Travel has been my dream & in two weeks we’ll be making our first trip abroad! Family & friends ask why I chose London & Paris? My choice was heavily influenced by favorite authors ranging from the Bronte sisters to Catherine Cookson & modern Katie Fforde. And I look forward to visiting Chaucer’s Canterbury. Historical fiction based on Anne Boleyn has intrigued me. In high school I flew thru Tale of Two Cities & enjoyed it! And I still remember the portion of Portia’s speech from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice that we had to memorize:
The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed.
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Ok so my literature teachers had a bit of influence! …on to details of the trip:
For me anticipation is most of the excitement! I have been planning this trip for a year. We’re going to be staying at the historic Sanctuary House Hotel in Westminster just steps away from Westminster Abbey. It has just 34 rooms & is located over a pub that serves traditional food. I chose the location because I wanted to be close to everything. On our last trip to Victoria BC we did the same & it was nice to walk & not rely on taxis.
I have a list of places to visit & we will be using the tube. I have three day trips planned. We’ll be celebrating our 22nd anniversary so that calls for a trip on the Eurostar to Paris. The footage on building the chunnel is fascinating & the idea that it runs at 186 mi/hr thru the French countryside is exhilarating! We hope to visit the Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral de Notre Dame & the Louvre (I have to go see the Mona Lisa!) as well as have some crepes. :)
The other two day trips will be to: 1) Leeds Castle, Dover Cliffs & Canterbury & 2) we want to go to medieval Windsor & it’s castle.
I’m also VERY excited to have the opportunity to get together with & hear Steve Bridges speak. He’s a Social Media Consultant & Online Community Mentor. His interview at the Buzz Bin is very informative.
And I won’t be taking my laptop so I’ll be offline. My iTouch will provide a bit of connection but I plan on unplugging in the last part of May.
If you have suggestions for restaurants or must-see places in London/Paris please let me know.
Looks fab! I am so excited for you!
David Lebovitz, a cooking instructor who lives in Paris, has a blog. He runs chocolate and bakery tours there but if you don’t have time for a tour, he also recommends a restaurant now and then. I would check out his blog for ideas.
Both cities are wonderful. Enjoy!
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/index.html
Looking forward to meeting you, too Connie.