After a wonderful "Getting To Know You" and picking our partners, we feasted in a small restaurant and then, with the moon high above tranquil Paris, we went for a ride along the Seine. We saw the many sights that earned this "The City Of Lights".
We arose early next morning and ready to see Paris. After
a brief tutorial about the Paris Metro (one of the cleanest systems I have ever seen!), we hit the ground. Dimitri took us to where it all began - the Ile de la Cité. We were greeted by the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle. What, I wondered, could surpass that? Notre Dame, of course. As if this weren't enough, we were totally engrossed in the Latin Quarter section - a perfect spot for a bit of lunch, relaxation and to witness in action Paris' elite artist colony. After a short rest, it was onwards to the magnificent Orsay Museum (think an historic setting (an old railroad station)) filled with some of the world's best artistic treasures!
We arose early next morning and ready to see Paris. After
a brief tutorial about the Paris Metro (one of the cleanest systems I have ever seen!), we hit the ground. Dimitri took us to where it all began - the Ile de la Cité. We were greeted by the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle. What, I wondered, could surpass that? Notre Dame, of course. As if this weren't enough, we were totally engrossed in the Latin Quarter section - a perfect spot for a bit of lunch, relaxation and to witness in action Paris' elite artist colony. After a short rest, it was onwards to the magnificent Orsay Museum (think an historic setting (an old railroad station)) filled with some of the world's best artistic treasures!
The next day started with the group in a happy mood.
There was a bit of bittersweetness about it - these were our last few hours in Paris - but we would leave on a high note - after a guided tour of the Louvre.
The next few hours found us in a magical world where it seemed that every image we had seen as children were suddenly coming alive in front of us.
How else can you explain walking into that mystical temple, the Musee Louvre, and seeing Winged Victory, the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and an endless parade of the worlds best art work! Our guide, who seemed to know the Louvre like the back of her hand, bought each piece of artwork to life. It was an unforgettable moment (one of many on our tour, might I add) and we enjoyed each second of it before we set out to the beauties of Beaune.
There was a bit of bittersweetness about it - these were our last few hours in Paris - but we would leave on a high note - after a guided tour of the Louvre.
The next few hours found us in a magical world where it seemed that every image we had seen as children were suddenly coming alive in front of us.
How else can you explain walking into that mystical temple, the Musee Louvre, and seeing Winged Victory, the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and an endless parade of the worlds best art work! Our guide, who seemed to know the Louvre like the back of her hand, bought each piece of artwork to life. It was an unforgettable moment (one of many on our tour, might I add) and we enjoyed each second of it before we set out to the beauties of Beaune.