How to Say Goodbye To Paris, For Now

So today's post is going to give you a good idea of just how crazy I can be! No tour company today, I'm on my own and this is how I spent my last day in Paris!!

I loved seeing the Eiffel Tower from the waters of the Seine River during my cruise yesterday, so of course I need to have a closer look!  I must say riding the metro system was an experience in itself! Seems everyone in Paris rides the metro so there was a lot of us crammed into this particular section of the train. And oh, don't expect to get a seat!  Tip: Just put on your headphones, relax and enjoy the views.

While standing in line to purchase my ticket to the top I met two ladies who were from Seattle Washington.  They became my new best friends and we spent the rest of the day together.  And this is why I love to travel!!

There are three levels of the Eiffel Tower and each level of the Tower has something different to offer, from restaurants to exhibitions, video and shops.  I chose to check out the second level where I had some fantastic views of the Parisian landscape, from the majestic Sacre-Coeur on the hill of Montmatre to the ribbon of the Seine winding across the city. There are lots of telescopes that you can pay to use for a closer look at different aspects of the city, and the story windows on the inner core of the level explain how the old and new lifts worked to transport visitors to the top of the Tower.

I made it to the top and the views were amazing!  I felt like I was on top of the World, and it looked like it too!



Since my new best friends from Seattle had a plan for the rest of the day, they invited me to tag along.  I say "why not?"

As we walked along cobblestone streets lined with shops and bakeries, I just couldn't help myself from peeking in every window at all the deliciousness!



We made our way to the Montmatre area of Paris to see the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur

It was quite the climb to the top but once inside, I must say it was well worth it!



After coming back outside I was blown away by the view of the city below!



We spent some time just walking the streets, and boy let me tell you there are plenty of hills and stairs to climb to get around here!

I think next time I will be taking this little white "mini train" through these narrow, cobbled, hilly streets.

As we continued, I somehow couldn't help but feel I was walking through the pages of a storybook



And then we came upon some gentlemen playing a very popular game in France called, Petanque.  This game is similar to British lawn bowling or Italian bocce. 

We could not end this day without stopping here......



For you movie buffs you know exactly what I'm talking about.  Yep, the 2003 movie "Somethings Gotta Give"

We are sitting at the exact table that Diane Keaton was having dinner with Keanu Reeves celebrating her birthday.



My day has come to an end and I must say good-bye to Paris......for now.

Sights Of Paris

Oh my gosh, it wasn't a dream!  I am really in Paris!!
Today was an early morning bus tour through the city of Paris.  This was a great way to see the city as our guide talked about the history of Paris.  The buildings were magnificent and had me snapping my camera as fast as I could to try and capture the essence of French architecture

As if seeing Paris by bus wasn't enough, we also had the opportunity to see Paris while cruising on the Seine River!

The Pont de l’Archevêché or "The Love Bridge"

Now back on solid ground a few of us spent the rest of the day strolling the streets of Paris!  We had a great time at the Galeries La Fayette, but it certainly would have been a whole lot more fun if these high end shops were open!!  See, today is Sunday and I have learned that nothing is open in France on Sunday! 

But that doesn't stop me from enjoying the day and seeing more sites!  Like the Opera House and the Louvre! 


Opera House

Here's a little secret......You can buy advanced tickets for the Louve just inside the entrance and they are good for up to 1 year! 

 

I'll be back!

Hello Paris!

I've arrived in one of the most beautiful cities in the World!  It was so surreal to me that I was in another Country.  It really hit me when I heard people around me speaking French.  As I took a look around everyone seems to look the same as people do in the United States, except for the accents.  Surprisingly a lot of people spoke very good English at the airport.  My suggestion would be to bring a book or phrases on how to speak French just in case you do come across people who don't speak English.

Lucky for me, the lines through customs did not seem bad at all, but I can bet that it wouldn't be like that every time. My tour company, Insight Vacations was there to pick me up and take me to my hotel where I would be staying for 3 nights!

As we were driving down the highway, it seemed more like a road versus a highway.  I was quite surprised that there was a bit of traffic in the middle of the day.  But that gave me an excuse to take more pictures of the unique architecture of the buildings.

Yep, McDonalds is everywhere!

Wow! They are serious about train transportation here in Europe!

Oh I'm so confused!!

When we arrived at the Pullman Hotel, it was very posh and upscale.  Everyone seemed to be very sweet and hospitable.  This is where I met with the tour guide who is a local of France. 

 

Once I was all settled in, everyone in the tour group walked to this cute little place called Bercy Village for dinner.  This place was so cute with cobble stone streets lined with shops and restaurants with terraces!



Bercy Village
 

My dinner tonight was pretty basic, not the French cuisine I was hoping for....maybe later.

 



Salmon, green beans and mashed potatoes

Here's to a great first day in Paris!

 

Sante'

45 Days of Pure European Bliss

Hey there everyone, hope you didn't forget about me.  I hope everyone enjoyed my last trip to Costa Rica.  Between the zip lining and ATV tours, coffee/sugarcane/chocolate extravaganza, dance lessons with the tour guide,  and much more it was all such an incredible trip.

With all of those things in mind, I'm inspired. Unfortunately, due to being inspired has only made the travel bug live and breath inside of me more.  So what does this mean? Europe here I come!! This is the big kahuna of all trips I have taken.  Can you say, 45 days of "Pure European Bliss."

Get ready to hear about my travels through 17 countries all jammed into 45 days.  Its going to be the most life changing trip ever.  Paris and Greece have always been a dream of mine to see, the romantic lifestyle that the locals get to live.  Well now I get to finally experience it for myself.

I got my best walking shoes ready, bags all packed, and reality still hasn't sunk in yet that I will be in Europe for 45 days.  I don't know if a 45 day trip to Europe will kill the travel bug, I guess we will find out.

So, whats on your bucket list of places in Europe to travel to? How can I help make this experience more enjoyable for you?