Is it bad…

Oh really, that's a surprise for me...
There is even a German term for it "Maibockjagd" (literally the hunt for the May buck)
In Belgium, Germany, Austria, it is definitely a thing. Bizarre that in France it would be later.
Italy as well. I tried to tag one on to this wedding and they don’t open until June 1.
 
With nothing to hunt, what does one do in Avignon France? Wander into an Irish Pub.
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You'll enjoy Avignon. The Palace of the Pope's is there. Not too far to the Southwest is Great Ibex hunting in Spain.
 
Stoped in for an afternoon sip and ended up behind bars.
A little cafe across from the Popes Palace.
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There's a reason why the Pope's Palace in Avignon looks more like a fortress or prison than a palace. Go take the tour and they should tell you why.
 
There's a reason why the Pope's Palace in Avignon looks more like a fortress or prison than a palace. Go take the tour and they should tell you why.
We opted to not do the tour of the palace. My wife’s hip was acting up this trip & 350 plus stairs was not in cards. I am familiar with the history of Palace / Fortress. Fascinating time in history.
 
I will say I was surprised at the number of people who would sneeze or cough and not cover their mouth. Disgusting.
 
The Louvre is a must visit spot in Paris. The Impressionist collection is the best of the best once there. Enjoying a coffee or glass of wine at the cafes is another particularly noteworthy activity. I never had a bad glass of wine in France, just good, better, and best.
 
My wife and decided we would do the hunting, fishing and physical things before we got old then do the touristy places as we slowed down. I’m turning 79 and she is starting thumb through travel magazines lately. Hope that is not a sign I’m getting old. Wait, can’t be, I have brown bear booked in spring of 27!
 
He’ll, Iive in Alaska and have hunted extensively here for the last 21 years, taken a number of sheep and not sure how many bull moose and black/brown bear…love hunting here. I still think of Africa and hunting dangerous game every single day that I’m not there.

I seriously enjoy travel and hiking around Europe and Hawaii and elsewhere, but fully expect at some point likely each and every day, my mind will drift to Africa.
 
I spent 2 weeks in Italy last year touring incredible historic sites, saw pompei, David, coliseum, pantheon etc to realize that if I can’t kill it or sleep with it, I am just not that interested in it
 
Sitting here at the house after a trip, sipping coffee, listening to the world go by, I reflect on the places I have been.
I do enjoy traveling. I consider myself fairly well traveled, having traveled to France 4 times, Italy 2 times, South Africa 2 times, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Finland, Germany, Poland, Estonian, Switzerland, Netherlands, Mexico 4 times, Canada, Costa Rica, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Egypt, China, Gibraltar. Maybe a couple of other places I have forgotten.
I enjoy seeing new places and things, I love hunting in new places.
I am looking forward to September of this year for the return trip to Lake of Woods for fishing and beyond to 2027’s trip to Namibia.

At some point in the future I hope to see Victoria Falls, ride the Rovos Rail, see Kilimanjaro, visit the Bridge at Tsavo.
"You cannot leave Africa," Africa said. "It is always with you—there inside your head.”
 
Australia is on the list.
This trip was a compromise. My wife wanted a trip back to Paris before our next trip to Africa in 27.
Gotta do what ya gotta do.
@Bandera
In Australia can you don't have to worry about your rental car being towed from a farmer's market.
But in some out back towns some of the local indigenous youth will just take your car for a joy ride and trash it for you free of charge then distribute your gear to anyone that wants it.
No problems
Bob
 
My wife and decided we would do the hunting, fishing and physical things before we got old then do the touristy places as we slowed down. I’m turning 79 and she is starting thumb through travel magazines lately. Hope that is not a sign I’m getting old. Wait, can’t be, I have brown bear booked in spring of 27!

She's just doing the pre work up of her dudilegence planning phase. ;):cool::LOL:

When she comes to you with her lists of places to go, things to do, and prospective guides/ outfitters then you can say your old and in trouble. :ROFLMAO:
 
We are on our last 4 days of a trip to France. This is our 4th time here.
We have visited Paris again.
Spent a few days in Normandy.
The down to the Loire Valley, Amboise.
Now we are headed to Avignon.
Visited the Beaches at Normandy, roamed about Bayeux.
Amboise again roamed about the town did a couple of wine tastings.
We did experience a first, we had to visit a police station in a foreign county.
Our rental car was towed due to a farmers market opening up on Sunday. The only public parking area, with no signs about no parking due to a farmers market opening on Sundays.
We are headed to Avignon by train, we shall see what that town has to offer.

Is it bad… that I find myself wishing I was hunting in Alaska or Africa?
Seems unavoidable..
 
We opted to not do the tour of the palace. My wife’s hip was acting up this trip & 350 plus stairs was not in cards. I am familiar with the history of Palace / Fortress. Fascinating time in history.
You really should've taken the tour to understand why the palace even existed. Being Catholic, to me it was a very sad and (to me) pathetic chapter in Catholic history.
 

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