Paris is always a good idea!
Paris is always a good idea!
That Audrey Hepburn quote has always inspired me...and yes, Paris was a great idea and the perfect way to celebrate my dear husband's 70th birthday and Christmas combined.
We even made our Christmas Card "Paris themed" by taking this photo in our guest bath! That is our Paris shower curtain in the background and it worked great. Our guest bath is "all Paris" - as you can see here - We'll Always Have Paris
We set out on a Viking River Cruise called "Christmas on the Seine" with a few days in Paris before the start of the cruise.
Our hotel - Hotel Rochester - was just a few blocks off of the Champs Elysees and perfect for exploring the city.
I took WAY too many photos...having a phone that takes photos makes it too easy to keep snapping shots. In the past - when you had a camera with real film - I was so careful to make sure I did not use up all the film before the end of the trip. Then came digital cameras, and I was a little careful not to fill up the memory card. But now, even though I want to be in the moment and not take so many photos, it is so easy to keep snapping away.
Here are some highlights from our wonderful trip...
A beautiful morning walk through Le Marais - past beautiful shop windows and buildings filled with history.
We walked all over the city...one day logging over 24,000 steps - riding the metro, eating crepes, visiting the Christmas markets, museums, the amazing department store displays, and a very moving ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe that honored the Unknown Soldier and all veterans.
After all that walking we were happy to board the Viking Radgrid for a trip up the Seine, but the river was swollen with too much rain so we had to board the ship about 10 miles away from Paris. Viking did a great job in shuttling us into Paris so we did not miss anything.
I have some great video of the Eiffel Tower sparkling - as it does every 15 minutes - but having trouble loading the video!
I decorated our cabin door for Christmas, we had the first of great meals on the ship, then headed back to Paris for a boat ride around the city to see the lights...MAGICAL!
We got to make ornaments to decorate the tree in the ship's lounge...
Hear fabulous organ concerts in old cathedrals in little towns along the Seine...
Have delicious food and wine...
And even hiked to see Richard the Lionheart's fortress!
Several trees on the ship to make the holidays festive!
A Happy Birthday toast to John!
What a wonderful adventure and great way to celebrate Christmas and a special birthday. Now we are home again, ready to begin the New Year of 2024, and excited about all that is to come.
Thanks so much for coming along on our trip.
Have you traveled over the holidays? Would you do it again?
Please leave a comment below - I so enjoy hearing from you!
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year filled with health, happiness, and peace!
Ann, happy birthday to your husband! How wonderful to celebrate his birthday and Christmas in Paris. It looks like you had a wonderful trip and so nice to take a cruise and sight see. The holidays are so special being away on vacation. I was thankful I got to celebrate the holidays in London with my daughter. I will be sharing about my trip with everyone soon on the blog. Wishing you and your husband a happy and healthy new year.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie...can't wait to see your London post! Happy New Year!
DeleteAnn, your photos are beautiful and it looks like you had a fantastic time! The cruise sounds wonderful. Happy birthday to your husband and happy first day of 2024.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim...we had a blast! Wishing you all the best in the New Year!
DeleteLooks like a wonderful trip. We love to visit Paris and the whole country honestly. Viking is a great way to travel. So happy you were able to celebrate together.
ReplyDeleteThanks...we really enjoy Viking. Happy New Year !
DeleteYOu look like you had a fabulous time! We have loved our trips to Paris too! But we never went over the winter holidays. Typically we stick close to home or travel ot our family''s homes.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - Us, too...but this year we decided to celebrate away. It was cold, but very cozy. Happy New Year !
DeleteOh my goodness--this is so much fun. I absolutely love your Christmas card in front of the shower curtain. :) That is awesome. What an absolutely delightful trip. We do travel some in December, but before Christmas and New Year's--our kids love to come home for Christmas, and our wedding anniversary is the week before. So we jet off to somewhere and then spend time with them for Christmas. It was so fun to read your post and see your pictures. Visiting from the Tell it To Me Tuesday linkup. (I'd love to see you share this post at my blog linkup as well, if you'd like: https://lifetalesbooks.blogspot.com/p/calling-fellow-bloggers.html)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind thoughts ! You are blessed with children to enjoy the holiday...since it is just the two of us we have started traveling over the holidays and it works for us. Thanks for the invite to your blog...I just shared this. Happy New Year !
ReplyDeleteYes, traveling just the two of you would be the ideal thing to do for the holidays. I love that! I would do the same. :) Thanks so much for sharing this post at my linkup! It's a weekly linkup, so I hope you'll share another post (new or old!) next time as well. Happy New Year!
DeleteWhat a great way to celebrate a birthday and Christmas. I'm thinking that after a houseful for 5 days that I might want to be gone on a trip next year. :o)) It was exhausting but made a lot of memories for sure. Abundant blessings in 2024!
ReplyDeleteOh wow; that looks like an incredible trip!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne....we had a blast. Have a great New Year!
DeleteThat looked like a dream come true trip! We were in Paris/London over the Christmas/New Years when our daughter was studying in Paris.It was magical. I loved watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle from our airbnb window every night. We did a lot of the same things you did. That cruise sounded amazing! Happy Birthday John!!
ReplyDeleteFor me, Paris has always been the ideal travel location, and I wholeheartedly concur with the adage "Paris is always a good idea!" It's an enticing option because of the city's charm, rich history, and romantic atmosphere. Furthermore, trustworthy dissertation proofreading services UK made travel planning stress-free so I could concentrate on enjoying every second in the City of Love.
ReplyDelete