Dear Rapallo, I love you. Yours forever, Pam

Day #7

This morning it was sadly time to say "au revoir" to France. We had just enough time to make one final stop in the town of Eze. We had the option of visiting Fragonard (a perfume factory) or climbing to the top of a hill, up 200+ steps to see the views from a fortress. Which one did Pamcakes choose! Since I had flip flops on the choice was obvious... A hike up the mountainside! When I got about halfway up I spied a sign that had a picture of flip flops with a line through it. Ah, so I'm in the right place, good. Rebel Pam continued up the hill. It was a little foggy, so the views weren't spectacular but I was able to get the gist of what it would look like on a clear day. I really enjoyed walking through the quaint little village up the cobblestone paths. So cute. 

After about an hour, we were off to the Motherland... Italy!! Since Tinì and Giovanni were awesome, we had our first Italian stop in Dolceacqua, instead of a gas station. Dolceacqua means "sweet water" and it was just that! A sweet little town near some water. Brenda, Shelley, Jen, Bree and I explored a bit and then stopped for lunch. I ordered the Ligurian  specialty, pesto with gnocchi. Our biggest surprise of the lunch came when Shelley and Bree each ordered a calzone. When the food came out our jaws dropped. No joke, the calzones were the size of a human head, maybe even bigger. It was awesome. We shared a few bottles of wine and then it was time to head back to the bus. At the last minute I decided to buy a bottle of wine for later. The guy at the store asked me if I wanted to try any of the wines. I told him I didn't have a lot of time. He responded with "I can be quick when I want to be." Oh my. I tasted each, made my purchase, then raced back to the bus. We were on our way to Rapallo! 

Let me tell you, Rapallo is beautiful. Molto bello, very beautiful. Our hotel, "Europa Hotel Design Spa" was right beside the sea. 

After we checked in, I quickly got dressed then went for a short walk along the water. I was in love. It was perfect. I think I have a new favorite place. 

Before dinner we had a wine party in Shelley and Brenda's room. By the time we got to dinner, we were already feeling pretty good. The wine was flowing all through dinner too. Cuttlefish and wine is the meal of champions. After dinner, a group of us headed out to the hotel courtyard and continued to drink. We had a blast. I wish there were pictures from that night because my memory is slightly hazy. I do remember though: burpees, an epic selfie, and baby advice, so I like that about myself. I felt terrible in the morning, but it was so worth it.

Day #8

 

Ya know that feeling you get when you wake up still drunk from the night before? Welcome to my life right now. The room was spinning as I laid in bed, giving myself a pep talk just to get up and get moving. Nearly puked in the shower too. Rockstar status over here. It's a good thing today was going to be relaxing. Oh wait, no it's not. Today we were visiting Cinque Terre. Hiking and a boat ride too. Awesome. Just what I needed. We boarded the bus and set off on our journey. Porto Venere was our first stop. We saw the beautiful gothic Church of St. Peter. Stunning views and quite pretty inside, with its candles and high ceilings, the church was awesome to visit. Along the way was Byrons Grotto. The poet Lord Byron used to swim that very sea hundreds of years ago and this grotto was dedicated to him. After a delicious cappuccino in a quaint cafe overlooking the majestic mountains and seemingly endless sea, it was time to hop on a boat to visit the picturesque Cinque Terre. 

Luckily the water wasn't terribly choppy, so my hungover self didn't get too sick, plus the cappuccino really helped a lot. The boat chugged along and showed us the colorful pastel houses that painted the hills. I couldn't help but wonder, "How the heck do people get up there?" Due to mudslides, we weren't able to visit Riomaggiore, Manarola, or Corniglio. So we just sailed past them on our boat. We did stop in Vernazza though. It was there that I had the most delicious pizza I have ever had before (I'm salivating now just thinking about it). I ate it as I strolled along the shop filled streets. I even went back for a second piece but opted for a piece of focaccia bread instead. Back on the boat, we next sailed to Monterosso. Since this was a longer stop we had time to shop and to eat. I met up with Shelley and Brenda and we got our shop on. When it was time to eat, I unfortunately wasn't hungry, on account of the plentiful carbs I had eaten earlier, so I opted for a liquid lunch. One of my goals for the trip was to have Limoncello. I had only had it once before in life and hated it. I figured that since I am so cultured now and super sophisticated (I am, right?) then I'd be sure to like it. Right? I was wrong. So very wrong. I hated it. So much, in fact, that I didn't even want to drink it anymore. Not wanting to waste, I offered it to everyone I knew walking by the table. Soon enough it was gone. So. Gross. 

We hopped a train to head back to Rapallo and I rested a bit before heading back out again. I turned on the tv and what do I see but Vampire Diaries in Italiano! Awesome. After a quick rest, I headed out on my own. I pre-ate with some gelato. So good. Happy Pam. I came upon the Texans from the tour and they were kind enough to let me join them for dinner. I had a "lovely cheese pizza just for me"

After dinner with the Texans, I was back on my own. I had seen a cute shop the day before and wanted to go back to make some purchases. I walked up and down the street looking for my shop. After, no joke, 15 minutes, I was about to give up and go back to the hotel when I finally found it. The woman inside was so nice and even helped me with my terrible Italian.  "Ciao, Ciao!" Since it was vacation, I decided to get another gelato. For those of you at home keeping count, that's 2 gelatos in 3 hours. As I got back to the hotel, I ran into my NJ & MD peeps. They had been looking for me to go to dinner with them. Since I had just had 2 gelatos and an entire pizza, I gladly accepted their invitation, however I abstained from eating. Liquid dinner! Score! What started out as a shaky day turned out to be a perfectly lovely day. 

My favorite days

Day #5 

I had expected to have an amazing nights sleep, due to the fact that there were six pillows on my bed as well as relaxing oils and sprays on the nightstand. I was wrong. Crap sleep for Pam. I didn't mind though because I woke up the happiest I had been on this trip. I no longer felt sad about the phone. I felt thankful to be with this wonderful group of people and to be visiting these exquisitely beautiful places. Such a blessing. #blessed

Today we travelled to Nimes, home to an ancient Roman arena. What an amazing structure. Walking through, we saw the very spots, where hundreds of years ago many, many, many people were killed, either by lion or gladiator. 

We then walked around the city of Nimes and stopped for lunch. I enjoyed a cheese pizza and a pitcher of Rosè. I could really get used to having wine in the middle of the day! 

Next stop, Pont du Gard. French for "bridge over the Gardon River" this Roman aqueduct was built 2000 years ago, in the 1st century. Holy crap was it awesome. Pamcakes even did a little  hiking with flip flops on! It was so beautiful. I'd really like to visit again. Maybe next time with sneakers and a fella ;) The views from the tops of the hills were amazing. 

That evening, we arrived in Nice. I loved, loved, loved my hotel: Hotel Nice Excelsior. Each floor had a different theme associated with transportation. My floor was automobiles. The rooms were wonderfully weird and I even had a balcony!

I arrived in the lobby early for our quick walk about so the concierge gave me a tour of the garden courtyard. Tres Jolie! Very beautiful! Afterwards, I made a mental note to enjoy some wine there later. 

After our walk about, Jen, Bree and myself found a place to eat around Place Masséna. I wish I could remember the name! I enjoyed a plate of cheese (go big or go home right!?) and a few glasses of Rosè. What I enjoyed the most though, was Maxime, our waiter. It only lasted but a night, but his memory will live on forever. ❤️ With a belly full of wine and cheese, I was ready for sleep. 

Day #6

What a wonderful nights sleep I got! I slept like a log in my quirky little room. I awoke with a smile. This was the day I had been waiting for: villas of Cap Ferrat and Monaco! I could not wait. Our first stop was the Villa Ephrussi. Some Beatrice chick lived there in 1905 and designed 9 different gardens, filled with a plethora of types of flowers and plants as well as gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea.  Simply stunning. 

We headed next to yet another villa: Villa Kerylos. Built in 1903, I barely walked around inside because I was so captivated by beauty around the building.  With its breathtaking views and beautiful seascapes, this was seriously the most beautiful place I have ever been to in my entire life. At one point, I sat on a bench and just took a moment to to acknowledge how thankful and blessed I felt. Such a dork. 

We made it back to the hotel with a few hours to kill before Monaco. While my camera charged, I joined some friends for cava in the beautiful courtyard. A lovely time was had by all. Soon enough it was time to get all dolled up and head to the principality of Monaco. What up Grace Kelly! I got teared up as we drove along the very road where my beloved Princess Grace lost her life in a car accident in 1982. So sad. Seeing the castle where she lived for 25 years was amazing. We stopped at the cathedral where she married Prince Rainier in 1956 and was subsequently laid to rest. So special. I can't believe I got to experience that. 

After dinner, it was off to the Casino in Monte Carlo. I expected it to be a little more lively, but it was still fun anyways. Bree, Jen, and I "enjoyed" some super expensive, yet crappy wine and did a little gambling. Unfortunately I didn't win anything but it didn't matter to me. This was by far my most favorite day of the trip. 

Side note: Every year, the streets of Monaco are transformed for the Grand Prix of Monaco. We happened to be there during this time. It was super cool to see the roads that will be raced on. I may even watch my first car race!

Bonjour. Bienvenue en France!

I awoke completely disoriented, unable to find neither the light nor the phone to answer the wake up call. Way to go Pam. After a quick breakfast it was time to say "adios" to Spain and "bonjour" to France. I snoozed a bit on the bus while listening to the sounds of Paco Lucia on the guitar. 40 winks later and I was ready for some sights. We drove past Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dali, the eccentric and genius artist. We viewed the massive Pyrenees mountain chain, separating Spain from France. One of the highlights, for me, was when we stopped for a "shakesperian moment" (to pee or not to pee) at a rest stop. I brought... Wait for it... M&Ms!!! Dye free and delicious! Well not dye free completely but at least free from the harmful ones. I bought many bags and skittles too! And topped it off with some ham flavored potato chips. Fat Pam is happy! Then we were back on the road. Oh hey France! What's up? I'm in you now!

Our first stop in France was to Carcassone. A fortified city, Carcassone has been restored to its original form. Cobblestone streets, lined with shops and restaurants, allow visitors to explore this fine city. Venders offering samples of chocolates with raspberry and meringue, line the quaint streets. I enjoyed a crepe and some wine while sitting outside, basking in the beautiful French sunshine. I got to cross something off my France list too! I had my first macaroon! I popped that cherry with a strawberry one. Yum! 

Next we arrived in Montpellier. I loved my room. So cool. And I got a robe with slippers! I wandered around before dinner and came upon a park. The sound of children's laughter filled the air. There were beautiful fountains and venders selling hot chocolates, as families and friends enjoyed picnics in the sunshine. Dinner was marvelous. The wine was flowing and we felt great. 

The New Jersey crew: Bree, Jen, and myself decided to go out on an adventure. We wandered around, looking for a dive bar. We stumbled up a Cuban bar offering salsa lessons. This looked promising. It wasn't. After hanging out there for a bit we wandered around some more. Turn after turn, we ended up deeper into sketchy Montpellier. Ok, now we were lost. We started to look for the tram to take us back to the hotel but couldn't find it. We did, however, find a train station and a man peeing outside. So there's that. After awhile, we found a tram station. Not ours, but at least we were on the right track (pun totally intended). A helpful French woman pointed us in the right direction and we were hopeful. Next tram station we found  was the correct line. Whoo hoo! Now we just needed to figure out how to purchase a ticket. I tried to use my credit card but the machine frowned at me. Seriously. A face pops up on the screen and frowns at you if you mess up. So funny. We realize it only takes change , so we head over to McDonald's to get it. I almost got a beer and a ham & cheese sandwich just because it was there and it was weird. Ok. Time to try the machine again. Yes! Smile face! The machine was pleased with us. We hop on the tram feeling victorious, until we realize we are going the wrong direction "Quel dommage!" We hop off at the next stop and purchase more tickets. Ok. Let's try this again. Within minutes we were at the correct stop and we realized how easy it was to get there. Boy did we feel dumb. Way to go New Jersey, lol. All in all, what a great day :)