We have been home for a week now and as in past blogs, I planned one last entry after our return. Kim and I were very jet lagged upon getting home and were not surprised when we both became ill, this has happened before. Out of caution, we decided to test for Covid and … oops a positive test for both. So we wrapped the trip with days of isolation which with jet lag was not that hard to do. We did check while away when Kim developed a cold but that came up negative. So an interesting way to end a trip.
Enough on that. We spent the last few days before returning enjoying our neighborhood and had great meals at Le Grand Colbert and Aux Crus de Bourgogne both of which we recommend. I did get a chance to fold in one more new place, Tour Maine-Montparnasse. For years it was the tallest building in France and when completed its appearance was so criticized that a ban on buildings over 7 stories in the city center resulted. It also has an observatory deck with fantastic views of Paris enhanced by, according to some, the fact the tower itself is not visible. Rough!
We were very sad to leave, the sign of a great trip. We have many other travel ideas in our back pocket but we can see more trips like this in the future no matter where else we go.
Pictures from the final days are below. This trip was planned with the help of Deb Siegle who was very patient with us as we planned and debated. Much appreciated Deb! For the apartment, Deb used HVN which has a nice selection of rentals available around the world. We had another apartment arranged with HVN and when they received some bad feedback on it they proactively offered us another, larger apartment at no additional cost. Very nice!
Ok, after 3 years I get to declare another blog wrapped!
Porte Saint-Denis
Flocking friends at Porte Saint-Denis.
Palais Garnier, home of the Paris Opera.
Nocturnal wanderings around the Palais-Royal.
Paris view from Tour Maine-Montparnasse.
The Louvre from Tour Maine-Montparnasse.
A wider view of The Louvre with Jardin des Tuileries to the left.
Hôtel des Invalides with the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile to the upper left.
Le Jardin du Luxembourg from Tour Maine-Montparnasse.
Cimetière du Montparnasse from Tour Maine-Montparnasse.
Tour Maine-Montparnasse. Yeah… I get the criticism.
Afternoon relaxation at the Grand Bassin Rond. The Musée d’Orsay is visible to the upper right.
Flying home past a favorite place.
Coast of Iceland
Volcanic crater in Iceland.
