Blogs from Paris, Île-de-France, France, Europe - page 397

Paris on a shoe-string 7th February - 9th February, 2003 Insert location on a shoestring. It’s a phase that’s been coined in many a guide book but often times most locations do not allow for such freedom to explore on limited funding - or lack of as the case may be. Having returned from a rather expensive three-week holiday in Australia in January, this early Valentines Day weekend trip to Paris was one in which Vicky & I needed to do rather cheaply. So much so that, we moved the trip to the weekend before Valentines Day in the hope that our costs in Paris may be lower than if we had gone the following weekend. Arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport on Friday (7th February 2003) afternoon, we managed to secure a bus tickets to ... read more

Sunday (Temp. 8deg. Rainy) All plans for everything failed today. Went for a walk down Rue de Rivoli at 9am, too early, everything shut. On way back bought 2 postcards & a fridge magnet. Had a coffee & hot chocolate & Rob had a smoke in a French cafe. Planned to go back out in evening to walk Champs Elysees & see lights, weather was revolting & people everywhere. Came back, had McDonald's, Rob bought an English paper for 4Euro ($8!) so desperate to read something other than Lonely Planet. Back to hotel cold & wet by 6pm. Feeling homesick and hungry.... read more

Friday (Temp. 7deg. Overcast) Up at 7:30am. Breakfast in lobby downstairs, very nice. Walked to Louvre, used 3 day museum pass, saw Mona Lisa. Walked to Sainte Chapelle & Notre Dame. Went up the towers, great view, so overcast top of Eiffel Tower in clouds. Bought takeaway bread rolls for lunch & beer & Coke from little grocery store. Back to hotel for lunch & rest. Back out at 6pm for stroll around the block. Bought chips & chocolate biscuits at small shop. Back in at 6:45pm.... read more

Paris! My dream destination and I couldn’t believe that I was in lovely Paris! It was cold and drizzling in Paris when we arrived in our hotel - beside Galeries Lafayette. My boss and I attended an ISSA conference in Valencia, Spain but before going there we wanted to see Paris first. Of course, we went to Tocadero to see a view of the Eiffel Tower. It was easy going around Paris using the Paris Metro. It was fun learning how to go from one place to another with Paris Metro! It was fun going up the Eiffel Tower and walking in the park. But BEWARE - I had a near pickpocket incident while I was queuing to pay for my souvenirs at the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Good thing, I saw her ... read more

The final leg of our 2002 trip to Galipolli was a weekend in Paris. We travelled by bus from Nottingham and crossed under the English Channel in the tunnel. E had thought that we were going be ferry, but that was not to be. Learnt how to use the Metro, and went shopping, to the Louvre and markets, and walked along the Seine just as people were opening up their stalls. Return journey to UK uneventful, except by now it was clear the E suffered from claustrophobia in tunnels. She was glad to see the last of the Chunnel!... read more