lantana

So happy to see this, John, as I loved last summer's report
I'm taking my daughter to London and Paris this summer - (ended up giving up on Etretat and Normandy beaches this trip.)
I'm going to print this out and really enjoy it!

john183

lantana - it's nice to hear from you again. I hope you like this report - we had a really great time on this trip too. I've been wondering if you were still planning a trip with your daughter this summer - I'm glad to hear you are. London and Paris will be great - you can always go to the other places on your next trip, right???

How is your planning coming along? July will be here before we know it. I think I saw where you have decided on your London hotel - sounds like it should be perfect. I can't wait to read about your adventures and see your pictures when you get back. I know you will have a great time.

lantana

Oh - I've just loved this! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to write all of this and share it. It's amazing that you remember so many details so long after the trip, although I realize you were keeping a journal.
I'm going to go back and re-read your report from last summer. So interesting to compare the trips. I love that your routine w/ both granddaughters was to make a pâtisserie/boulangerie run each morning!
I laughed out loud at several funny stories, such as the wild row-boat ride at Versailles (and I hated to read of the Hall of Mirrors disappointment). You didn't go to Versailles on last summer's trip, did you? I'll find out when I re-read your report

Thanks for asking about my trip Planning is coming along. I need to really buckle down, now, though. Have booked flights, hotels, Eurostar London-Paris, and tickets to Highclere Castle. (we are big "Downton Abbey" fans and I thought, "what the heck - why not?")

Thanks again!

irishface

ttt for Kandace

john183

lantana - thanks for all the nice comments - we really had a great time on each trip. And even though there were a lot of similarities, they each seemed different. I guess different kids, different places to stay and us being 7 years older made them different, but in a good way. We did make it back to see the Hall of Mirrors last year and it was just as spectacular as we hoped it would be. B really enjoyed it (and so did the rest of us).

I have to admit I did not know anything about Downtown Abbey but after reading about it, I'm going to have to see if I can watch the show. Highclere Castle looks fanatstic - should be fun to visit. It sounds like you have most of your trip booked - is your daughter getting excited? What is she looking most forward to?

lantana

Hi John - I did go back and read your '11 report and saw that you had indeed returned to Versailles (and I was reminded of your gd's obsessive photographing of the flowers, LOL). So glad you all enjoyed it and that B got to see the Hall of Mirrors this time.

I hope you will watch DA. It's really wonderful! I'm afraid they've taken the episodes off pbs.org but I know they're available on iTunes for $2.99 each.

I do have most of our trip booked but need to work on specific itineraries for both London and Paris. Like you, I LOVE the planning - but it sure can be overwhelming.

My daughter is very much looking forward to our trip (let's hope so, right?!) but, just like my husband, she really doesn't enjoy the planning or discussing of trips. Boohoo for me
She's really interested in Marie Antoinette (has read several books on her and has studied the French Revolution) and I think we'll spend an entire day at Versailles and really try our best to see everything.
She's also just finished reading The DaVinci Code and is now begging to go to the Louvre, hehe. I told her that was in the plans already, as there were a few things there I wanted her to see, such as the Mona Lisa and Nike of Samothrace plus a couple of Vermeers.

As for London, she is over the moon. Quite an Anglophile and a Royal-watcher Due to the Olympics, Buckingham Palace will not be open to the public while we're there but we're making a day trip to Windsor Castle. We're both really excited about that!

My mother is meeting us for our week in Paris (she grew up there, actually, in Saint-Germain). We are very lucky in that we have several good friends who live in Paris and will be spoiling us with their knowledge and enthusiasm. We'll be able to split up more easily this way, too, as my mother (much as she'd like to experience it w/ her gd, would simply not be able to walk around Versailles for hours. She can stay in Paris with friends instead.

More info than you were probably looking for, but there it is

Are you currently planning a trip to Italy?

john183

Sounds like you have a fantastic trip planned. Just like you, no one else in my family gets as excited about the planning part as I do. Also like you, whenever I start writing anything about visiting Europe I tend to probably put down more than I intended to - but I can't help it. I know you will have a great time.

Yes, we are going to Italy in mid-May. We are spending a few days each in Milan, Venice, Bellagio and an agriturismo near Asti in the Piedmont area. Can't wait!!!!

lantana

So funny about being the lone planning fanatics in our respective families. It's half the fun for me for sure.

How wonderful that you have such an amazing trip coming up in May. Of the cities/towns you're visiting, I've only been to Venice. Ahhhh. Enjoy. I'll look very forward to that TR!

Hooameye

"I took my first electric shower. I guess the water pressure is so bad they have to somehow attach an electric pump to the shower to get it to come out in enough quantity to take a shower."

The reasons for using electric showers:

http://www.gainsboroughshowers.co.uk...-Key-Benefits/

irishface

John and Lantana, I too am the planner for trips with friends and family and find planning is half the fun. I don't mind being the planner as I get to decide where to go. Whenever I ask if anyone has requests, they all say, "You plan. I can't visualize and You always find great places." (My nephews as kids were the exception. They each gave me one big "please do!"and then left it to me to fit the route. They also figured out how to check out pamphlets in tourist offices and find some quirky little places off the beaten path.)

John, your writing is such that you can never put in too many deatils. Always thought provoking, interesting or amusing. Love your trip reports and also really enjoy the photos. I'll be looking forward to your trip report from Italy. Have a wonderful time!

john183

Hooameye - thanks for the info - It just makes sense it would be for heating not water pressure - duh - what was I thinking???? BTW I really like your screen name.

lantana - Ahh Venice. Here is a link to the place we will be staying at in Venice. Can't wait!!!

http://www.cabonvicini.com/eng/location.html

Irishface - Thanks so much. I enjoy reading other trip reports and we had such a good time that I thought I would try to contribute something that might spark an idea or two for others taking their kids or grandkids.

For the first time ever we are travelling with another couple on this trip to Italy. It turns out the husband likes to plan as much as the three of us do. I have a separate folder for our Italy emails and so far I have about 300 saved that went back and forth between us. It's a lot of fun sharing the excitement as we figure things out. I'm sure our trip will be filled with silly stuff (and I'm sure at least several gallons - if not barrels - of red wine will be consumed) but I think we will have a great time.

lantana

Irishface - ITA about the planning. I want to go where I want to go
And sounds like you've raised your nephews "right".

Oh my goodness, John, the photos of Ca' Bonvicini made me swoon! Hehe. It looks exquisite! I hope you're saving it for last b/c I doubt anything else will compare!
How fun that you're going with another couple - and it's nice that you're enjoying sharing the planning with someone. You must be really well-suited b/c in that situation I tend to have real control issues
What a wonderful time you're going to have. I REALLY can't wait to read your report/s!

john183

lantana - Venice is actually the second of our four stops on this trip. I hope the B&B is as nice as it looks! I'm really looking forward to the places we are staying in Bellagio and Piedmont too. I was surprised at how nice it is to have someone else help plan the trip (thought I might have control issues too - but not so). My friend is actually the one that found Ca' Bonvicini. Only 39 days until we leave!!!!

Chickita79

Hi John, stumbled across your post here from a google search (currently researching for my honeymoon next year).

I am a bit of a foodie and wondered if you might know what the name of the restaurant was on Rue L ‘Exposition? It sounds delicious!

I'm also thinking of staying in that same area as you did in Paris, would you recommend it?

Thanks!
ashleigh (from Australia)

john183

Hi Ashleigh, What a nice surprise to see this old thread pop up again. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. The name of the restaurant in 2004 was Restaurant La Serre at 29 Rue de L'Exposition. I believe the owner's names were Marie-Alice and Philippe. However during our visit to Paris in 2011, we found the name of the restaurant now at that address is La Billebaude. We did not eat there in 2011 so I have no idea what it is like. Sorry! There are plenty of Paris food experts on this forum - I'm sure you will find lots of good advice if you can spend some time reading and searching through the various threads.

Regarding the area, in 2004 we stayed on Rue de Bac in the 6th and in 2011 we stayed on Rue Sedillot in the 7th. We really liked both locations - I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Again, congrats on your wedding and I know you will have a great time on your honeymoon in Paris!

john183

Old link to pictures does not work any more. New link to France and England 2004 pictures:

https://jkitaly2001.shutterfly.com/pictures/397