Isabella's Videos

Isabella as Black Swan, May 2017

Christmas in the Park San Jose Tree Lighting 2016

Isabella Phillips for The New Ballet

Santana Row Tree Lighting 2016

European Vacation 2017

May 29, 2017 - June 11, 2017

Monday, May 29, 2017 - Departure Day

Oakland (OAK) to London Gatwick (LGW)

Cecile took us to the airport

Checked-in 3 luggages:

1. Green Samsonite luggage: Mine and Isabella's
2. Black Samsonite luggage: Russ' and all our toiletries and shoes
3. Army print Izod luggage: Mom's and Dad Dennis'

We each had our own carry-on bags. There was supposed to be a charge of approx. $70.00 for Russ' guitar carry-on but it ended up flying for free thanks to Isabella's ballet conversation with the check-in rep whose daughter shares the same passion.

We breezed through security and we had plenty of time for coffee at Starbucks and dinner at Chili's Too before boarding for our 6:35pm flight.

via Norwegian Dreamliner

Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - Arrival in London

We landed at London Gatwick on time at 12:45pm local time. Our 2 luggages were the first ones to come out but my mom's luggage didn't make it somehow. I filled out a missing luggage form and lifted it up in prayer.

We exchanged money and bought train tickets @ Moneycorp right by baggage claim.

We took the Gatwick Express to London Victoria then transferred to another train to North Greenwich and then a bus two stops from the station to our apartment. I was so very thankful for the boys who rolled and carried all our heavy luggages through all the tunnels.  I then realized that my mom's "missing" luggage was a blessing in disguise. God knew that we would end up taking the trains and it would have been even more challenging having an extra luggage to haul.

After 2 long train rides and a bus ride, we finally arrived at Apple Apartments. The only method of check-in was through phone call but our phones were not internationally operational yet at that moment. Thankfully there was a couple (who happen to be Filipinos) who was coming in.  They called for us and we were checked-in into our very nice and welcoming 3-bedroom 3-bath apartment. We were very pleased with the property. They even have a smart phone free to take with us around.

As soon as we were settled we walked to the nearby shopping area for some nourishment. We found a cafe serving lunch and a grocery store (Iceland). Then we headed back to the apartment for much-needed rest.

Phil, Isabella, and I recovered our strength and we walked to Cutty Sark, about a mile away from the apartment.  It was a beautiful time to walk as the sun was starting to set and the weather was perfect. I had a fun time taking photos of the beautiful scenery.

And even more blessed time taking photos of my babies Phil and Belle (Ian was left in the apartment with the rest of the gang who were all wiped out from the long travel)

We walked fast going back to the apartment as the sun was quickly setting down by then and starting to get dark. We were happily pooped by the time we got to the apartment and had no trouble going to sleep.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - A day in London

We all woke up refreshed and ready to take on beautiful London but not before breakfast and prayer. We all walked to Cutty Sark as we wanted for the rest of the gang to see it and we decided to buy our Train and London Passes there. We had time to gallivant around and take photos before the visitor shop opened.

We bought our London Passes as soon as the visitor center opened, walked to the nearby train station and purchased our travelcards, 

and then we were off to London Bridge station for a day of sightseeing.

• We started at the Tower Bridge Experience (Russ and I were both so scared to walk through the glass floor at the top of the tower bridge)

• Followed by a quick tour of the London Tower
• and then lunch at the nearby Paul Cafe

• Then we walked across the London Bridge to the London Bridge Experience (a horror attraction
• Then we took the train to Westminster and visited the Big Ben.

• Then a short walk to the nearby Westminster Abbey. They were on a short break when we got there but thankfully they will re-open (late schedule on Wednesdays only)

• We walked to Buckingham Palace. (We should've taken the hop-on hop-off bus included on our London passes as it was not a short walk as someone told us) 

• bus back to the Abbey and toured inside. 
• bus to Trafalgar Square
• dinner at an Italian Restaurant
• Train to Westminster Pier hoping to catch the boat back to Greenwich but we missed it. But we got to see the London Eye
• Train back to Greenwich

Thursday, June 1, 2017 - Train to Paris

Phil went to the market to get us breakfast. 
Phil and Belle walked to Cutty Sark to buy souvenirs and train tickets
Checked out at Apple Apartments
A short bus ride to Greenwich Station and train to St. Pancras
Visited King's Cross Station - Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4
Phil bought empanada at the street market with our leftover coins
Lunch at St. Pancras
Eurostar Train to Paris Nord
Metro train to Esplanade de la Defense
Checked in at Fraser Suites
Dinner at Japanese Restaurant (Ian at a burger place)

Friday, June 2, 2017 - Paris

We got conned at the train station
Bought all-day train passes
Sainte-Chapelle - bought Paris Museum Passes
Conciergerie
Notre Dame

walked back to exchange Passes
train to Louvre
lunch at Louvre food court
back to hotel
The kids and I went to the Eiffel Tower

Saturday, June 3, 2017 - Versailles

George V station and visited Louis Vuitton shop; my mom almost got pick-pocketed
Museum de Orsay
Versailles
Ian and Dad went back to hotel
Eiffel Tower
Rushed to LV store to buy my purse but they were closing right when we got there
Arc de Triomphe
Train back to hotel

Sunday, June 4, 2017 - Flight to Barcelona
Checked out at Fraser Suites
Private van to the airport. I gave the driver the incorrect terminal so we had to take shuttle to the right one thankfully we had plenty of time.
Flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Barcelona (BCN) via British Airways operated by Vueling Airlines

We were picked up by Suntransfers private van from the airport to the cruise port
Embarked Norwegian Epic

Monday, June 5, 2017 - At Sea

watched Burn the Floor show

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 - Naples, Italy

Castle

taxi to Sorrento, Pompeii, and Naples

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

walked to train

hop on hop off bus passes

Vatican

Trevi Fountain

Train 

Thursday, June 8, 2017 - Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy

shuttle to train

Train to Florence

train to Pisa

train back

Friday, June 9, 2017 - Cannes, France

tender to Cannes

bought Prada

beach

dancing night

Saturday, June 10, 2017 - Palma de Mallorca, Spain

shuttle

Sunday, June 11, 2017 - Barcelona, Spain

disembark

pick-up van no show

taxis to the airport

lost Belle's carry-on bag

arrived Oakland

Suzie and Alvin picked us up

dinner at Gerry's Grill