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Time to go home - day 12, 5/22/22

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 Sadly, we are leaving France... It's been such a fabulous trip - weather, food, hotels, people we've met along the way and more.  LONGGGGG day journey ahead, but we'll also be glad to be home. Bon Voyage! A final dump of pics from Vence last night: About to head to dinner: Drinks in Vence (thinking of and texting hello to our nephew Henry): From La Litote: Amuse bouche - split pea soup and salmon rillette bite: Brioche to go with foie gras at La Litote: Le foie gras: Doug's salmon: Camembert and sausage: Post dinner pics back at Chateau Saint Martin: Decaf Espresso martinis courtesy of Hugo: Au Revoir France!  Can't wait to return!

Day 11, Vence, France 5-21-22

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 Our last day in paradise! We unfortunately have to revolve our day today around when to take Covid tests. But, there's an amazing fitness center at this hotel, so that's the first thing I'm hitting up. Beyond that we may go into the town of Vence and explore.  We hope to sit by the pool at the hotel and read, and we definitely will try and relax and be in the moment. More pics from this morning walking around this gorgeous hotel (former castle built in 360 BC). Artwork lines every hallway. One outside wall that dates back to 360BC: Outdoor terrace where you can have coffee or later drinks overlooking Vence: The bar off the lobby with tapestries: Outdoor area where we had breakfast (also is their Michelin restaurant at night): Looking out from the lobby to the entrance to the hotel: The gym where we worked out (with a view): One of the original walls of the castle/fortress dated 365 BC: Sculptures lining the entrance: And UPDATE: It's 1:15pm here and we just took our Co

Day 10, Vence and St Paul de Vence, France, 5-20-22

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It's Day #10 and we are up and packing before heading out for a brisk final walk around Juan Les Pins. We drive to the hills Vence this morning (about 20 minutes away).  We'll check into our hotel, and then head to lunch at 1pm at La Colombe d'Or in nearby St Paul de Vence. People say that Vence is one of the most beautiful towns in the French Riviera.  It's a medieval town that sits up in the mountains and is much quieter and peaceful than where we've spent the last 4 days. It overlooks most of where we've been (Antibes, Cannes, Nice) all the way to the Med. As we drove from Antibes to Vence we saw the Swiss Alps in the distance (snow capped) and the stunningly blue waters of the Med behind us = GORGEOUS! We arrived at our beautiful hotel and were greeted warmly and given a tour.  The hotel is gorgeous with artwork everywhere. So we checked in and then drove to lunch. View inside the lobby: The view from our room: St Paul de Vence is close and was established i