photo: mytravellinglens.com

Our 2022 Spring/Summer travels took us back to France (it has been way too long). Later in the year, we traveled to Italy.

Paris

photo: mytravellinglens.com

Our trip started with a planned direct Air France flight: Vancouver to Paris. That did not work out, there were mechanical problems with the plane. We left the plane and went through the tiring process of being rebooked on an alternative flight. It was a challenge to find seats for all the passengers at at time when travel to Europe is at a recovery peak! We did feel for the staff at Air France.

We were offered, as a best alternative, an economy flight on British Airways to London, and then a flight to Paris. We will basically lose a day of our time in Paris. Later, we found out that another option has been provided, to flight the next day from Vancouver to Montreal and then Premium Economy to Paris. Too bad we had already arrived in Paris when that alternative was offered!

All I can say if the pressure the Air France staff were under to accommodate the needs of hundreds of passengers was quite the challenge.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azure

 

Photo: mytravellinglens.com

We had accomodations in the towns of Les Angles, Vedène and Roussillon in the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azure Region. These two locations positioned us well to vist the area. Both were good stays as we have included them in our Great Places To Stay.

Occitanie

We also stayed in Les Angles in the Occitanie Region which put us near key sights as the Pont du Gard, Nîmes, Arles, Saint Remy de Provence and Arles.

photo: mytravellinglens.com

Italy - Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany

photo: mytravellinglens.com

We of course went into Orvieto. It was a short drive from house in Castel Cellesi, and if you park in the parking lot on the edge of town, there is a series of esculators that effortlessly take you up the top of the hill. Bravo Orvieto!

We have visited Orvieto many times, and on one trip, had a store make us up a complete set of dishes that we will enjouy using. In addition to a relaxed walk about the town we had a great lunch at Il Malandrino Bistrot, via Garibaldi 20, Orvieto TR (0763-344-315). On our two visits to this restaurant we have enjoyed having an outside table. Very relaxing and the food is so good.

Tuscany and the Val D'Orcia

photo: mytravellinglens.com

I enjoyed my morning drives to the Val D'Orcia. As a photographer I rank the Val D'Orcia as a top area of Tuscany to visit. The scenery is spectacular.

 

Rome

photo: mytravellinglens.com

Rome is so much more than iconic historic buildings and monuments. Get away from the major tourist locations and Rome is an interesting city full of scenes to remember. We had made arrangements to visit our friend, Salvatore Matrone of Leonardo Pen in Rome. We hoped a train and within an hour or so were walking from the station to a restaurant for a great visit.