Paris Is Always A Good Idea

Who's ready for a visit to Paris? Our book club read several books last year set in PARIS and now I'm trying to figure out how to get a girls trip to Paris or a couples trip to Paris/Normandy/Beaune on my travel calendar PRONTO!! If you love books about Paris and World War II, check these out! "Paris Time Capsule" and "The House by the Lake."

WARNING: You will have an urgent desire to visit Paris soon...and when you do, here are few tips for your next vacation to Paris. Keep reading if bespoke Paris speaks to you, making a Paris trip even more MAGICAL.

Top 8 MUSTS when in Paris:

1. Visit O Chateau for the absolute BEST wine experience! They offer so many options...ranging from a single glass of wine to a Champagne Cruise on the Seine to a full day small-group tour to the Champagne region of France! www.o-chateau.com/paris-wine-tasting.

2. Stop in to the L’Orangerie museum to get “up close and personal” with Monet’s incredible Water Lilies. This small museum is easy to get in and out of, usually with no crowds, and is a fantastic way to see some of the most amazing art in France – hassle free! CLOSED TUESDAYS

3. One of the best values in the Paris art scene is the Sculpture Garden at the Rodin Museum. For only 1 Euro per person, you can wander around and view some of Rodin’s most famous works, including “The Thinker”. There is also a quaint café in the gardens if you want to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine with your culture! CLOSED MONDAYS

4. Be sure to save a few hours to spend on the incredibly charming market street, Rue Cler (in the 7 th arr). This area is a favorite of travelers and you can find just about anything you might want to eat, drink, smell, see, hear or buy! If you are “munchy” try a freshly made crepe from the stand outside Ulysses restaurant...can't think of a better way to start your day with one every day (ha ha )! CLOSED MONDAYS

5. Buy the “fixings” for a great picnic at one of the many markets and eat “al fresco” for lunch! Where else can you enjoy such wonderful food in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame cathedral? A small bottle of slightly chilled French rose wine to share completes the experience!

6. It is hard to go too wrong with Parisian cafes and restaurants....look for places with locals who seem to be enjoying themselves....avoid the ones with big “WE SPEAK ENGLISH” signs and “TOURIST MENUS” advertised out front. Most all have English-translated menus if you ask. Remember that Parisian waiters are paid well...not like here in the US! Slow service is good service...you are basically in no rush...the meal IS the entertainment. (Unlike here where we grab a quick bite before a movie). You must ask politely for the check when you are ready to leave...a waiter will never bring your check spontaneously because they don’t want to seem to rush you...it is considered rude! Relax and enjoy the experience!

7. I know the Eiffel Tower is a “must” for many people, but there is really no reason to go all the way up to the top. The view is actually better from the 1st and 2nd levels since Paris is so flat. Reservations can (and should) be made at www.tour-eiffel.fr. On the 1st level, there is a nice restaurant for lunch and you can walk around the perimeter that is marked with signs explaining what you are viewing – and if you have a reservation for the restaurant, you can bypass the massive line for the elevator. It is a great way to get the layout of the whole city without the crushing crowds at the top.

8. The Louvre is one of those museums that irritates the fire out of many! It is absolutely HUGE, hot and crowded...but everyone feels like they need to go. You don’t, unless you are a serious artist or art-history buff. If you really are into art, be sure to purchase a Museum Pass that will act as your ticket to most of the major museums in Paris....AND the card lets you bypass most of the lines! CLOSED TUESDAYS

Since it is the mission of VIP Travel Experience to take you BEYOND the highlights for bespoke or unique EXPERIENCES, here are some of my favorite things to plan for my clients:

- Eating a fabulous Michelin starred 5 course dinner in the Eiffel tower with wine pairings.
- A private, personalized excursion with a local tour guide to take you to the most interesting sites of D-Day and Normandy Beaches to discover the battlefields you've always to see, or some you may not have heard of.
- An unforgettable, simply magical night at Mont Saint Michel.
- France has another city, Lyon. I dare you to go without a list of recommended eateries. There are literally hundreds of precious little cafes and restaurants in France's culinary /gastronomical capital, and it's also home to an amazing lights festival.
- Private driver through gorgeous Burgundy countryside to get to charming Beaune. You will absolutely LOVE it and feel like you stepped back in time.

So depending on how much time you have and how far you want to stray from Paris, don't miss out on the many little hidden gems of France.

If you're to start planning your iconic Ireland adventure, let us know. I would love to explore the possibilities with you. Click here to get in touch with us.

Paris Is Always A Good Idea

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