August 21, 2016 - Tanya's Magical Anniversary Trip - Day 5 - Paris and 16 Historical & Fun Facts About Paris

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Paris is Always a Good Idea

​Well, hello!

I have to tell you, I’m writing my blog to you from outside on my porch.  I worked painstakingly hard with my Dad to fix it up over the past few months.  It had really been neglected over the past few years.

So, Dad and I worked together to fix broken steps - they literally had holes in them - and re-stain the floor.  We even re-painted the wicker furniture so it looks nearly brand new.

Who says a woman needs a husband - my Dad taught me and my sister no differently than he would have, if he had sons.  And we are the luckier for it!  In fact, I am teaching my two daughters to be handy so they too, can be independent one day.

But, I digress.  So, I decided to enjoy my lovely side porch. And wouldn’t you know it - as soon as I put the cushions out on the newly painted furniture, the sky became dark and it began to rain.  I LOVE IT!!!! And if that’s not crazy enough, I totally LOVE the sound of thunder!! None so far, but hopefully, we’ll get some soon!

The cool breeze coupled with the rustling in the breeze and of course, the lovely sound of the rain coming down gently all around!  So peaceful and relaxing. The perfect way to sit and write!

View of the rain in my yard from my porch (c)travelincousins.com

Now, if you happened to catch Tanya’s blog yesterday (Magical Anniversary Trip Day 4) you would see that her last day in London was a rainy one, which she was absolutely thrilled about.  What is it about us cousins, that we enjoy the rain so much.
Reminds me of our WET DAY in Vienna last Summer on Mariahilfer Strasse.

Two cousins enjoying touring in the rain in Vienna (c)travelincousins.com

Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna (c)travelincousins.com

Well, as of yesterday, Tanya was officially in her second European city - Paris, France!
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I cannot express how much I love Paris!! One of my favorite cities in the world.  Having been there three times, I’m most happy about the fact that I exposed my girls to this amazing and historical city at a young age and as a result, they both LOVE IT and cannot wait to return!!

Me and my gang during our 2013 trip at the Hotel Regina (same Paris hotel featured in The Bourne Identity!) (c)travelincousins.com

My Little French Girl, Kelsey (c)travelincousins.com

With my Paris-loving Gianna at The Louvre (c)travelincousins.com

So, guess what I’m going to share with you… you guessed it...

16 Historical & Fun Facts about Paris, France

The Eiffel Tower (c)travelincousins.com

1. ​Île de la Cité is the birthplace of Paris over 2000 years ago.

2. Lutecia, as Paris was then called, became Roman in 52 BC and was a prosperous town of about 8 000 inhabitants until 280 when Lutecia was first destroyed by barbarians.

3. During the roman times, Lyon was the capital of France, then named the Gaul.

4. The only remarkable remains of these times are the Roman Baths in the Musee de Cluny, the museum of middleages and the Lutecia Arenas.

5. Since 508 A.D, Paris is the capital of France, a member of the European Union, the largest country of Western Europe with 550,000 square kilometers and the second country in population behind Germany with 66 million inhabitants.

Roman Baths in the Musee de Cluny (photo credit: en.wikipedia.org)

6. In 1328, Paris, the capital of France, was the most populous city of Europe.

7. Until 1358, the french Kings had their Palace in La Conciergerie on Ile de la Cite. They then moved to the Louvre, a fortress at the time. 

8. Under King Louis XIV Paris was extended to Le Marais and Les Invalides and the Royal residence was moved from The Louvre to the ornate Versailles Palace near Paris.  

9. The French revolution started on July 14th with the taking of La Bastille prison which was then demolished. It lead to the fall of the monarchy in 1792, new liberties for the French people, but also wars, mass executions and the beheading of King Louis XVI on Place de la Concorde in 1793.

10. The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 world exhibition. It was the world's tallest building until 1930.

Notre Dame, Paris (c)travelincousins.com

11. Known throughout the world as the "City of Light,” referring to the intellectuals and high-concentration of writers, artists and academics that have always been drawn to the city.
 
12. All the trees in Paris are referenced and measured. And there are 470,000 of them.
 
13. Paris has approximately 2.3 million inhabitants.

14. The main bell in the Notre Dame Cathedral weighs over 13 tonnes. And it's called Emmanuel.
 
15. There are 6,100 streets in Paris

16. There are 1,784 bakeries in Paris. 


Oh, to be in Paris now!!! 


Hope it's a wonderful Sunday for you!!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: LUXEMBOURG

A short and sweet trip to Paris 

Hi there! Happy Sunday to you!

Or should I say:

Gudde Mëtteg (Good Afternoon in Luxembourgish)

I was on the move again early this morning - this time I bopped on over from Paris to the Municipality of Luxembourg (2,586 km2)!

As you might notice that I'm on a quest to visit all of the smallest countries in Europe - having already been to Andorra (468 km2) a few months ago, and having already been to Vatican City (0.44 km2), Monaco (1.95 km2), Litchenstein (160 km2), and Malta (316 km2).

Leaving San Marino (61 km2) left, and they are already on our itinerary during our Euro Ski Circuit trip in February.

But regardless, today I am telling you as much as I can about yesterday and my time in Paris.
The reason I say as much as I can, is because I am having internet issues and just like a few days ago when I was also having SD card issues...well guess what. I'm not only having internet issues, but I'm having SD card issues too (and it's a different CD card).
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We arrived in from London via the very first train that left the city. I napped on board and before I knew it we were in Paris!

Since lugging around a ton of luggage isn't my favorite thing, we went to check in and/or store our luggage at our hotel.

We we happened to luck out and our room was about to be ready within 10 minutes of our arrival. 

Once the bags were gone, the next task at hand was eating. So we strolled along the nearby Avenue des Champ-Élysées and hopped the Metropolitan Subway to a lovely and highly rated vegan restaurant near Bastille.

Lunch was wonderful, and after eating I was on the move once again. After checking my pedometer yesterdays totals were at 7 miles and that would be 7 miles in my new shoes - and a total of the past couple of days being already at walking 27 miles strolling these iconic cities! 
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Think I might need a foot massage. lol

And the beautiful city was dazzling with a gorgerous blue sky that was dotted with a few clouds. Not to mention how the city was in bloom - I just love all the flowers!

Okay, I have to apologize because I have to end here - I have been doing nothing but fighting with the internet connection and it's getting me know where.

Any pictures - and there are lots that I want to share with you will have to come at a later date.

Please enjoy reading Elisa's column and the facts that she's shared with us all about Paris!!

I'll be back to join you tomorrow and share with you this little delightful Luxembourg. I'm hoping not to have too many issues, as I will be working with another new connection and be in another new city!!

I'll be heading to one of my favorites - do you know which one?

Ciao 4 Now,
​-T