Today is April 7, and we are headed home. I recommend using private drivers to the airport. They are reliable, and you can book ahead of time. I use Booking.com to hire my drivers; if I used AirBnb, they have that option, too. Check with the hotel or host of your place. The cost is…
Last Day in Paris: Visiting Monet’s Giverny
What do you do on your last day in Paris? We decided to visit Giverny, Monet’s home. This involved taking a train from Gare Saint-Lazare, the oldest train station in Paris, to the Giverny station. Once you arrive at the train station, there is a trolley available to take you to Monet’s house. You will…
Montmartre: Paris’s Artistic Heart
Montmartre! (Sounds like mown·maar·truh.) We had this arrondissement on the list, but it was not scheduled! We switched up our calendar and went here by the nudge of my dear friend Whitney through a perfectly timed text! Montmartre is full of fascinating history and quirky details! Here are some fun facts about this iconic Parisian…
Exploring the Opulence of Versailles: A Visitor’s Guide
Versailles. That word alone conjures up royal opulence above what the mind can comprehend! We went to Paris during a “shoulder” month–the first of April, so the crowds were minimal. I’ve heard that summer can be pretty busy, so if you find yourself there in June or July, embrace the crowds, buy tickets ahead of…
Exploring the Art and History of Musée de l’Orangerie
A new day! It’s Saturday, April 5. Since it’s the weekend, there seems to be more traffic in Paris, and we are running a bit late for our reserved time. We used our museum pass; however, this museum requires a reservation. We have about a 15-minute buffer, but there’s no quick way for our Uber…
Le Petit Châtelet: A Gem Near Notre-Dame
This was our favorite restaurant! Parish looks back on his lamb skewers with fond memories! Watch the video below of his lamb skewers on the fire! Le Petit Châtelet is a charming, family-run restaurant in Paris, located near Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Shakespeare & Company bookstore. The building itself dates back to the 16th century,…
Exploring Reims: A Guide to Champagne Tours and Historic Sites
Today is April 4, and we travel to Reims, France! Getting there from Paris: Take the Paris Gare de l’Est to Reims Station. Leave plenty of time for traffic and an Uber to get you to your station in Paris. I watched a few travel YouTube videos and “things to do” articles on the way…
Experience the Glorious Views from the Arc de Triomphe
The fabulous Arc de Triomphe! We mustered energy from a nap on the train from Brussels and took an Uber to the Arc! Our driver dropped us off without giving us directions or locating us in front of the underground walkway, so we were very confused and risked our lives crossing the roundabout! I do…
Finding Joy in Quiet Connections
I needed to take a moment. I’m finding a place to write about the longings and small, meaningful interactions that happen in your busy day. A Love That Lives in the Small Moments The melody drifts through the room, soft and familiar, Carol King’s “Home Again” playing from a speaker nearby. My memory stretches back,…
Hidden Gems of Brussels: Food, Culture, and More
Today is Wild Card Day! We took a train from Florence to Bologna to explore something off the scheduled path when we were in Italy. Today, we are heading out of France and traveling to Brussels, Belgium. I mentioned this earlier, but the train station had an international section, which confused me because I was…
ARRESTED BY GRACE 