Upcoming Adventures

I hadn't even been back from France for three weeks when I purchased a plane ticket for my next vacation.  In less than one month I will be getting some more stamps in my passport as I head to the Cayman Islands for five days.  The beach in Nice was amazing so I'm excited to compare the Cayman beaches to the French Riviera this upcoming November. 

And today the 2011 Tour de France cycling race route was announced in Paris so I will shortly begin planning my 2011 France Trip to follow the race route and root on the Schleck brothers.  My dad and I got into cycling a few years ago and I can't wait to take him to France and show him a bunch of my favorite places in Paris and explore new country side towns with him.  The Tour will finish on the Champs Elyssee with the Arc de Triomph in the background on the 24th of July but unfortunately timing doesn't work for us to see the end so we will start with the Prologue and follow the first week and rely on Versus to stream the last half of the race to us. 

To eat at a fancy restaurant with the one pair of clothes I have left or to not eat there.....

So I checked into my hotel with hardly any belongings.  I had made a 7pm reservation to eat at the Polo Ralph Lauren restaurant in Paris almost two weeks ago.  It is a very very fancy upscale restaurant.  And mind you, now all I have are the pair of jeans I have now wore three times on my trip and a shirt I have worn twice - not exactly the outfit you want to be seen in at the Ralph Lauren restaurant.  But I decided to go and show up in my dirty clothes because after this unfortunate train experience I needed to treat myself and end my trip on a good note.  I was slightly embarrassed and horrified walking into the restaurant but I mustered up the strength to do it and walked in with a smile on my face.

I'm so glad I went because I had the best dinner - a delightful piece of filet mignon in a Zinfandel balsamic glaze with mashed potatoes and house vegetables all for the low low price of 55 euro!!!! At least tip is included in European prices!!!  But it was seriously the best filet I have ever had.

Now it is almost nine at night and I don't have a toothbrush or toothpaste, contact solution, contact case, etc so I head down to Monoprix and purchase the essential toiletries to get me through the night.  All the while making sure I purchase carry on sized items since I have no bag to check and I don't want to throw all this stuff away since it was a tad bit expensive (the contact solution was nine euro which is equivalent to almost eleven dollars for a travel size).

Be prepared for lots of questions at the airport and customs when you try to take a long haul transatlantic flight with no luggage when your passport indicates you have been in Europe for two weeks!!!!  Thank goodness for the police report to validate  my responses to the authorities when questioned why I'm traveling with no baggage.

The flight home was good and that Saturday I spent tons of time filling out insurance claim forms and purchasing a new wardrobe. 

My amazing race was perfect, despite the train incident - I'm not letting it deter me from traveling - I still love France and everything about it and can't wait to go back. 

PS - I really miss this dress!

En Route to Paris - #6118 from Marseille St Charles to Paris Gare de Lyon

I had an unfortunate travel experience on a TGV train from Marseille to Paris.  Waving good bye to one of my new favorite places in France, I boarded a train in old Aix to Marseille and then in Marseille I transferred trains to a train to Paris. I was in car number 8 - the last car on the train where there is no conductor monitoring people entering and exiting the train. I lugged my heavy suitcase onto the train and dragged it up to the second level where my seat was. I placed it on the luggage rack with a dozen other suitcases. My suitcase was clearly labeled and had a pink ribbon tied to the handle - so as to make it uniquely mine. From my seat I could see my suitcase. The train departed from Marseille and everything was fine.

The train then stops at the AIX TGV station. There is a lot of movement going on at this point with people getting on and off but I can still see my suitcase on the luggage rack. Before the train starts moving again I need to get up out of my seat to let the person whose seat is next to me get in. As I'm swiveling around to let the man in, the train begins to move as I turn to sit back down and my luggage is gone from where I had seen it the whole time. I initially start to panic but then think maybe someone rearranged the rack to fit theirs in while I had turned for probably all of ten seconds. I search high and low and my suitcase is no where to be seen. I immediately find a conductor and report my situation. He calls the AIX TGV station to see if someone took it by mistake and brought it to lost luggage, but no such luck. He then searches multiple cars with me and nothing turns up.

The conductor then proceeds to tell me that this scenario has been happening a lot. What happens in that thieves get on in Marseille (and other cities with little conductor monitoring) on to cars seven and eight where there are no conductors and have enough time to scope out a victim and steal luggage and get off the train at AIX TGV all before the conductors come through to check tickets. And the thieves complete this circuit all day long. The conductor told me that they pick their victims by scoping out individuals traveling alone and who appear to be too cautious. I thought I was doing the right thing by monitoring my luggage but apparently that constant watching was what made me an unfortunate victim of crime. They must watch everyone board the train to identify luggage with person.

I called the US embassy in France after speaking with the conductor and she confirmed that this has been happening quite frequently. Once I arrived in Paris I met with the police at Gare de Lyon and filed an appropriate police report. And I was apparently the tenth victim of this sort of crime on Thursday afternoon alone. Crazy scary!

Luckily this was the end of my trip before flying home, so all the thieves got was two weeks worth of dirty clothes, toiletries, and a few souvenirs that totaled maybe 70-80 euros. They probably thought my constant watching meant there were real valuables in there, but in reality it was just material things that I can easily replace. Yes, it was a nuisance and cost money to replace my wardrobe, but I had all my valuables, phone, camera, passport, and money, etc all on me - so in the end, I ended up safe and they didn't really get anything.

Rather than take a metro from Gare de Lyon to Gobelins I paid the money for a cab because I didn't want anyone to try and take what little I had left.  I checked in to my hotel with my purse and a small carry on bag after a two week amazing race around France.

My Own Amazing Race - 4th Pitstop - Aix-en-Provence

After a very early morning flight out of London Gatwick to Marseille France I made my way to Aix-en-Provence.  The first thing you see when you get off the bus in Aix is the most beautiful fountain.  Is that not welcoming or what!  Aix is filled with fountains.
Once settled into Aix I met up with a friend from college and we stayed in Aix until Thursday.  After a nice lunch in Aix we explored the town.  Such an awesome place.  The streets are so charming filled with an abundance of boutiques, boulangeries, and cafes.  The main street (Cours Mirabou) is called the mini Champs Elysees and it really does look like a mini Paris!

On Tuesday we took a Paul Cezanne Tour.  Throughout the day we explored three Cezanne sites to understand the artist and his art.  We went to the quarries of Bibemus where he began painting wonderful landscaped scenes. 

We also went to his family home (Jas de Bouffan) and finished the day at his studio (Lauves).  It was a day that really reminded us of Humanities at SAC because it was a day filled with examining art and understanding the artist.  In between our different sites we had the most amazing crepes I have ever had in my life.  Before my experience at Crepes a Go Go I thought my favorite crepes were from the creperie directly across from Notre Dame in Paris but Crepes a Go Go in Aix surpasses any crepe I have ever had.  I was in Aix four days and I ate at Crepes a Go Go three times!!!  I ate sweet and savory crepes but the best crepe was the Chocolate Almond Crepe and I would do anything for one of them right now!

On Wednesday we took a day trip to Marseille.  We took a three and a half hour boat cruise and explored the Calanques.  After that we went to see the most grandest church I have ever seen - Notre Dame de Marseille.

After another great city with another great friend and one more crepe from Crepes a Go Go it was time to make my way back to Paris via the TGV on Thursday afternoon.  So sad that my trip was nearing a completion but had the most amazing time visiting old and new places with great friends!

My Own Amazing Race - 3rd Pitstop - London

My flight to London Heathrow was uneventful and on time.  As much as I love France it was nice to hear airport announcements in English when I landed - makes it just a little less stressful - although I do enjoy the challenge of having to communicate in French to survive!  I had a quick dinner in Norfolk Square as I waited for my friends to arrive from Leeds via the not so timely British train system.  They got in quite late so we talked for a bit and went to bed so we could have a fun filled Saturday.

After a typical English breakfast, not my favorite, we were on our way to the Shakespeare Globe Theatre.  On our way to the theatre we took a stroll through Hyde Park.  The tour of the theatre was amazing.  There were bagpipers there prepping for the performance later than day so it was just lovely to listen to them in this historic place.  It was only fitting that there was a great big fair with many vendors and food stations along the Thames River as it was Brielle Day at home.  It was literally a carbon copy event of Brielle Day (minus the fire engine rides)!  We walked around the fair for a while before heading to West End.  We got tickets to see a traditional British play that night in a traditional British theatre.  We made a quick visit to the British Museum and raced through the museum to see the really neat Africa exhibit and Rosetta stone.  After a nice curry dinner we enjoyed seeing a play about Sherlock Holmes.  After such a long but fun day I needed to shower for a ridiculously long time because before I left for Europe I got a great new pair of jeans from Ann Taylor.  After sales and coupons I got an eighty dollar pair of jeans for $5!!!!!  They fit so nice - I loved them.  However, I failed to follow the instructions on the tag that said wash before wearing and my legs were so blue.  My skin was stained blue - it was crazy - I never saw anything like it.  So after a lot of scrubbing my legs were pretty clean but it still took another shower Sunday morning to take some of the leftover blue off. 

On Sunday we went to the Victoria and Albert Museum and enjoyed relaxing and catching up in the beautiful courtyard at the museum.  The day was actually quite warm and sunny by London standards.  After some browsing in the Covent Square market place it was time to say good bye and go our separate ways.  I made my way to the London Gatwick airport hotel as I had a 6am flight the next morning back to France.  Since my flight was so early I decided to take a shower before heading to bed and yes, there was still blue coming off my legs and transferring to the beautiful white towels in the Marriott!  But I think that was it - and I will never have to worry about those pants again because they unfortunately did not make it back across the Atlantic with me.

Overall, London was great - everything from the company to the weather was perfect - even the memories of blue legs!

My Own Amazing Race - 2nd Pitstop - French Riviera

The French Riviera is filled with breathtaking views.  I spent five days based in Nice at Hotel Villa Rivoli.  It was such a quaint European hotel less than three blocks from the beach with a beautiful garden.  The staff was just so pleasant - I can't wait to go back. 

After arriving in Nice via Air France I spent the day wandering around New Nice and getting my bearings.  I also spent some time on the beach - laying on the famous Nice pebbles was quite uncomfortable - but I can say I did it.

Day 2 in Nice was a bit cloudy with a few showers here and there so I took the Nice Touristique Train which brings you on a tour of old Nice.  I also explored all of the windy streets of Old Nice enjoying the abundance of provencal stores. I went to a traditional Nice Market where there were the most beautiful flower arrangements for sale.  They also had tables selling everything from fish to candles and socks.  And to keep out of the showers I went to a bunch of old beautiful churches.  When the showers finally stopped I took a nice long walk along the Promenade d'Anglais and spent some time in the famous Nice Garden - Jardin d'Albert 1st.



 On Wednesday I took a guided tour to Eze, Monaco, and Monte Carlo.  My tour guide (Yakson) picked me up outside my hotel and myself and three individuals from Turkey were on our way to Eze.  We stopped at the famous picturesque VilleFranche to take in the gorgeous views.  Yakson insisted on taking my camera and snapping all sorts of pictures of me.  He said he always feels bad for single travelers because they are never in any photos from their vacation so there began my photo shoot in France. He was my personal photographer for the day. After VilleFrance we went to Fragonard - a  perfume factory for a guided tour.  Then we went to medieval Eze and had time to explore the medieval miniature city.  Then it was on to Monaco!  The views of Monaco were exquisite - yacht after yacht and expensive car after expensive car every way you turned.  There was of course the changing of the guard at the royal palace but as we know I think changing of the guard ceremonies are silly.  Hundreds of people fifteen rows deep with their cameras in the air snapping shots of guards walking back and forth???? Not my thing  - so I spent some quiet time in the cathedral in Monaco before we went off to Monte Carlo.  And I thought Monaco was money - Monte Carlo was amazing.  There wasn't a blade of grass out of place as we took in the sights of the casino and expensive stores.  After a few more pictures by my photographer we made our way back to Nice.  On the car ride back he insisted on speaking French with me so I could practice.  He was a great tour guide - very knowledgeable and definitely looking for a really good tip!  

It was a beautiful afternoon when we got back so I decided I'd spend some more time on the beach.  The private beach clubs offer comfortable lounge chairs to reserve for 18 euro a day so I decided to splurge.  However, I got a great deal as it was after 3pm and my hotel partnered with Neptune Plage so I got a chair for 10 euro! 

On Thursday I spent the entire day on the plage in a comfy lounge chair taking in the salty smell of the Mediterranean and the sound of the small waves crashing on the rocks at the shore line.  I had my lunch delivered to me on the beach - it was a truly perfect day as I was there for over eight hours!

My flight to London Friday night wasn't until 6 at night so I knew I had the better part of the day to spend on the beach before making my way to the airport.  So I was at Neptune Plage in a comfy lounge chair by 9am and stayed until the last second I could.  I even managed to squeeze in a  reflexology appointment on the beach before going to the airport with the smell of suntan lotion still on my skin.  I was sad to leave Nice because I truly loved everything it had to offer but was looking forward to spending the weekend in London with Kelsey and Ben - a chance to eat a meal with someone!!!

My Own Amazing Race - 1st Pitstop - Paris

My trip to France in September 2010 was absolutely amazing - there were a few hiccups along the way - but in the end it was perfect. I loved everything!

I landed in Paris on a beautiful sunny Friday morning and spent the day walking up and down the Seine River Walk and visiting St. Chapelle since I missed this beautiful church on my first trip to Paris.

On Saturday I took an amazing walking tour of Paris that included an abundance of chocolate and pastry tastings.   My favorite chocolates were at Michel Cluizel near the Tuilieries.  One of my favorite things to do in Paris is sit and relax in either the  Tuilieries Garden or the Luxembourg Gardens.  I really loved the Luxembourg Gardens in June 2009 but after this trip I think I may be more partial to the Tuilieries - probably because if you sit closer to Place de la Concorde you can catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower!   I also took a nice stroll up the cobbles on the Champs Elysees where the Tour de France finished a mere six weeks ago.  Saturday night I tried to make reservations to eat at the new Polo Ralph Lauren Restaurant in the St. Germain area that was advertised in the New York Times but they were booked solid for 10 days so I made a reservation for Thursday the 16th when I'd be back in Paris.  So instead after mass at Notre Dame I ate dinner at my favorite cafe in the Latin Quarter - Cafe de Paris - followed by dessert on Ile St. Louis - obviously deux boules de framboise!

Since Sunday was the first Sunday of the month it was free museum day in Paris.  Last year I only got to walk by the modern art museum - Centre George Pompidou - so I decided to go in for free since modern art isn't really my thing.  I'm glad I went for free because as I thought it definitely wasn't my style.  To this day I still prefer the impressionists at Musee d'Orsay.   So I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing mostly in the Tuilieres but a little bit in Luxembourg because I was on the search for the Brownies and Bagel store but couldn't find it.  It was an early night to bed at Residence Les Gobelins in the 13th arrondisement this night because on Monday morning I was getting picked up at 6am sharp for a flight to Nice - the capital of the French Riviera.

A Passion for Travel

After every vacation I love to make a scrapbook to capture all my favorite moments.  I spent a couple hours today scrap-booking my recent trip to France.  While affixing photos, stickers, and accent colors to each page and adding captions it really hit me how much I love traveling and I just can't seem to get enough of it.


My first 'big girl' vacation was in June 2007.  I went to Arizona with a friend from college.  We explored the beautiful red rocks of Sedona Arizona and the Grand Canyon for a few days before heading to Scottsdale for a relaxing few days at the spa.  I would highly recommend the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale which is affiliated with JW Marriott resorts.  Great accommodations and location.  We squeezed in a quick visit to the Desert Botanical Gardens and the Phoenix Zoo when we weren't relaxing by the pool or getting spa treatments.  I must say that my favorite treatment was the Desert Nectar Honey Wrap.  Arizona was great because all though it was hot there was no humidity - so goodbye frizz!


In May of 2008 I took a quick trip to Bermuda.  This was my second time to Bermuda and yet again the weather was not that great so I don't think I'll be venturing back to Bermuda anytime soon.  But of course, the spa was excellent at the Southhampton Princess Resort and Spa. 


By August of 2008 I felt the need to travel again and use my passport so I bought a plane ticket to London England for November.  I immediately contacted a friend from college who moved to England with her husband and worked out a visit.  I spent a quick two and a half days in London rushing from site to site to see all the major tourist attractions before getting on a train to Leeds England.   I spent a week in Leeds with my friend taking side trips to explore York, Hull, Skipton, and Saltaire.  Great quaint little English countryside towns.  Of course I went to England in November so it was cold, rainy, damp, and gray but that was ok because I got stamps in my passport and there was hardly any tourist crowds anywhere that I went! 


Now it is April 2009 and it has been less than six months since I've been in Europe and I feel the need to go back so I book a plane ticket to CDG for June 2009.  Charles deGaulle Airport in Paris is my favorite airport to type into the destination city on continental.com.  I went to Paris with one friend from college and met up with another who was living in Paris at the time.  We spent two fantastic weeks in Paris with an overnight trip to Bayeux France to visit Normandy and other D-Day sites.  I immediately fell in love with Paris from the moment I landed.  I love everything about this city - from food, to tourist sites, to the hotels, to the Seine, and the abundance of outdoor cafes.  It was amazing to be in Paris in June because the sun didn't set until 11pm so we had nice long days.  And I loved the challenge of having to communicate in French.

One Wednesday in August of 2009 I decided that I hadn't been away in six weeks now so I bought a plane ticket to Chicago for that Friday through Monday.  That was the most spur of the moment trip I have ever done - there was no time to plan and map out my trip like I normally do.  So I spent a hot quick long weekend in Chicago visiting the Navy Pier, Michigan Ave, and Millennium Park.  Chicago reminded me so much of Europe.  The plethora of bridges crossing over the Chicago River was just like scenes from London and Paris with the many foot and car bridges passing over the Thames and the Seine Rivers. 

In November of 2009 we were told at work that we needed to try and work our comp vacation time down to zero so obviously I started planning a trip before year end to follow orders.   My college friend from my Arizona trip suggested meeting up since we hadn't seen each other in a while so we met half way between our homes in Mystic CT for a long weekend in December.  Of course we had spa appointments, went to Mohegan Sun, an aquarium, and did a lot of shopping on Main Street in Mystic for Christmas.

Since I loved Mystic so much I went back twenty days later for one day to meet with my friends from England who were in the states for holiday. 

By early May 2010 I realized that the span of time between my past European holidays was just a little over six months and now it had been over ten months since I've been in Europe and was in desperate need to get back.  So without have talked to anyone or planned any logistics I bought a plane ticket from EWR to CDG for September 2010. 

A few days later I decided to be crazy and purchase another spur of the moment  plane ticket and on Monday I bought a plane ticket to Fort Myers Florida for that Thursday morning to go to the Ritz Carlton Resort and Spa in Naples.  I spent two nights on the hot beautiful west coast and of course spent some amazing time at the spa. 

Upon my return from the Ritz I started really planning for France 2010.  The highlights from my best trip yet to follow......