Standing in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle (also called the Place de l’Étoile) at the western end of the Champs-Élyseés, the Arc de Triomphe is the largest triumphal arch in the world.  It honors those who bravely fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars, and beneath the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I, the grave marked by the very first eternal flame.  The flame burns in memory of those who died, but were not identified, in both WWI and WWII.  The English translation of the inscription reads “Here lies a French soldier who died for his fatherland 1914-1918.”  It’s said that this flame was the inspiration for an eternal flame being placed on the grave of assassinated President John F. Kennedy.

The Arc de Triomphe stands about 165 feet tall, and measures about 148 feet wide, and is surrounded by one of the busiest roundabouts in Paris. Seriously – do not try to dodge in and out of this traffic! Not only is it dangerous, but you’ll quickly be branded as a nutcase tourist.  I stood and watched for awhile at visitors who were tempted to make a dash across lanes of traffic – but didn’t see anyone acting on that temptation.  To reach the arch in a sensible and safe fashion, just follow the signs to the underground passageway that will take you beneath the crazy roundabout to the monument.  Just take a short elevator ride back up to ground level or climb the stairs.  Whew!  You’re there – and you didn’t have to do battle with Paris traffic.

Once at the monument, spend some time walking around looking at the sculptured facade. A few highlights include a winged figure of Victory, a sculpture of Napoleon, and 30 shields (each representing a victorious battle) on the crown of the arch. On the inside and top of the arch are inscribed the names of generals and battles fought, with the names of those who died in battle underlined. Conveniently missing are some of Napoleon’s later battles.

If you’re up to it, climb the 284 steps to the top of the arch. There is no elevator. The steps are stone, and the passageway narrow and circular. It’s okay if you need to stop and catch your breath – most people did, more from a sense of vertigo or claustrophobia rather than fatigue.  Once at the top, you’ll be treated to magnificent views in all directions.

Take a look around and you’ll see 12 major arterials leading into the Place, and as you watch how they merge into the roundabout, you’ll have a real appreciation for driving in Paris. And you’ll be glad you didn’t try to make that crazy dash across the lanes of traffic.  There are fabulous photo opportunities from the top, and  since the Arc is open late, it’s a favorite spot for sunset and evening photos.

Location:  Place Charles-de-Gaulle, 8th arrondissement, Paris.

Getting there:  RER line A (train), Metro lines 1, 2, and 6 (subway) both getting off at the Charles de Gaulle-Etoile stop.  Also accessible by numerous bus lines.

Hours:  10 am – 11 pm daily.  Closing is one half hour earlier during the fall and winter months.

Admission:  There is no charge to walk around and explore the base of the arch.  Access to the top is € 9,50 for adults.  Those under 18 years of age (26 years for EU citizens) are admitted free, as are disabled visitors and their escorts, and the unemployed.  Discounts are often available.  Admission is also covered by the Paris Museum Card.

Time:  The ground level of the arch is easily seen in half an hour, allow an addition hour if you plan on going to the top.  That allows time for exploration and photography, but if you want to spend some serious photography time, you can easily spend the day there as you enjoy the light from so many different angles.

Photo credits:  All via flickr, fly72 (top photo); Anna Fox (eternal flame); Edwin Lee (inscriptions); aliciat89 (night)

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One of my favorite places in Paris is the Pantheon, a neo-Classical church in the Latin Quarter.  It was modeled after the Pantheon in Rome and topped with a dome similar to the one on Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London.  Although it was originally an abbey, it now primarily serves as a burial place for famous French heroes, leaders, artists, and writers.

This beautiful building was constructed as a result of a promise made by King Louis XV in 1744.  He was suffering from a serious and mysterious illness (later believed to be gout), and vowed that if he recovered he would build something worthy of the patron saint of Paris. He recovered, and construction of the Pantheon began in 1758 and was completed in 1789.  Like constructions projects today, the Pantheon ran into delay after delay — most related to a lack of finances.

Since the completion of its construction coincided with the start of the French Revolution, the Revolutionary government order the building changed from a church to a mausoleum where the remains of great Frenchmen could be interred.  Although it has reverted to a church twice since then, today it is once again a mausoleum.

The Pantheon is basically a cross-shaped building with a domed center.  When I walked into the Pantheon it felt austere and cavernous, and I immediate started using my library voice.”  Around the walls are murals depicting religious and revolutionary figures as well at statuary and frescoes.  I found the series of Joan of Arc particularly compelling.

In the center of the Pantheon, beneath its dome, is a pendulum standing nearly 220 feet tall.  This is Foucault’s Pendulum, named for Leon Foucault, who, in 1851, built the pendulum to conduct experiments demonstrating the rotation of the earth.  I was absolutely mesmerized by its simplicity and beauty.

After spending time appreciating all this art and history, you’ll have the option of visiting the necropolis (mausoleum) or climbing stairs to get a view of Paris from the top.

It may sound morbid, but the Pantheon’s necropolis is also a work of art.  Here are buried many famous Frenchmen and one famous Frenchwoman. Over the years there has been heated debate over who deserves and doesn’t deserve to be buried in this most sacred site, and today it takes an act of Parliament to be buried here.  A few of the notables include:  Alexandre Dumas (author of the Three Musketeers), Victor Hugo (author of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Voltaire, Rousseau, Emile Zola, Rene Descartes, Louis Braille and Pierre and Marie Curie, the latter the only woman buried here.

I much preferred to climb up, however.  All 206 steps to the colonnade beneath the dome.  Don’t let the fact that this is a guided tour turn you away from this option.  It’s really only “guided” so that you don’t get lost on the way up!  The way is narrow and steep, and at times can be a little disorienting.  Don’t worry about making the climb in record speed — go slow and rest along the way if you need to.  You likely won’t be the only one.

The view from the top of the Pantheon is spectacular – a 360 degree view of all that Paris has to offer.  This is one of the best views in the city, in my opinion.  Walk around the top and take it all in.

Location:  The Pantheon is located at Place du Pantheon in the 5th arrondissement.  The nearest metro is Cardinal Lemoine and the nearest RER is Luxembourg.

Hours:  Open 10 am – 6 pm October through March, and till 6:30 starting in April.   The last admission is 45  minutes before closing.  The upper area can only be visited April through September, and departure times very.  I’d recommend checking for a convenient tour time when you first arrive, and then work the remainder of your viewing around that time.

Admission:  8 Euros for adults and 5 Euros for ages 18-25.  Admission is FREE for everyone under 18, those under 26 who are citizens of one of the EU countries or are non-European permanent residents of France, disabled visitors and their escorts, and the unemployed.  Group rates and school rates are also available.  The Pantheon is included on the Paris Museum Pass.  If you’ll be visiting several attractions, that’s a cost efficient option.

Photo credits:  travel photo collection of Mary Jo Manzanares

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The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, and most trips to Paris (at least first trips) include a visit to this famous spot located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement (map).

The building, originally a palace, is now home to some of the world’s most famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Aphrodite/Venus de Milo.  The museum opened to the public in 1793, and since then the collections have grown to their current number of over 380,000.  It’s not the largest art collection in the world, but most art historians agree that it is the finest.

The main buildings of the Louvre look rather fortress-like with iron gates around it.  The real treasure lie within the gates, much like it must have been when it was a fortress.  On a nice day, take a little time to walk around the inner courtyards.  You’ll occasionally find displays and events going on in the courtyard, so don’t forget to take a look around.

The central courtyard houses the Louvre Pyramid, designed by architect I.M. Pei, and serves as the main entrance to the museum.   For many travelers, this is the building most associated with the museum.   There are several entrances into the courtyard, and all will get you to the Pyramid, so if you are encountering crowds at one courtyard entrance, just walk around to another one.

The Louvre is organized into eight departments, displaying artwork up to 1848:

• Near Eastern Antiquities
• Egyptian Antiquities
• Greek, Etruscan, & Roman Antiquities
• Islamic Art
• Sculptures
• Decorative Arts
• Paintings
• Prints & Drawings

There is so much stuff to see, that tackling the Louvre can be a daunting task.  After all, you’ll be able to see works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck, and Leonardo da Vinci.  The museum is too big to see everything in one day, so unless you have several days to dedicate to viewing it, you’ll have to come up with a plan of attack.

The two best methods for making the Louvre manageable, I think, are to either select a couple of departments that interest you, or to make a list of specific items of art that interest you.  Or, do as I did and combine the two for a combination.  You won’t see everything, but you’ll see what you want to see.

Here’s how I divided up my time at the Louvre on a one-day visit:

I first chose the departments that most interested me:  Paintings, Decorative Arts, Prints & Drawings, and Sculptures.  Next, I did some research into some of the more iconic pieces in the museum, both in those departments and well as others.  I then plotted those locations out on a museum map using the interactive floor plan. There were some overlaps, of course, and I now had a plan of attack on what to see where.

I was surprised at the amount of time I spent in the Decorative Arts section looking at some amazing furniture and impressive jewelry.  That’s one of Napoleon’s chair in the photo above.   I went rather quickly through the Paintings section as well as the Prints & Drawings section.  Although I made sure to see the iconic pieces, I quickly realized that while the collection was impressive, it was not my favorite art time period or style and I could get through it rather quickly.  I had a lot of fun in the Sculpture section, enjoying both the collection and the way it was laid out.  I spent far more time in this section that I anticipated.

With this approach, I saw everything that I wanted to see, and a little more, while still having time to ease into the day with my morning coffee and croissant, and  enjoy a my late afternoon with a leisurely glass of wine after I left the museum.

This is a very do-able approach for the average Louvre visitor.  However, if you’re a fan of art history, or if this is your favorite art era, you’ll want to allow more than a day to see everything.

Getting to the Louvre:  The Louve is easily accessible by public transportation.  Get off at the Palais-Royal-Musée stop if traveling via Métro, and the Louvre stop, quai Francois Mitterrand, if traveling by Batobus.  It is also accessible by several bus lines, including 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95, and the Paris Open Tour bus.  There is an underground parking garage accessed on avenue du Général Lemonnier, open 7 am – 11 pm daily, if you’re driving.  But honestly, ditch the car and take public transportation.

Hours:  Monday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm; Wednesday and Friday till 10 pm.  The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and some French holidays.

Louvre Tickets:  There are several ticket options to see the Louvre.  Tickets for the permanent collections are €9,50 (about $12.25) and provides access for everything except the temporary exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon.  It is also valid for the Delacroix Museum.  Wednesday and Friday evening tickets (6 pm – 9:45 pm) are €6 (about $7.75).  Tickets for temporary and special exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon are €11 (about $14.15).  If you want to view both the permanent and temporary collections, a combined ticket represents the best value at €14 (about $18).  The Louvre is also covered by the Paris Museum Pass.

And how cool is this:  Admission is free for the unemployed, minimum wage-earners, registered disabled (identity card required), those under 18 years of age, and teaches of art history, archaeology, and applied or plastic arts.

I recommend buying advance tickets, or the Paris Museum Pass, as doing so will allow you to bypass the lines using the Passage Richelieu, Porte des Lions, and Galerie du Carrousel entrances.  Although the line wasn’t terribly long the day I visited, I still estimate that I was able to save about 45 minutes of time by heading to the front of the queue.

Despite this not being my favorite art genre, I loved the Louvre.  It was a wonderful trip through history, and one that I’d recommend.

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Happy Memorial Day weekend!  For those of us here in the United States, it’s the kickoff to summer.  And although it’s cloudy and rainy here in Seattle, I’m not letting that get in the way of celebrating the changing of the season.

I have a quick list of travel reads for today, so take a break and catch up with what’s happening:

• My Melange has a list of some free things to do in Florence,  It’s such a beautiful city, but the Euro valuation can also make it expensive, so these FREE ideas will help stretch your travel budget.
• PlanetEye Traveler – San Francisco has some great suggestions for cycling in Sonoma County.  There are fun choice for all ability levels.
• Euro Cheapo tackles the cash/credit/ATM debate.  Personally, I take a bit of cash, and then plan to strategically hit the ATM while on the road.  Yeah, there’s a fee, but I’d rather pay a small fee than lose or misplace some cash – something that I have seen happen all too many times.
• Sharing Travel Experiences acknowledges an occasional lack of confidence when it comes to travel, proving that even the most experienced among have our moments.
• Gadling has information about a great photography workshops in the National Parks this summer..  What a great way to celebrate the beauty of our parks!
• Off to Europe has a great list of boutique hotels in Paris.  A fashionable chic city, with hotels to match.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Cruises talks about staying connected while at sea.  She’s on a 100-plus day round-the-world cruise, so she’s looking for ways to maximize her time and minimize her cost.
• Chris Pirillo says he hates traveling, but loves the idea of opening his hotel room door with his smart phone.  Two Holiday Inn’s plan to launch this feature.this summer.
• Wall Street Journal has a great slide show about the ultimate in travel – space travel.  Enjoy the photos from the final trip of Atlantis.
• And finally, I’m a big Cirque du Soleil fan, so I invite you to take a read of my interview with the Head Prop Master for the touring show KOOZA.  The show is currently on a multi-week run here in Seattle, and I can’t wait to go see it.  Look for a review next week.

That’s it for this week.  Enjoy your weekend, and may your summer plans be full of wonderful travel experiences.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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If the thought of a beautiful bag, a decadent pair of heels, or the luxurious feel of the fabric of a finely crafted suit make you swoon, then an afternoon on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris may be your definition of heaven.

The  Champs-Élysées is not only one of the most recognized street names in Paris, but in the entire world, and is lined with luxury and specialty shops, theaters, cafes and restaurants.  The street itself is a little over a mile and a quarter long, running from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe in the 9th arrondissement.

The name translates to “Elysian Fields” a reference to the “place of the blessed” in Greek mythology.  With the prices you’ll see at most of these shops and cafes, you’ll need to be blessed, indeed, to make this your prime shopping district.

It’s easy to get caught up in its reputation as the ultimate shopping location, but originally, in the de Medici era, the area was just a field with an associated garden market.  Later, it was the location of two famous marches to celebrate the 1944 liberation of France, one march by the French and the other by American troops.   Even today, the Champs-Élysées tips it hat to history as the location of the annual Bastille Day parade.  And cyclists will know it as the end of the Tour de France.

The Champs-Élysées is always full of people, day or night, attracting crowds for shopping, the theater, and the cafes and restaurants.  Offices are located above the shops, so there are lots of working people, in addition to the tourists.

Shops range from the exclusive to large chains, and include favorites like Nike Paris, Adidas (its largest store in the world), Virgin Megastore, Louis Vuitton (its largest store in the world also), and the fun Drugstore Publicis, which, despite its name, has so many upscale products that it seems a misnomer to call it a “drug” store.

This is really not a street for strolling, rather the rapidly moving crowds pull you along with them.  Step out of the main path to window shop, splurge on a fabulous purchase at one of the shops, or stop for lunch at one of the cafes.  This is an expensive neighborhood, but if you think of it as a full entertainment experience, you’ll more than get your money’s worth.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Before you get too engrossed with today’s 2010 Olympic Winter Games coverage, I invite you to spend some time with some great travel posts discovered this past week:  Whether you’re an active traveler, a vicarious traveler, or an armchair traveler, you’ll find something to capture your imagination.

A neighborhood in Paris

• Euro Cheapo suggests that sometimes the best choice in Paris is to splurge.  I couldn’t agree more.  My daily splurge was a cafe au lait, a croissant,, a book, and an hour or so to some people watching.

• Planet D offers solid advice for how to take care of your relationship when engaged in long term travel.  Heck,this advice is good even when you’re getting away for a weekend.
• My Bella Vita has tips for finding a job in Italy, essential information for anyone who may be planning to stay for awhile.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Amsterdam tells the history of a palace with no royals.  It’s an official building, to be sure, but perhaps calling it a palace is a bit of a misnomer.
• Consumer Travel takes us inside Inn Boonsboro, an inn owned by successful romance writer Nora Roberts.  Perfect for a Valentine’s Day getaway, or any romantic occasion at all.
• Gadling offers solid advice on how to pack for back-to-back trips.  Since I often do this myself, I’d offer my key tip – have separate supplies of things that stay in your bag and never have to be unpacked.  It’ll save on forgetting toothpaste or deodorant, and give you less to worry about at home.
• Sosauce wows us with some interesting facts from around the world.  Did you know that Australia consumes the most ice cream?
• Brilliant Tips invites us to get up close and personal with the giraffes at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.  It looks like the tall guys get the right of way here.
• Intelligent Travel, still trying to burrow out of the snow, demonstrates the culture exists — even in the middle of a snowstorm.  I loved the snowman depicting the Terra Cotta Warriors (the real ones are on display there).
• LUXUO is excited about the return of the shipboard bon voyage party.  A staple of the cruising set in days gone by, this return is likely related to money making efforts.
• And finally, Ruth, at PlanetEye Traveler – Vancouver, talks about how her heart swells with pride as the Olympic torch runs through her neighborhood, and why she’s proud to be a Canadian.  After watching the opening ceremonies last night, I’d agree – she has plenty of reasons to be proud of what her country is doing.

That’s it for this week.  Enjoy the Olympic Games, enjoy your Valentine’s Day, and enjoy your travels!

Photo credit: personal collection

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During the holiday season it seems like I watch lots of movies.  Whether it’s catching up on television, renting videos, or indulging in pay-per-view, it’s an enjoyable way to spend some lazy winter days.  Assuming you like the movie, of course.

I like a variety of movies, but the ones at the top of my list are those that give me a sense of time and place.  Movies that make me want to be where the movie is, and sometimes even when the movie takes place.

Earlier this week I watched Julie & Julia, a great movie, and one that made me long for a return trip to Paris soon.

Julie & Julia was written and directed by Nora Ephron, and stars Meryl Streep as the famous chef Julia Child and Amy Adams as Julie Powell, a young, and somewhat depressed, New Yorker writer.  The movie is based on two true stories – the early years Julia Child’s career as documented in her autobiography My Life in France, written with Alex Prudhomme, and a memoir written by Julie Powell documenting her experiences, and blogging about, her efforts as she devoted one year to cooking all 524 recipes found in Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

The movie has the stories of Julia and Julie interwoven, moving back and forth between Paris circa 1949 and New York post 9-11.

In Paris:  Julia and Paul Child set up residence in Paris, and although she goes through some adaptation, it’s clear that she falls in love with the city.  (I know how she must have  felt.  I experienced an immediate emotion connection with Paris the minute I came out of the Metro.)  One of the things that Julia falls in love with is French cuisine, she loves to eat, and finding herself bored with nothing to do, she decides to sign up for a cooking class.  The first cooking class she attends is far too simple, with skills like how to boil an egg, so she goes looking for something a little more challenging –  and ends up in a cooking school for serious chefs (meaning men).  Although initially behind the curve a bit, Julia throws herself into cooking and it becomes the second passion of her life.  Julia teams up with a couple of other cooks in an effort to write a cookbook, and the very long task of bring it to fruition is fraught with problems, disappointments, and adversity.  Success finally comes as a result of single-minded focus and determination, and a career is launched.

In New York:  Julie and Eric Powell set up residence in a 900 square foot apartment in Queens, while she tries to settle into a cubicle job handling phone calls about post 9-11 issues.  She is clearly depressed by her job, which she hates, and finds that her writing career is going nowhere.  She finds solace in cooking, and over dinner one evening, she decides to pour her writing efforts into a blog – about cooking.  After going through a variety of ideas, she decides to blog about how she will cook all of Julia Child’s recipes over the course of a year.  She calls it the Julie/Julia Project.  Julie’s blog chronicles the highs and lows of cooking new dishes, her frustrations with blogging (she has no comments), and her determination to once and for all finish something. (Sound familiar bloggers?)  Julie comes close to abandoning the project a few times, but through determination and perseverance she completes the project, gathering a little fame along the way.

The movie showcased each woman’s determination to succeed, albeit in different ways.  They each had a calling, in the beginning unrecognized, but by following their passions and heart, work became pleasure, which in turn became success.  Both women set a great example of do what you love and the money will follow.

As Julia Child walked the streets of Paris, sat at cafes, and dined at restaurants, I wanted to be there with her.  Oh sure, who wouldn’t want to hang out with Julia Child, but more than that, I wanted to wander the streets of Paris.  I wanted to sit and have a cafe au lait, or a glass of wine, and watch the world go by.  I wanted to savor the sounds and taste of Paris, to shop at the small markets, and to find the best fromagerie and patisserie.  And to eat well, even if I’ll never cook like Julia Child.

Not only that,, this film is the first major motion picture that is based, at least in part, on a blog.

Photo credit: Amazon (DVD); Mary Jo Manzanares

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Since I’m a big museum buff, I knew that I’d be spending a lot of time visiting museums while I was in Paris.  As part of my pre-departure research, I prepared a pretty long list of museums that I’d like to visit, and while I knew that I would only be able to see a fraction of those on the list, I quickly realized that admission fees were going to add up right quick.

Further research turned up the Paris Museum Pass, a multi-day, multi-admission pass, that would save both time and money.

Museum d'Orsay in Paris has a great collection of Impressionist Paintings

Since time was at a premium while I was there, the saving time part grabbed my attention.  Museums in Paris are notorious for long lines, and the ability to bypass the line for immediate admission meant the potential for a big time saver.  With only five days, I knew that I couldn’t take advantage of the many FREE or reduced admission days, and I knew that I needed to make every half hour count!

I calculated out the cost of the pass and balanced it against admissions to the museums that I knew I would see, and I came out slightly ahead financially.  When I factored in the skipping of the lines and the museums on the maybe list, it cemented the deal.

The pass is activated on your first museum visit, so you can buy it in advance and have it ready to go.  I picked mine up at the Louvre, the first museum that I visited.  The process to buy the pass took about half an hour, so I’d recommend buying in advance.  Still, we passed the time chatting with some nice folks there, got some restaurant and shopping suggestions, and it was just fine,

How did the pass work out for me?

With a 4-day pass, I visited eight museums:  Arc de Triomphe (a monument more than a museum),  Centre Pompidou, Conciergerie, Louvre, Museum d’Orsay, Pantheon, Rodin Museum, and Sainte-Chapelle.

The pass can be purchased for 2, 4, or 6 days, and it currently is selling for 32, 48, and 64 respectively.   The Paris Museum Pass can be purchased online, at any Paris Tourist Office, or at any of the museums or monuments that are covered by it,

Based on the exchange rate at the time, I saved about $16 in admission fees.  Additionally, my skipping the lines, I saved between 3-4 hours of time.  So this was a big WIN for me.

Based on my experiences, here are some recommendations that I’d make:

• Calculate out what you want to see and how much it will cost to buy individual admission tickets.
• Check to see if the museums you want to see are covered by the pass.  The Paris Museum Pass covers museums and monuments, so check the list to see what’s covered.
• Check to see if you can take advantage of any free museum days or reduced costs.  Most museums are FREE admission for those under 16, and offer a reduced admission for those ages 16-25.  Most also offer at least one day a month where admission is FREE.
• You can opt for a shorter pass, thereby saving money, if you’re willing to cram all your museum visits into a few days.  This may work well for adults, but might not be a good choice if you’re traveling with kids, so think about the pace you want for your trip.
• Temporary exhibits at museums are usually excluded, so if there’s one you want to see, be prepared for an additional charge.
• The pass covers monuments and museums in Paris, as well as the surrounding area.

I think my favorite stop was the Museum d’Orsay, followed very closed by the Rodin Museum.  There are still many, many that I didn’t see, so next time I’m back in Paris, I’ll be buying the Paris Museum Pass once again.

Photo credit: Mary Jo Manzanares

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I am constantly reading all the other great travel posts, both for information and inspiration.  Sometimes, these posts expose me to new places or things that I put down on my must-see list.  Other times, they convey the emotions of travel, a destination, or experience.  Sometimes they’re fun and just downright silly.

Whatever the reasons a post catches my eye, it makes me feel part of a very special group of people – travel bloggers.

Narrow street in Italy

Here are some great reads from this past week:

My Bella Vita explains her theory on how to learn Italian – an entire month without speaking anything but Italian.  Will it work?

Galley Gossip on Gadling is written by a flight attendant, and this explanation of non-revving, deadheading, positioning, and commuting, explains why you sometimes see flight attendants sitting in a seat, or being give a boarding priority.  Before you curse them out, read this post.

Travel Blog Exchange has a post by Dana on the best and safest hotel choices in Russia.  You don’t have to rough it in Russia.

The Paris Traveler explains where all the Parisiens go in August.  And why.  They definitely have a better attitude about vacationing than many of us do.

The Montreal Guide lets us in on one giant waterfight.  Sounds like a lot of fun!

Gadling covers the story of Ryan Air CEO Michael O’Leary who says that passengers who are demanding anything more than the most basic of service should just go away.  Sounds like a company that has found their niche and has no intention of being anything more.

Nerds Eye View pens a wonderful travel essay from her recent road trip that took her through Montana.  Anyone who has passed through Big Sky country will relate to Pam’s feelings of being the tourist.

Those are my favorites for this week.  I’ll have another selection for you next Sunday.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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One of my favorite museums in Paris was the Musee Rodin in the First Arrondissement.

Surrounded by beautiful gardens, this collection of sculptures and other artwork was wonderful.

I took the photo of these hands, and don’t even recall what the sculpture was called.  For some reason, I found them compelling.

Join a group of other travel bloggers who are sharing photos today as part of Photo Friday.  I loved the travel photos, and think you will, too!

Photo credit:  personal collection

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