USVI-On-Line

Posted: **Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:23 am**

Speaking of Frommers, the Paris version of their pocket sized “Day by Day” series is an excellent carry around book with GREAT maps (city and neighborhood level) and really good ideas to build itineraries around with "best of" suggestions, suggested walking tours in the various arrondissements (neighborhoods), etc.

The 2012 version shown here is also in Barnes and Noble stores if you want to check it out
http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-Paris-Da ... 876&sr=8-1

It has 23 self guided tours and 39 (!) maps. Best of all, it has a sturdy foldout front cover that is only about 11x7 with a city map on one side and a very good Paris Metro map (that was easier to understand than the official subway map) on the other side that were invaluable for getting around efficiently to where you wanted to go. I wouldn't use it as a primary source for hotels and restaurants - I would use other sources specializing in those areas, however its useful as a cross reference or you find yourself somewhere that mentions some of their choices. The 2009 version would’ve been REALLY great if it included a bus map that was as good as the Metro map.

So, if you are a "map person" who likes getting around on their own, this is the pocket guide for you.

My daughter is using it now over there. I also gave her a D ring that has a small compass built into it that I normally have hooked onto my camera bag, and confirmed the other day that she indeed had to use it to figure out how to orientate the Frommers neighborhood area map when they came up out of the Metro into a part of the city where the Eiffel Tower was not in the line of sight. Turns out that she has become the de facto navigator over there for a group of fellow students and says she doesn’t like the pressure it puts on her

Welcome to my world when we travel

Posted: **Fri Jun 01, 2012 4:24 pm**

If you are planning a trip up the eiffel tower you should purchase your ticket online now. Currently there is only one lift working and the queue is normally 2+hours at this time. They had no forseeable relief to the problem when we were there. Whenever we passed the ET there was a lengthy line. I will verify that the wait time is no less than 2 hours as I stood in line for our group as we had travel companions who had never been to Paris and wanted to visit the tower.

Posted: **Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:02 pm**

Just got this email from my daughter who is midway thru a 3 week study abroad course in Paris. This is why Paris is one of the great cities of the world when even some college students from New Jersey wandering about the City of Lights can have a day like this:

"Awesome day today. Class was kind of long this morning. I hate Gertrude Stein. Her writing is absolutely horrible and so difficult to read. Then after class everyone split up to do their own thing and me Christine and Devin were our own little group for whole day and it was wonderful. We work very well together. Walked toward The Marais aka the old Jewish quarter which was really cute and quaint and had a ton of little bakeries and shops. We ate at the cutest little cafe that had books all along walls. one of best meals I've had here. Tiny menu on a blackboard so it must be new and fresh everyday. I got quiche with feta, zucchini, and pesto. I dunno if I’ve ever gotten quiche before, but it was DELICIOUS. Came with greens w balsamic and a small veggie soup on side. I was so happy. Then I got cappuccino for dessert. awesome. It was huge and had chocolate sauce on top. I have great pics of the food. So that was a wonderful experience.

Then we walked around a little more and made our way toward hotel de ville area near Notre dame. stopped in some souvenir shops. I bought a little poster for myself thats like an impressionist painting of arc du triomphe and cafe. Perfect for my wall in room.

We walked a lot today, was very cool and cloudy out so at least that kept us warm. We walked to il St. Louis once again and walked all way down street and took time in shops which was really nice not rushing with whole group. Then we made our way back to a bakery we scoped out earlier and were all still really full from such a big late lunch that we just picked up stuff to go. I have a very nice grilled chicken salad and some great looking French bread waiting for me now. It was a long but very nice day."

USVI-On-Line

Paris Help Please