day one::
transportation hasn't exactly been our friend from the beginning. Our flight that was suppose to leave out of philly to paris was delayed 4 1/2 hours and we didn't get in the air till 10:30. Then landed at Charles De Gaule Airport in Paris at noon the next day. We grabbed a cab and stayed with a lady in Paris my mom knows through her store, Joan Patterson. She works for the US embassy in Paris which hooked her up with an amazing apartment just a few minute walk to the eiffle tower or arch de triumphe.
The first thing we did when we got there was grab a sandwich from a cafe across the street and walk to the arch to sit and eat with a great view! I was sooo hungry I didn't realize till half way through the sandwich that what I thought was tomatoe was indeed raw salmon! the fishiness got to me and couldn't stomach to finish it. We spent some time around that area and the Champ Elysses and then later for sunset walked to get some beautiful views of the eiffle tower.
day two ::
Jet lag hits and we decide to skip our early morning plans to see the Eiffle at sunrise...
when we eventually crawled out of bed, we grabbed a chocolate croissant which quickly became a morning tradition in paris! YUMM
Took a boat tour on the Siene River which was great to get us acquainted with the city and we got amazing views of all the major monuments and buildings. After the tour, we explored the Palais de Concorde. An old palace and plaza centered around an Egyptian oblisk. Paris was a great city to just explore a lot on foot it had beautiful walking paths right on the river. For lunch we bought a bagette and lounged around one of the Louves garden fountains.
Each bought a different cheese on the way home and picked up some wine and french beer "1664". Delicious! After dinner went to watch sunset from the top of Arch de Triumph, most beautiful views yet!
day three ::
PALACE OF VERSAILLES!
learn to use the metro and take a 30 minute train outside the city to Versailles. Absolutely stunning! Definitely a must see if ever visiting Paris. Huge golden gates surrounding the interior and golden molding decorated the top of the palace. Highlight inside was the hall of mirrors. I would say close to 100 crystal chandeliers with one wall completely lined with mirrors and the other floor to ceiling windows looking over royal gardens. After the interior we explored the gardens for awhile but began to get extremely tired and headed back that afternoon.
day four ::
After going to book our train tickets for Nice the next day, we explored Notre Dame Cathedral and its gardens. Cathedral was beautiful but sooo many people since it is free admission. Afterwards we grabbed lunch at a local cafe in the area. Next on to the Louvre and got to see famous works of art such as the mona lisa and venus of milo!
This was our last night at Joan's so we grabbed some sandwiches from across the street and vegged out for the night before we would begin our hostel stay...
day five ::
Navigated Gare de Lyon train station and caught our train at 7:30. Train ride to Nice was beautiful, french country side and costal mountain ranges were so picturesque. We arrive in Nice later the afternoon and check into our hostel. Very nice and clean, bunkbeds with 14 women in a room but showers and bathrooms are good! Hostel had a fun bar where a lot of people hung out so we got to meet a lot of people our first night there. New friends from Philadelphia Alyssa and Carlie, and Irene from Germany but goes to school in England. Also met Brooks, Lex, and Erica all originally from the west coast and go to oregon state. Lex and Chase in Florence, Italy now and Erica in Spain. It was really fun to be able to speak in English with people and hear all about their travels.
day six ::
Beach day with our new friends! Cait, Jackie, Irene, Alyssa, Carlie, and me headed down on the metro. Beautiful pebble beach but wasn't too comfortable to lay on. Swimming in the Mediterranean probably the funnest thing I've done so far! BRIGHT cyan blue water. Afterwards we explored old town, very cute little shops and markets.
day seven ::
back down to old town in the morning with cait and jackie. walked around in the harbor looking at all the sailboats, boats, and massive cruise ships. Late afternoon and sunset we explored Le Chateau the tallest hillside in Nice. Beautiful park and ruins, waterfalls, and look out points. Grabbed sandwiches and enjoyed the views, perfect end to our beach getaway!
NOW IN ROME!
getting lengthy so I'm going to cut it off now.. but tomorrow more on rome!
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