I don't think it is news that The Mr and I like to travel. I wish I could say we've been to a ton of exotic places but since dating, we've been to: Punta Cana, The Maldives (probably the most exotic trip we've taken) and Cabo San Lucas. We've gone to cities within the U.S. but for traveling abroad, that's it.
I've always wanted to go to Europe. I regret never taking any sort of chance with my life and traveling over there to experience it before I got chained to a corporate job. I live vicariously through Juli (whose wedding I am most looking forward to this year... sorry to all of my friends getting married this year but Juli is getting married in Scotland and it will mark my first official trip over to Europe). Her life just seems so romantic compared to mine although I can't really complain about where I've ended up.
Aaanywho - The Mr. got to enjoy Europe in his youth. He lucked out in that his dad was in the military so he lived in Europe for awhile and traveled all over. He doesn't exactly ache for Paris like I do.
What's my point? I have always said that I want to go to Paris and I'd especially like to do so before I have kids. The problem? It's so frickin' expensive. Oy! The Mr priced it out earlier this year and to go during the Spring/Summer/Fall months, it would have been close to $10k! That's almost as much as my car!
Then The Mr proposed a different solution: travel to Paris in the winter. At first I wasn't really sold because I'm not really a fan of the cold season but the difference in cost was almost astounding. I had a dream last night that I went to Paris on a whim and have spent the majority of my day trying to remember the French that I spent 4 years learning throughout high school and college.
I Googled "Paris in the winter" and found some great write-ups on why it's such a fabulous idea to go:
- The cost is much less
- Tourism is WAY down. So down that you don't have to fight the crowds and wait in long lines to see The Louvre or Chateau de Versailles. I hate crowds so this just seemed great.
- They have a huge New Year's Eve celebration and what could be more amazing than ringing in the new year in frickin' Paris?
After reading this, I was totally sold and then this sealed the deal for me.
Yippee! I think we're going to Paris this winter!
9 comments:
I went to Paris when I was studying abroad in Spain - but only for 3 days. But those 3 days allowed me to absolutely fall in love with the city! It's is all of the words you described and has such a romantic charm about it. I love love love it and may have to go in your suitcase.
that's so awesome! i could ramble on about all the things you two need to check out. don't forget the orange card if you get the week long subway ticket, you don't want an 80 euro fine on the 1st day there . . .
Paris is awesome! I'm very excited for you!!
Couple things:
1. Isn't it "scrumtrelescent?"
2. Frenchies are dicks. Be sure to brush up on how to speak to them properly. Here is a link to Insult Monger, probably the greatest site known to mankind. Insult phrases in nearly every language.
http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/french.htm
3. I have been to London in the winter, and it was great. The weather is shit, but it's no different than being in New York or Washington DC in the winter.
4. In the meantime, pass this on to those Frenchies: Si j'avais ta tête a la place du cul j'aurais honte de chier
Oooh! I fit nicely into suitcases...just saying :)
Love Paris. LOVE. And winter there is beautiful - I liked it better than the summer (I hate heat, and summer in Paris can get quite stifling...)
Wanna stuff me in a suitcase along with lspoon?
Um hi. Can I go with you. I ache for Paris as much as you do, and I'm so disappointed with myself that I haven't been there yet. I made it a goal to get to Europe before I'm 30 (2.5 years) and Paris is the ultimate destination.
Problem is, my boyfriend doesn't have the same desire and so isn't willing to make the same financial investment as me. And none of my friends are willing either. I don't want to travel alone. So hey, if The Mr. decides Paris doesn't excite him, give me a call.
We were just in Paris for a day at the tail end of our Europe trip and it realy was beautiful. One thing that might help bring costs down is if you use a credit card with points. We have an AMEX that's linked to Hilton and we were able to stay in our hotel (2 blocks from the Eifel Tower) completely free because of the points we had accumulated. Something to think about!
Paris is pretty but overrated. Go to Madrid or Barcelona. Even better if you go to France, travel to the coastline. Marseilles is beautiful. I could be bias... I have been to Paris 4 times in the last 2 years.
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