JULY 30 – BMW MUSEUM, MUNICH

• Being a BMW fan, I thought I would dedicate a post to the museum. Whilst the history of BMW was great to see (originally an aircraft engine manufacturer), there were also plenty of areas displaying their amazing technology, separate areas for external and interior design and plenty of engines and rare cars on display.
• My car has an ‘I Drive’ which basically is the computer system that runs the accessories from a ‘mouse’ controller. The new I Drive has full internet access (thought your Smartphone), email access plus plenty more. The technology is truly amazing.
• The BMW area takes up 5 large buildings and the museum is above the show and delivery room. It’s like Brisbane BMW multiplied by about 1,000 times.

JULY 26, 26 & 28 – VIENNA (WIEN)

• One thing I was particularly looking forward to in Vienna was seeing the Vienna Chamber Orchestra play in the Schönbrunn Palace. It was worth the wait – the Orchestra played in the Palace’s Orargerie – which was, as you could guess from the name, a greenhouse to grow Oranges (which were very rare in the day). http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/
• The acoustics, the ensemble and the programme were fantastic – combining Mozart and Strauss’ work with some opera and a little ballet. Fabulous night!
• We also saw a great deal of the city – some of it by horse and cart and had an amazing dinner at a ‘random’ restaurant called Selina’s. The owners were a lovely couple – she was Austrian, he Turkish, and the food and service was to die for. They were such a lovely couple who managed to get a Kangaroo pin from Bob and Carol which they proudly wore all night.
• Vienna is a beautiful, romantic city with heaps to see and do. The food and wine is also brilliant!
• We managed to have a swim in an Olympic Pool –their Aquatic Centre was really cool and all of the pools were lined with Stainless Steel – something I’ve never seen, anywhere. It looked great with the reflecting light, and although extremely expensive (according to Dad) very serviceable.

JULY 24 & 25 – SALZBURG

• Mozart’s birthplace, Mirabell gardens, the Hohensalzburg Fortress and museum are definitely worth checking out here.
• Just walking around the streets on a Sunday is also worth checking out – many locals dress up in traditional Austrian attire and walk around the area.
• The view from Hohensalzburg looking back over the ‘old town’ and modern part of Salzburg is just great.
• Of course adelweiss is everywhere!

JULY 21, 22 AND 23 – SWITZERLAND

• Upon driving through the French – Swiss border, we were immediately greeted with beautiful architecture, rolling green landscapes and a 40 Swiss franc annual road toll (tax). I must say I was impressed – what a smart move on Swiss’ part! We could to this if any other country was remotely close to us! I’m mesmerised by the wealth of this country given it’s virtually tax free for residents. Obviously money in leasing safety deposit boxes and remaining completely neutral?
• We have been based in Luzern which is very beautiful and most people speak English – although German is the key language and VERY SURPRISIGNGLY TO ME ... I can remember some words from grade 8 German – including how to count to 12. Weird! They also seem to speak Italian comfortably so it’s had a work out too.
• Took off to Jungfrau today on the cog train and it was absolutely spectacular. It was the ultimate Swiss mountain experience! A completely full day but saw Interlaken, the Ice Palace, Sphinx, and basically just enjoyed the top of Europe (at a barmy minus 1 degree Celsius).

JULY 18 AND 19 – LYON

• Lyon forms the second largest population in France behind Paris, naturally. Driving into this town (at night) reminded me of a very large version of Edinburgh. We stayed in the city centre which had literally hundreds of wine bars, fabulous restaurants and pubs. It was not hard to find great wine and food in Lyon.
• The Musée des beaux-arts (Museum of Fine Arts) was great to have a poke around and had a fabulous display of jewelry.
• The handcraft at the local markets is also a must to see – some very interesting works in lace, wood and silver.

JULY 17 - GRASSE

• Grasse has over 30 perfumeries so it was lovely meandering through the town and inspecting their outlets. Fragonard was a particular favourite offering a huge range of fragrances and has a comprehensive museum and factory tour.
• Having Edith Piaf blasting in the car on the way home certainly put you in the French mood!

JULY 15 – NICE, NOIIICE!

• Today we kick started the day with a coffee and an espresso before hitting the flower markets and fresh produce markets of Parc De Chateau. They were truly amazing and I wanted to buy everything!
• We then took a lift to the top of the city to admire the views over the harbour and the Cote d’Azur before enjoying a lovely lunch beside the flower markets.

JULY 14 – BASTILLE DAY AT MONTE CARLO (DARLING)

• The whole of Monaco is only the size of the Vatican City so Monte Carlo, the capital, is really only a dot on the map.
• It was beautiful enjoying the clear blue sky, warm weather and looking at the ultra expensive cars and boats. There are only 7800 locals left in Monaco itself and they don’t pay any tax.

SAINT-AYGULF – MY NEW SWIMMING POOL!

• 10 minutes ‘up the road’ is a beautiful, sandy (by European standards) beach which is brisk when you first get in but lovely, clean water and point to point is about 200 metres (which means I can get in and do some Mediterranean laps – and I have been every second day!

JULY 12 CANNES

• The French Riviera is beautiful! You could get a nice cold drink and ‘people watch’ for hours!
• The boats are amazing, the people ‘done up to the 9’s’.

JULY 11 – AVIGNON

• Today we spent a few hours seeing the sights of Avignon. It’s another beautiful town (and is considered the heart of Provence). I’m glad we got there early because they’re having a huge Summer Festival and by noon, the place was packed.
• We saw the Palis des Papes, the Pont d’Avigion – which is a lovely old bridge over the River Rhone.
• We then took off for a 2 hour drive to Roqueburne Sur-Argens (where our house is for the next 7 nights) and it’s about 50 km from Cannes. Needless to say, I’ll be emailing everyone from Monte Carlo soon, DARLINGS!