It’s been a while since I’ve added to my travel snippets, and although I have not been traveling as much as I would like to (I’m not sure that is even possible) I have been a few places recently.
Italy
Verona (April 2026)
Where I stayed in a very nice hotel that looked out onto Juliet’s balcony. The mini fridge was filled with complementary booze and there was a drawer of snacks that was replenished daily. The market was mere steps away and I was reminded that fruit in Italy is the best.
Valpolicella
Where I learned that it is not only acceptable but recommended to keep some red wine in the refrigerator. This was huge for me, as I have always kept summer reds in the fridge. I wanted to call a few friends and let them know but decided to be a bigger person and write about it here instead.
On the tour I met a lovely Canadian couple and talked about hockey while sampling wine. Good day.
Lyon (May 2026)
Where I was reminded that I have a wonderful friend after a bad night. Let me explain.
Getting the train from the airport to the city was a challenge, and my friend and I walked a lot of steps and tried several ticket machines that did not work before finally finding the right one and getting onto the shuttle and into the city. From there we grabbed a tram before making it to our hotel. I was reminded of how great it is to travel with someone who can read a map and has a keen sense of direction. As he studied the map and I daydreamed, I remembered a time I asked a local for directions, who started off with ‘you want to head east’ to which I replied, ‘If I could tell which way was east, I probably wouldn’t be lost.’
We walked around Lyon until we found one of the few places still serving food at 3 pm, proudly announcing they served food all day. This is something I will never fall for again as several hours later I was trying my hardest to not wake my travel friend as I was sicker than I have ever been in my life. When I knew what was coming, I slipped from bed and moved in the dark to the bathroom, where I closed the door and put down a towel to keep the light out. I will spare everyone the details, but after a few hours his light snoring made me furious and I kicked opened the bathroom door, letting the light and the toilet flushing wake him. When he asked, ‘Are you ok?’ I informed him in a croaky voice that I was not and needed water. Immediately he sprang into action, filling a bottle from the machine in the lobby then heading to a pharmacy and getting me tablets, which did not settle well, which resulted in him going to the front desk, and not knowing the French word for mop, miming the action. He was told it was not his responsibility to clean but we still did our best.
I spent the day in bed with a cold cloth on my forehead while he texted from the hike we had planned to check on me. He brought me a coke from McDonald’s, and it was the first cola product I’d had in maybe two decades. It was delicious. I drank it sitting on the rooftop terrace of our hotel while my friend ate his tenth or twelfth croissant of the day.
I thought I was over it. I was wrong.
Macon
Lovely day spent walking the streets and feeling better if not well. Had dinner outside (he ate, I watched) serenaded by a German shepherd dog sat at a nearby table that did not stop barking. I watched as the dog loving French diners threw dirty looks at the owners, who gave their pup chew toys and treats perhaps as distractions, but which functioned more as rewards for barking from where I was sitting. A woman sat down with a wee Dachshund that looked at the barking dog with absolute disdain from the safety of under his owner’s chair. It was both brave and adorable.
Entre Deux Lacs
My friend likes to book gites and local accommodations. He found one that looked charming, and in a very remote area. As we pulled up I despaired at the many things dotted on the lawn, but that was just a taste of what was to come. The house was cluttered with stuffed animals from fairs perching on shelves and chairs, including a large gorilla sitting on a piano bench that really creeped me out. As he went on a bike ride while I enjoyed another day of having an upset stomach, I asked him to please be back by dark. ‘I’m not staying here by myself!’ I added.
Rumilly
Where we stopped for a bite and a wander only to find most things closed – like a shop with a pair of shoes I still think about.
Annecy
Where I remembered why I love French pharmacies. My friend said if I was not feeling better he thought we should visit a doctor. I took myself to another French pharmacist and said I had been sick, I thought it was fish I had eaten, explained my illness and she gave me what I consider to be miracle powders. Little sachets of lemon flavoured magic that I tipped into my mouth right there on the street in Annecy. Within an hour I was feeling more human than I had in days, so I visited another pharmacy to buy skincare.
Later we went out for pizza and I had an entire slice by myself! There was a young couple sitting next to us and my friend was curious about what language they were speaking. Eventually he asked and we learned he was speaking Lithuanian. We then had a great chat about the history of his country and we both learned a lot.
Note:
I am sad that I did not feel up to tasting the local beer, called biere verte, as my stomach being dodgy I nursed ginger beer the entire trip. If I ever find myself in Annecy again I will return to the pizza place and wash it down with the local drink.
Grenoble
We stayed in a lovely hotel and had a wonderful time exploring what is very much a university city. We took the cable cars known as ‘les bulles’ for their round shape from the city centre to the Fort de la Bastille, where we saw many people hiking, running and being very healthy on a cold rainy morning.
And then, we tried to leave the carpark. I still have flashbacks as my normally relaxed, gentle friend took the two cards the hotel gave us and tried and failed – repeatedly – to get the barrier to rise so we could be on our way. Eventually we reversed out of the exit, me craning my neck certain we’d hit something, as my friend inched back the way we came. We then drove against the arrows to the other exit where we were again thwarted. We asked locals for help and were surprised by the number hanging out in a multi storey car park who didn’t have cars and had never used the structure before. We tried to find a number to call. Eventually I observed we were wasting the day and I would tap my credit card and maybe that would work. My friend was not having it as we’d already paid and instead marched back to the hotel, where he learned three cards were needed. It was a remarkably complex and stupid system and when the barrier finally opened I doubted I would return to the cute hotel with the ridiculous desk staff again.
From Grenoble we returned to Lyon, where we dropped off our rental car only to be told we dented it although we both had no clue how (it’s an ongoing process right now). We then made our way to the end of one of the metro lines and were met by a friend who took us to her gorgeous home in a remote French village where she made fabulous meals and we took lovely walks before returning to the airport and bidding adieu to France, but not before a visit to duty free where I explained why Longchamp bags are so expensive to my lovely travel friend.
As we sat waiting for our flight, we pondered our next trip and threw out suggestions. I want to do an Irish road trip and he wants to see more of Scotland. We both agree we want to see Orleans. Next time I won’t eat the fish, and we will take the train.