Cotton Candy Clouds....

I saw two clouds at morning
Tinged by the rising sun,
And in the dawn they floated on
And mingled into one.

- John G. C. Brainard (1795–1828): I saw Two Clouds at Morning.

Europe Continued: Avignon Day One, Hotel D'Europe

French countryside on the way to Provence.


Pondering the early morning sunrise on the train.

We woke up very early Friday morning, and headed to the train station at about 5:45am to catch our train to Avignon. We had decided that we would take a weekend in Avignon as a long awaited, and slightly truncated honeymoon. Because of the receptions in Madison and Spain - we never really traveled anywhere for our honeymoon. Sure we've gone to many spectacular places like Spain, France, and Brazil since then...but it's just not a honeymoon when you are staying with friends and family, especially if you are sleeping on an air mattress on the floor! So, we booked a room at the spectacular five star Hotel D'Europe in Avignon.


The Front of the hotel.


The beautiful courtyard.


They have an amazing, ancient plane tree in the courtyard.


The hotel was built in 1580, and is the longest operated hotel in Avignon.


The staff were terrific - they all spoke multiple languages and were extremely helpful. They offered to call ahead and make restaurant reservations for us, they were there with anything that was needed in the room, and arranged car service for us to the train when we were leaving.



We got our room key and were escorted up to our room by the bell boy.


The room was beautiful!! look at the detail of the birds on the lamps!






The view out our window, overlooking the square.


The amazing bathroom!





After such a long train ride, we relaxed a bit and cleaned up before we headed out for lunch. The room was amazing, super luxurious and spotless. It was definitely a nice way to start out our "honeymoon"!

Other Photos of the lobbies and corridors - all amazingly decorated:


Looking down on the lobby.


A massive, antique tapestry - was probably 30 feet by 20 feet.


The wrought iron stairwell.