Explore Saint Germain en Laye Saint Germain en Laye is an elegant, royal town located just a short drive (or RER line #1 trip) from Paris; a perfect spot for a day trip from Paris or for a quick overnight visit. Founded in 1020, Saint Germain en Laye is the birthplace of Louis XIV. The […]
In Search of the Authentic Pint in Paris
Of course there are great pubs in Dublin, Limerick and Galway, but what about Paris pubs? We have searched out the most authentic Irish pubs in Paris, because sometimes you just gotta have some pub grub and an authentic pint! Kitty O’Shea’s Pub and Restaurant One of the most authentic pubs in Paris, Kitty O’Shea’s, is set […]
Five Quirky Museums in Europe
When I travel to Europe, I am always on the look-out for museums or sites that are a bit out of the ordinary. I think that the following five quirky museums fill the bill: From Magic Ice to fans, to computers, these museums present a different slant on museum-going. The Magic Ice Museum – Istanbul […]
Paris: In Search of Hemingway
On a chilly December night I laze under the terrace awning of a café by the cobbled Place de la Contrescarpe, staring across to the mouth of winding, fairy lit Rue Mouffetard. There is the musty scent of Gauloises in the air, hot café, the literary spirits of yesteryear lingering in the amber washed night […]
Three Romantic Getaways in Europe
Valentine’s Day, a holiday steeped in romance and devotion, has been inspiring lovers to declare their love for centuries. It’s a day for heartfelt gifts, fancy dinners, pretty jewelry and even poems. And for travel lovers who use any excuse to plan a trip (that would be me!), it’s an opportune time to discuss a […]
A Book of Hours for Paris’s Third Arrondissement
If you were to take the third arrondissement of Paris and drop it down in the middle of Iowa, people from all over America would flock to see this marvel. But apart from its hot spots, “le troisieme” (also called Temple) is often overlooked by visitors to Paris. The arrondissement (district) numbering system for the […]
Long Nights and Hot Days in Montmartre
I brought the guitar to Paris as a sort of insurance. If and when I ran out of funds I could always play on the street for money, I reasoned. When I initially moved into my eleventh story flat on Avenue Jean Jaures, my landlord—who was named Catherine, as so many women in France are—gave me […]
Paris Cemeteries: Strolling Among the Stars
Visiting Paris’ cemeteries may not be your idea of having fun. However, if you are truly in love with the City of Light, you have every reason to walk through the gates of one of the city’s 14 intra-muros sites. The Père Lachaise, Montmartre and Montparnasse cemeteries figure among the most prestigious in Paris and France. Each one is a lesson in […]
Montmartre, Paris: A Walk With The Artists
The first time I saw Paris, many years ago, my friends and I headed for Montmartre. We’d seen the movies and heard the stories, and we weren’t about to miss this famous neighborhood. It seemed a bit tawdry, but we didn’t care. We went straight to the Moulin Rouge where we watched women in skimpy outfits dance onstage, while we tasted champagne. […]
Designer Shopping in Paris: Finding the “Upper Underground” Bargains
Shopping in Paris is the shopping equivalent of finding your soul mate. Paris is seductive; it has an allure and elegance unlike any other city. The problem is, as a shopping soul mate, it tends be slightly more fickle than your new main squeeze. When Shopping in Paris, you’ll find that: 1. You romanticize even […]