Diamond 5-24-04 Sete, Marseille, France

[JanMD]

Wed. May 26, Sete France arrived at 9:00 a.m.

Weather was sunny low 70- mid 70's.

 

Walked into Sete over the canals and found the shopping area- Market Day. On one street it was all food items, the other, it was all clothing. People were sitting ar cafe with there little dogs in their laps eatting food. Lot of young children with there parents. It was just like in the movies. It is hard to describe it.

Lunch at grill was at 12 (French) they had chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers everyday on the grill, salad bar, etc, plus the special food for the day. I ordered special pasta everyday and it would arrive within 10 minutes. The only thing they did not have was steak sandwiches up at the grill.

 

At 2:00 p.m. Tour- Montpeillier and Flaugergues Chateau, $56.00. Would recommend it! Bus took us out to Montpeillier, only 30 minutes drive, French guide was excellent. Crew members wife was on the bus with the first aid kit, very nice girl. Walked through the town for one hour with the guide. There was one alley just for postcards all different types! very cool. If you left the guide you would be lost. Ended back at the square. Train went through the Comedie square- McDonalds was on the corner! It is one of Europe's oldest universities medical school college town. Wish we had free time to explore the town. The square also had several outside cafe . It was just like what you see on GMA or Today show when they broadcast from the town. It was just beautiful. Got on the bus and went to the Chateau de Flaugergues right outside of town. Went through Chateau property - house of the de Colbert family since 1696. Went through the gardens and had a wine tasting of white, red, rose wines. Drove back and enjoyed the French country side with the Lavendar and the vineyards.

Sailed at 7 p.m. had eatten up in the Italian Grill on the 10 floor and you could hear the singing through the lobbies of each floor. Entertainment: Grey Garnet and Mr. Romantic, At 11:15- Karoke Time.

 

 

Thursday May 27: Marseille, France docked at 8 a.m.

Weather was sunny low- mid 70's.

 

Tour- Aix en Provence, $60. Would recommend. Had a very perky French tour guide. Drove out to the town, and then took us on a 1 hour walking tour of the town. She left us off at the cafe and you cold get coffee, soft drinks what ever you wanted, it was free. We opted to continue walking and found another Longchamp store that has the new expandable bags. Went to the Market area, very large area and got some lavendar spices, and soap. Food market and there were alot of boutiques in the town. We lucked on the market days with the locals out and about. The town was a puzzle from the market area to get back to the Cours Mirbeau- main street which was lined with Sycamore trees. You needed to keep your map with you at all times. Met the bus at 12 at the Circular Place de las Liberation, built around a large, gushing fountain. Drove back to the ship and saw the geougous countryside of France.

 

We were going to go over to the Voyager to visit the ship, but it had been charted, thus no visit. There was a bus that took the crew and pass. out to the soccor match between the Diamond and the Voyager at 2 p.m.

 

Lunch- Asian Buffet. Went up to the sun deck (10) got some sun and it felt good after 6 days of straight on the go! At 2, Barb (mom) went into Marseille with the free bus into town.

Depart Marseille at 6 p.m. Dinner was at 7:30 (country club casual) Tonight's enterainment was at 10:15- Karen Daves- Classical favorites from around the world, 10:30, Mr. Romantic

Photo shop opens from 7-10, and the gift shop from 7-10.

Jan

 

[This message was edited by JanMD on 06-05-04 at 04:54 PM.]

 

[This message was edited by JanMD on 06-05-04 at 04:58 PM.]

[Joanandjoe]

Interesting review, Jan. I'm going to try to set up a link from the Windstar board to this posing, since we, too, go to Sete and Marseille (in November), and have similar tours offered for similar prices.