Our First Europe Trip... without My Mother-In-Law (The Paris Edition Part 2)

...and like that we were on our own. It was a beautiful thing. The question was... what to do first??? Just kidding. I had it planned. We were hitting the streets first.... We had the delight of stumbling across a French farmers market. It was full of fresh veggies, tasty snacks and fun accessories. TIP: I would highly suggest stopping by and doing some light shopping for some goodies if you find one of your own.   ...Especially, if you are renting a house off of  airbnb.com. Pick up some fresh veggies, cheese, bread, and maybe some chocolates... Have a home cooked romantic dinner in Paris!  

Our walking journey led us someplace neat.... We found the Pantheon!

The Pantheon was a very interesting place (the dome was under renovations). At first it seemed like alot of other historical sights... Very decorative inside. Frescos, statues, carvings... the works. Honestly, the historical aspects of the upper portion are a bit of blur to me. ...because the best lies below. FACT: The crypts were a true treasure. When you first walk in you experience a big mysterious tunnel. As you wander through the crypts you get see the beautiful "tombs" of famous historical figures such as, Voltaire, Marie & Pierre Curie, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Alexander Dumas and many others. It's a great and inspiring feeling to walk amongst such incredible minds.  Stop by if you are in the area. It's definitely a great experience. PLUS...getting to the bathrooms as a fun experience. you have to wander up a large narrow spiral staircase... but then again, you do that everywhere in Paris. 

...and then the walk continued. We found what could be one of my favorite spots in Paris, the Luxembourg Gardens. There is a very large fountain in front of the gorgeous Luxembourg Palace, where individuals can pay to rent & play with small vintage boats. But, past all of that are beautiful grounds that you can wander and explore! Within those gardens we found a miniature Statue of Liberty (I know nothing about her)... Brad said that I should not take a picture, so naturally I did! & I am glad I did. It added a special touch to an already magical day, that just kept getting better!  

flowers from a shop along the Seine River

We decided to head back towards our hotel because the temperatures were dropping, and I wanted to change before our afternoon/evening activity. We were headed to the INCREDIBLE Catacombs. This was one of the very very very best tours that I have ever done. you leave feeling with what I would refer to as a strong sense of self, and a broken heart. It is an experience to walk amongst so many unnamed and mysterious deceased human-beings. You walk through wondering what each of their stories are, and how they came to be there. On the initial walk in, you walk by a couple of very interesting small structures carved into the walls of the catacombs.  Check out some of the pictures below. TIP: Add this to your "must-see/do" list. You don't want to miss it!

That evening we walked back to our neck of the woods, found dinner & then wandered around the area. There were lots of galleries around our hotel, and a lot of action was happening that Saturday night. Light shows on buildings, gallery openings, and even short film screenings in the square across from the hotel.  It was quite chilly so we stopped by the cafe we had been to prior, Royal Turenne. Turns out that they made an amazing hot chocolate & it was perfect because the weather had dropped significantly & it was a little bit misty. I took my hot chocolate & we walked back towards the hotel, but we made it a point to stop and watch some of the odd films playing across the way before calling it a night. After all, we a had a big day the next day.... Disneyland Paris. 

 If you love American Disneyland... don't go to Disneyland Paris. It wasn't worth the ticket price. ...and the majority of the business is owned by an Arab oil sheik, not Disney. Their Space Mountain might be a little better, but that is about it. OK, the Castle seems a bit cooler too! However, the food was terrible. FACT: There were no churros & that is shameful.  The nice thing is that it wasn't busy, and that is probably why Disney had to bail this park out.  All this park was good for was a break from all the tours. ...Really, the only reason we had gone was because my husband had promised be a Disneyland trip, but because of our work schedules and his temporary move, it just never happened... So this happened instead. We had a lot of fun, but it was freezing. I had to buy mickey mittens & I wore my scarf wrapped my head most of the day. ...so also, check the weather before you go! 

That was our final full day in Paris, we'll never forget how "different" it was. As for our last morning, there was one thing we hadn't seen & we needed that change before we boarded the Roissybus & got on a plane to Barcelona... The Arc de Triomphe.... we didn't tour it or go to the top. We walked to this street corner, took our pictures, and then headed back. It was time for the next chapter!

LESSONS LEARNED:
1) French hot chocolate is one of the best treats

2) Nothing beats the original Disneyland... 

3) Being surrounded by skeletons isn't creepy... 

4) Check the weather!!!

Our First Europe Trip.... with My Mother-in-Law. (The Paris Edition Part 1)

We ditched London bright & early, and I was not prepared at all. I brought shame on my family name! One thing that I completely spaced on was checking which terminal I we were flying out of. OOPS! London Heathrow Airport is a beast, and we were entering from the underground. Because of all of this, we almost missed our flight. I know I said I had been there several times before, but never was I in charge, and hot damn, I dropped the ball. We made it to our gate with probably 10 minutes to spare, but as we were boarding they told my mother-in-law & I that our carry-ons were too big & had to be checked. {TIP: American carry-on sizes are not equal to other countries. It is true: everything in America is bigger. So if you are flying on any international airlines outside of the US, double check the regulations for carry-on baggage.} 

Aside from the baggage faux-pas, Air France was great- you get croissants instead of peanuts. :) In Paris we stayed at Pratic Hotel. The location was great. It was near the Bastille, and area full of cafes and a crepe truck.... FACT: I should forewarn you that I am obsessed with Nutella crepes... Eat one & your life will be changed for the better. Our hotel was not the greatest, but it was worth it for the location. You see, the issue is that hotels in Europe can be very pricey. So for about $120 a night we got crammed in the smallest room I have ever experienced. The bed was crammed in the corner, and there was hardly room for our luggage. The walk way to the door led past the shower and the toilet & sink. There was no A/C and although it was nearing October, our room was very warm.  Brad's mom stayed at a different hotel a couple blocks away, Grand Hotel Amelot, Her hotel was a little further off the main drag, but the room was much more spacious, and at the moment it is cheaper & has better customer reviews. ...and it had A/C, which for an American from Arizona, that is a BIG deal. FACT: In Paris, you pay BIG $$$ to be closer to the sights. Getting to our hotel from the airport turned out to be a big mess. I knew one thing... you have to take the Roissybus to the Opera Square... We then had to navigate our way via our iphone maps to our hotels. It was a long, hot & tiring trek. But along the way I did have the best ham & cheese sandwich of my life... the secret.... butter. FACT: Butter makes everything better. 

Much like London, some of the best walking you can do is along the River Seine. The river is lined with trees and beautiful bridges. It's truly peaceful. When I go back I'd like to bring some Pain au Chocolat (Chocolate Croissant, but the best in the world) & sit and watch the water run. 

One of the greatest views along the river is the sight of Notre Dame towering over the riverside Flats. The Grandeur just radiates, and you can't help but be drawn in to such a magnificent sight. We worked our way through the side streets & finally found our way to the Cathedral. We used the Paris Pass on this leg of trip (which is similar to the London pass from my previous post). By using the pass we were able to do one of the greatest things ever... climb to the top of the towers for some incredible Paris views. You do have to wait in line to make the climb, and we probably waited close to an hour, but it was worth every second. It was one of those experiences that you want to continue for an extensive period of time. I was sad that they only allow you a certain amount of time on top, but I guess, everyone deserves an opportunity to check it out. 

The view of Paris from the towers of Notre Dame.

Notre Dame from the front

The gardens behind Notre Dame. 

...and then there was The Louvre. Where do I even begin for that? Well, this was my second visit & my husband & his mom's first. When you read that it's an all day thing, don't take it lightly. It truly is, but you will have so much fun diving into history. My favorite section is definitely the Egyptian history exhibit. ...but I enjoy the classics as well, such as the Mona Lisa & Venus de Milo.  FACT:Mona Lisa draws such a large crowd that you have to be truly dedicated to waiting or shoving to get an up close view... Truthfully, you can get a better view on the internet, but I understand the curiosity & the thrill of seeing it in person. 

Mona Lisa

Venus de Milo

 These are probably the two most famous works of art in the whole gallery.  DID YOU KNOW: The Louvre originated as a fortress in 1190, you explore the original design which is now underground. In 1528, the king decided to move back to the capital city of France & took up residence in the Louvre. You can read more on the history of the Louvre here. 

Apollo Gallery - click to learn

Me & Marie (Antoinette) 

Lovely French decor. 

The sarcophagus of an Egyptian

 Our final group activity before Brad's mom left from Paris was to hit Versailles.... It was a mad house. It isn't like other places where they slowly filter people through in tour groups.... They pack them in here. TIP: If you or anyone in your travel group in prone towards anxiety induced by noise or crowds.. skip the big house! Trust me!  It was our last day with Brad's mom & I was burnt out... Three can be a crowd and I was in desperate need of quality time with my husband. ....I also can be prone to anxiety, so I know what I am talking about. 

The Palace of Versailles is truly exquisite. It makes it easy to understand why France ended up being broke.  I am making all of these pictures bigger, just so you can appreciate the grandeur of it all, as much as possible. 

The entrance into the palace

The private chapel within, compete with a giant-ass pipe organ.
Who says you can't worship from home? 

A simply elegant corridor lined with statues & marble.  

the Hall of Mirrors... I don't know how we ever made it out in a group. 

Honestly, the palace was beautiful. But the Gardens of Versailles were magnificent. My husband discusses moving to the town Versailles, just so we can get our coffee and tea and stroll through the parks whenever we wish. ...and I wish that too. To walk down lanes lined with huge trees, and beautifully choreographed gardens, with fountains all over, was a dream for this desert dweller. 

The main fountain was being worked on, but you can see just how far the gardens go.
You could explore them for days. 

Brad walking the road less traveled

The Peristyle of the Grand Trianon

From here, we continued to explore. I was so excited to see something that I read about, which was Marie Antoinette's home, gardens, and village. ...it did not disappoint. We started with Grand Trianon which was like a baby palace & somehow got in for free (typically they charge). Marie Antoinette's Estate was simple (partially pictured below, for more information click on the link a few pictures down). Oh so very Marie, don't you think? haha. It truly was a much simpler display of how she liked her life to be.  A small escape from her crazy palace life.  Her home was surrounded by beautiful floral gardens filled with flowers that seemed to be carefree & full of whimsy. 

We had to keep going because there was still a charming old fashioned village calling my name. Brad decided that his feet were to sore to go on, so he decided to sleep on a bench instead of encounter something magical... Typical. 

 

This bench was long the route from Marie's home to
her small village. It is also, where Brad took a long nap,
while his mom & I explored more.  

Christal & I decided to press on, and now, I can continually tell Brad that he missed out on one of the best parts of our day trip to Versaille. It was quaint, it was charming, it was truly magical. It was like stepping into a fairy tale. It was funny to think that people had actually lived and worked in this adorable village. ...and I should also state that it is still "functioning". There were still people there, caring for it and yes, the animals. There were horses, cows, giant rabbits, dogs, peacocks, chickens, goats, and probably some other critters. But it was phenomenal. It was better than Disneyland.... the other fantastic part, is there were very few people there which was a bit surprising. I assume that alot of people either don't know about it, or don't want to make the trek back to find it. TIP: But if you are there, GO! It does not disappoint, finding it is part of the fun! It's the best part of Versaille.

Marie Antoinette's Estate

 When we left Versaille, we stopped at the local McDonald's for a quick snack, and a bathroom break before getting back on the train into town. That, too, was packed. But some sodium packed fries & a sprite were what I needed to regain some energy. 

When we did arrive back in Paris, we made it a point to view the Eiffel Tower. Christal, needed to see it before she left.  When we got to it, the lines to go up were insane. None of us felt the need to be a crowded elevator to see the Parisian landscape. I think we were all starting to wear on each other. (My biggest Parisian regret: not booking the romantic Eiffel Tower dinner for two) After our quick pictures, it was time to head back for dinner & rest. Christal needed to pack & I needed to some alone time while I left Brad to help his mom figure out her game plan. 

LESSONS LEARNED:
1) Take a break & step away from the group to regroup if you feel like you are losing your edge

2) Sometimes it might be a good idea to map things out before you arrive

3) Sometimes spending a little extra for a little extra comfort is worth it

4) Ham & Cheese sandwiches are better with butter, especially in Paris. 

Our First Europe Trip.... with My Mother-in-Law. (The London Edition)

A beautiful building directly across from the London Eye

When I say "Our First Europe Trip", I really mean Brad & his mom. This was my 7th... I think.  Because of this, I knew some things that they had to see, and I knew that we would be using the underground, but I wanted to plan accordingly. I did my homework, and studied google maps to figure out the best area to stay in. With that, I went to the planning board. Among all my research I discovered something truly awesome. The London Pass. You pay a flat rate depending on the number of days you want to use it, and it includes specific tours, cost of underground passes, and gets you discounts at certain tour sights, restaurants, and shops. It's amazing.

Anyways, back to our trip. This was when Brad had his first "Africa Contract" and was working overseas... We agreed the best thing we could do was meet in Europe, so I hit the planning books. Originally, I was planing a European roadtrip, but I was just getting too carried away. The other thing, was Brad was unable to un-invite his mom. Which made it rather interesting because she had never been out of the US. So, I we agreed that it was best to do a four part trip. London. Paris. Barcelona. Lisbon. Brad's mom decided she would depart halfway through the Paris portion, which was in the best interest of all parties. 

Sadly, for London, I wasn't fully invested because this was my 4th or 5th time there. I slept... A lot... But, I do have some fun photos to share. ...and some great places to check out. 

 Also, I should note that my timeline is a little foggy, as it was close to 2 years ago. But I'll walk you through everything that I can!

We stayed at the Tune Hotel in the Westminister area, and it was fantastic. It was a fairly short walk into the city center, or an easy underground ride, particularly because the underground was literally across the street.  Another Euroupean note: these hotel rooms in the older cities are TINY... 

One of the greatest things you can do in European cities, walk along the rivers. It is truly one of the best experiences you can have in life.  There is always so much to see. 

In London that included the beautiful & iconic tower bridge. I've never done it, but you can tour Tower Bridge. Info on the tour can be found here.   

One of the other fun things to do in London is to visit & tour the Tower of London. This is where the Crown Jewels of England are held. ...but there is so much more, so much history of the country. There is armor from different historical eras, you can experience how they lived in the middle ages. It truly is interesting. You could easily spend a whole day here if you were feeling overly diligent. I'm the type that gets burnt out fairly quick.  

The picture to the left sits in the center of the amazing fortress. When we were there we were able to enjoy the beautiful artistic tulip display that filled the historical motes along the outer wall, It is no longer there as it was removed that November (2014). You can read about the significance of it here. ---I really wish I had better photos of it, haha---

    

One of the amazing other things we did, was a first for me. It was walking through Westminister Abbey. We all know it as the famous Cathedral where the royal familes have gotten married, but it is truly so much more than you could possibly imagine.The history & the decadence were astounding! So many exquisite people have been buried there. The list not only includes royalty, but also great minds like Sir Isaac Newton.  Photos were not allowed on the inside, so you can click on this link to google images to see interior photos, and also, I didn't take a picture of the front of the Abbey either... Like I said, its something I have been working on. However, I do have pictures of the outer areas!!! That's some success, right? Anyways, this picture to the right is of the courtyard attached to Westminister abbey. It's overlooking one of the towers of the parliament building. The photo below is of the old paintings along the walls in the Chapter House attached to the Abbey. {TIP: In popular, busy tourist attractions, make sure you know where your wallet is. I wouldn't suggest guys keeping it in their back pocket, same goes for you phone. & don't cruise around with your passport on hand if you can avoid it. Ladies, carry only a bag that zips across the top if it hangs low, or use one that sits right under your shoulder. Be Smart.}

 Explore the Gardens & Parks.... They are everywhere & full of scampering  wildlife. This picture to the right was taken in St. James Park across from Churchill's War Rooms (below). I couldn't believe that they had pelicans there! I would expect them to be closer to the coast.

If you or your travel companion is at all a WWI fan, Churchill's War Rooms is a must see exhibit. You can explore the underground tunnels that helped Britain fight the war. You see the living quarters, offices, strategy rooms, communications rooms, dining hall, etc.  It was another first for me, and I found it to be a really interesting experience, and I would highly recommend it for anyone going for even just a few days. It's a farely short tour, and the price is reasonable. Every guest is given a headset for a guided tour in their native language.

Churchill working away....

Kensington Palace. 18th Century Dress.
How did they get through doors? 

Another option for your trip is to visit Kensington Palace (the home of the late Princess Diana and young Queen Victoria , and now the home of the Duke & Dutchess of Cambridge aka William & Kate). Honestly, I wouldn't rank this tour very high. I feel like it lacked authenticity. It was more like a historical clothing museum. Which was interesting, but not great. In addition to being able to see some of the insanely uncomfortable fashions of previous centuries, you are able to see some of Diana's most iconic outfits. Interesting, but not fascinating.

One of the reasons, I was so intrigued by Kensington Palace was because 'The Young Victoria' is one of my favorite movies. I was genuinely hoping to see it in that light, but I was obviously unable to. However, one of the best parts of the Palace tour was exploring the private gardens. There were water features, beautiful flowers, there was a crane (the bird, not the machine), water features. It was truly the best part.

Kensington Palace Private Gardens

Swan at Kensington Garden Park

{TIP: If you are wanting to do a Palace tour & if it is available, do Buckingham Palace instead (pictures were not permitted, they want you to buy the books). Buckingham Palace has far more to see & is much more interesting, in my opinion. I have done it twice now & would probably go again because it is so much to take in. That place is a maze.}

If you do have the time or opportunity, check out the  public fun Kensington Garden & Park surrounding Kensington Palace. It's a very large area, where you can just hang out & read a book if you are just wanting to relax. There are several different kinds of birds which is fun, just beware of the swans. They can get a little to sassy for my liking. It's also a great place to people watch. I would grab lunch from a local shop & enjoy it in the park.

SIDE NOTE: One of my favorite things about cities like London is that you have to complete freedom and capability to roam wherever you want. You will always find something beautiful to look out, or something that you can learn about. It's a great way to relax & experience the culture as well. It always helps relieve some of the pressure to see everything & do everything, because in a sense it is almost more fulfilling to discover the city on your own terms.

  

Van Gogh's Chair at The National Gallery

George Seurat at the National Gallery

Another fun & affordable activity for those art lovers or those looking for a little culture is to hit up The National Gallery. It was a great way to kill a few hours on our last day after we had hit everything else. It was quick & had several iconic pieces of art by several famous artist like Van Gogh & Monet .  The Impressionist art was my favorite. I found myself drawn towards it. The National Gallery is just off Trafalgar Square ( I didn't take photos because there were so many people) & it's next to St. Martin in the Fields, which is a small cathedral. If your feet are killing you, it's a great place to stop in and take a seat. That is what we did, and were pleasantly surprised to have a strings orchestra practicing. It was a truly wonderful moment that I will never forget.

Below are some of the photos I took while we wandered on foot.

We discovered an armed guard outside a political building.

My husband & I needed some alone time from
his mom, and we discovered Chinatown which was 
great for a late night stroll

A view over the Thames. 

A view from my morning walk (needed some self time)
to go get coffee and pastries. 

Overlooking the intersections can be an intriguing thing.
They do what they must to ensure tourists don't get
 hit by cars.

Turns out the Brits enjoy the NFL too. 

LESSONS LEARNED:

1) Always know who you are traveling with. Meaning, understand their temperaments & know their travel experience level. 

2) Map out your journey. 

3) Check for tour packages that could save you money & present other options you may not have found elsewhere.