GUIDE TO PARIS

There are so many things to do and places to see in Paris - we're not going to be able to do them all in the 4 days we are there.  So the hard decision will be picking which ones we want to tackle!  Below are some of the sights and which arrondissement they are located:

A few places of interest in Paris (and there's a great "Cheat Sheet" from the Eternalvoyager below:

The Louvre: a huge art museum home to thousands of works of art spanning centuries. It’s estimated that in order to merely glimpse every piece of art in the Louvre, it would take you more than nine months. 

The Eiffel Tower: You can ride an elevator to the top to see the view of the city or just hang out in the park and enjoy the view of the tour. In the evening, the tower lights up every hour on the hour and sparkles for a few minutes. 

The Musée D’Orsay: A lovely art museum inside a former train station, much smaller and more manageable than the Louvre.
The Notre Dame Cathedral: The inspiration behind the famous book The Hunchback of Notre Dame, it is one of the most iconic cathedrals in the world.

The Versailles Palace: About an hour train ride outside of the city of Paris, the most iconic room in the Palace is the stunning Hall of Mirrors. 
The Arc De Triomphe and the Champs Élysées: The Champs Elysees is a very busy, well-known tourist thoroughfare. Climb to the top of the Arc–the view is spectacular!

Sacré Coeur and Montmartre: Montmartre has a tradition of being an artist’s village and was once the home of many well-known artists. It is also the home of the famous Moulin Rouge. The Sacre Coeur is a spectacular church on top of a hill in the village of Montmartre.
The Tuilleries Gardens: Lovely public gardens with lots of chairs around the fountains. This is a great place to grab a cup of coffee and a crepe and just relax and appreciate where you are!
The Paris Opera House: This theatre inspired the Phantom of the Opera main theatre is home to the famous Chagall-painted ceiling and a spectacular chandelier.
The Latin Quarter: Very diverse neighborhood with lots of good restaurants and bars–it’s close to the Sorbonne, which is a famous French University ---also a very cool place to check out.

TRANSPORT 
The Metropolitan 
Most of the sights in Paris are within an easily walkable distance. Just to give you an idea: walking from Notre Dame (on the eastern side) to the Arc of Triumph (on the western side) takes just over an hour, as does walking from the Jardins du Luxembourg (south eastern part) to the Sacre Coeur (north western side). So I so very strongly recommend walking as much as possible! However, I do realize that the weather conditions, physical condition, and some distant sights can make walking a little daunting. In those cases, Paris offers great public transportation alternatives. The Metro goes almost everywhere and is very convenient. If you plan to be hitting many spots, opt for the t+ 10-ticket booklet (€13.30) which is very flexible as you can buy a booklet to share amongst as many people as you want (one ticket goes for €1.70). One ticket is valid for 90minutes on metros, buses, RER trains in the city, tramways and the Montmartre funicular - which will take you up to the Sacre Coeur.
If you are keen on going to soak up some culture and plan to visit many museums, consider getting theParisVisite pass valid for 1,2,3, or 5 days for €10.55, €17.15, €23.40 and €33.70 respectively. It's valid on the same services as the simple t+ tickets as well as on the SNCF trains and the bus connecting to Orly airport, and gives you numerous discounts and benefits - such as cutting lines - at museums around the city.

The BatoBus 
The BatoBus will let you enjoy the same sights as the Bateau-Mouche but at a lower cost. The Bateau-Mouche tours are roughly €12.50 for a 70-minute tour allowing you to just pass by the main monuments along the Seine, but the BatoBus offers you an unlimited day-pass for €15 meaning you can hop on and off as you please to see the sights more closely.

The Velib
In an effort to make Paris a greener city, the local government set up the Velib system whereby you can pick up and drop off bikes at various spots around the city. This is the best alternative to walking and the day pass is just €1.70, the first 30 minutes being free!

 SIGHTS 
The Eiffel Tower
The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel tower is a beautiful structure to admire. The best way to access it is walking from Trocadero Station, so that it suddenly surprises you as you get closer. You can enjoy great views of the Tower from the Trocadero as well as the Champ de Mars. However going up the tower is - in my opinion - not a must-do. Threre are fantastic views of Paris with the Eiffel tower in them from other places in the city that don't require as much (or sometimes, any) time or money.

The Sacre Coeur
This beautiful building is perhaps the toughest to get to because of its location at the top of a hill. The easy solution to this is to take the funicular (worth one metro ticket) all the way up and then navigate the stairs on the way down. Sunrise and sunset make the building look absolutely spectacular and give awesome views of the rest of Paris - without even climbing up the Dome. Remember that it is a Basilica and therefore you should make sure to have your knees and shoulders covered.

The Invalides
An awesome complex includes 5 museums about the different aspects of the military. Its huge, golden dome make it a landmark in the Parisian cityscape. Its biggest appeal is the tomb of Napoleon which lies inside. If you are short for time, just enjoy its gardens and imposing architecture from the outside.

The Arc of Triumph
The Arc of Triumph is close to the Eiffel Tower and can also be climbed to get impressive views of the city, and in my opinion, more impressive than from the Eiffel Tower itself. However there is a line to go up, so if you really want to add this to your list of things to do, try to arrive early.  

Notre Dame Cathedral
Access to the Cathedral itself is free and relatively smooth, however, if you want to climb up the towers (again, not a must), try to go on a weekday before 9AM and get in line (to the left of the building - not the general entrance) before the tour buses arrive. 

Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier's exterior is spectacular but nothing compared to the interior. It is definitely a must-do, especially if you don't have a chance to make it out to Versailles. However, make sure to ask if the auditorium is open before you buy your ticket!

The Pantheon
Unless you have a particular interest in the prominent figures buried inside, the Pantheon is more impressive from the outside and can be admired in passing, saving you some time for other sights.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery
If you are interested in seeing past legends and key literary and musical figures, I completely recommend the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. It covers a massive area, so don't skimp and buy a map. For the more digitally inclined, there are maps of the cemetery online - get one or get lost. It's also a good idea to get one in advance and plan which tombs you want to visit, otherwise you will spend hours in there... and get flowers before you go in! 
Also, the cemetery is on a slope, so get off at Gambetta Station and walk down rather than getting off at Pere Lachaise station and walking up.

St. Germain, Le Marais
The hip and happening area that fed the imaginations of numerous writers, artists and composers. This is where the Bohemian lifestyle was born. It is still a hip and happening place, perhaps a little touristy, with the two iconic cafes: Les Deux Magots and Cafe Flore. 

Pigalle
The Moulin Rouge put Pigalle on the map, but it isn't what the movies make it seem and it is one of the more dangerous areas of Paris - in terms of pick-pocketing, scams and fights. I wouldn't say it's a must-see but if anything, dusk would be a good time to go, as the lights will be on but the area will still be quite lively. 

GUIDE TO LONDON

An easy guide to what the top highlights are in London:

From Huffington Post

London Slang:

From lifehack

1. Mate – one of the commonly used terms of endearment and affection in British slang terms. Used when you are talking to a close friend, and is often easily substituted for the American ‘buddy’, ‘pal’. For example, ‘Alright, mate?’
2. Bugger All – a British slang term used to be a more vulgar synonym for ‘nothing at all’. For example, ‘I’ve had bugger all to do all day.’
3. Knackered – a great word and phrase used by Britons to describe their tiredness, in any given situation. Often substituted in friendly circles for ‘exhausted’. For example, ‘I am absolutely knackered after working all day.’
4. Gutted – a British slang term that is one of the saddest on the lists in terms of pure emotion. To be ‘gutted’ about a situation means to be devastated. For example, ‘His girlfriend broke up with him. He’s absolutely gutted.’
5. Gobsmacked – a truly British expression meaning to be shocked and surprised beyond belief. The expression is believed by some to come literally from ‘gob’ (a British expression for mouth), and the look of shock that comes from someone hitting it. For example. ‘I was gobsmacked when she told me she was pregnant with triplets.’
6. Cock Up – a British slang term that is far from the lewdness its name suggests. A ‘cock up’ is a mistake of large or epic proportions. For example, ‘The papers sent out to the students were all in the wrong language – it’s a real cock up.’
7. Blinding – a slang term that is far from something that physically causes someone to lose their sight. ‘Blinding’ is a positive term meaning excellent, great, or superb. For example, ‘That tackle from the Spanish player was blinding.’
8. Lost The Plot‘Lost the plot’ is one that can actually be discerned by examining the words themselves. To ‘lose the plot’ can mean either to become angry and/or exasperated to a fault, or in a derogatory – if slightly outdated sense – to mean someone who has become irrational and/or acting ridiculously. For example, ‘When my girlfriend saw the mess I’d made, she lost the plot.’
9. Cheers‘Cheers’ doesn’t quite have the same meaning that it does in other counties – of course, it still means ‘celebrations’ when toasting a drink with some friends, but in British slang, it also means ‘thank you’. For example, ‘Cheers for getting me that drink’.
10. Ace – a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. Can also mean to pass something with flying colors. For example, ‘Jenny is ace at the lab experiments’, or, for the latter definition, ‘I think I aced that exam’.
11. Damp Squib More of an unusual term, a ‘damp squib’ in British slang terms refers to something which fails on all accounts, coming from the ‘squib’ (an explosive), and the propensity for them to fail when wet. For example, ‘The party was a bit of a damp squib because only Richard turned up.’
12. All To Pot Slightly more of an outdated version, this British slang term is still used, and its meaning remains relevant today. ‘All to pot’ refers to a situation going out of your control and failing miserably. For example, ‘The birthday party went all to pot when the clown turned up drunk.’
13. The Bee’s Knees – a rather lovely term used to describe someone or something you think the world of. For example, ‘She thinks Barry’s the bee’s knees’. Can also be used sarcastically in this same sense.
14. Chunder Not a wonderfully melodic word, ‘chunder’ is part and parcel of British slang terms. Meaning ‘to vomit’ or ‘to be sick’. ‘Chunder’ is almost always used in correlation with drunken nights, or being hugely ill. For example, ‘I ate a bad pizza last night after too many drinks and chundered in the street.’
15. Taking The Piss Given the British tendency to mock anything and everything possible, ‘taking the piss’ is in fact one of the most popular and widely-used British slang terms. To ‘take the piss’ means to mock something, parody something, or generally be sarcastic and derisive towards something. For example, ‘The guys on TV last night were taking the piss out of the government again.’
16. Bollocks Perhaps one of the most internationally famous British slang terms, ‘bollocks’ has a multitude of uses, although its top ones including being a curse word used to indicate dismay, e.g. ‘Oh bollocks’; it can also be used to express derision and mocking disbelief, e.g. ‘You slept with Kate Upton last night? Bollocks…’; and, it also refers to the scrotum and testicles. For example, ‘I kicked him right in the bollocks when he wouldn’t let me go past.’

17. Fortnight – a British slang term more commonly used by virtually everyone in the UK to mean ‘a group of two weeks’. For example, ‘I’m going away for a fortnight to Egypt for my summer holiday.’

18. Bollocking Very different to the ‘bollocks’ of the previous suggestion, a ‘bollocking’ is a telling-off or a severe or enthusiastic reprimand from a boss, co-worker, partner, or anyone you like, for a misdemeanor. For example, ‘My wife gave me a real bollocking for forgetting to pick up the dry cleaning on my way home.’
19. Nice One – used almost always sarcastically in common British lexicon, although it can be used sincerely depending on the context. For example, ‘You messed up the Rutherford order? Nice one.’
20. Brass Monkeys A more obscure British term, ‘brass monkeys’ is used to refer to extremely cold weather. The phrase comes from the expression, ‘it’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey’. For example, ‘You need to wear a coat today, it’s brass monkeys outside.’
21. Dodgy In British slang terms, ‘dodgy’ refers to something wrong, illegal, or just plain ‘off’, in one way or another. For example, it can be used to mean illegal – ‘He got my dad a dodgy watch for Christmas’; it can be used to mean something food-related that is nauseous or nauseating – ‘I had a dodgy kebab last night and I don’t feel right.; and it can also be used as a pejorative – ‘He just seems dodgy to me.’
22. Scrummy One of the more delightful British slang terms in this list, ‘scrummy’ is used as a wonderfully effusive term for when something is truly delicious and mouth-wateringly good. For example, ‘Mrs Walker’s pie was absolutely scrummy.’
23. Kerfuffle Another rather delightful and slightly archaic words in this list of British slang terms is ‘kerfuffle’. ‘Kerfuffle’ describes a skirmish or a fight or an argument caused by differing views. For example, ‘I had a right kerfuffle with my girlfriend this morning over politics.’
24. Tosh A nifty little British term that means ‘rubbish’ or ‘crap’. For example, ‘That’s a load of tosh about what happened last night’, or ‘Don’t talk tosh.’
25. Car Park One of the more boring terms on this list, a ‘car park’ is in effect, the place outside or attached to a building where people park their cars. The British equivalent to the American ‘parking lot’ or ‘garage’. For example, ‘I left my car in the car park today.’
26. Skive – a British slang term used to indicate when someone has failed to turn up for work or an obligation due to pretending to fake illness. Most commonly used with schoolchildren trying to get out of school, or dissatisfied office workers trying to pull a sick day. For example, ‘He tried to skive off work but got caught by his manager.’
27. Rubbish One of the most commonly-used British phrases, ‘rubbish’ is used to mean both general waste and trash, and to also express disbelief in something to the point of ridicule (in this sense it is a much-more PG-friendly version of ‘bollocks’.) For example, it can be used respectively, in, ‘Can you take the rubbish out please?’, and ‘What? Don’t talk rubbish.’
28. Wanker Oh, ‘wanker’. Possibly the best British insult on the list, it fits a certain niche for a single-worded insult to lobbied out in a moment of frustration, anger, provocation, or, of course, as a jest amongst friends. ‘Wanker’ fits the closest fit by ‘jerk’ or ‘asshole’, but to a slightly higher value.
For example, ‘That guy just cut me up in traffic – what a wanker.’
29. Hunky-Dory – a neat little piece of British slang that means that a situation is okay, cool, or normal. For example, ‘Yeah, everything’s hunky-dory at the office.’
30. Brilliant The last, but most certainly not least, term on this list, ‘brilliant’ is not a word exclusively in the British lexicon, but has a very British usage. Specifically, when something is exciting or wonderful, particularly when something is good news, ‘brilliant’ can mean as such. For example, ‘You got the job? Oh, mate, that’s brilliant.’

Here's a link to check out some other terms (some of which are too racy for me to print here!) - http://thoughtcatalog.com/nico-lang/2013/09/71-simple-british-slang-phrases-everyone-should-start-using/

UK vs US

From the Huffington Post

MOVIE TIME!

I thought it would be fun to get us in the mood for London and Paris to check out a few movies that are set in those cities.  Here are a few I found to chose from:

LONDON:

LOVE, ACTUALLY

NOTTING HILL - love this one!

ABOUT A BOY

BRIDGETT JONES DIARY

SHERLOCK HOLMES (w/Robert Downey Jr)

AN EDUCATION

THE KING’S SPEECH - another LOVE!

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

AND MARY POPPINS AND HARRY POTTER TOO!

PARIS:

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY - my personal favorite!

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

FRENCH KISS

THE DA VINCI CODE

SABRINA

And...here's a list of top actors from both countries:

From IMDB.com

From the UK:

1.
Keira Knightley
2.
Jude Law
3.
Orlando Bloom
4.
Kate Winslet
5.
Helen Mirren
6.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
7.
Robert Pattinson
8.
Ewan McGregor
9.
Christian Bale
10.
Ian McKellen
11.
Colin Firth
12.
Kate Beckinsale
13.
Daniel Craig
14.
Julie Andrews
15.
Emma Thompson
16.
Hugh Grant
17.
Judi Dench
18.
Emma Watson
19.
Michael Caine
20.
Anthony Hopkins

And the top French actors:

1.
Jean Rochefort
2.
Philippe Noiret
3.
Jean Reno
4.
Michel Serraul
5.
Jean-Pierre Marielle
6.
Jean Gabin
7.
Vincent Cassel
8.
Lino Ventura
9.
Benoît Magimel
10.
Fabrice Luchini
11.
Louis de Funès
12.
Tchéky Karyo
13.
Albert Dupontel
14.
Gérard Darmon
15.
Jean-Pierre Darroussin
16.
Pierre Richard
17.
Gilles Lellouche
18.
Jacques Villeret
19.
Daniel Prévost
20.
Jean-Pierre Cassel

FOODS!

As much fun as it is to explore new cities and countries and see the sights, our family's main concern is the FOOD!  We love experimenting and finding new foods that are great!

Here's a list of foods or dishes that are quintessentially British or French:

British Foods:

(From uktv)

1. ROAST BEEF AND YORKSHIRE PUDDING

2. FISH AND CHIPS                                           

3. SHEPHERD'S PIE                                                                               

4. STEAK AND KIDNEY PIE                                                                       

5. CULLEN SKINK                                                                                            Scottish smoked haddock soup

6. SAUSAGE AND MASH                                        

7. GREAT BRITISH FRY UP                                   

8. RHUBARB AND CUSTARD 

9. FISH PIE

10. TRIFLE 

French Foods:

(from Hillman wonders)

1. Bouillabaisse

Mediterranean fish and shellfish stew served over a toasted slice of bread..

2. Quiche Lorraine

Custard enriched with ham an other ingredients cooked in a pastry shell.

3. Steak-Frites

Sauced pan-sauteed steak served with french fries.

4. Coq au vin

Chicken, mushrooms, and cured pork braised in red wine broth.

5. Bœuf Bourguignon

Beef pieces braised with red wine and mushrooms.

6. Cassoulet

Slow baked bean, suusages, preserved duck, and tomatoes.

7. Escargots de Bourgogne

Snails cooked in a special six-holed ceramic pan.

8. Moules mariníères

Mussels cooked in a herb-flavored white wine broth.

9. Choucroute Garnie

Sausages and a host of other ingredients cooked in sauerkraut.

10. Sole Meunière

Floured filet of sole gently pan sauteed in butter.

Famous French cuisine runners-up:

Coquilles St Jacques (scallops in a white wine sauce)

Cuisse de Grenouille (frog's legs)

Quenelles (a mixture of creamed fish, or meat, sometimes combined with breadcrumbs, with a light egg binding. It is usually poached)

Steak Tartare

Steak au Poivre

Tornedos Rossini The dish comprises a beef tournedos, pan-fried in butter, served on a crouton, and topped with a hot slice of fresh whole foie gras briefly pan-fried at the last minute. The dish is garnished with slices of black truffle and finished with a Madeira demi-glace sauce.

Tripes à la Mode de Caen.A recipe from Normandy made from the four stomachs of a cow, cider, calvados and various vegetables. 

Other classic French foods are:


French Cheeses
Croissants, bread, pastries, and macaroons
Crème Brulee 
Crepes 

Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame
French Wine

Flags and Top 10 Facts about London and Paris

LONDON

From hostel world.com

1. London is one of Europe's largest cities

London has a population of 7.5 million people and covers 600 square miles which makes it one of Europe's largest cities. Over 270 nationalities live there and between them they speak over 250 languages, more than any other city in the world.

2. For travelling the 'Tube' buy a 'travel card' or an 'Oyster Card'

London's underground, better known as the 'Tube' transports over 1 billion people around the English capital every year. There are 12 lines in operation and because many of the city's top attractions have their own stops, you'll definitely use it at some stage.
For buying tickets you should buy one of these two:
Off-peak travelcard for zones 1 and 2: Costing just over £5, this will permit you unlimited travel on the tube within zones 1 and 2, which should be enough for any visitor to the city
Oyster Card: These can be picked up at tube stations. They cost £3 and work on a pay as you go basis. Each journey then costs £1.50, but there is a 'capping' scheme where once you use a certain amount, it will stop taking money off your card. They make travelling on the tube cheaper, easier and quicker.

3. Many of the world's most instantly recognizable landmarks are here

Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Buckinham Palace, Tower Bridge and more landmarks can be found in London. A great way to see lots of them in a short space of time is by going on a walk up the Thames from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. First you'll see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, then the London Eye, while further down the river you'll see St Paul's Cathedral, the Gherkin Building, Tate Modern, Tower of London and, of course, Tower Bridge.

4. The city's top museums and galleries are free

Many of London's top museums and galleries are free. This includes the Natural History Museum and Science Museum on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, and the Victoria and Albert Museum around the corner from here on Cromwell Road. Closer to the West End are the National Portrait Gallery on St Martin's Place behind Trafalgar Square, along with the National Gallery which is actually on Trafalgar Square. The famous Tate Modern is also free, while the most popular of all is the British Museum on Great Russell Street which has over 7 million artifacts.

5. There are lots of parks to chill out in

As London is such a busy city, it's good to know there are lots of parks to chill out in. The biggest and best known is Hyde Park which is full of lakes and fountains, and is where you will find the famous ‘Speakers Corner' where people come to speak their mind on all subjects every Sunday morning. Other parks worth checking out are St James's Park and Green Park in front of Buckingham Palace, and Regents Park and Primrose Hill up in North London.

6. This is one of the best cities in the world for shopping

Some of the best known streets for shopping in London are Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Oxford Street. The famous department store Harrods can be found in Knightsbridge, while bargains can be found at the markets in Camden Town.
7. It's got some really cool neighborhoods
Suburbs mentioned in the video are:
Covent Garden: Home to lots of trendy clothes shops and restaurants. (Tube: Covent Garden)
Soho: Full of bars and restaurants, and the city's gay quarter. (Tubes: Piccadilly Circus / Tottenham Court Road)
Camden Town: More like a big town than a big city due to its lock, markets, eclectic clothes shops and tattoo parlours. (Tube: Camden Town)
Notting Hill: Extremely popular since the 1999 movie of the same name. Its main thoroughfare is Portobello Road which is lined with cafes and antique shops. You can even visit the shop where Hugh Grant's character worked in the film. (Tubes: Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove)

8. You have to try some local specialties when eating out

Two famous local specialties are:
Fish and chips: This speaks for itself! There all sorts of fish to try, but for authentic ‘fish and chips' try cod. A great place to try it is The Golden Hind (73 Marylebone Lane; Tube: Bond St) off the top of Oxford Street
Sausage and mash: This is sausage and mashed potatoes. Sausages are generally made from pork although there are lots of variations. To try this visit the S & M Cafe (48 Brushfield Street; Tube: Liverpool Street) in the east end of the city centre

9. Shop around when looking for discounted theatre tickets

Along with New York's Broadway, London's West End is the most famous theatre district in the world. The best known place to get discounted tickets is the TKTS Booth in Leicester Square but shop around other booths, also around Leicester Square, along with ones around Piccadilly Circus.

10. Go east rather than west for nightlife

Even though there are loads of bars around Piccadilly Circus and Soho in the West End, you should check out some of areas east of the city for bars like Shoreditch and Hoxton.
Big Chill Bar (Dray Walk, off Brick Lane; Tube Liverpool Street, Aldgate East): One of London's coolest bars and has different DJs every night of the week.
Jam and Kick Near the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Old Street and always busy on weekends.Bluu (1 Hoxton Square; Tube: Old St): On the site of the old Blue Note jazz club and the best bar around Hoxton Square.

PARIS:

1. Paris is broken up into 20 arrondissements

Each one has its own characteristics and neighborhoods, and varies in size. When walking around the city, to see what arrondissement you're in, simply look at the streets signs.

2. You can get around by Metro, RER, or 'Velib' bikeThese are three very good ways to get around the French capital.
Metro: . The city's metro underground system is extremely efficient and, because there are stops everywhere, you're never far from a station.
RER: The RER is operated by larger trains has extremely conveniently locations throughout the city.
'Velib' bike: These are public bikes all over the city. To rent them you need to give your credit card details as security and pay €1 as subscription per day. 

3. There are lots of green areas to chill out in
As France is the capital of France, it's a very busy city. But there are lots of green areas to relax in when it gets busy:
Jardin du Tuileries: This park in front of Musee du Louvre has a lake and fountain for relaxing around.
Parc du Champ de Mars: A great place to relax right under the Eiffel Tower.
Jardin de Trocadero: Small gardens either side of a fountain across the river from the Eiffel Tower.
Jardin de Luxembourg: Located in the 5th Arrondissement, these are Paris' best-known gardens. Is also home to Palais du Luxembourg, one of the city's most beautiful buildings.

4. The main museums are free on the first Sunday of the month
If you haven't booked your trip to Paris just yet, here's a tip – plan your trip around the first Sunday of the month when the big museums are free. This includes Musee d'Orsasy, the Museum of Modern Art at the Pompidou Centre, and the best known of all, the Louvre. So if you visit even two of these in the one day you'll save yourself almost €20.5. The River Seine is an attraction in its own right. Dividing Paris in two, the River Seine is an attraction in its own right. Make sure to relax on its banks, admire the landmarks along it, and the bridges that cross it. The best way to appreciate it though is by going on one of the boat tours. But before booking yourself on to one shop around as some are open top, some aren't, and some are more expensive than others.

6. It's got some cool neighborhoods
Paris has some really cool neighbourhoods.
The Latin Quarter: South of the Seine and full of narrow, pedestrianised streets.
The Right Bank: Also full of narrow streets, but things aren't as busy here.
Le Marais: This is Paris' gay quarter.
St Germain: A big yet extremely charming neighbourhood in the 6th and 7th arrondissements.
Montmartre: Probably the best-known neighbourhood and full of alternative shops and cafes.

7. Parisians like to shop
Shopping is a popular past time in Paris and there are lots of good places to do it. The Champs Elysees has many recognisable brand names, as does Rue de Rivoli in the Right Bank. Also in the Right Bank are streets like Rue Saint Denis and Rue des Lombards where you will find more alternative shops. One of the city's most popular markets is Porte de Clignancourt which is held every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Here you can pick up everything from CDs to clothes.

8. Different areas are known for different cuisines
When it comes to eating out in Paris different areas are known for different cuisines:
Pletzl: The place to go for kosher food.
Latin Quarter: On streets such as Rue de la Huchette here you'll find lots of Greek restaurants. And rue Mouffetard & rue Pot de Fer are where to go for typical French cuisine.
Belleville: This area is in the northeast of the city and is full of Asian restaurants.

9. To socialise like a Parisian, don't go bar-hopping...
If you want to socialise like a true Parisian, instead of going bar-hopping for the night get some cheese and wine and sit down by the banks of the River Seine, such as Quai de la Tournelle behind the Notre Dame Cathedral. But if you are intent on seeing Paris' nightlife, the area around Place de la Bastille is a good place to go.

10. The Eiffel Tower looks even more impressive at night than it does during the day
Climbing 324 metres into the Parisian sky, the Eiffel Tower is the French capital's most-famous attraction so make sure to visit it during the day. But make sure to also visit the famous tower at night when it looks even more beautiful. And once it gets dark, every hour on the hour until 1am, or 2am in the summer, it sparkles for five minutes.

ARRIVING TO LONDON!

First stop on our trip - LONDON! So looking forward to seeing the sights of London.

We are staying in a flat in Notting Hill and are arriving early on a Saturday morning.  So, jet-lag be damned - we are heading to PORTOBELLO MARKET!!!! The entire market is open only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so Saturday will be our only day to go.

A picture of the "blue door" flat from the movie, "Notting Hill." It actually exists!

And there actually IS a bookshop too:

Portobello Road goes straight through Notting Hill, and Portobello Market is one of the most famous street markets in the world.  It stretches nearly 2 miles, and on Saturdays can be a zoo!  But, it is so much fun!  There is booth after booth of antiques, vintage bags, flowers, fruits and vegetables, fashion etc.  It just is mind boggling how much there is to offer!

They open early and begin shutting down around 4PM.

Portobello Market in West London is one of the most famous street markets in the world.

Here's the walk from our flat (.7 miles):

TRIP PLANNING!

We've decided to head back to Europe again as a family.  We're first going to London for 4 nights (visit our cousin, see the sights, meet up with other relatives that will be visiting at the same time), then we'll head on to Paris for another 4 nights.  Allowing for travel days equals a 9 day trip abroad!  I'm blogging about the pre-trip planning time and hope to blog while there about the highs/lows, ups/downs, and ins and outs of the adventure.

A view of Big Ben at dusk

The beautiful Eiffel Tower at night

EASY ITINERARY:

LEAVING Friday, June 2015

ARRIVE LONDON Saturday, 2015 - staying 4 nights

Travel by train to PARIS Wednesday, - staying 4 nights

FLY HOME Sunday

Instead of what I've done in the past, we are NOT staying in hotels this trip.  I'm using airbnb.com and renting an entire flat or apartment for our family.  That way we can:

A. all stay together instead of having separate hotel rooms
B. we can enjoy some meals in our flat and have things on hand like cheeses, snacks,waters and wines (well maybe not in THAT order ;))
C. it's less expensive that staying at a nice hotel when you're traveling with 4 adults
and finally
D. I'm hoping that it will give us a better feel for each city when we are actually living as one would if they were a local.

On to trip planning.....