Rick puts his foot down

We neatly and tightly packed our rental car in Malmo. It is best for our travels to choose the most compact car that also meet our cargo needs, the French squeeze cars into tinier parking spots that one can imagine (maybe that is why the ordered trains that did not fit, they just assumed that they could squeeze them into the station) so we must be prepared.   When motoring in Europe it is key to have all of your baggage tucked away neatly as to not tempt someone to try and take a peak inside looking for valuables. The baggage cover for the back of the wagon must close cleanly so it initial made for several attempts to jigsaw puzzle the pieces just so.

As we set out we seemed to have thought of everything:

• Snacks
• Luggage
• Water
• GPS
• Toys and Games
• Maps of Denmark, Germany, and France

The best laid plans… We thought of almost everything that is. As much as we know the layout of the downtown of Malmo, the surrounding areas we have never had the need to master. Told by all, just follow the signs to the Oresund Bridge to Denmark alas there are no such signs. We asked people, several people, and it became comical much like a practical joke bit. One person points us one direction and tells us to proceed forward and look for signs – no signs.   Next, ask another and turn the completely opposite direction, search for signs once again, all for naught. Three passes, several people, and many minutes later we found the bridge hoping that was not an omen for our departure and impending travel onward!

Prior to leaving Sweden one of the students at the seminar said, “Oh, so you have all the places mapped out where you are stopping as you drive down to the Mediterranean?” The answer – a big NO! We had some knowledge and ideas of what could be interesting to see but left it to our moods and our rumps to make a decision where to stop and where to rest. All we knew upon starting was our end point a substancial distance away from Scandinavia – the South of France in Sainte Maxime directly across the bay from St. Tropez. Next question, “Why drive?” We knew that we have to start and end in Sweden, the place where we received our extended visa to allow us in Europe for over three months. Another factor is that we did not want to be burdened buy planning our flights in advance, freestyle for us.

Our first leg was across Demark. Most people, myself included are unaware that Demark consists of 407 islands and a mainland connected to Germany, integrated with a connection of crisscrossing of bridges and ferries. We opted for a route of highway and bridges across and then down into Germany.  On our first day we stopped when we got tired of driving and pulled off the road to a quaint, lovely town at a Park like hotel in Bad Falingsbostel, Germany. Day 2, our power day, we plowed to Trier, Germany. Trier has many ancient Roman ruins; another fact some do not realize is that German and France have amazing and well-preserved ancient Roman ruins (with fewer crowds then Rome). Day 3 we enjoyed lots of Roman Ruins before taking an almost lovely drive down through the Mosel Valley stopping leisurely in Luxingborg to enjoy a glass of notorious local white wine.  Now, when saying almost there were few factors, a picturesque town outside of Trier that we stopped for lunch and then 45 minutes we spent hunting up and down for a gas station, backtracking to get it and then proceeding forward. The Mosel wine on the river in Luxemburg was blissfully until a bit down the way afterwards, the road stopped, no warning, backtracking us once again – Buzz kill.

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We ended that night in Nancy, France, much larger then we anticipated but with a massive square lots of gold gild or as our daughter called it, of course, fancy Nancy. Day 4 continuing forth we stopped in Macon, France on our way to Orange, France. Orange is a picturesque village, again with ancient Roman ruins but much more intimate of a place. The Roman amphitheater is breathtaking and awe inspiring examining the architecture and longevity of the master masons’ work. Day 5 our final stop Arles, France massive, overrun with tourists. Our highlight was eating in Van Gogh’s café and visiting the hospital where he was detained after cutting his ear off. Our dining companion happened to be wearing her sunflower headband and happily waved at all of the Asian tourists taking pictures of her at the café.

If all of the road time seems a bit overwhelming please not that one significant difference when motoring in Europe is their rest stops. Being from New Jersey I equate a rest stop with dirty fast food and grungy toilets. Sorry Jersey, but we all know that is true. In Europe it is dissimilar. Some if not all have nice cafes, real food, and sit down restaurants with servers, oh and some expensive cars and well dressed people. The Europeans travel a bit different from us Americans. Personally I have memories of powering though drives up and down the coast to get to a destination. They stop, have a coffee and pastry, relax, and chitchat slightly removed from a rumbling highway. No dodging in and out of the bathroom and grabbing something nearly edible to eat in the car. It fascinates me, quite a different pace. Also much to a child’s delight almost all have a kids area or playground of some sort. On our power day of driving Adults delirious and kid enthralled that she got to go to so many playgrounds in one day. As Ilaria and the Europeans can tell you it is all about perspective.

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After 5 days – Nous Arrivons – We Arrive. We are resting comfortably in the South of France at our apartment rental intended for three weeks, the only set plans we have left on our excursion. Suggestions welcomed in the comments section of the blog.