Paris by Playground

For Father's Day we took Tom on a Playground Tour of Paris.  In between playgrounds we managed to sneak in a bit of sightseeing, too.  Our 9 year old served as our tour guide on this trip.  She read The Lonely Planet Not For Parents book about Paris and was able to tell us something about nearly every place we visited.   ("Hey, is this the Place de la Concorde where Marie Antoinette was beheaded?"  or "Oh, that's a Wallace Fountain!" or "See that flame?  It's a duplicate of the one the Statue of Liberty holds.")  That girl is a real gem!

We stayed in a family suite at the recently renovated Hotel de l'Empereur which was located right behind Les Invalides and within easy walking distance of many sights, including the rue Cler market and the Eiffel Tower.  We soon learned that navigating the Paris Metro with a stroller and 3 kids is a real challenge, so we did a lot of walking.

Day 1

Catching a glimpse of the Mona Lisa

After a "quick" tour of the Louvre (the kids used this book as a guide) we made our way across the Seine and added our own padlock to the Pont des Arts.  (Read the story of these love padlocks here).

We marveled at the rose windows inside Notre Dame and imagined the hunchback up in the tower.

The center of Paris.  In front of Notre Dame.

Our driver had suggested  Relais de l'Entrecote for dinner and it was amazing.   Diners start queuing up 20 minutes before the restaurant opens. There's no menu, the waitress simply asks how you like your meat cooked.  Then the food comes out- the most delicious salad, frites, and steak.  Unlike most French restaurants, it's fast so it was a good choice with 3 hungry kids.

Queuing up for a delicious dinner

We wrapped up day one with a little playground time, of course!

Day 2 began with a walk through the rue Cler market where we bought the most delicious strawberries to munch on our way to the Eiffel Tower.  We ate them so fast I didn't even get a photo- but trust me- they were gorgeous!

It was a clear, sunny day and the crowds at the Eiffel Tower were huge.  The wait for the one working lift was several hours long so we opted to take the stairs (nearly 700 to the second level).  If only we had known that you cannot leave your stroller at the bottom!  Poor Tom not only had the baby on his back, but the stroller in his arms as well.  It was quite a workout but the views from the top were amazing.  It was definitely a highlight we will all remember for a long, long time to come!

The view from the top!

We spent the rest of the day recovering with carousel rides, cotton candy, crepes and ice cream cones. 

 
We tromped through the playground at the Trocadero and bounced on the trampolines in the Jardin des Tulieres. 

Well, some of us bounced.

Day 3
We saved the best (playground) for last.  Sure, you have to pay to enter the playground at the Jardin du Luxembourg- but it is worth it.  The kids spent hours running around, riding the flying fox, sliding and digging in the sand.  They took a spin on the old carousel and tried to spear the rings with a wooden sword. 

We strolled through the beautiful manicured gardens. On the weekends you can sail a toy boat in the pond or go for a pony ride.
It seems everywhere you look in Paris the view is simply breathtaking.

Before meeting up with some California friends for our final dinner, we stopped by Les Invalides where we saw the impressive tomb of Napoleon.  My daughter remarked, "That's a pretty big coffin for such a small man."

Napoleon's Tomb is beneath the gold dome.

The kids are already talking about the "next time" they visit Paris.  I don't know when that will be, but I am so glad they got to see this amazing city.  It wasn't a weekend full of museums and late night leisurely dinners at Michelin-star restaurants but it was a weekend full of family fun and happy kids.  It's the kind of trip we do best.

Planning Paris with your kids?  Check out these cool city walk cards.  We found them really useful and fun!

UK Roadtrip: North Wales

Last week all of Great Britain celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a four day weekend.  We opted to get out of London and explore another beautiful part of the UK- North Wales.

About 4 hours north of London, this part of Wales is home to the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.  We stayed in the charming little village of Betws-y-Coed, right in the heart of Snowdonia.

Although the weather wasn't perfect (it's COLD up there!), we really enjoyed our long weekend.  We spent our time storming castles, riding on steam trains, hiking to waterfalls and soaking up the beautiful scenery.

We saw lots of sheep and rock walls and natural slate; rolling green hills and gorgeous old stone buildings.  We marveled at the Welsh language (what???).

And although I was a wee bit sad to miss out on the festivities in London town, I was perfectly happy to watch the Jubilee celebrations on the telly in the warmth of our pretty hotel (which had a perfect 2-room suite for a family of 5).

Fun low ropes course.  The harnesses work great- they tested them!

So glad we got to see this beautiful part of the country.  But now that it's nearly the middle of June I'd really like to put the winter jackets away.  Is there such a thing as "summer" in the UK?

Provence Highlights

What can I say about my women's club weekend in Provence?  It was wonderful! It was four days filled with friendship and laughter, wine at lunch and dinner, art and history, beautiful scenery, and shopping.  We visited the charming towns of Aix en Provence, Arles, Les Baux, Nimes, Avignon, and Cassis.  I practiced my very, very rusty French,, and developed friendships with some wonderful women.

Gorgeous Market at Arles

The highlight for me was visiting the sites associated with Van Gogh.  I felt as if I had stepped into one of his paintings when I saw the garden he painted at the hospital in Arles, and when we ate lunch at the cafe featured in this street scene.  And visiting the St. Paul asylum in St. Remy where he painted some of his best known works was really fascinating.  I also visited the workshop of Cezanne in Aix en Provence.  What a striking difference between the lives of these two men!  Cezanne, the son of a wealthy man,  worked in his purpose built atelier with a wall of windows looking out over his beautiful garden.  Van Gogh had his workshop in a mental hospital which also overlooked beautiful gardens but obviously had a very different feel.  It was overwhelming to realize that Van Gogh painted 142 masterpieces during the 13 month period he resided at the asylum.  It is absolutely amazing.

Van Gogh in Arles

The weather only interfered with our plans on the last day when torrential rains cancelled our planned boat trip and we took shelter at a local winery for tasting session.   Not a bad way to spend a rainy morning!

Such a beautiful weekend in Provence!

When I arrived home on Sunday evening I felt refreshed and relaxed.  I was so happy to see my family!  The boys had made signs for me and all 3 kids were waiting at the door with the biggest smiles and the biggest hugs.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to go away for the weekend, and so glad I have them to come home to.  I hope you had a beautiful weekend, too!
 

UK Road Trip: East Yorkshire Coast

After touring the city of York we were ready to get out and see the country side.  Just 2 hours outside the city is the beautiful East Coast of England. 

 

We stopped in the lovely village of Staithes for a hike and some lunch.  

Staithes at low tide

Another view of Staithes

Then headed south along the coast for some fossil hunting.  We didn't have much time as the tide was coming in, but we were able to find quite a few interesting fossils.

North Yorkshire Coastline

The drive along back along the coast and inland to York was so beautiful.  I was snapping pictures like crazy out the car window and then we finally found a spot to pull over.  Here are a few shots from our roadside pit stop.

Zooming past the most amazing fields of blooming rapeseed.  It was everywhere!

Beautiful views of the country side and the sea

There is nothing quite like the English countryside.  I would love to come back to this part of the country in the summer to see the moors in full bloom, or in August when the heather turns the hillsides bright purple.  It must be quite a site to see!

Looking forward to our next road trip!

UK Roadtrip: York

I've become a fan of the road trip.  There's a certain thrill to loading everyone and everything into the back of the car and setting off the see the country.  And see it we did on our weekend trip to the north of England and the lovely walled city of York.

The Micklegate Bar is one of the entrances to the city.  Historically, it is the gate that royalty uses to enter York. 

Micklegate Bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Viking bones at Jorvik

Highlights of the trip included a visit to Jorvik- a recreated Viking village.  This museum is built right on top of an actual archaeological site where viking artifacts have been found.   My favourite part of the recreated village was the scene with the viking dad in the backyard outhouse holding a wad of grass to be used in place of toilet paper!  The main thing I learned about viking life:  it looked miserable and dirty. 

Then we headed to DIG where the children got some hands-on experience with real artifacts.  The guide was excellent and it was fascinating to learn about the people who have lived in York- from the Romans to the Vikings, right up to the Victorians. 

Learning about archaeology at DIG

One of the most famous sites in York is the beautiful (and huge) York Minster.  It was stunning.  Everything- from the windows to the carved statues to the tombs- was so grand and so detailed.   Can you spot the stone heart in the center window?  The Minster is often called the "Heart of York".

Bride and Groom driving away in front of the Minster

Interior of the York Minster

The National Railway Museum is another must-see in the city of York.  We loved walking through the Great Hall and looking at all the different trains.  We saw a Japanese bullet train, antique steam trains, and even the scarlet "Hogwarts Castle" that was actually used in the Harry Potter movies.  All the the trains were gleaming and gorgeous.  The museum is built on the tracks and they sometimes hold special events which include train rides.  We also had a chance to peek into the royal carriages used by Queen Victoria.  Talk about first class travel!

National Railway Museum

York is a great walking city.  This street, The Shambles, is one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe.  The old timber framed buildings lean in towards each other and their roofs almost seem to meet in the middle.  The street is crammed with pedestrians and charming shops.  I couldn't help feeling like I was at Disneyland or on some type of movie set.  I can see why The Shambles was voted Britain's most picturesque street.
 

The Shambles

York was a fun place to visit with the family.  We were able to overlook the hordes of scantily clad ladies (I use the term loosely here) out for their "hens-do" parties (it was 45 degrees outside- I was shivering just looking at them!) and a few drunken idiots brawling in the street as evening approached.  Instead we focused on the charming atmosphere and the rich history.  And after getting our fill of the city we drove out to the East Yorkshire coast. 

Check back tomorrow to see some photos from part 2 of our road trip!

Be Your Own Travel Agent

Lately I've been spending countless hours on trip planning websites.  The British plan their holidays in advance. Way in advance. Like a YEAR in advance.  I don't.  Which is why I've been spending all my free time trying to find lodging for a family of 5 (not that easy) over the upcoming Jubilee Weekend.  I'm happy to say it is all arranged now (a mere month beforehand). 

So, to help those of you who, like me, do not already have next year's Spring Break trip booked, I thought I'd share a few of my very favourite travel websites.

Tripadvisor
Obviously, the starting place for any trip planning.  For me, it's like the amazon.com of the travel world.  I also really like their iphone app which I often use to search for restaurants in our destination.


The following sites list self-catering accommodation and holiday homes worldwide.
HolidayLettings
HomeAway 
Air BnB

If you fancy a farmstay in the country, check out this link:
FarmStay UK

If you're feeling rather royal you can even book a cottage on the estate of Prince Charles: ( I think these look absolutely dreamy)
Duchy of Cornwall

For help with booking, the options seem endless.  Here are a few I like to use for comparison. 
Expedia
Kayak
Booking.com
Laterooms

Now I've got to run upstairs and finish packing for this weekend's trip.  

Here's a hint about where we're off to:

This city has more miles of intact medieval walls than any other in England

Which travel websites are your favourites?

Have anything fun planned for the long weekend? 

(Monday, 7 May, is a Bank Holiday here in the UK) 

Holiday in Portugal

The Algarve region of Portugal is a hugely popular holiday destination for Brits.  It offers gorgeous beaches and sunny weather and it's only about a 2 hour flight from London.

Sagres: The very tip of Portugal

Another view of Sagres

We spent a week enjoying this beautiful country with 2 other expat families we know from Sydney.  With 15 people in our lovely villa the week was full of sunshine, swimming, laughter, good food and friendship.  What a treat for us all.

Swimming at the villa

Horseback riding in The Algarve

The view from Ponta da Piedade near Lagos

At the end of the week, the weather turned a bit nasty and my sweet friend suggested we ditch our seaside house and head north to the village she is originally from.  What an amazing way to end our holiday!  We got a taste of what the "real" Portugal is like.  They took us to local restaurants with the most delicious food, introduced us to their friends at the village salao, drove us out to more stunning beaches, and showed us around the medieval village of Obidos.  It was a perfect ending to a wonderful week.

The beach near Caldas da Rainha

The whole gang enjoying the trampoline

The girls on the street in Obidos

I arrived home feeling refreshed, restored and filled up with the love of my friend.  It was just exactly what I needed.  I'm not sure how I've managed to find the most sincere, caring, thoughtful, generous and hospitable friends all over the world.  I certainly don't deserve them.  But I am so, so grateful to have them in my life.

Me & my wonderful Portuguese-American-Aussie-Kiwi friend.  Love her!

What about you?  

Did you have a Spring Break holiday?  

Did it leave you invigorated & ready to jump into this new season?

I hope so!