Day 2: Paris – There are far too many beautiful museums in Paris to enjoy in a week, but we were going to try. Day two began with a morning visit to the Musée de l’Orangerie where we got to enjoy Monet. We’d never visited this museum in past trips, and had no idea what to expect. It is stunning…so simple and elegant and L’Orangerie does an amazing job of displaying Monet’s most beautiful art in a way that we can sit and just take it all in. Amazing if you have the time, and it shouldn’t take more than 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Day 2: Paris Part two – Next we wandered through Toullerie Gardens, which is situated right between Musée L’Orangerie and the Louvre.

Day 2: Paris Part 3 – Since it was Easter, we celebrated by joining in on an Easter Service. It was a beautiful setting in which to reflect. While we didn’t understand most of the words, it was easy enough to follow along and the music was also beautiful.

Day 2: Paris Part 4 – Later this afternoon, Alexander and Aimed introduced us to their Paris. What a beautiful city. We could spend months here and it would feel like we are barely scratching the surface. The Eiffel Tower, of course, is a must. It’s beautiful in all seasons and at all times of the day. Notre Dame also does not disappoint, even though you can’t currently enter due to the fire of 2019. The history alone is worth having a guide…as we learned so many intriguing facts! One building we never visited while in Paris in the past, however, ended up being one of our favorites. After our visit, we were shocked that it has not been more widely talked about. It’s the stunning Sainte-Chapelle, a gorgeous Gothic royal chapel with the most magical interior and breathtaking floor to ceiling stained glass windows! You have to see it for yourself to understand why we were so enchanted by it.

Day 2: Part 5 – We ended the day with a lot of time on our own. We explored the nighttime markets, found some gelato, and of course, got another glimpse of the Eiffel Tower at night.

Two things to note. First, there is a market that sits just on the other side of the river from the Eiffel Tower, with the Tower creating a beautiful background. The market is lined with stalls on both sides with vendors and pop up restaurants making amazing street food from all over the world. It was fantastic.

Next, make sure to note what is topping my “flower-shaped” gelato below. Yes, you’re right. It’s a French Macaron. Oh, and all those ‘petals’? They’re different flavors of gelato. As many flavors as you want…literally!

A few more shots of our home away from home in Paris. Paris has some pretty amazing hotels. We mostly recommend 4 to 5 star hotels for our clients. Many enjoy staying at lovely places like the Four Seasons (one of our all time favorites for the experience and the customer service), however, there are also some amazing hotels that are a bit smaller and more intimate. Here are a few sneak peaks of the place we stayed. Lovely, isn’t it?

While many people may say, “Oh, but we’ll hardly be at the hotel,” we tend to disagree. Choosing a hotel that is lovely, cozy, and comfortable is such an important part of your overall experience. While you can choose to fill your schedule with nonstop tours and activities, we encourage our clients to build in free time to relax, reflect on the things they have seen and done, and just enjoy being in such a fascinating city. Paris should be enjoyed at a leisurely pace and not rushed. Chances are, you will also fall in love with it and return over and over again. For more information on our itineraries, feel free to email us at dtgainor@gmail.com or visit Global Getaways to learn more about who we are and how we work.