Paris 2005 - Part 7

As previously mentioned, I love traveling with my husband because he manages to find so many great spaces and places "off the beaten (tourist) path." One such place was a beautiful park on the outskirts of the city. We caught the metro to the end of the line and then walked about 10 min and almost out of nowhere, this beautiful green space around a lake emerges from the concrete and houses.

Paris 2005 - Part 6

Ah, the Louvre. I have been a total of three times now and have barely scratched the surface of what there is to see. The next time we go back, we want to block off the entire day and just wander from room to room, spending as much time as we want having a look. AND, while it was cool to see the Mona Lisa, it was not the most buzzworthy painting in the place, IMO.

Paris 2005 - Part 5

Prior to this trip, I had never heard of La Defense. I had noticed it on our previous trip to Paris from the top of Arch De Triumphe, but it didn't register long enough for me to want to find out what it was. Thankfully for me, I have a husband who likes to explore and this ended up being one of my favorite outings in Paris. Aside from the naked children at the public pool...the American in me was VERY uncomfortable with the whole idea!

Paris 2005 - Part 4

When it comes to hotels in Europe, it's pretty hit or miss, regardless of what the reviews may say. I ended up going WAY overboard on pictures of our hotel room during this trip because in the previous trip to Paris, we ended up staying at a hotel that had rave reviews, but was seriously lacking. I was SO excited to see that everything was clean, comfortable, and PRIVATE. I think this is the most beautiful hotel I have stayed in during all of my visits to date. The angel was a good sign!

 There were little bottles of shampoo! Oh, the things we take for granted as American travelers.

 Tub (not just a shower, but an actual tub)

 This bed was HUGE. I think it was about 6.5 feet long (at least) and wide enough for a baby elephant to have a snooze.

 Pete relaxing.

 Hair dryer. I always feel like a poodle at a pet salon when I'm using one of these.

 Posing.

 Hotel lobby

 Mural

 Posing. Pete Style.

Oh yes. Be jealous of the awesome Pete Style Posing. 

Paris 2005 - Part 3

As an American living in England visiting Paris, I was thrilled to find a few things that reminded me of home....even though Hard Rock Cafe had been descended upon by hundreds of bratty American children who were in France for summer camps. Seriously. What a hard life. ;)

 American Cathedral

 Driving on the US side of the road

 Hard Rock Cafe! Drinks with ice! Free refills! (The food was not that great, but it's the little things)

Favorite traveling companion. Ever. 

Paris 2005 - Part Two

I highly recommend Paris in July. The weather is nice, the days are long enough to allow for properly exploring things, and the city comes alive after dark which provides plenty of people watching opportunities!

Brasserie Flo. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d695216-Reviews-Brasserie_Flo-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

So delicious. Expensive, but delicious.

More tomorrow.