Rouen is the capital of Normandie and is a very charming city.
Although there are many tourist novelties, it did not feel like a tourist city.
It is a combination of modern city life and government centers
As well as historical sites and amazing cathedrals.
It like Paris without the crowds, but has way more homeless people in the shopping districts.
I was pretty fascinated with the historical references to gargoyles
And demons throughout the churches and landmarks.
The Notre Dame cathedral is huge and quite the place to visit. It is under a 7 year renovation to ensure it avoids the fire problems that were encountered with the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
The historical library attached to the Notre Dame cathedral was quite amazing and learning about how the monks hated the Vikings was very educational.
What we also learned us that Notre Dame cathedral is where Richard the Lionheart is also buried.
Remember we saw his castle a few days ago?
We also learned and saw where Joan of Arc was burned alive. There are many monuments and discussions on her history here in Rouen.
It is almost the 80th anniversary of D-Day, so could not resist trekking to Normandy!
Our first stop is the US cemetery near and above Omaha Beach.
Almost 10% of the soldiers that arrived on June 6, 1944 died that day and 40% are still buried here and not repatriated back to the US.
Myself and two other veterans were asked today to assist with the daily ceremony of laying flowers at the memorial.
It was a very moving moment and I was honored to have been asked and able to participate.
There is also a wonderful visitor center that has numerous exhibitions and artifacts to tell the whole story that many have only seen in movies.
From there we went down to Omaha Beach where 30,000 US soldiers came ashore that day. In the distance you might be able to see the high cliffs where many Rangers climbed and lost their lives to reach the previous cannons that used to be on that site.
The memorial
When you actually visit the beach during low tide, it is hard to believe how anyone could have survived the 250+ meters from the water to the shore. When you watch the Saving Private Ryan movie, you might get a hint of how hard it was.
Most of the bunkers and cannons are long gone and destroyed, but a few remain.
These 150mm guns were what threatened all ships and were the biggest targets that the Allied planes had such a hard time finding and destroying due to camouflage, etc.
One of the old temp harbor pilings the British built when the D-Day invasion succeeded with a permanent beachhead.
So much history along the miles of coastline and historical villages where the Nazis occupied the homes of the local French population under their control.
We decided to explore Le Havre with a casual bike ride since the city has some awesome bike lanes and trails throughout the city.
It is quite warm in France this summer, so bike rides are bit more pleasant than long runs in the heat/humidity.
Let’s share a few of the cool sites we found around the coastline area.
The first the Le Havre Cathedral which survived the Allied bombing in 1944 that pretty much destroyed the entire city.
You can still a lot of the shrapnel and damage in the church walls from the bombing and fighting that occurred during WW II.
Next, we stopped by the WWI and WWII memorial for local residents that were lost in the wars. This was also the only monument that survived the Allied bombing during the war.
About a half a kilometer away, we went to check out the city square/town hall/government mayor penthouse. If you look close, you can see the Ukraine flag and strong continuing support from the community.
One of the most amazing sites that is MUST visit is the famous St Joseph’s Church. It has a stunning exterior design that is very unique.
If you are blown away by the exterior, just go inside. It will out of this world. It feels like you have just entered a science movie and it is almost hard to believe it is real when you look up. You will lose your breath, trust me!
To conclude our afternoon ride, we biked along the coast and enjoyed the delightful sands and views of the English Channel from the French side. I had to remind myself that beaches have optional “top” requirements, so there may be some surprises in the photos you take of the beach if you look closely!
We are exploring the coastal area of Normandie this morning and were able to visit one of the most popular villages in Northern France.
Of course, on the drive to Honfleur we had to take a picture of the famous suspension bridge which is still quite amazing even though it is only the tenth longest suspension bridge in current times.
It is a very popular tourist village and great place to walk around and check out all the sites.
We found there is so much history and unique building sites throughout the city.
Every twist and turn has some memorable to capture and story behind it.
There are many historical landmarks and this was part of the remaining drawbridge that was the gate to the famous marina.
Anyone recognize this famous site and picture scene? I think there has been many paintings of this one shot alone!
There is also the famous Saint Catherine’s church which has multiple levels of constructions over the years like many of the other buildings and homes.
The most interesting carving or hidden statue is the miniature character that is found right about the door if you look very closely!
This is probably one of the most popular places in Northern France to visit in the spring/summer – a small village of only 500 people known as Giverny.
But it is the home of a famous person/artist.
Can you guess who that might be?
He was an art lover and enthusiast.
This picture may give you a clue of one of his most memorable pieces of artwork…
But this shot of the pond of water lilies might help you a little more in recognizing one of Claude Monet’s most famous pieces of artwork from his garden.
I must admit despite the morning rain we encountered, the color of the flowers and gardens were simply amazing.
Yellow was Claude Monet’s favorite…and that was clear from the acres of sunflowers you saw in the beginning when entering his former property.
Just walking through the gardens makes you feel like you are viewing his artwork in a museum. The caretakers are phenomenal in how they can maintain the gardens despite 700,000 annual visitors.
It is slightly unrelated, but despite the Normandie province/region being known for all the foliage and colors, it is also surrounded and accented by massive white limestone cliffs which are known for so much of the historical architecture and building materials for hundreds of years in the area.
It is a highly recommended visit and on the way north after leaving, we were able to catch a nice shot of Château Gaillard which is famous castle of Richard the Lionheart.
Yes, it is very hot and very crowded, but we could not resist spending a night on the Champs-Elysee since it is so lively and full of energy.
Early in the morning it is easy to take pictures and enjoy nice weather, and of course, you can actually jog along the long road and take in the best sites at 7 AM!
We used our saved up Bonvoy points and stayed at the Paris Marriott right on the strip. It was lovely.
and it was all great to get a free upgrade to the top floor with balcony since I was a Titanium status for life 🙂
And we have to already start talking about the food! Yes, the Champagne is always the best and the smallest snacks are so tasty!
and the meals are simply incredible! We will likely need to have a dedicated blog about the food!
It is a famous Christian site and Catholic church that is quite interesting to hear the whole story from a local.
The internal architecture often reminds you of Rome.
and it has enormous history like many sites in Bethlehem,
The overall neighborhoods, streets and cafes are awesome to visit and have some local Turkish coffee!
Nazareth is a long drive and quite some distance from the big cities, but it is a great escape from the modern activities and you can get some great views of the countryside in the long drives to have a new experience that not all business visitors get to achieve when they fly into Israel.
I had a very long layover in London England (Heathrow) where staying in the airport or lounge was not possible with that length of time, so I decided to explore a new Cold War museum or site to pass the time.
I hunted down a location that would be open on the weekend, be accessible within 2 hours each way and be possible to take some pictures. So I checked out the location on Google maps and hopped on a train!
I guess it was nice that the subways were not too crowded since it was a Saturday. and it makes it easier for people to identify tourists and pester them for tips!
The site I chose was the Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker. This is the entrance and you will say that it does not look like a bunker, it looks like a house!
That is exactly its purpose. It was build during the Cold War for important people, maybe even the Prime Minister to hide out and survive if there was a nuclear war/attack.
It is misleading from the outside, but it is a HUGE complex that is deep underground.
A lot of things are very worn, but there are a lot of exhibits and pieces that were used, stored and kept here in this special military complex that was maintained in the Cold War for this purpose.
You can see everything from the massive fans and filtration systems
to the analog phone and switching systems.
They do limit access to some areas, but I will admit despite it being 80 degrees outside in the summer, it is very chilly when you are deep underground in this reinforced bubker.
Anyone need to borrow a portable Geiger counter?
A fun visit that is out in the middle of nowhere Northwest of London if you like Cold War or military history!
Now, here is an important tip that many people need to be aware of if they are frequent flyers and love to use the club lounge. Virgin is partnered with Delta and Delta has a large ownership stake…and the lounge in Seattle for Virgin is the Delta lounge, but…
Even if you are a Diamond frequent flyer on Delta and you bought the ticket through Delta using a code share…you cannot get into the Delta lounge unless you are seated in Upper (business class). An interesting change they just published because the clubs are getting so crowded.
The boarding is quite fast and I must admit that 250 people are loaded faster than I have ever encountered in recent years. Overall the seats look quite fancy and modern, but they are actually quite cramped and limited usability.
Many people like the lie flat beds with dedicated bedding, but they take a flight attendant to setup and then take down. You cannot easily switch back and forth.
The bonus is they do give you pajamas though!
The video screens are a little small, but they have very fast response and are convenient in how you can move them around.
On the food side, the dishes were tasty, but the portion sizes felt a little small and you needed all courses to feel comfortably full.
Now the lounge in the UK was much more welcoming and exciting to try out. I am not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing when the elevator to the lounge has a mini sofa to sit on…
but the food service is amazing. It is actually a sit down service at a table. Check out the menu.
Business travel can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s a great opportunity to explore new places and break out of your routine. On the other hand, it can be exhausting, especially if you’re juggling meetings, presentations, and client dinners. But with these few simple tips shared by the David Cross Travel Blog, you can make the most of your business trips and enjoy them to the fullest.
Minimize Your Business Expenses
One of the perks of business travel is that your company is likely footing the bill for your flights, hotels, and meals. However, there are ways to minimize your expenses and make your trip nearly free. For example, if you’re booking a flight, try to book it far enough in advance to take advantage of cheaper fares. Also, consider using a travel rewards credit card or booking through a cashback website to earn points or get a percentage of your money back.
When it comes to meals, be strategic about where you eat. Some hotels offer free breakfasts, which can save you money. Look for food trucks or local restaurants instead of chain restaurants, and ask locals for recommendations. You might even be able to expense your meals if they’re related to business, so keep track of receipts.
Prioritize Your Sleep
It’s tempting to stay up late working or exploring your destination, but getting enough rest is crucial to staying energized and productive. Make sure to prioritize sleep and give yourself enough downtime to recharge. If your hotel room is noisy or uncomfortable, consider investing in noise-canceling headphones or a comfortable travel pillow.
Schedule Plenty of Downtime
On a related note, it’s important to schedule downtime into your itinerary. Business travel can be overwhelming, and if you’re constantly on the go, you’ll burn out quickly. Schedule some time to explore your destination, visit local attractions, or just relax in your hotel room. Taking breaks will keep you refreshed and prevent you from overdoing it.
Try to Enjoy the Sights
It’s easy to get caught up in work during a business trip, but take some time to enjoy the sights of your destination. Even if you only have a few hours to spare, try to walk around and take in the local architecture, parks, and landmarks. You’ll appreciate your destination more and feel more connected to it.
Ready Your Business Cards for Networking
Networking is an important part of business travel, and having a well-designed business card can make all the difference. Design a card that’s easy to carry around and includes your contact information, social media handles, and a short bio or tagline. You never know when you’ll run into someone who could become a valuable contact or client. If you don’t know how to make business cards, use a free online app that allows you to customize premade templates. This way, you’ll have an eye-catching business card ready to go in minutes.
Pack Light
Packing light is key to reducing overwhelm during business travel. Not only will it save you time and hassle at the airport, but it will also make it easier to navigate your destination. Choose versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched, and pack only the essentials. Consider investing in a carry-on suitcase and a personal item bag that can fit under the seat.
Arrive Early
Finally, make it a habit to arrive early for meetings instead of rushing to them. This will give you time to prepare, settle in, and get yourself in a positive headspace. Rushing to meetings can be stressful and leave you feeling flustered, which can impact your performance. Arriving early will help you show up as your best self.
Business travel can be both challenging and exciting. By maximizing your expenses, getting enough rest, scheduling downtime, enjoying the sights, designing business cards, packing light, and arriving early for meetings, you can make the most of your business trips and turn them into memorable adventures. Happy travels!
David Cross Travel Blog 