Author Archives: travelbynatasha

About travelbynatasha

I am a retired attorney who loves to travel. Several years ago I began working on a Century Club membership achieved by traveling to 100 "foreign" countries. Today, at 49 years of age the count is at 82. Many were visited on land based trips. Some were cruise ports. Some were dive sites. Most have been fascinating.

A Little More Time Along Lake Michigan

Posted on September 10, 2021 by travelbynatasha

The is the last day of our rebooted family vacation in Michigan. We are heading south back to Grand Rapids taking the longer route along Lake Michigan. We had driven around Manistee last night to find a place to eat. … Continue reading →

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A Drive Along the Lake

Posted on September 9, 2021 by travelbynatasha

Today we will make several stops as we leave Mackinac Island in the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron between the upper and lower peninsulas of the state. After a ferry ride, we will collect the car in St. Ignace … Continue reading →

Posted in domestic travel, road trip | Tagged Charlevoix, Doll Museum, Earl Young District, Earl Young houses, Indian River Shrine, Kateri Tekakwitha, Mackinac Island, Mushroom Houses, The Cross in the Woods National Shrine | Leave a comment

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Posted on September 8, 2021 by travelbynatasha

While my mom was most looking forward to the Soo Locks, today’s visit to Mackinac Island was at the top of my list. The island sits in the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron and embraces the romantic notions of … Continue reading →

Posted in domestic travel, road trip | Tagged Gough Carriages, Mackinac Island, Metivier Inn | 1 Comment

The Soo Locks: A Visit to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Posted on September 7, 2021 by travelbynatasha

This summer with us all fully vaccinated, my mom suggested that we recreate a trip that we took as children. My brother, sister, and I all met in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a four-day road trip “up north” with Mom. … Continue reading →

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A Postscript to our French River Cruise

Posted on September 5, 2021 by travelbynatasha

Our last night on board, we had to do our packing. Luckily breakfast started at 6:15 am, so we were able to enjoy one last scrumptious meal before our 6:45 am disembarkation from the ship. If you arrive and depart … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged France, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Uniworld | Leave a comment

Last Touring Day in France: Arles, Olives, and an Artist Light Show

Posted on August 31, 2021 by travelbynatasha

Today is our last touring day in France. We will visit Van Gogh’s Arles, an olive farm, and see an artist’s light show that is touring internationally in its birthplace. Normally we would take the morning tour and pack in … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged Arles, Carrieres de Lumieres, Cezanne The Master of Provence, France, Kandinsky the Odyssey of Abstraction, Les Baux de Provence, Place de la Republique, Roman arena, Roman ruins, Roman theater, Uniworld, Van Gogh | Leave a comment

Avignon in the Burgundy Region of France

Posted on August 30, 2021 by travelbynatasha

Today we are in the beautiful French city of Avignon in Burgundy. This is one of the few remaining cities that has all its city walls still in place; the walls stretch for over three miles. At our berth along … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged Avignon, France, Les Halles, Palace of the Popes, Palsis des Papes, Papal Curio, Pont Benezet, Uniworld | Leave a comment

Viviers and Grignan, France, and a Truffle Dog

Posted on August 28, 2021 by travelbynatasha

If a town could ooze charm, this is it. Today we are in Viviers, France right on the Rhone. This well-preserved medieval town thrived in both the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Some writers call it an “architectural open-air museum”. … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged Belvedere of Chateauvieux, black truffles, boulodrome, France, Grignan, Madame de Sevigne, Maison des Chevaliers, petanque, Saint-Sauveur College Church, Saint-Vincent Cathedral, truffle dog, Truffle Farm, Vivivers, white truffles | 1 Comment

The Twin Cities of Tain L’ Hermitage and Tournon, France along the Rhone River

Posted on August 27, 2021 by travelbynatasha

After sailing all night on the Rhone, we are docked at Tain L’ Hermitage, France for a visit to the twin cities of Tain L’ Hermitage and Tournon. After breakfast, we walked over to the historic Romanesque church built on … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged France, Hermitage Hill, Rhone, Rhone River, St. Julian's Church, Tain L' Hermitage, Tournon, Uniworld | Leave a comment

Lyon, France

Posted on August 23, 2021 by travelbynatasha

Our ship has returned to Lyon for a day in the city. We will not leave until midnight tonight. Lyon is the third largest city in France behind Paris and Marseille. There were a variety of tour options presented for … Continue reading →

Posted in cruises, international, River Cruise | Tagged Basilica Notre Dame de Fourviere, Bouchons Lyonnnais, Croix Rousse, France, Lyon, Place Bellecour, Red Pralines, Rhone River, Saone River, Tour Metallique de Fourviere, traboules, Uniworld | Leave a comment