3 Days in Paris
Travel to Paris and get the most out of 3 days, and how setting expectations can be helpful.
Travel to Paris
Romance is truly in the air! Okay, well maybe not, but it could happen with more than three days. Simply put, three days in Paris is more of a tease, than it is a short trip. I left feeling frustrated about the volume of things I didn’t get to see or do, and I don’t usually feel that way after one of our standard 3-day visits to the cities of Europe.
However, we still did a lot, and the reality is that I fell in love with Paris before I had even been there, and once I was, everything I saw just made me want to see more. So, I’ll show you what we did, and then I’ll let you choose from what sounds good to you.
My sister and I taking cute pics out of the windows of our AirBnb.
Choosing a Vacation Rental in Paris
Location is everything, or sometimes, access is everything. Paris is SO massive, that it’s impossible to be in the middle of everything because the “everything” is EVERYWHERE! We decided to split the difference, and choose a place central to the city, but super close to a big metro interchange, so that we could easily get to other parts of the city.
The “BoBos” (Bourgeois-Bohème) of the 11th arrondissement
Given the size of our party (there were 10 of us), it was somewhat easier to find a large apartment in the BoBos, due to the history of that neighborhood.
Four floors up, our lovely front door.
The Churches of Paris
Our Lady, Notre-Dame…
*UPDATE: As I’m sure you’re aware, the world gasped, as it watched the flames engulf the beloved cathedral, in April of 2019.
Image taken from USA Today
Notre-Dame appeared out of nowhere, like a deer jumping out of the woods into plain sight. At least that’s how it felt to me while stumbling around, tripping left and right, because I was trying to see everything all at once. I rounded a corner (not really knowing where I was, or exactly where I was headed), and then BAM! There she was.
If you’ve never traveled, or even if you have, the first time you see something that’s 800 years old (or more), or exists (to you) only in the movies, your heart kinda stops. The world suddenly contracts a little bit, as your brain attempts to connect the concepts of things that are “otherworldly",” to the ground that you are currently standing on and living in the same immediate space with.
For me, when I meet antiquity in this way, I feel very small, but also very connected with the human story of the world. People, things, and places, once so far removed as to feel like they exist only in books and films, suddenly become real, and I exist alongside them. It’s a rush, it’s addicting, and you can’t go back to how you were before you saw it.
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
While not as widely recognized as Notre Dame, the Sacre Coeur is definitely worth visiting. Providing the best views of Paris, it sits atop a hill, gazing down at the city below. The day we chose to make the trek to see it, there was a wine festival happening, so the crowds were definitely in attendance. However, If you’re looking for a more peaceful experience, I’d be sure to check the activity schedule first, by visiting the website.
What would Paris be without food?
Any self-respecting European trip means that you’ll be eating every chance you get. Nice dinners, snacks, cafes, you’ll eat it all, and it will be magical. However, always in the mood for specific experiences, we decided to try something VERY different.
On a special “date night,” away from the rest of the family members, we visited a restaurant called “Dans le Noir,” or as the experience would indicate, Dining in the Dark.
You must lock your phone and camera up, so I don’t have any pictures of this experience.
Unlike anything I had experienced before, you enter a front lobby, where the staff groups people together (even if you don’t know them), and then has you place ALL of your belongings into individual lockers. Purses, watches, phones, it all must be locked-up because if you drop it, or it glows, it will either be lost or ruin the experience for everyone. They take this very seriously.
Next, your group is provided with a server, which at least at this particular location, all of them serve staff, were visually impaired. standing in a line, you place your hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you, and then you are ushered through a snaking hallway to eliminate any light pollution from entering the dining room. Your group is brought to a stop at a table, and you are told to wait. One by one, your server assists you with sitting down and orients you with where your drinks and other table items are located.
Eating is a whole new experience because you only roughly know what you’ll be having before it comes (Ex. Poultry or Seafood), so you get the opportunity to meet and experience the meal in a totally unexpected way.
We had an awesome time, and it was a great new experience for both of us. You should consider going the next time you’re in Paris! You can make a reservation on their website, HERE.
When “normal” is Amazing.
I’m not surprised that people think Parisians are snooty, they may live in the number one tourist city in the world, but the city offers plenty of reasons for people to be living there beyond the tourist trade. With that in mind, being surrounded by gawking, lost, strangers with the same dumb questions, would get old.
Being one of those annoying tourists myself, here are some pictures of our wanderings…
An Evening at the Ritz - Paris
Rapidly running out of time in Paris, we still managed to squeeze in a few memorable things. Thanks to an invitation by some friends of ours, who happened to be staying at the Ritz (not be confused with the Ritz Carlton), we went and had drinks at “Bar Hemingway.” Yep, named for the author, and located inside of the Ritz, this place is amazing, but drinks are VERY expensive, so be prepared to shell out at least 30€ per drink!
A Topless Cabaret
Taking in dinner and a show, we decided to pay a visit to the Lido, and see what there was to see. This being my first time to see a cabaret, and a topless one at that, I didn’t know what to expect, but I enjoyed myself immensely! For obvious reasons, there aren’t pictures allowed inside, but the production value of the show was far beyond what I expected, and I truly enjoyed the whole experience.
If you want to see it the next time you’re in Paris, you can book it HERE.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris would be complete, without seeing this iconic Parisian structure. I caught my first glimpse of it at night, just as the lights had come on…glittering in the night sky like it was kissed with magic.
I had aspirations of seeing it during the day, and visiting the parks that surround it, but it was a bit of a hike for us to get to, and time was an issue. However, I’ll be sure to prioritize a visit the next time I’m there, and will perhaps book a ticket to ride up to the observation deck. You can find ticket information, HERE.
We’ll always have Paris
The time was far too short, but Paris was just the starting point for our France Adventure! Next stop, the Loire Valley and our wedding!!
France Travels: Post 1 of 8
My Spanish Sleeper Train Experience
First of all, I want to go on record as having said how much I enjoy train travel in Europe.
It’s what old Hollywood films are made of…almost.
First of all, I want to go on record as having said how much I enjoy train travel in Europe. It’s cost-effective, it’s comfortable, and much more liberating than being stuck in your seat on an airplane. You could argue that even with the utilization of a high-speed train, it’s still not as fast as flying, but the main difference is that you can still create memorable experiences while on a train.
No matter what, you’re gonna have to pay to sleep somewhere.
Yes, a sleeper train might sound a little pricey at first glance, but if you then consider that you would have to pay for a night at a hotel or Airbnb, I think you’ll find that whatever that cost might be, coupled with the cost of a traditional train ticket the following day, it will ultimately add up to be the same or less money.
Further, a traditional train journey, during the day, means that you’re spending the day traveling, rather than on the ground exploring an area. What if you could kill two birds with one stone, meaning that you could sleep in a bed, and wake-up where you want to be? Sleeper trains for the win!
We booked the Trenhotel provided via the Renfe service, found HERE.
A train trip includes more than your cabin or seat.
After our journey got underway, and our lengthy cabin tour (shown above), we migrated through some of the other cars on the train, until we made our way to the dining car. I don’t know why I didn’t take any pictures, but we proceeded to spend an evening that the four of us argue about to this day.
In the dining car, we set up camp in a four-person booth and proceeded to bust out a couple decks of playing cards. I thought it would be a great idea to implement a rule, where whoever won the hand we were playing, would also be saddled with buying a snack for losers of the hand, that way even if you lost, you still won a snack and therefore everyone wins. Alas, despite having a wonderful evening of snacking and playing games, the ensuing arguments about my snack purchasing rule, have been a legacy that plagues me to this day.
All is well and good until the snacks run out.
We woke up in Barcelona
We were already in Barcelona when we woke the next morning, and with all the traveling already out of the way, we were free to spend the entire day exploring the city! Well rested, and without the typical anxieties associated with jumping from city to city within a day, taking a sleeper train is something I’ll definitely do again.
Questions or Comments?
Lake Como Is Engaging
Did you ever watch that show, “Life Styles of The Rich and Famous?” Places and spaces so glamorous that they couldn’t possibly be real, or accessible to a regular person like myself. At least that’s what I used to think.
If it’s good enough for George Clooney, it’s good enough for me.
Did you ever watch that show, “Life Styles of The Rich and Famous?” Places and spaces so glamorous that they couldn’t possibly be real, or accessible to a regular person like me. At least that’s what I used to think.
Located in the northwest Lombardy region of Italy, just a couple of hours by train from Milan (and a very short bus ride). Lake Como is an upscale lake community, known for dramatic scenery, glamorous villas, and set against the foothills of the Alps.
Scattered along the banks of this stunning lake, are tiny villages which are largely UN-accessible by car, but are connected by a series of water-taxis. It won't take you long before you’ll notice the absence of car noise, and start feeling your entire body start to say, “I could get used to this.”
Travel by bus to Bellagio on Lake Como
Arrival in Bellagio, our home on Lake Como for the next few days.
Heaven on earth, or the home of James Bond villains?
The beauty of this place just doesn’t stop. We stayed in the aptly named “Hotel Bellagio” (try not to think about the hotel in Las Vegas), and spent our days eating gelato and boating around the lake to neighboring towns… you should checkout Varenna if you plan to visit the area. P.S. it is possible to see George Clooney’s house while crossing the lake.
Some things to know:
This isn’t the least expensive place to visit, due to its isolation. You’ll not find chain hotels to use your points at, and if you want to stay near the water, expect to pay a premium. That said, there is a range of prices, and you’ll spend very little time in whatever room you do decide to book, so follow your heart, but try to remember that you’re here for the lake and prioritize location over hotel amenities.
There aren’t cars in the lake communities for a reason. Hills. You will rarely have a flat piece of ground to walk on, so footwear needs to be chosen for practical use. Leave the cute shoes at home ladies, and opt for strappy sandals and ballet flats.
“I villa be back!”
Terrible puns aside, there’s no shortage of amazing homes along the shores, which are open to the public for tours. One of these homes (while we didn’t get a chance to go ourselves), is Villa del Balbianello, which was used as a backdrop in Star Wars episode ll, Attack of The Clones.
However, we spent an afternoon gazing in amazement at the Villa Carlotta, and surrounding gardens and didn’t feel like we missed out on anything.
My life changed forever…
During one of our outings around the lake, my partner of four years, finally popped the big question. I can’t imagine a more perfect place to have experienced that beautiful moment.
The ring is a family heirloom, which I’ll proudly be the third woman in the family to wear.
Cruising on our water taxi back to Bellagio, as a newly engaged couple!
Next stop, Bologna!
Do you have questions or need advise? Comment below!
Italy - Part 2 of 4
3 Grand Days in Granada Spain
I distinctly recall an evening, probably our second day, sitting on the rooftop terrace of our Airbnb. The sun was starting to set, the colors of the city were vibrant, and birds were swooping in the air snatching up their dinners. Somewhere in the city, someone was playing a guitar and singing songs, and while I don’t know what they were singing about, I remember thinking that they must have been happy.
Dreams of Spain, are all made in Granada.
It’s a rare and beautiful thing when your hopes and expectations of what a place will “feel” like, actually materialize into reality.
I didn’t choose to visit Granada because I had any real experience with that particular city, but research seemed to conclude that it might be a nice place to visit. Little did I know, that Granada would prove to embody the experience of Spain as a whole, that I had hoped to obtain. Intangible to be sure, and different for everyone, but Granada was perfect to me.
Additionally, did I mention that it is customary in Granada ONLY, to provide a complimentary tapas when you order a drink? Yep, you heard me correctly, they just bring you something to eat, for FREE. That said, you don’t get to choose what it is, so it might be a bowl of snails, or it might be sardines in oil, but it’s all yummy, and part of the experience.
That lofty Airbnb life…
We stayed in the Albaicin neighborhood, in the central old town, which was the perfect home base, for easy walking access to all the sites. Not to mention, that if there was ever a place that you want to walk everywhere, lest you miss a single square inch of the city, it’s Granada.
Our Airbnb, while small, was super charming, and the host available to us whenever we called (we had trouble with the lock on the door). It had two lofted beds and a sleeper sofa, a cute little kitchen, and a rooftop patio that we GREATLY enjoyed. Not only did this place meet our needs in every way, but it was very cost-effective.
It’s a Flamenco way of life…
I’m a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain (R.I.P. Tony), and when planning a trip, I often refer back to episodes of one of his shows, for tips and inspiration. With that in mind, in his Granada episode, he visited a flamenco club set inside of a cave-dwelling, of which there are many surrounding Granada, and so I set my heart on doing the same.
Flamenco was born here, out of a cultural “blending'“ (people known as Gypsies) that were at the time, not well-liked. To escape some of the hostilities, they took to the hillsides, where they carved out whole communities into the rocky cliffs above the city. Gypsies are still prevalent in Granada, albeit more made up of young Europeans, even to this day.
Whatever the nationality, Granada is home to artists, musicians, and students, a recipe for simmering energy, which can be both seen and heard. Due to the landscape of Andalusia, which is very rocky and hilly, Granada sits in a bowl, providing natural amplification to the music being played by the gypsies throughout the day.
Gypsies and dancing aside, Granada is a vibrant place, filled with colors and pleasant sounds. The history is rich, and it’s reflected in the ornamentation of not just the historical sights and grand buildings, but also in the homes of the people that live there. Elaborate flower boxes, porcelain tiles or even plates, all show a love for the place they live.
The Alhambra
There’s very little I can say about the Alhambra which would do it any justice. The history is very interesting, but to see it in person…it’ll change you.
We were VERY lucky, we were able to scoop up some tickets by arriving at the entrance at the butt crack of dawn, but had I known, I would have booked well in advance of our arrival. We lucked out, but I wouldn’t advise anyone to try our method, rather, you should book several months in advance, and get an audio guide with your ticket, HERE.
Also, some people will tell you to budget 4 hours to tour it, but if you really want to see and appreciate it, take your time, it took us about 8 hours and I can’t imagine having done it in less.
About the Gypsies, a word of advice.
Unlike displaced people in America, you’ll encounter two distinctly different groups of transient people in Spain. Specific to Granada, are the gypsies. Gypsies are nomadic artists, seeking to earn income through the playing of music, selling jewelry, or telling of fortunes. The latter can happen without your consent, so if they grab your hand or arm, don’t hesitate to pull away with a firm “no thank you,” and keep moving, or they will demand that you pay them for the service they provide without your having asked for it. However, the jewelry is not bad quality (at least the jewelry that I purchased), and they are largely harmless.
The second group of people is more akin to what we call “panhandlers.” This group is much more aggressive than what we experience in the US. People from this group will come up to your table while eating at outdoor restaurants and shove a cup in your face. Typically the restaurant staff watches out for you, but sometimes you’re on your own. I’m not going to tell you what to do, in terms of giving them what they are pressing you for, but I am just telling you that it took me by surprise the first time it happened.
One evening in Granada
I distinctly recall an evening, probably our second day, sitting on the rooftop terrace of our Airbnb. The sun was starting to set, the colors of the city were vibrant, and birds were swooping in the air snatching up their dinners. Somewhere in the city, someone was playing a guitar and singing songs, and while I don’t know what they were singing about, I remember thinking that they must have been happy. This is how I will remember my time in Granada.
Questions or Comments? Leave them in the comments below.
From Spain to Morocco A Day Trip
I can’t stress enough, how odd it is to be standing on the beach, and literally be able to SEE Africa. A mere 45 minutes via high-speed ferry, the opportunity to set foot on the continent, was simply too good to pass up.
There and back again, a tale of two continents.
It’s a common misconception, that the Rock of Gibraltar is the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. An oddity in it of itself, we were tempted to go see it, but instead opted for the actual southernmost point of Spain, Tarifa.
A lazy beach town, Tarifa is a popular destination for kite surfing, and ferry crossings over to Morocco. I can’t stress enough, how odd it is to be standing on the beach, and be able to SEE Africa. A mere 45 minutes via high-speed ferry, the opportunity to set foot on the continent, was simply too good to pass up.
With the assistance of the staff at our hotel, we booked a One Day Cultural Tour of Tangier, through FRS. It was very reasonably priced, at just €66, it included our passage via high-speed ferry, tour guide, and transportation, as well as lunch.
A few things to know about Tangier…
Morocco is a Muslim country, and while it is very welcoming to tourists, it is recommended that women wear conservative clothing, i.e. no tank tops or shorts.
The people of Tangier DO NOT like to be in photos, particularly in the bazaars.
Tangier has left its glory days behind it, so expect to see a lot of crumbling infrastructure and trash, as well as stray cats.
Shopping in Tangier
I did a LOT of research on “how” to shop for rugs, before our visit. That said, I still found it overwhelming when it came right down to it. The city of Tangier depends on tourism, and as most tourists are just day visitors (as we were), expect to be relentlessly hounded from the time you arrive, until the time you leave.
Adding to the stress of the rug hunt is the fact that we were only there on a cultural tour, and had only an hour and a half of allocated time for shopping. The rug situation is not an experience you can just breeze through, and very few of the shop keepers spoke good English, so finding the style of rug that I wanted, was even more challenging.
With all that said, I found a rug and commenced with the haggling process (not a fan). It’s important to consider a few factors when haggling:
Sellers inflate the prices to start with, and if they know you’re an American, they start even higher (this is true in a lot of places).
Yes, they are poor, but unless the product is truly of good craftsmanship, you saw it being made, or have a way to verify authenticity, don’t be a sucker for a sad story.
Discuss your haggling strategy beforehand with your travel buddy, so they don’t think you’re either a rageaholic or undermine you unknowingly.
Don’t be afraid to walk away.
My shopping summary
In the end, I purchased my rug at 45% below the initial asking price. I started at offering 50% of their asking price and had decided before starting, what my limit was. I’m glad I did because haggling can go ON and ON…
However, in some of the smaller item stores, it’s safe to say that everyone in our party got thoroughly ripped off. With all the same haggling strategies in play, we all still ended-up way overpaying for “silver” jewelry that quickly proved to not be real silver, and “handmade” carvings that we later found to have been made in China, and being sold at a fraction of the “good price” we had achieved during our haggle sessions.
While the stories and experiences ultimately made all that junk worth the price, I’ll know better the next time I’m in Morocco, probably for purchasing more rugs (which is hanging on my wall to this day) ;)
Highlight of Tangier
As silly as it may sound, our brief camel ride on the side of the road, was the M.V.M. (most valuable moment) of our time in Tangier. At just 3€, it was also the best money I’ve ever spent on a novelty experience.
Iberian Peninsula: Post 4 of 7
Questions or Comments? Leave me a note in the comments section :)
Two Sweet Days in Seville Spain
If you’ve ever been to Kansas City Missouri, chances are good that you visited the Country Club Plaza, a treasured outdoor shopping district, modeled upon the one and only, Seville Spain.
Did you know, that Seville smells like citrus?
I’ll never forget the smell of Seville, either because I had just spent multiple hours on a bus and was desperate to be anywhere other than that bus, or because the city smelled as strongly of citrus as how I remember.
Arriving in Seville, was an odd mix of relief, excitement, and familiarity. If you’ve ever been to Kansas City Missouri, chances are good that you visited the Country Club Plaza, a treasured outdoor shopping district, modeled upon the one and only, Seville Spain. A mere shadow of the real thing, it still elicited a feeling of unconscious familiarity, walking past the actual structures themselves, for the very first time.
But back to the citrus. Lining the streets of Seville, are orange trees, oranges not for eating, but commonly used for making marmalade as they are considered too bitter for eating. The trees provide shade to the buildings and sidewalks, from the relentless Spanish sun, with the bonus of a sweet citrus smell wafting through the air.
Sometimes, less is more.
If you ever attempt to plan a trip for more than two people in Europe, you’ll quickly discover the challenge of finding multi-person rooms. Additional challenges might also be for stays of less than three nights, which was a hugely limiting factor for us while in Seville.
However, all things being equal, we opted for a four-person room at a hostile, in the area which we hoped to concentrate our limited time. Some rooms had private bathrooms, while ours only had communal, but all had access to laundry service and the location was AMAZING. If you need to save a few bucks, and still want that gold star location, I’d suggest giving them a try.
*Point of fact, we were still able to book this hostile room through Airbnb (HERE)
My experience of Seville, albeit limited by time, was very pleasant. Something I observed, was how clean the core of the city was, no trash or foul odors to be found. Trash was collected each day, and the trash trucks were followed by cleaning crews which would wash the dumpsters and surrounding areas. I’ve never observed something like this in any other place I’ve ever visited.
This is not a game.
But parts of Game of Thrones were filmed here.
Built for the Worlds Fair in 1929, the Plaza de España is a wonder to behold, and I can’t recommend it highly enough, taking the time to tour it.
Gotta get some of that church…
The Seville Cathedral, still a functioning church, regularly holds services which you might observe while wandering through its chambers. More than just a church, it’s also the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, which is available to view from an exterior entrance.
It was short but sweet, and I would consider returning to Seville. I would choose it again over visiting a larger city, such as Madrid.
Iberian Peninsula: Post 2 of 6
Questions or comments, leave them below!
Porcelain, and Pastry in Portugal
One of the best value destinations in Europe, Portugal should be on every travelers list.
A Best Value Destination, Portugal should be on every traveler's list.
Porcelain tiles cover the buildings of Lisbon, bold colors, elaborate doors, artfully designed stone walkways, and colorful graffiti, make exploring Lisbon a pleasure for the eyes and senses.
From the moment you arrive in Lisbon, you’ll be enchanted with all things Portugal. The landscape is hilly, streets winding and views impressive. Music drifts from the doorways of small cafe’s and tucked away restaurants, “Fado” (the traditional music of Lisbon) is a beautiful, albeit sad sound, telling stories of hardship and loss, which only a place as rich with history, can do. This place will endear itself in your memory.
Cork, port, and pastry
The primary export of Portugal is cork, which you’ll see in all shapes and sizes, and a variety of uses, being sold at tourist shops.
Perhaps a cork Christmas tree ornament as a little memento?
Seafood is also in abundance here, sardines caught fresh and prepared in innumerable ways, are a food of choice, alongside a small pour of another popular export, port.
Perhaps a particular point of pride for the people of Lisbon is a small custard tart by the name of pastel de nata. The most popular place to experience one of these tasty treats is the famous Pastéis de Belém, located near the waterfront and monument to the Explorers.
Home away from home
While in Lisbon, we stayed at a charming little B&B, by the name of the “Lisbon Rooftop Guesthouse.” The proprietor was beyond accommodating, and despite our arrival not occurring until well after midnight (due to delay), he met us personally, to help get us settled upon our eventual arrival at the door.
Breakfast was provided each morning, and the personal attention was exceedingly helpful with not just planning our daily outings, but in general, setting us at ease in the space.
At less than $60 per night, I can’t imagine staying anywhere else, if I should ever return to Lisbon. A true value among accommodations.
So much to see, so little time…
It’s safe to say, that it takes more than two full days to truly see a city, and two days in Lisbon is an injustice. Striving to make the most of our limited time (cut short by an entire day, due to flight delays), we still managed to fall in love with the city.
Iberian Peninsula: Post 1 of 6
Feel free to ask questions below!
Milan, The Gateway to Italian Gelato
Flight deals and hotel points, just add romantic destination and you’ll have a recipe for vacation success!
Tiny cappuccinos, Caprese salads, and all the wine you could want
just some of what Italy has to offer
For some, the process of deciding where to go, once you know that you’re ready to go “abroad,” can feel daunting. On the flip side, there can be SO many places that you want to go, it can feel impossible to narrow it down to a single country. However, Italy is one of those places that even a seasoned traveler, would have a difficult time passing up an opportunity to visit, and when a really good flight deal presents itself, one needs only to say “Si!”
Our Italy story begins early in the year, when Emirates Airlines, runs their Valentine's Day specials. *Tip, for those of us that don’t live near to a major international airport, it can often be much more cost-effective, to fly to another city, and then jump across the pond from there. Emirates sometimes offers 2 for 1 flight deals, and while you may be able to find more traditional flight deals for the same or even less cost, I GUARANTEE that the flight experience won't be as nice as the coach experience on an Emirates flight.
For the price of $850, for two people (you heard me right, $425 pp), we flew round-trip from New York to Milan Italy, and we redeemed Southwest points to fly from Kansas City to New York, so it was a win-win for us. I would encourage you to sign-up for their email, so you can take advantage of this, and their other promotions.
I don’t have any photos from our flight, but it was the most elegant flight experience I’ve ever had! The flight crew was amazing, the seats were roomy and comfortable (even in coach), and the food was served with linen napkins and chilled silverware…better than some restaurant experiences.
There are a few train options to get from the airport to center of Milan, we chose the slower and cheaper option which took around an hour, but helped ease the chaos of arrival and allowed us to collect ourselves and game plan for next steps.
Milan is GORGEOUS! Also, if you’re not a coffee drinker when you arrive, you’ll be one by the time you leave.
Points are a travelers best friend.
The most expensive part of traveling isn’t the flights, it’s the accommodations. Despite the variety of affordable options available that can significantly reduce this particular pain point, there is still a benefit to nice hotels, which is priceless when travel weary.
Loyalty points are a lifesaver where hotels are concerned. To this end, I recommend putting all of your eggs in one basket where hotel chains are concerned and take advantage of available multipliers that may be offered. For us, Marriott is where it’s at, and point redemption has allowed us to stay in hotels MUCH nicer than what we could otherwise afford.
With that in mind, stumbling off of an overnight flight, groggy, in need of a shower, and luggage in tow, a nice hotel that can easily be found and has a staff that’s ready to assist you when you’re not thinking clearly, is the best way to arrive in a new place. Arriving at the Boscolo Milano was like having someone give you a glass of cold water on a hot summer day, and then offer to think for you. I struggle with decision making, until after I’ve been able to shower and change my clothes, so the fewer hoops I have to jump through after my flight lands, the better.
UPDATE: The Boscolo Milano is now the Palazzo Matteotti Milan
What trip to Milan would be complete without a visit to the Duomo?
Our time in Milan was very limited, but it would be remiss to visit such a city and not pay homage to at least one of the jewels in its crown. Fortunately for us, the Duomo di Milano was just a short walk from our hotel. Unfortunately, it was pouring down rain, and the line to get inside was more than an hour-long, but the floor by itself, was more than worth the wait!
View of the Duomo from our hotel rooftop.
With our feet firmly planted on the Italian soil, and a lovely day and a half in Milan under our belts, we’re ready for our next destination, Lake Como.
Do you have questions or need advice? Comment below!
Italy - Part 1 of 4