Skiing in Switzerland, Museums in Paris, & Shopping in London
Mar 28th, 2014, 05:39 AM
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Skiing in Switzerland, Museums in Paris, & Shopping in London
Our Trip of A Lifetime
March 12, 2014, we started our great adventure. My girls and I flew directly from Dulles International to Zurich, Switzerland. I was so excited to finally be able to take my girls to Europe to ski, shop, see museums, picturesque landscapes, and to introduce them to other people and their cultures. Our trip turned out to be everything I ever wanted for them and even more.
March 13th-18th Saas Fee, Switzerland
From Zurich we took a train to Visp and then a bus to Saas Fee. Saas-Fee is a snow sure high alpine ski resort with a classic European feel. A highlight of the ski area is certainly the funicular railway through the inside of the mountain to the highest lift station in Europe at 3,500 metres.
The village is beautiful and romantic yet the stores carry the latest fashions and trends. We stayed at the hotel Allalin, a family owned business. They couldn't have been any nicer, helpful, or more welcoming. Their food was also delicious.
Other highlights included nighttime snow shoe hiking up the mountains in Saas Fee, as well as, our day trip to Zermatt. There we took the Gornergrat up the mountain to an altitude of 3089 metres. The magnificent panorama of the Matterhorn was breathtaking. (photo included of my 2 older girls)
March 18-21 Paris, France
After arriving at the Paris Gare de Lyon Station, our driver drove us to the majestic, Le Meurice. We had a magnificent sitting room connecting our 2 beautifully decorated bedrooms. Our view overlooking the Tuileries Garden was unbelievable.
Our first evening in Paris was spent with a private tour guide of the Eiffel Tower. The bright lights of the city is certainly spectacular. The next day our guide showed us Paris' Highlights, as well as, the city's charming districts. That evening we were truly entertained at the Moulin Rouge. Afterwards we enjoyed some delicious crepes.
Our next day in Paris began with an Epicurian Walking Tour. Starting with a 60 year old fromagerie, then to an award winning boulangerie, we finally finished our tour in a master chocolate artisan's boutique. All along the way, we discovered all there is to know about these trades. Their discipline and hardworking attitudes was very impressive and important for my girls to see.
After a full morning of sampling cheeses, breads, and chocolates, our driver took us to the Palace of Versailles for a picnic lunch in the stunning gardens. That evening we enjoyed our boat ride along the Seine watching the romance of the city. All of the sweet couples and their wine was adorable.
Our last morning in Paris was spent with Renoir, Monet, Cassatt, Seurat, Degas, as well as, countless other masters at the Musée de l'Orangerie and the Musee d'Orsay. Each of my girls picked out their favorite artist and brought home a copy of their work to hang in their bedroom.
March 21-24 London, UK
After taking the Eurostar to London, our driver brought us to the chic and trendy, St Martins Lane hotel. Our first evening was spent at Her Majesty's Theater watching the Phantom of the Opera and the next evening we were enchanted with Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre. Matilda is a must-see for everyone!! Of course we bought the soundtrack. It's so good!!
Our 3 days were spent viewing London's classics, the markets, (antique, vintage, and trendy), and of course, London's shopping! While my girls thoroughly enjoyed their personal shopper at the Top Shop, I enjoyed my champagne and alone time strolling along Bond Street. I even bought myself a treat.
Finally, March 24th arrived and it was time to go home. Sadly, we took the plane from Heathrow back to Dulles International.
My girls and I will never forget our most special and perfect 'spring break' in Europe.
March 12, 2014, we started our great adventure. My girls and I flew directly from Dulles International to Zurich, Switzerland. I was so excited to finally be able to take my girls to Europe to ski, shop, see museums, picturesque landscapes, and to introduce them to other people and their cultures. Our trip turned out to be everything I ever wanted for them and even more.
March 13th-18th Saas Fee, Switzerland
From Zurich we took a train to Visp and then a bus to Saas Fee. Saas-Fee is a snow sure high alpine ski resort with a classic European feel. A highlight of the ski area is certainly the funicular railway through the inside of the mountain to the highest lift station in Europe at 3,500 metres.
The village is beautiful and romantic yet the stores carry the latest fashions and trends. We stayed at the hotel Allalin, a family owned business. They couldn't have been any nicer, helpful, or more welcoming. Their food was also delicious.
Other highlights included nighttime snow shoe hiking up the mountains in Saas Fee, as well as, our day trip to Zermatt. There we took the Gornergrat up the mountain to an altitude of 3089 metres. The magnificent panorama of the Matterhorn was breathtaking. (photo included of my 2 older girls)
March 18-21 Paris, France
After arriving at the Paris Gare de Lyon Station, our driver drove us to the majestic, Le Meurice. We had a magnificent sitting room connecting our 2 beautifully decorated bedrooms. Our view overlooking the Tuileries Garden was unbelievable.
Our first evening in Paris was spent with a private tour guide of the Eiffel Tower. The bright lights of the city is certainly spectacular. The next day our guide showed us Paris' Highlights, as well as, the city's charming districts. That evening we were truly entertained at the Moulin Rouge. Afterwards we enjoyed some delicious crepes.
Our next day in Paris began with an Epicurian Walking Tour. Starting with a 60 year old fromagerie, then to an award winning boulangerie, we finally finished our tour in a master chocolate artisan's boutique. All along the way, we discovered all there is to know about these trades. Their discipline and hardworking attitudes was very impressive and important for my girls to see.
After a full morning of sampling cheeses, breads, and chocolates, our driver took us to the Palace of Versailles for a picnic lunch in the stunning gardens. That evening we enjoyed our boat ride along the Seine watching the romance of the city. All of the sweet couples and their wine was adorable.
Our last morning in Paris was spent with Renoir, Monet, Cassatt, Seurat, Degas, as well as, countless other masters at the Musée de l'Orangerie and the Musee d'Orsay. Each of my girls picked out their favorite artist and brought home a copy of their work to hang in their bedroom.
March 21-24 London, UK
After taking the Eurostar to London, our driver brought us to the chic and trendy, St Martins Lane hotel. Our first evening was spent at Her Majesty's Theater watching the Phantom of the Opera and the next evening we were enchanted with Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre. Matilda is a must-see for everyone!! Of course we bought the soundtrack. It's so good!!
Our 3 days were spent viewing London's classics, the markets, (antique, vintage, and trendy), and of course, London's shopping! While my girls thoroughly enjoyed their personal shopper at the Top Shop, I enjoyed my champagne and alone time strolling along Bond Street. I even bought myself a treat.
Finally, March 24th arrived and it was time to go home. Sadly, we took the plane from Heathrow back to Dulles International.
My girls and I will never forget our most special and perfect 'spring break' in Europe.
Mar 28th, 2014, 05:43 AM
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Mar 28th, 2014, 06:04 AM
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"Trip of a Lifetime" reports are wonderful to read. Here's another one:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...a-lifetime.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...a-lifetime.cfm
Mar 28th, 2014, 08:33 AM
#9
weird -- she previously posted this on the Travel Tips board - and its gone. Don't know - whether maybe the OP asked for it to be zapped, or the moderators took it down. There were a few comments.
Mar 28th, 2014, 08:44 AM
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Guys it COULD be true. Some people DO have the money to stay in Five Star hotels and have private drivers. They don't normally post on Fodors though 
.
So, what about the restaurant reviews dabunting? I love to read about fine dining experiences, particularly in London.
.So, what about the restaurant reviews dabunting? I love to read about fine dining experiences, particularly in London.
Mar 28th, 2014, 08:54 AM
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My comment about the private everything is because of all the threads, all the questions, all the pretensions about this trip in the planning stages, or what the OP told us was the planning stage.In the end it reads as if she just threw $$$$ at a TA, and off they went. It only makes sense if you were reading from the beginning. It is perfectly fine to travel luxe, but everything else reads like a sheer waste of time.
Mar 28th, 2014, 10:28 AM
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Have to say that after all the questions dabunting had during the preplanning,this trip report feels like an anticlimax.
I mean, it is nice that dabunting didn't b****r off after all the help and advice offered and came back to let us know how it all went, but it's not really how most of us here at( or should that be on?) Fodors travel.
Also, the picture is of 2 girls - I thought there were three daughters (one of whom did not like skiing much). When I click on dabunting's name that original thread about where to ski doesn't show up. BTW, I never commented on that because I ski on a very tight budget which means Bulgaria, and of course that wouldn't have been at all suitable! I mean, who would want to drink rough red wine or hot chocolate and eat local sausage and bacon rinds cooked over an open fire outside a lean-to hut made of sticks halfway down a mountain for just a few Bulgarian lev?
However, if genuine, then my apologies for being a suspicious susan, and I am truly glad you had a good time.
I mean, it is nice that dabunting didn't b****r off after all the help and advice offered and came back to let us know how it all went, but it's not really how most of us here at( or should that be on?) Fodors travel.
Also, the picture is of 2 girls - I thought there were three daughters (one of whom did not like skiing much). When I click on dabunting's name that original thread about where to ski doesn't show up. BTW, I never commented on that because I ski on a very tight budget which means Bulgaria, and of course that wouldn't have been at all suitable! I mean, who would want to drink rough red wine or hot chocolate and eat local sausage and bacon rinds cooked over an open fire outside a lean-to hut made of sticks halfway down a mountain for just a few Bulgarian lev?
However, if genuine, then my apologies for being a suspicious susan, and I am truly glad you had a good time.
Mar 28th, 2014, 11:07 AM
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https://www.dropbox.com/s/9z9lf040qzwqjbn/charlye louvre - Copy.jpg
This is my youngest daughter at the Louvre.
This is my youngest daughter at the Louvre.
Mar 28th, 2014, 11:13 AM
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Mar 28th, 2014, 11:37 AM
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I don't know if this is fake or real, but I do know that there are a lot of people here on Fodors who create an unpleasant atmosphere with all of their accusations. Plenty of people take trips like this, especially if they are not seasoned travelers and are looking at it as a one time trip of a lifetime.
Mar 28th, 2014, 11:46 AM
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dabunting
I know you're trying to prove your trip was genuine but it's really not a good idea to post personal info in the way you're doing on the Internet. I'm sure they are your daughters as the date on the image file fits with your trip (and even shows the type of phone/camera you used).
You also posted a link to your hotel booking (since removed) showing your full name. Someone with malicious intent could have really messed things up for you by cancelling the reservation.
It's good that you've reported back, but there's been some "history" with your posts and subsequent comments; please take a moment to think before you give any more personal details. Even though it's an "anonymous" forum the rules of courtesy and discretion we observe in the real world should still apply.
I know you're trying to prove your trip was genuine but it's really not a good idea to post personal info in the way you're doing on the Internet. I'm sure they are your daughters as the date on the image file fits with your trip (and even shows the type of phone/camera you used).
You also posted a link to your hotel booking (since removed) showing your full name. Someone with malicious intent could have really messed things up for you by cancelling the reservation.
It's good that you've reported back, but there's been some "history" with your posts and subsequent comments; please take a moment to think before you give any more personal details. Even though it's an "anonymous" forum the rules of courtesy and discretion we observe in the real world should still apply.
Mar 28th, 2014, 12:03 PM
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my little one skiing. She learned how to ski and LOVED it!!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v97ss8jivc...0%2814a%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v97ss8jivc...0%2814a%29.jpg
Mar 28th, 2014, 12:38 PM
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Same to you...OReilly. Thanks.
The 2 nights we went to the theatre we had pizza one night and room service the other night (after the show). On our last night, we had a wonderful (steak and fish) dinner at J. Sheekey. It was right near our hotel. Really good food.
The 2 nights we went to the theatre we had pizza one night and room service the other night (after the show). On our last night, we had a wonderful (steak and fish) dinner at J. Sheekey. It was right near our hotel. Really good food.
