Travel & Tell

 

I love to hear travelers memoirs, experiences, and recommendations of any given destination whether i’ve been there, am going back, or want to go somewhere new. It is  ideal to go beyond the books and travel sites and hear fellow travelers stories, inspiration, and favorite things about a given place.  I thought I’d create a Travel and Tell where you can share your experience as well as read mine and gain inspiration, excitement, and knowledge about a particular special spot you may never know about. The first Travel & Tell will be dedicated to PARIS, where my heart truly belongs ; )

 

-PARIS-

- What’s the first thing you do when rolling out of bed?

I love to pull back my thick rustic drapes in my funky little apartment or hotel and look at the most mesmeric city, anticipating my day. Then i’ll run down to the corner patisserie and grab a cafe’ au lait and a warm, fresh, flaky buttery croissant as I walk the cobblestone streets.

-Everyday in this city I love to…

Roam around aimlessly, taking in every picturesque side-street, boutique, cafe’ and experience life like the beautiful Europeans do. Enjoying every sip of coffee, every bite of food, and every breath.

-Best Museum or Cultural Spot?

-The Carnavalet Museum in the Marais has always been a special spot of mine. It is a stunningly beautiful mansion-esque museum with the most lovely garden courtyard. I also love Musee D’orsay, not so much for the ART, but because it’s in the most fantastic old train station with a huge clock that hovers above the entire gallery.

- The most fantastic restaurant and why?

-Chez Janou in le Marais is a cluttered, trendy, local joint with cozy dining areas, divine food, reminiscent of your grandmother’s kitchen. For dessert enjoy a gargantuan bowl of Chocolat Mousse with a ladel to serve all your guests. The company in this restaurant is wonderfully hip, uniquely familiar and all coincide in this beautiful little gem.

-Most fabulous hidden gem…

- There are an endless amount of hidden nooks in Paris, one being Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore located on Isle St. Louis. This beautifully cluttered, organically hip, treasure chest of classics is heavenly and a must visit.

-Best Park, Beach, or point of relaxation?

-One of my favorite places in Paris is Place De Vosges.  A beautiful Park surrounded by a quaint square of Historic Buildings, one being home to the famous Victor Hugo. I can lay there for hours sipping on pellegrino, eating fresh baguette & brie with the perfect book in hand.

-I LOVE to shop at….

Anywhere in Le Marais is fabulous, little boutiques line the streets housing the most beautiful pieces, leather, lace, and home goods. I would love to be able to shop in St. Germain at Yves Saint Laurent, yet it is only a matter of time Another wonderful spot is in the Palais Royale, lining the park are amazing Vintage shops and  a beautiful Marc Jacobs.

-The best bar or nightlife spot?

-Right down the way from Saint-Germain du Pres is the best strip of bars. Bar du Marche’ is a boho little joint that is authentically parisian and full of locals and wanderers. Come here for drinks, sit outside and people watch, enjoy the good company you will definitely meet. All around St. Germain the nightlife is happening, roam around aimlessly and  you will find the perfect spot for a memorable evening out.

-If I could I would love to stay at….

The Ritz staring over the Tuilleries and the Tour Eiffel.

-Favorite Area in this city or destination?

-Its probably quite obvious by now…the Marais. I also love, Isle St. Louis and the charming little streets it beholds.

-SHOES SHOES SHOES…

-Other than Christian Louboutin and true Parisian Ateliers there’s a great little spot I always visit called Jonak. Beautiful shoes at a beautiful price.

-Quirky attractions and must sees…

- This is not so much a quirky attraction but it it definitely a place you have to visit. The Jewish Quarter or Rue du Roisiers is a fantastic depiction of culture, religion, and uniqueness. There are the most fantastic middle eastern and Sephardic restaurants that you must visit, one being Chez Marianne. An eclectic, overly crowded, fabulous restaurant Chez Marianne is the perfect spot to savor an afternoon or evening in paris.

-Favorite Cultural food, ideal, way of life…

- I love how the French love to SAVOR life. They enjoy their meals for hours at a time, they indulge in Vin Rouge and apertifs at lunch, they live unhindered and beautifully free-spirited.

-BEST Coffee Shop or Bakery?

- There is the best Coffee Shop/Bakery on the Rue du Faubourg St. Antoine in Le Marais. I don’t remember the name but I go back everytime. It has the most beautiful blue floral exterior and once you walk in you feel as if you’ve been transported to the olden days where everything is perfect and wonderfully simplistic. The pastries are to die for and the coffee is divine.

-If you could go back what would you do??!

- Everytime I go back to a city I want to live like the locals, steer away from the tourism and indulge in all the rich aspects of life.

-Feels like, looks like, sounds like…

-Feels a your in a historical wonderland with all of your senses being satisfied at the same moment. Looks beautiful, antiquitous, surreal. Sounds like the hustle and bustle of city with the incessant chatter of the melodious French language.

NOW, If you have visited PARIS I would like YOU to fill out this questionnaire below in the comments box, with your experiences to enlighten others,  share memories, and inspire everyone to visit this place. I will post them for all to see!

Travel & Tell on Wanderlust Diaries…

xx Isabella