It was always going to be a big day of travel: Italy to France, Riomaggiore to Arles, 600km, five trains, 11 hours.
Then the French decided to call a rail strike. Chaos erupts. Trains are cancelled. Tourists are stranded. Fed up Italian train officials on the border station of Ventimiglia wish they shared their border with a different, less prone to industrial action country (three times in the last 10 months we heard).
Make that now an epic 15 hours of travel.
We arrived in Arles at 10:30pm, exhausted but jubilent that we made it to Arles at all (we ignored the advice of the rail official in Nice who told us to stay the night). Fortunately, the reception at Hotel Regence waited until we arrived to check-in. And people say the French are rude!
This train will be taking no passengers
So great to hear you went to Cinque Terre & Arles. We’re going to both places. We’re not sure whether we’ll do the whole track, maybe Riomaggiore to Manarola. What section did you think was the prettiest or most spectacular? Hey, we’re staying at the same hotel in Arles. Let us know what it’s like. Sounds like you got caught up with Tour de France. I’m pretty sure it will be over by the time we’re there. I checked it out a while ago but can’t remember the exact dates now. Didn’t fancy driving through the area if there were going to be road blocks! Not long now till we head off. Can’t wait!
Love Marg.
It would have been the Giro d’Italia, which is the Tour of Italy. Le Tour doesn’t start ’til July.
I like the socialist imagery: The rail road, the industrial action… You’ll be back in Australia voting Labor before you know it : )
@ Marg: The Manarola to Riomaggiore section is paved and very easy (15 minutes maybe). It is quite scenic. Corniglia to Manarola is quite flat, apart from the initial 400 steps down from Corniglia. This section is probably the least interesting. Vernazza to Corniglia (go this direction to avoid the 400 steps up!) is the most challenging but best views I think. We didn’t spend much time in Monterosso because it is almost like a resort and quite busy.
Hotel Regence is good. Very friendly and helpful. The rooms are small but clean and quite pretty. We are copping the crazy winds here at the moment! That aside it is quite a quiet place and very beautiful.
I hope the French Open is finished by the time we get to Paris!
The French Open runs from May 24 to June 7th. Try and avoid Roland Garros if you can. Although, it would be pretty cool to go and watch some tennis….
Although we fly into Paris on June 5, we don’t actually stay there until the 10th. Nadal will win, again, anyway
You jinxed him!
Ah no! I’d better leave Spain quick smart…