Travel Planning Inspiration

While I have tons of specifics I think the most common thread you will find when people talk about their favorite moments it is usually something that was unplanned... a serendipitous moment! I guess that is why I tend to do as little planning as possible when I go on trips... I am 'planning' for those 'unplanned moments.':) The first time I saw the lights on the Eiffel Tower I was with my 15 year old grandson... planned excursion, but loved being with him. Not too crowded as it was in beginning of Dec.... Usually my favorite moments don't involve an iconic destination, just some quiet little moments, picnics, sunrises (sunsets are usually more crowded) all those unrepeatable experiences that call me back. It's always the surprises that get me!

Rick Steves has walking tours of Paris. The basic one that takes one thru the Conciergie, archaeological dig at NotreDame etc is good if you are new to Paris. My favorite meander starts in the Marais, heads to Pont Marie, wanders down the center of Ile San Louis with a stop for some Amarino ice cream, continues across the bridge to Notre Dame Cathedral. I cross over to the park and Shakespeare Books to buy something second-hand. I may continue on up the hill to the Mutualite market which runs several times a week.

As Mollie said, serendipitous moments are the best memories. While we were in Paris we saw angels at work.
One night, dining at a creperie, a customer left his wallet. A woman at work behind the counter making crepes saw this and came out. She, I assume because my French is poor, asked the waiter which way the customer went. The waiter did not know. She went into the crowded street, looking up and down both ways. Finally she spotted the man way off in the distance and ran after him to return the wallet.
A day or so later we encountered the bureaucratic indifference for which most French officials are wrongly accused. I approached the ticket booth at our local metro stop hoping to purchase Navigo passes. Perhaps it was my poor French and my low expectations, but the response to my request was, in effect, "non". Just then, a woman pushing a baby carriage passed by heading for the turnstile and heard the exchange. She informed us in perfect English that we should be able to purchase a Navigo and load it with access for the coming week. Then, she told the man in the booththe same thing in perfect French. Sullenly, he sold us the Navigos.

In Reims check out the museum where the papers were signed ending WWII. In Chamonix the walk along the trail that runs parallel to river is really neat, and the views from the cable car and observation points are beyond description.

Beaune is a very nicely sized little walking town. And the Patriarche wine cellars stretch for miles underneath. There are lots of wine bars and wine tasting shops. And the actual countryside filled with wineries is beautiful; if you plan to indulge, take a minivan tour.

Thank you for the recommendations and inspiration! This will be our second trip to Europe and really loved those found moments or hidden places during our first trip. I always like to hear other people's favorite places. Thanks again!

I second the Croissants in Baueux,we came out of the front entrance to the hotel Churchill and made a right turn and went one block to the best Croissants of my life,we visited the Normandy beaches on a tour,very moving experience considering the amount of American lives lost.
Mike

Mollie,

We are taking this tour also in June (this will be my second time taking the tour). This tour is pretty packed with wonderful moments so you don't need to plan anything. Your guide will also have wonderful suggestions if you find yourself in need of any recommendations during your free time and meals. A couple of things that I did enjoy the last time were a Michelin star meal with new friends at Le Foch in Reims. Also, on your free day in Chamonix, be sure to bring some good shoes to hike in and take the lift up to Aguile du Midde and do the hike. It's a wonderful way to spend the day in the Alps.

Have a great time! This is a wonderful tour.

Vespers and Mass with the monastic community in residence Mont S Michel, and an enjoyable talk afterwards with one of the sisters.

EDIT... Mental lapse about small museims...in Paris, the Musee Jacquemart-Andre is a wonderful small museum -- for both the art and the period rooms. Their cafe is in the former ballroom... a lovely setting for tea with a friend.

Basilica of S Denis, with a Catholic wedding in the Basilica and a Muslim wedding at the nearby City Hall.

We had some bad meals in Paris but two great and one good.

Dinner at Les Papilles was an experience. Reserve well in advance!

The Boeuf Bourguignon at Le Cave Gourmand in Montmarte still makes me salivate. Unprepossessing place, we almost didn't enter. No one there at 8:30 on a March evening, but at 9:00PM more couples showed up and the somewhat bored waitress woke up. We had a blast joking with her in Italian and broken English (hers) and French (ours).

We also had a nice white tablecloth dinner at L'Orangerie, a Rick Steves' pick.

All other meals were forgettable or memorable only for how bad they were.