We're on the AmaLegro riverboat going from Paris to Normandy. This afternoon we'll be in Vernon and going to Giverny to see Claude Monet's home. It is so beautiful and with all the changing leaves and thus far blessed with clear skies, mild temps in the 60's. The scenery is breath taking.

The staff is so friendly, really a first class outfit. We had a delicious Chateaubriand for dinner last night with an excellent French red wine (Mikey liked it!) Around 10:00 last night we went past the Eiffel Tower all lit up and it does a spectacular light show now (maybe it always did and we just had never seen it). The boat stopped so we could all enjoy it up on deck.

Being on this boat sure brings back wonderful memories when many of us did the Christmas Markets years ago! There are lots of fun, like kind people on board we've hit it off with so we're having a ball.

Oh man, Marcie!!! Your trip sounds perfect so far, I bet last nights Eiffel tower viewing was spectacular!

That sounds great! Can't wait to hear more as I have considered this cruise. How are the cabins?

Marcie, if you have not been before Monet's gardens are amazing. Probably a bit Late for many flowers but the water lilies and Japanese bridge are like stepping right into his paintings of same. One of my most favorite places in France! Enjoy!
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Helen

Monet's Garden is one of my best memories Marcie. Helen is right it is just like stepping into one of his paintings. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

We are headed to Lisbon tomorrow and do the Duoro river cruise again on AMA! Have spent the last week in Aalborg Denmark, visiting our friend Dr. Claus Lie & Jette it has been wonderful. Marcia, we did the Normandy trip 2 years ago and it was really interesting. If at Gold Beach for lunch,
find a place for the mussels...wonderful!!

We had a wonderful time at Monet's home, beyond gorgeous! You are so right, just like stepping into one of his paintings. We loved it and it was only a 10 minute bus ride from where we docked. Just a great day yesterday. We loved walking around the village too, hit the bakeries YUM, the eclairs and baguette sandwiches were out of this world.

Rachel, this was a very spur of the moment trip for us and we lucked into getting the last cabin on the ship, probably a cancellation. It is a category C with the french balcony. It is not large but doable with a queen bed and enough closet space for the week (we packed light, with carry on only). The bathroom is fine for one person at a time with a great shower (multiple heads and instant powerful hot water), no tub.
The last time we were on AMA we had a suite with more square footage and larger bathroom with a tub. Hey, we're just lucky to even be on so no complaints. The service has been A+, very friendly and excellent food.
Last night after dinner we stayed up dancing till after midnight with new friends. There is just a one man entertainer but he's very good. He can sing and play multiple instruments. The lounge was jumping, much livelier than on our recent Regent voyages. Lots of Sambucca on board too.

So envious Marcie, we have always wanted to do a Riverboat and this is one of the itineraries we have looked at. Agree that sailing by the eiffle tower during the light show must have been spectacular...they were doing that when we were in Paris in 2012 and we loved seeing it. Monet's home sounds amazing.

We truly hope to do one of these one day, haven't found anyone interested in going with us, but it sounds like it is easy to make friends and meet people so maybe we should just jump in and do it soon. Have fun, will look forward to more of your Rivermail.

We are so Jealous Marcie: We enjoyed are Christmas cruise with everyone years ago and always talk about going back in nicer weather to really get to enjoy the outdoors more and especially the scenery from the upper deck... We will get to it one of these days either late fall or early spring for us at some point.... Thanks for sharing..

So happy for you! I have always wanted to take the cruise from Paris to Normandy. You'll just love Normandy! The beaches and the cemetery are bone-chilling. So much history to absorb in a short time! One of the most moving experiences I have ever had. Enjoy that Sambucca and I'm so glad to hear that Mikey likes the wine! Mikey has great taste!

Yesterday was a long but great day seeing Normandy. We spent lots of time at the cemetery which is so gorgeous. It is very sobering to see thousands of grave sites with a cross (or for Jewish soldiers a star of David) but good to know how well these soldiers are cared for in their final resting place. Each has their name, state they were from and military information on the marker. There’s also at least a thousand names engraved on a giant wall of soldiers who’s remains were never found or could not be identified (many shot down from planes and went in the ocean). The grounds are so gorgeous and well maintained, it was really a special place to visit. Our guide was fantastic and so knowledgeable. We spent time at Omaha and Utah beach, looking out at the ocean trying to vision the entire invasion on D-Day. We were so happy we were able to go. We also went and walked in underground bunkers where the German soldiers lived. Some had been bombed , lots of broken cement etc. as if it all just happened.

Yesterday was quite an awakening experience. Even though we’ve seen lots of photos and old film footage of the Normandy invasion, seeing it all in person was unbelievable. I’d HIGHLY recommend seeing this. It sure gives you an appreciation of what these young men did to protect our freedom (the average age of the soldiers was about 21 years old, many were even younger!) I didn't know that Teddy Roosevelt lost 2 sons (saw their graves). Also saw graves where 2 brothers were buried together, some had both a father and a son buried together.

Luckily, the weather has been so perfect. We were prepared for much cooler or wet weather. Yesterday we didn’t even need a jacket, bright and sunny around 70 degrees. Today we’re in Rouen. This is the link showing our itinerary. http://www.amawaterways.com/paris_and_normandy-2015

Here are some photos from Monet's beautiful gardens/Lily Pond:














And here are some from our memorable day at the Normandy American Cemetery:

Thanks for the gorgeous pictures and the moving description of the cemeteries. I have been wanting to go to Normandy but not made it yet. Now I am inspired to get there.
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Helen

The Normandy beaches are definitely on my bucket list as well!

I'm going next September with a group from the Azamara Quest on their cruise that crosses the North Atlantic and sails down to Montreal. Have always wanted to see the cemetery and especially the beaches.

beautiful pictures Marcie.

We joined the AmaVida yesterday for a 7 day Douro River cruise. The cabins are a decent size with more storage space than we can fill. Internet is good, even in the staterooms and the food has been super. We had a Sintra tour on Monday and on the bus ride from Lisbon to Porto we had a boring stop in Fatima where all the shops sell religious articles. We found a local restaurant where we were the only English speakers and had a great lunch with a bottle of wine for $20.00. We're cruising the river right now and later this morning we'll go through a lock which raises the boat 150 ft.
Jim & Pat

Jim and Pat,

I did the same cruise in the other direction over the summer - beautiful trip and very nice boat - good food too.
The locks were fascinating to me - having done the Panama Canal, I expected them to be the same - not so.

Enjoy the scenery, the port etc.

Peggy

Thanks for the updates both Marcie and Jim!

Our Douro River cruise continues to be enjoyable despite the light rain or sprinkles. After dinner on the night we boarded the captain took us for a 1 hour night cruise to view Porto all lit up. The rain had stopped and the view was spectacular. The bus ride from Lisbon to Porto had a 2 1/2 hour stop in Fatima and everyone agreed that the stop was 2 1/4 hours too long unless you are a devout Catholic. We did find a local restaurant (nobody there spoke English) and had a good inexpensive lunch. Day 2 we went to Regua & Lamego where we had a tasting of local sparkling wine, smoked ham & sausage and stuffed bread. The evening entertainment was a Portuguese Fado show which got really lively. The bartenders sensed that our crowd was lively and they got ladies out dancing and, at the end, there was a conga line with everyone. It was a blast.
Day 3 was a stop at Pinhao with a bus ride up the steep & narrow single lane road to the Sandeman winery, Quinta Siexe. The entire afternoon was spent sailing to the Spanish border for the following day's visit to Salamanca. The after dinner entertainment was a Spanish Flamenco show.

sounds like a wonderful river cruise Jim. We have a river cruise high on our list, just can't seem to get the timing right........sigh. Enjoying your posts. Hi to Pat.