Eiffel Tower

Life: Honeymoon Day 8

Eiffel Tower, Europe, Honeymoon, Life, Paris, Sweets, Travels, Vacation

Our last day in Paris we decided to visit the top of the Eiffel Tower but in order to accomplish that we needed to wake up bright and early.  Please note that you can schedule a reservation to go to the top but we decided not to since our hotel was about 10 minutes away from it.

We got to the Eiffel Tower about half an hour before it opened and waited in a line along with other’s that were there before us.

We purchased tickets to go to the very top since it was our first time there.  Oh, by the way have I ever told you guys that I’m afraid of heights?  When we got to the very top my knees began to shake uncontrollably.  I was so afraid to go to the ledge and see the stunning views but I did it anyway.  Since my knees were shaking I couldn’t hold my camera still so I had the hubby take a few shots for me.  All the cars underneath looked like micro machines and the people like little ants. 
The views at the top are pretty cool but I think that the ones on the second floor are more impressive.  I believe that everyone should go to the very top at least ones in their lifetime but if you only have time or money to do one you should at least go to the second floor.  Can you tell how much happier I am on the second floor?
Once we were finished seeing the incredible views we walked around looking for souvenirs at the shops they have up there.  I had a yummy muffin on top of the Eiffel Tower.
Take a look at the line below that can be avoided by either getting their early or by having an reservation.
From this point the hubby decided to walk down the stairs and I took the lift since my knees were still shaking from being so high up.  We headed back to the hotel for a bit before heading back out to do some last minute sightseeing.  
Have I told you guys how much I loved the hotel we stayed at?  
We headed out to see Notre Dame de Paris and other things we hadn’t yet seen. 
With our museum pass we were able to go up to the roof of the Cathedral. 
From there we went right next door to the Crypte Archeologique where we used our museum pass to get in. 
Since we were close by we decided to walk a tad further to see Sainte Chapelle at the Courtyard of the Royal Palace.  We were able to use our museum pass once more.  
I went to the restroom in the Royal Palace and somehow I ended up getting lost for an hour.  The hubby was really worried about me and for the first time during our trip we both were home sick.  My french isn’t really good and trying to communicate with people became very frustrating.  When I finally found my way back to Sainte Chapelle we decided to head towards the Latin Quarter to get something to eat.  
By this point we became home sick and when we saw a classic 50’s dinner we went right in and had ourselves a burger.
For dessert we had this amazing gelato. I still have dreams about this deliciousness! The best part about it was that the cashier was extremely nice and sweet and it was the perfect way of ending our lovely night in Paris.
…To be continued…
Day 1, Day 2,  Day 3 (Pt. 1), Day 3 (Pt. 2), Day 4 (Pt. 1), Day 4 (Pt. 2), Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 9, Day 10,

Life: Honeymoon Day 7

Eiffel Tower, Europe, Honeymoon, Life, Paris, Travels, Vacation

Our seventh day in Paris was simply lovely we ate a baguette in front of the Eiffel Tower, we walked around holding hands while taking everything in, we visited the Louvre, we went to the Champs-Élysées, and we saw unbelievable views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile.  We couldn’t have asked for anything more.

We walked around for awhile around the neighborhood where our hotel was at.  

We had a lovely breakfast also known as petit déjeuner.

When we got tired of walking around we decided to look for the perfect sandwich that we could eat in front of the Eiffel Tower and we found it. It was the best sandwich I’ve ever ate.  The hubby still brings it up.
After our quick lunch we went into our hotel where we could get some sweets.
After lunch and dessert we went on our way to the world famous Louvre. 
We followed Rick Steve’s guide to the Louvre since we didn’t have a lot of time to spare.  We also took the entrance in bottom level of the mall entrance and we used our museum pass to get in.  There were a lot of people at the museum but we didn’t mind since we decided to take it slow and see the essentials.  We got to see the Mona Lisa and I took some picture of the painting but I was more fascinated with the people standing in front of it instead. I love people watching especially in museums. 
When we got tired of walking around and looking at all the magnificent art we made our way back into the mall area.  We wanted to try out the food court and settled for some pizza.  
Once we were finished eating we walked around the mall looking at cool shops and afterwards we went outside the Louvre to see the rest of Paris. 


As we got towards the end of the Champs–Élysées I asked the hubby if he wanted to go on top of the Arc de Triomphe to check out the view.  He didn’t realize we could actually go up there and he ran there when I told him we could use our museum pass to get in.

When we got up there I could believe how beautiful the city looked. I have seen several sunsets but none compare to seeing it on top of the Arc de Triomphe over looking all of Paris. 

To end our perfect day in Paris we went to Ladurée.

…To be continued…

Life: Honeymoon Day 4 (Part 2)

Eiffel Tower, Europe, Honeymoon, Paris, Pastries, Planning, Travels, Vacation
After we were done taking photos at the Eiffel Tower we walked around until we found a patisserie, which we didn’t take long to find.  

You better believe I was in heaven with all the bakeries around me but my only problem was not knowing what to try.  The first thing I tried was a Croissants aux amandes. I can’t begin to describe to you how delicious it was.  Everything seriously tastes better in Paris! 
After we were done enjoying our fabulous pastries we did more sightseeing.  Since we were so close to the L’Hôtel national des Invalides we decided to pay it a visit.  Can you tell that I’m having a blast? Once again I was sad I had forgotten my tripod. 
We spent a long time there taking photos of all the statues and the canons.  The hubby loved all the weapons.
From there we went over to see the Seine.  This is one of my favorite shots since I got the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

I took countless photos of the Eiffel Tower from each and every angle that I could possibly take.  I simply couldn’t resist taking this photo and yes I know its really corny.

I kept seeing these locks around town and I had no idea what they meant.  Once I got home I googled it and found out they were Love Locks.  I wish I would have known about the locks I would have taken one to leave there.  Next time I go to Europe I’m definitely going to be brining one with me to put there.

After spending a few hours walking around taking photos we headed out back to our hotel but not before stopping at another bakery.  I decided to have a yummy eclair this time.  The only thing the hubby kept trying was chocolate croissants.

We were tempted in stopping into every bakery we saw especially the cute ones but we did manage to have a tad of self control.

Our first night in Paris we decided to have dinner near our hotel. I couldn’t help myself and I ordered a cheeseburger and fries.  We loved that unlike in London ketchup was plentiful.

Since we had purchased an all day pass for the Metro we decided to head out to the Champs-Elysees to see what all the fuss was about.  There are so many things to do there and since it was Friday night a lot of the things were open.

Life: Honeymoon Day 4 (Part 1)

Eiffel Tower, Europe, Honeymoon, London, Paris, Planning, Travels, Vacation

After a good nights sleep we decided to have breakfast in the hotel and I was excited since I was finally able to try some crumpets.  So, what did I think of the crumpets?  They are pretty much the same thing as an english muffin so I liked them.

We had to check out early because we had train tickets to Paris but before we headed out we walked around our neighborhood for a bit.  We enjoyed walking around and looking at all the beautiful buildings.  We ended up getting a tad lost since a lot of the streets don’t really go straight but stop and start at odd parts of the street.

After we were done walking around we went to catch the Underground where we transferred to St. Pancras International Station.  As it turns out the Underground is very easy to use especially with the Oyster card we purchased when we first got to London.  One thing we noticed on the underground was that its pretty quiet since most people on board are reading.  Going on and off the underground was easy with the amount of luggage we took.

I wish we would have had more time to walk around the neighborhood where the station was located at because it looked really nice outside.  If you guys didn’t know by now London is hosting the 2012 Olympics and throughout the city you can see signs of it.  The station itself is full of shops and restaurants.  There is also a place where you can check in your luggage if you don’t want to be lugging it around with you while you wait for your train.

Before leaving on our trip I booked our trip from London to Paris on the Eurostar.  The cost of the tickets were very expensive but since we booked early we saved some money on them.  The trip from London to Paris was about two hours and fifteen minutes and I used this site to help me find good seats for the train.  The trip was great except for the popping I felt in my ears every time we went into a tunnel.

Once we got to Paris things got interesting since we don’t speak French.  I read in several forums that you need to beware of pickpockets and we did just that.  We were bombarded with people trying to get us to sign things, give them money, or buy things from them.  The first thing we had to do was to find change to use the bathrooms since they are not free.  Once we used the bathrooms we purchased a day pass for the Metro and we were on our way.

As soon as we got out of the Metro we saw the Eiffel Tower and we knew we were in Paris. We walked a little and we realized that we were going the wrong way.  While we were standing around trying to figure out where we were supposed to go a charming little old lady approached us and gave us directions.  We found our way to our hotel where we quickly rushed to set our things down and go to visit the Eiffel Tower.  The hotel we stayed at while in Paris was the Hotel du Cadran. When we walked into our room it smelled like sweet strawberries.  We loved our little boutique hotel.

Our hotel was located about 10 minutes walking distance from the Eiffel Tower.  We stayed in the 7th arrondissement in Paris and it was simply lovely.

We couldn’t believe how big and amazing the Eiffel Tower is.  I lost count of how many photos I took of the Eiffel Tower but this one is the first of many to come.

…To be continued…

Day 1,  Day 2, Day 3 (Pt. 1), Day 3 (Pt. 2), Day 4 (Pt. 2), Day 5, Day 6,  Day 7,  Day 8,  Day 9, Day 10,
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