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Sunday March 29, 2026 France Here We Come

By Ellen Outten
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  And, I'm off again. Last trip, hopefully, on this knee.   I'll return and a few weeks later have a left knee replacement.    This time, my good friend, Bettiann Parker will be with me as we travel first to Paris for a few days on our own.  Bettiann already has her bionic knee so I'll be the one looking for the bench this time around! We will be able to see some things that Viking cannot offer us including a tour of Notre Dame and a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower as well as a cooking class we scheduled to make French macaroons. Then we meet the Viking river cruise ship for a sail north on the Seine River as far as Rouen.  But, while we're in Paris, Viking will take us to the Louvre for a date with Mona.   We'll also get to the Palace at Versaille.  Once we sail north, one of the highlights will be a day excursion to Normandy Beach.  We'll return to Paris and be put on a fast train down to Lyon for another river sailing on the ...
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Day 16 & 17 - Monday & Tuesday February 2-3, 2026 - Heading to Barcelona

By Ellen Outten
 Not much to talk about on day 16   Sea day filled with packing, playing cribbage and resting. Day 17 - Woke at 5:30 am.   It’s 6:15 here in Barcelona.  Having breakfast on the ship.  Just pulling into port.  We disembark at 7:45 am.  First flight at 11:20 Barcelona to Heathrow.  Only 1 1/2 hour layover.   Arrive phoenix at 6:15 pm.  Our long day has just started.
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Day 15 - Sunday February 1, 2026 - Malaga Spain

By Ellen Outten
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  Today was one of the more special days of this trip. The weather was cool, but a light jacket was all that was needed and for the most part of our tour, the sun stayed out. We took the included tour, approximately three hours, which included a bus ride to see the highlights of the city and a good bit of walking. I’m at about 9500 steps and it’s just passed noon. The bus to our left at 8:30 AM and we were guided along the beach area. Malaga has a beautiful long beach area that they say is man-made. Most of their beaches are pebbles and rocks, but they drained sand from the Mediterranean and covered the rocks to make a sandy beachy area. The bus wound its way up to one of the highest points in Malaga, Mirador Panoramico de Malaga.  From there, we were able to see views of most of the skyline of Malaga. There’s also a beautiful hotel up there.  Spain is known for their Paradors.  These are state run historical hotels Usually old monasteries, fortresses or castles and ...
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