Places, People, Pleasure!: Paris and Italian Grande 2011

We had four and a 1/2 days in Paris, free to explore on our own, equipped with a rail pass, two tours booked and a Cabaret show!
When we finished in Paris we flew to Milan to begin our Albatross, Italian Grande tour!

Day 1 - Arrive Paris!

Paris

Friday, 29 April 2011
We arrived in Paris at around 7am. After collecting our bags we found our way to the train station and caught a train to Madeleine station in Paris. Our hotel, The Waldorf, is only a 5 minute walk from here, and not far from The Louvre. Our hotel is quite nice, located on a triangular corner and traditional on the outside but modern on the inside. And, we've been upgraded to a suite. Nice and roomy and great views from the Juliette balcony!

	Hotel Waldorf, our suite on the 5th floor! [Map]		View from our room! [Map]
	Jason & I on our balcony. [Map]

Day 2 - Versailles Apartments

Versailles

Saturday, 30 April 2011
This morning we have a Versailles Apartments Tour planned. We made our way to the bus and then we were off to Versailles. Well, wasn't there a crowd! Apparently, the per-booked tours never have to queue. We waited for 3/4 hour along with hundreds of other people! It was extra busy, we were told, because there was another exhibition happening as well. This meant for extra crowded rooms and not great viewing. Being quite hot didn't help either. Anyway, we made our way through and finally arrived at the beautiful gardens - the best part!

	At Versailles [Map]		A nice, warm day at Versailles [Map]
	Opulent [Map]		Crowded inside Versailles [Map]
	Beautiful Versailles gardens! [Map]		My favorite part, the gardens of Versailles [Map]

Day 3 - Self touring Paris & Cabaret Show

Paris, Montmartre, River Seine, Le Louvre

Sunday, 1 May 2011
Today we had a wonderful time walking around Notre Dame, walking back and forth over various bridges including Pont Neuf and Pont d'Arcole a famous romantic bridge where couples from all over the world place a padlock engraved with their names to guarantee their love. (unfortunately Jason and I didn't come prepared!
We also walked around the Louvre and along the Champes Élysées!
Not only this but we caught the train up to the Basilique du Sacre Coeur and walked all around the Bohemian area of Montmartes!
Later that night we had our booked dinner and Cabaret show at the Paradis Latin! The food was okay but the show was fabulous, unfortunately photos weren't allowed.

	Notre Dame [Map]		Montmartre [Map]
	River Seine [Map]		Notre Dame [Map]
	Outside Notre Dame [Map]		Another side to Notre Dame [Map]
	Pont d'Arcole [Map]		Quai de Gesvres, artists strip! [Map]
	Jason outside The Louvres [Map]		Me at the Louvres! [Map]
	The (mini) Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel [Map]		Detail inside Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel [Map]

Day 4 - Paris Seinorama Tour!

Paris, Champes Élysées, Arc de triomphe du Carrousel, Arc De Triomphe, Eiffel Tower

Monday, 2 May 2011
This morning at breakfast in our hotel we met Sylvia and Paul, who will be joining us on our Italy tour! What a coincidence considering that this hotel is not part of the tour!
Today we have a booked tour of the highlights of Paris, in particular the Eiffel tower!

	Jason & Karen on tour! [Map]		National Academy of Music [Map]
	Champes Élysées & Arc de Triomphe [Map]		Amazing facade while renovations get done! [Map]
	Modern Paris! [Map]		Guess? [Map]
	Yes, the Eiffel Tower! [Map]		Views from the Eiffel tower [Map]
	From the Eiffel Tower! [Map]		The Seine! [Map]
	Gardens at the foot of the tower. [Map]		Jason & Karen in Paris! [Map]
	Amazing gardens in Paris from the Eiffel Tower! [Map]		Eiffel Tower! [Map]
	Jason remaining sane on the River Seine! [Map]		A beautiful bridge on the Seine. [Map]
	Pont Alexandre III [Map]		Paris Orleans Station clock. [Map]
	Contrasts - On the Seine! [Map]		Gilded Joan of Arc statue. [Map]