One difference between our travels in Europe and in the U.S. is that often breakfast is included with the stay in Europe. When we travel locally, if the room does come with breakfast, the food is likely bagels and toast and yogurt, with a bit of fruit (maybe). We’ve been known to pass up the…
Have you wondered what your family member experienced in World War II? How about about tracing World War II footsteps of your father, grandfather, uncle, or cousin? I had the wonderful privilege to follow in my dad’s path in Germany and France. It’s extremely moving. It is definitely the experience of a lifetime. I highly…
A Paris sunrise at Notre Dame is unforgettable. Notre Dame stands in the middle of the city on the island where Paris was born. It’s seen centuries of sunrises and sunsets and generations of people have walked in its shadow. On a recent trip, I decided to get up early and see the day begin…
Paris gardens beckon locals and tourists alike to sit and relax, rest your weary feet, forget the cares of the day, revel in the green of the grass and trees, and enjoy the bright-colored blooms. This being Paris, a palace may be nearby, and artistic sculptures adorn the gardens. Ponds and lakes and fountains add…
The Rodin Museum in Paris in its updated style, houses sculptures, drawings, and work in progress of Auguste Rodin. The museum is in the former Hotel Biron estate, where the artist lived for the last years of his life. The mansion was also home to painter Henri Matisse and dancer Isadora Duncan. Rodin was the…
Did you know you can climb the Eiffel Tower, going up iron stairs right up into the middle of this iconic landmark? On previous visits we had taken the elevator, which whisks you up to the two view levels. On our last visit, we decided to try something different and take the stairs. This proved…
The D’Orsay, a gem of an art museum, was a few years ago voted on Trip Advisor to be the #1 museum in the world! Here is a glimpse into the beauty you can find at the D’Orsay. Here are reasons you will want to visit this elegant museum. This post contains affiliate links. Clicking…
The Latin Quarter of Paris is my favorite area of Paris, both for the ambience and for what you can see. Here’s a little tour of some of the sights of the Latin Quarter, from its place on the left bank of the Seine, just across the river from Notre Dame. It has its share…
The Orangerie (or l’Orangerie) in Paris is the home of a large circle of paintings by Claude Monet. You can find the Orangerie, a lovely small museum at the entrance to the Tuileries, at the opposite end of the park from the Louvre. It’s tucked away in a corner, but definitely worth finding. This post…
The Paris Invalides is a fascinating place where you can take in France’s military history going back about 200 years. The tall dome that crowns the Invalides is a landmark in the center of Paris. The Eiffel Tower rises behind a front yard that’s filled with shrubs and cannon. The Invalides is a chapel, an…