Sandy sent us a trip report capturing her family's time traveling through Europe this past spring, pretty cool that she got to use those Velieb bikes in Paris, enjoy:

French Riviera, Venice, Barcelona and Paris 2008

Thanks Sandy!

Sandy, I really enjoyed your report especially the part about Villefranche. It brought back a lot of great memories of my time in VSM. It sounds like a great trip.

Thanks for the great report, Sandy. I love your itinerary! And I loved reading about your night flying down the hill on the bikes from Montmartre, and your son's comment that he would never forget that night, even when he is an old man. Pretty cool stuff.

What a great trip report. I loved reading about your bond with TJ. And the bit about the thief in Barcelona cracked me up, since you thwarted him -- you go, Sandy!

I really appreciate the nice comments. I was actually quite nervous to submit my trip report!

I do feel very grateful to have a shared interest with my son. We both have an insatiable thirst for travel and are continually discussing what part of the world we would like to see next. My husband thinks Europe is primitive so we have threatened him to go on our own next time

Linda.......I want to thank you for making our stay in Venice so enjoyable. Your assistance before and after we stayed will always be appreciated. Your beautiful apt. provides such an "up close" experience to living like a local and with the the bonus of being so close to St. Mark's. Thanks again~

Sandy

Sandy: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your descriptive, interesting and well written trip report.

I'm printing it now and hoping to find time to read it in the next day or two!

Hi Liz

You sent me a private message with regards to day 11 in my trip report, staying in Dream of Venice. I do not have a premium account so I will answer your question here.

The 58 stairs were not a problem in the least! Our experience was actuallly more magical because of the higher view. I read through the guest book before I signed it and everyone had the same opinion as I. If we ever visit Venice again, this would be where we would stay. It truly is an amazing location. Linda's knowledgeable assistance is a bonus. My husband was more than impressed with how she had taken care of every single detail.

Sandy
PS There is only one other door to another apt. that occupies the staircase so it almost seemed if the stairs were private.

Hi, Sandy
I especially loved your report on Castello, where I stayed in May. Your apartment sounds just wonderful. Venice is pure magic, isn't it? I hug myself with such joy when I go there, or even think of it. Now, I must read the rest of your report. Thank you!
Yvonne

Hi Yvonne

I missed your comment until now. Yes, staying in the Castello area is magical.....for sure! Where exactly was your apt?

Sandy

Hi, Sandy
I stayed at the Ca' delle Dose, in a side street by the same name, not far from the Arsenale stop. I really liked St Helen's Island, to the far end of Castello.

I have relatives in Courtney and Comax ... where do you live?

Hi Yvonne

Small world! Comox and Courteney are less than an hour from where I live in Qualicum Beach!

Sandy

I also enjoyed your blog, having also been to the Riviera this spring. Thanks so much for your wonderful insights.

Cameron

Thanks Cameron

I take that as a huge compliment because I really LOVED reading your
blog of the Riviera. Your style of writing is so enjoyable to read and it made me truly miss being in France. Sigh......

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

Excellent report! I especially enjoyed the Riviera part - will almost certainly use it as a reference when we spend some time there in 2010, if all goes as planned.

Re: number of steps up the Arc de Triomphe. I think it's 194 - I counted.

Hi Doug

I had wondered if we had counted incorrectly but my Rick Steve's Paris 2008 says that there are 284 steps to the observation deck on top.

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

So who are you going to believe - this Rick Steve's guy or a fellow Slow Traveler?

I will likely be revisiting the Arc de Triomphe in June 2009. I'll be sure to get an accurate count & report back.

Hi Everyone

I am sure that everyone who reads lots of books will be familiar with Almost French by Sarah Turnbull. It is a travel memoir set in Paris and written by an Australian. The reason I was so interested in the book was because she lived in the same area of Paris as we did. Their metro station was also Sentier.

Sandy
PS I will eagerly be waiting for your step counting Doug.

Sandy, great trip report. I should be working but I started reading it and just couldn't stop. You managed to see a lot of places yet it didn't seem rushed.