066- Europe part 2 : Paris

It's been awhile since we were in Paris, but I thought it might be fun to share this part of our trip with the Paris Olympics coming up. For part 2 of our European trip, we travelled by train from Amsterdam to Paris, with a couple stops along the way, including Brussels Belgium where I added another Starbucks location to my list. We both enjoyed traveling by train; it was a quick way to travel and there was a lot to see along the way. We were in Paris for twice as long as Amsterdam so we had a lot more time to see all the sights. Here's a little recap of our favorite things.

Eiffel Tower tour - You can't go to Paris and not go see the Eiffel Tower. We chose the summit tour which meant we went all-the-way to the top! And let me tell you, it's a long ways up there. As we ascended to the top and learned about the history, we had amazing views of all of Paris below us. There is something about the Tower that is just mesmerizing and so iconic of Paris. We also had chosen to have professional photos done with the Eiffel Tower as a back drop to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

Hotel de L'Empereur - We stayed at this charming 31-room hotel, Hotel de L'Empereur, in the 7th arrondissement (aka neighborhood) so we had a lot of the key attractions within walking distance. We had a great view of the Dome of les Invalides. The hotel gave us a mini bottle of champagne to toast our anniversary. We were very close to a Metro station which was also another great way to get around the city easily.

Lots of charcuterie - One of my favorite things is charcuterie and we were able to experience a lot of it in Paris. We tasted so many different kids of cheeses, cured meats, french breads, jams, nuts and more. It was definitely my favorite food experience.

Disneyland Paris in the rain - I've been to Disneyland California multiple times in my life and some may ask why we would want to go to Paris Disneyland. Why not? The weather wasn't the best on day we chose to go but we made the best of it. We rode the train from Paris, for about an hour, to get the Disney station. Our rainy adventure ended up being so much fun. Some things at Paris Disney are exactly the same (Its a Small World, Autopia and Haunted Mansion) but others were different. We went on rides, saw a few characters, and watched the Main Street musical parade.

Wine and cheese tasting - One of my favorite things we did was a wine and cheese tasting lunch at the wine bar, O Chateau. It was held in the wine cellar and led by a sommelier with lots of experience and info. We tried 5 wines, including authentic Champagne from the Champagne region of France. We also had the best french baguette and a few different types of cheeses. So good!

Driving tour in vintage car - At the suggestion of my friend, Kiah, we booked a vintage car driving tour. We were picked up at our hotel and our driver showed us so many iconic sights of Paris. It was great to see things from a different view than we saw from a bus or walking tour. Our driver took several photos of us at the different sights. This was also one of my favorite things we did.

Normandy - Our next adventure was a day trip to Normandy, where we explored the historic beaches of D-Day, the American Cemetery, and much more. Andy is a history buff so this was at the top of his bucket list for this trip. The trip was awe-inspiring as we stood near Omaha Beach and Utah Beach, reflecting on the history and sacrifices made during World War II. The remnants of bunkers served as a powerful reminder of the bravery and resilience of those who fought there. Seeing it all in person is something everyone should do at some point in their lives.

Louvre - We continued our exploration of the "must do" sites in Paris with a visit to the Louvre Museum. I admit that I am not really a museum person, and this one is BIG and overwhelming. We probably should've taken a guided tour; maybe next time. We did see the Mona Lisa. You have to stand in line to get close enough to take a photo of it.

Arc de Triomphe - Our journey through Paris continued with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe. We went up countless steps where we ascended to the top for the best views in the city of Paris. We learned about the history of the Arc and how it fits into the City's history.

Nighttime double decker bus tour - Another one of our favorite activities was a nighttime bus tour which enabled us to see Paris and it's landmarks all lit up. We chose to sit in the very front of the upper level of the double decker bus. It was a little chilly but it was so great to see all the sites. My favorites were the Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, and the finale of the sparking lights of the Eiffel Tower.

There is something about Paris! This was my second time and I'd love to go back. I can't wait to see how the Olympics coverage showcases the City!