Paris

After a warm and easy trip throughout Italy, it was time to pack up the bread and wine and head for Paris! Arriving at Hotel Le Six  http://www.hotel-le-six.com/en/index/ I was intrigued and excited by this hotel and its many reviews. It lived up to its expectations upon check-in when I was greeted late night by a front desk agent, eager to help with my bags. This was only the beginning...the room itself was like a mirage when I walked in and saw the over sized bathtub and lush Molton Brown bath amenities, towels warming on a rack, Evian water complimentary, and Parisian nougat candies bedside. The room was a fantastic size for Paris. Very clean and stocked with slippers and robes, extra towels and blackout drapes. Lacking a view, the many other touches made up for it. The value for money on this mid-range hotel was incredible.

Located in a great spot just across from Rue du Montparnasse, the main crepe street (caloric overload), the hotel is situated on a quiet street in the Latin Quarter and close to the Saint Germain des Pres district. Equipped with its own spa and small lobby bar with ambiance, and a breakfast room with a fantastic buffet breakfast, the hotel although small is a real gem. I would say that this boutique hotel is operating at 5 Star service.

My Paris events included a trip up the Eiffel Tower which took about 3 hours, beginning to end. The lines were hard to deal with, and you have to have patience for the climb. The views from the highest point are well worth it, as on my previous trip to Paris I did not actually go up the tower.

The catacombs were the highlight of the trip for me. Odd I realize, but they are so fascinating and uncommon that I wanted to make the tour through the underground world to experience what happened here. If you are unfamiliar with the Paris catacombs, here is some basic info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombs_of_Paris

You really can't go wrong dining in the Latin Quarter or Saint Germain districts. Service can be real spotty and coming from Italy where the people are very warm and welcoming, it was a bit of a rude awakening in France. Tempers and patience can be short and brief, but don't let it ruin your trip. Tipping is not expected in Paris which to me- begs the question of 'where is the incentive for good customer service then?' If I felt that the service was good, I would add a tip at my discretion but it is something you really have to get a feel for.

The hotels were more pricey during this time as the French Open was taking place. Always check Paris events calendar ahead of time to see what you are in for and watch the prices fluctuate. It is a gorgeous and clean city where you will be walking a lot. Pack your walking shoes!!! Should you 'forget' them...stroll down the Champs Elysee and you'll have no issues purchasing :) It is also worth getting lost in the LV Headquarters where you can roam through floor upon floor of beautiful pieces. (And once again...take advantage of the tax refund) Also check out the Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marche, and Printemps department stores to feel like a kid in a candy store!

On my previous trip to Paris I had a great fondue and delicious crepes. This time I made it my mission to go back and find those places I had originally been to three years ago, and I was so happy to see them up and running as usual. If you head to Rue du Montparnasse, the creperie-lined street; you will see an endless line of small creperies bursting with big smells lining both sides of the street. Upon good reviews I found Creperie de Josselin (67 Rue du Montparnasse). Don't be fooled by others with similar names- this one is packed day and night and you may have to wait a short while to squeeze into one of their small tables.

If you're up for trying fondue, go for the bread and/or meat fondue with their variety of cheeses. Often served with potatoes and fries or salad, the cheese was so strong with the smell of alcohol but tasted just like it did three years ago. YUM!

If you want something a little different for dinner, check out Le Relais de Venise  http://www.relaisdevenise.com/  If making decisions is a problem for you, it's time to relax. At this historic restaurant there are only two things on the menu: steak and fries. The steak is served to your liking, half to start and the other half kept warm while you are eating. Go for their house wine and sit back and relax while your dinner is served. The steak and fries come with a dijon-type sauce which seems to be a big hit, although I am not much of a dijon person myself. The restaurant has four hugely successful locations in New York, London, and Paris.

All in all I enjoy Paris as a city that has been designed with much articulate thought and pattern. The intensely manicured streets and well-maintained buildings look like a wonderland from the top of the Eiffel Tower. I cannot say I feel entirely welcomed in this city but I can still manage to enjoy myself completely, getting out of Paris what I wish.