Day 2: Macon

Our ship was supposed to cruise overnight to Macon but, because the river was too high and there were places we couldn't get under a bridge, there was a change of plans.  Buses were arranged to take us to the day's excursion locations, and a restaurant lunch was arranged to fill the extra time spent traveling.

We drove to a winery in the Beaujolais area for a tour and a tasting.

From there, we drove through the lovely Burgundy countryside.

And had lunch at "The White Horse Inn".  A little different from our old stomping grounds at U of I!

The skies cleared as we arrived at the Abbey of Cluny.  These ruins of the 11th century's largest and most influential monastic church also served as an outpost of the French Resistance during WWII.

Although we ended up spending more time in a bus than expected,  it allowed us a chance to catch a little nap before returning to the ship for dinner.  Tonight's dinner included a short river cruise to make up for being grounded this morning.  We chose to enjoy our dinner in the small eating area that opens to the deck, rather than the noisier dining room below.  

Traveling to France!

We left Evanston Saturday afternoon...

And arrived in Lyon mid-morning on Sunday...

(Our Viking ship is closest to the dock)

As we waited for all the passengers to arrive, we took a brief walking tour of the area between the Rhone and the Soane Rivers.

Here is a large swimming pool complex that was built in Lyon for the 1968 Olympics.  But the Olympics weren't held here.  So all these years, it's just been a public pool.  Seems to be very popular.

 

We had a good dinner, met lots of people and were in bed by 9pm!  Not bad for having traveled all night.