Paris, at last!

I wanted to show all of our adventures,

but I can blog only a "snapshot"

so here's the Paris installment of our European trip:

Headed out on the midnight train from Venice to Paris--

Hated leaving Venice... but so excited for Paris.

Sleeping car not quite as cool as in Harry Potter movies...

Stacked triple-decker bunkbeds--

(here's our guide Lauri and I with her brother above-)

Ron across the aisle--close enough to touch!

all fine until we added our 6th bunk mate 2 hours into the trip.

Body odor bad enough to wake us!!

Oh, could she have used a spray of french perfume

But so worth the ride--

tired and wearing day-old clothes--

but we are in PARIS--

Yes, walking distance to the Eiffel tower.

Look at the smiles--we really can't believe we are here!!

Took a river tour on the Seine--yes, really--

that's Notre Dame--flying buttresses and all!!

Finally able to check into our cute Parisian hotel--

the hotel Madeleine

ah, a mattress this time!!

Heaven!

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

in front of the Louvre

waiting for the sun to set on the Eiffel Tower

Romance is in the air--

Isn't he sweet....

ok, maybe he was just excited about

his first french crepe!!

Oh, what a show--

moonlight and the Eiffel Tower

(I have soooooo many photos of that night!!)

At the Musee de L'Orangerie

I love Monet!!

Amazing building to show these paintings.

Great food-every day

Pastries and Hot Chocolate in the morning

Lunch in the Latin Quarters--

One of Ron's favorite meal

gyros, yes with "french" fries!

My favorite dessert--Gelato

and of course the French do it with flair!!

Now the museums--so many--

the Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre

I will be scrap booking for months!!

Now my two favorite Ladies of the Louvre:

Winged Victory--Nike

and the beautiful Venus de Milo

(looks like I am not the only one entranced by her!)

And after all that art--

time to go where the artists hang out:

Montmartre, Sacre-Coeur and Place du Tertre.

It was amazing at night

and the best way to ride--

the funiculare--

(don't know what that is? look it up!!)

Now on to Versailles

BIKES !!!

the best way to see the gardens and fountains!!

Loved it --

went on Sunday and the music was playing,

the water was spraying --

and yes, Ron is carrying my purse--

I haven't been bike riding in years

and he is such a great husband

he didn't want me to crash--

my purse was stuffed with

umbrellas, cameras, guidebooks, tissues,

granola bars, and almost the kitchen sink!

Marie Antoinette's grotto and music pavilion

My favorite part--Marie Antoinette's village

so beautiful and peaceful

We could have spent the entire time here!!

Just one of the literally hundreds of majestic fountains--

Crazy

Ended at the Hall of Mirrors--

exhausted, but such a great day!!

Sainte-Chapelle my VERY favorite church-

such amazing windows

so beautiful

Loved Notre Dame--amazing architecture

and beautiful rose gardens--

you should see my flower photos!!

last meal in Paris--

wonderful food--

wonderful trip

great guide Lauri and her brother Tyler--

thank you--for an unforgettable adventure

Still walking on air--

head in the clouds--

a perfect ending to a perfect trip--

thanks, Ron