Tuesday, August 20, 2013

European Vacation - Day 9, 10 Rome, Italy

Our overnight train experience was pretty good. It was kinda fun to be stuck inside a tiny room that had everything we needed. And sleeping on the top bunk was quite fun. We did have to transfer to another train for about 3 hrs, from 6-9 am but they had cappuccino and snacks so all was well. Once we arrived in Rome, we were again able to walk to the hotel from the train station. Amazing service from the minute we walked in and within 15 minutes, we were able to get into our room early to shower and settle in, take advantage of the wifi, and enjoy the wonderful A.C.
We went to the lobby and waited for Rick and Josie to arrive from their hotel. It was great to see them, in Italy! We then started into our Italian adventure. The pictures tell the rest...

Piazza di Trevi.

It was soooo hot in Rome so we took full advantage of the water fountains around the city.

The two best restaurants of the whole trip were found in Rome, down quiet streets.

Pantheon.

Most menus had items in English all over Europe.

Neat background with the kitchen in this Italian restaurant.

Antipasta appetizer.

Gnocchi and meatballs for Jonathan. Ravioli for Krista.  Wonderful for both.

Common way to travel.

St. Peter's Basilica.

Outside of La Griffe, our favourite hotel.

Salads to start. Great flavour.

Such delicious pasta. The sauce is soooo tasty.

We went all out for our last meal, including cappuccino and desserts of truffle (chocolate ice cream) and crème brule.

Train ride treats.

Great way to end our trip.

Fancy washroom.

Spanish Steps.

So simple but oh so good.

Love the parmesan cheese.

Olive oil and balsamic vinegar everywhere you go. Again, simple.

Margarita pizza.

Gelato with ...

...the Mannen's.

Trevi Fountation - Rick & Josie, Jonathan & Krista.

Travel in style.

Piazza Venezia.

Breakfast on the roof top terrace. Wonderful way to start the day.

Yet another scrumptious breakfast.

Roof top terrace view.

The chocolate in the middle was something wonderful.

Collesium from above.

Collesium from below.

Collesium from outside.

St. Peter's Basilica.


Pope on display.

Pope on display.




Sunday, August 18, 2013

European Vacation - Day 7,8 Paris, France

Now that we've been on so many trains, subways, taxis and planes, it's getting hard to remember each trip. Anyway, after arriving in Paris, we had to get in a rather long line at the train station for a taxi to the hotel. Once we arrived and checked in we did our usual investigation for the local cuisine. We were directed to a restaurant/café just a short walk down the street. Baguettes, baguettes, baguettes everywhere was already a noticed way of life! So we had a delicious fresh baguette, red wine, beef, salad and potatoes for our first French meal. We grabbed another baguette and bananas from the market then headed back to the room to get ready for the next day.
In the morning we had our baguette, banana, peanut butter, jam, and coffee then showered, threw some water in our back then boarded the subway. We saw the Notre Dame cathedral (during a mass) and then enjoyed quiche, salad, crepe, more baguette, cappuccino, and coffee with milk at a quaint café. The sky was pretty cloudy with some periods of rain, and we knew it was to be a day of line-ups so we bought ourselves a Paris umbrella. We strolled along the river and took in the scenery once again. We then found our way and got in the huge line for admission into the Louvre. Wow, what a building, requiring a map to find your way around amongst the hundreds and hundreds of people from all over the world! We couldn't get over how bright the paintings and magnificent the art. To find the Mona Lisa ? You simply had to follow the crowd. What an experience and quite the security in place for the famous piece of art! It was pretty neat to get in there with the crowd for a look and picture.
After the Louvre we headed toward to Eiffel tower. But before that we decided we'd better see the Arch de Triumph. What an amazing structure! Last but certainly not least, we arrived at the Eiffel Tower! Grand! Simply grand. There was construction on one side so we got our pictures from the other. Another amazing experience.  Love.
On our way back we had an early dinner at another café/restaurant. Again, delicious. We decided to walk back to the hotel, which got us back just in time to call a cab for the train station. In total 7 hrs on our feet! We were ready to get into our tiny beds in our couchette, which was a fun experience. Our little room had 3 beds, a sink with amenities in the closet, room for our luggage, and the bare necessities. Sleeping (although not the greatest) is the best way to kill time when travelling from Paris to Rome.

Our reservations made travelling by train so easy!

Notre Dame Cathedral.

Canadian Pub in Paris, France had a sport and hockey theme.

Outside of the Louvre.

Go for a ride outside the Louvre!

$90 Euros ($125 CDN) for a ride.

No crutches in Europe, they use these instead.

Beef, potatoes, salad...

...baguette and red wine.

Hotel key.

Baguettes everywhere.

Walking along the river.

Notre Dame.

Shopping.

"That" Paris, France café must-have!

The quiche was absolutely delicious.

Was hoping to enjoy some chocolate mousse later but couldn't find it.

Locks of love. You buy a lock, write on it, lock it to the fence, toss one key in the river and keep the other one.

Watch your belongings.

Beautiful art.

There she is, looking at everyone. Stunning.

Crowds of people around the Mona Lisa.

Arch de Triumph.

Wow factor, Eiffel Tower! Love the clouds too!

More scrumptious French cuisine.

Sink and amenities in the couchette.

Relaxing after a long day.

Krista took the top bunk for sleeping. We were so glad there was air conditioning.