spend our one full day between arrival into Marseille and the day we embarked on the cruise in Old Port Marseille and took the bus and train to get there. It was incredibly easy from the Hilton (we simply took the shuttle from the hotel to the airport where we got on a bus) and that is definitely something I would recommend.
2. Removed enough to actually rest
Despite being so close to the airport- it was incredibly quiet and so restful. After our day in Marseille we actually came to the conclusion that it was much more restful where we stayed then if we had made our way into Old Town like we originally considered.
3. Ideal for early flights, transitions, or slower travel days
The Hilton Garden Inn Marseille was absolutely lovely and I can't recommend it enough. If you have any questions please let me know!
Happy Wednesday friends!
It is hard to believe that it has been a full year today since we stayed at the beautiful Hilton Garden inn in Marseille! You can find a full review HERE!
Last night on IG I shared a reel all about our stay at this beautiful property in Marseille! Before you read anymore here, I would be honored if you would please head on over to watch, comment, and like this reel by clicking HERE!
I understand that in the world we live in and the constant reels and pictures it may not seem like a lot, but to me this means so much more than you realize. Every view, like, comment, and share on a reel truly matters more than most people realize. Instagram quietly uses those small signals to decide whether a post should be shown to more people. When you watch, tap the heart, or leave a thoughtful comment, you’re helping the story reach someone else who might need to hear it too. For a small content creator like me, those simple moments of encouragement from this community make a real difference and help Caravan Sonnet continue to grow in the Instagram space. So please take just a quick moment to click HERE to do this! .
Thank you.
Happy Wednesday! I hope you have the most wonderful day!
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you had an incredible day!
It is hard to believe that it has been a full year today since our beautiful Rhône River Cruise with Viking Cruise Line began! I am excited to share some special memories from our trip and today excited to share all about our travel from Newark to Marseille!
Tonight on IG I shared a reel all about our travel from Newark to Marseille! for part two of how I paid off $260,000 in medical debt. Before you read anymore here, I would be honored if you would please head on over to watch, comment, and like this very important reel by clicking HERE!
I understand that in the world we live in and the constant reels and pictures it may not seem like a lot, but to me this means so much more than you realize. Every view, like, comment, and share on a reel truly matters more than most people realize. Instagram quietly uses those small signals to decide whether a post should be shown to more people. When you watch, tap the heart, or leave a thoughtful comment, you’re helping the story reach someone else who might need to hear it too. For a small content creator like me, those simple moments of encouragement from this community make a real difference and help Caravan Sonnet continue to grow in the Instagram space. So please take just a quick moment to click HERE to do this! .
Thank you.
Happy Tuesday! I hope you have the most wonderful day!
When you arrive in Avignon during a Rhône River cruise, the first things most travelers notice are the grand stone walls, the winding medieval streets, and of course the towering presence of the Palais des Papes (which I shared about HERE). But tucked into the lively Place de l’Horloge — where cafés spill onto the square and church bells echo softly through the afternoon — stands another building quietly carrying centuries of history: the Opéra Grand Avignon. Located across from the Carrousel Belle Epoque that I shared about last week (read HERE), this European theater is beautiful and elegant and holds a history that is far deeper than you may first imagine.
A Theatre Born From Revolution
The site of the Avignon theatre has been connected to performance and public gathering since the early 19th century. The first theatre on this location opened in 1825, during a time when France was still reshaping itself after the upheaval of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era.
The theatre quickly became a cultural centerpiece of Avignon. Opera, music, drama, and civic gatherings were held here — bringing together people from across Provence.
Yet the building that stands today is not the original structure.
In 1846, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed the first theatre. Fires were unfortunately common in 19th-century theatres, where candles and gas lighting were used during performances. Within just a few years, however, the city rebuilt the theatre, reopening it in 1847 in the Italian-style opera house design that remains today.
Inside, the theatre reflects the grand tradition of European opera houses:
• velvet-lined balconies
• ornate gilded decorations
• a horseshoe-shaped auditorium designed for perfect acoustics
For nearly two centuries, this theatre has hosted operas, orchestras, ballets, and theatrical productions — serving as one of the cultural hearts of Avignon.
A City of Theatre
Avignon today is known across the world as a city of theatre, largely because of the famous Festival d’Avignon, one of the most important performing arts festivals in Europe.
Every July, the entire city transforms into a stage. Posters cover ancient stone walls. Actors rehearse lines in the streets. Performers invite passersby to their shows in tiny theatres tucked into medieval courtyards. The courtyards of the Palais des Papes themselves become dramatic open-air stages and as I shared in my post, you can see these performances throughout the summer. But while the festival uses dozens of venues across the city, the Opéra Grand Avignon remains one of the most important traditional performance spaces.
Standing in the Square
One of the quiet joys of river travel is that it slows you down enough to notice places like this.
On our Rhône River cruise, the theatre appeared almost unexpectedly as we walked through the square. It was early morning so cafés were not open yet, and the carousel was still, but the theatre still jumped out to me for the incredible architecture and elegance.
If you know me you know that I love live performances and music of all kinds, so this building quietly struck me in deep ways. And learning the history of it made me pause. It reminded me that Europe’s great stories are not always only found in palaces or cathedrals. Sometimes they are held inside places built for music, storytelling, and the simple human desire to gather together.
When we travel, it is easy to focus only on the famous landmarks. But places like the theatre in Avignon remind us that history is also preserved through art, performance, and community life.
For nearly two hundred years, this building has welcomed audiences who came to laugh, listen, reflect, and imagine. And perhaps that is part of the deeper beauty of Avignon itself that I experienced -a city where medieval stone walls surround a living tradition of theatre that continues even today.
Thank you for stopping by and reading today! I hope that you enjoyed this brief history of the Opéra Grand Avignon! I can't wait to share more about our adventures on this cruise! If you are interested in reading more about our Rhone River Cruise with Viking, you can click on the links below:
Viking River Cruise (2025):
Viking Cruise Specific Posts: // Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling //
// Viking Rhone River Cruise: Answers to Your Most FAQ's // 9 Must Have Experiences on the Viking Delling //
Viking Rhone River Specific IG Reels:
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