A Wonderful Week in Paris

I just returned from a week in Paris and wanted to report on a few things. First, as always, I frequently checked the Travelers Helpline for up-to-date information about Paris. The advice really helped. I traveled with friends and we rented an apartment just a block or two away from the Seine near the Invalides. Perfect location and the apartment was beautiful. We found it on Home Away and I highly recommend it for three people--two bedroom, two baths. We purchased tickets for the Eiffel Tower in advance and did not wait in line to get to the top. We purchased a Museum Pass at the first museum we visited and never waited in lines again! Great. We went on a Bakery Tour which we found through "Meet the French" and had a fantastic experience. We highly recommend it. So fun and informative. We were met at a bolangerie and learned how baguettes and pasteries are made. We also tasted various breads and left with samples! We attended a wine tasting at O'Chateau Wine Bar. For 50 euros we tasted one champagne and five wines and spent a fun two and a half hours learning all about french wines. Loved it. Finally, we booked a tour through Paris Greeters and met Alain who spent over two hours with us in the Marias district. We learned about the area's history and politics, saw Phillip-Auguste's wall and ate great falafel. Alain was fantastic. So knowledgeable and funny. The trip was wonderful. Thanks to Rick Steves for helping to make it so.