36 Hours in Paris

What a wonderful weekend we had in Paris!

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It was the perfect, quick 36-hour trip to the city of lights.

Bo and I decided to use AirBnB for the first time on this quick trip to Paris in hopes of saving a bit of money. As its peak tourist season in Paris many of the hotels in Champs-Elysees, where my aunt and uncle were staying, were over $300 per night. We found a studio apartment located just 10 minutes from their hotel for $150 per night! It had a few quirks, such as the below sparkly toilet lid, but was overall a perfect spot for our quick weekend and far cheaper than area hotels.

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We kicked off our weekend with an hour bike ride followed by champagne and cheese enjoyed waterside in a new to us neighborhood, Canal St Martin.

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The highlights of our trip took place on Saturday, a very full day spent with my aunt and uncle while  enjoying as much of Paris’ food, wine and culture as possible!

The Louvre

Our first stop was the Louvre, as my aunt and uncle hadn’t been to Paris since the famous I.M Pei Louvre pyramid opened in 1988!  

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We discovered two things about the Louvre this time around:

1) You can buy Louvre tickets in advance which will save you valuable time! You can’t pick them up at the Louvre but there are lots of ticket pickup spots around the city or, if you plan far enough in advance, they can mail them to your home or hotel!

2) The medieval Louvre exhibit, underneath the current Louvre, was a part of the Louvre we’d never seen before and really loved! On a crowded, Summer day it can provide welcome relief from the heat and the crowds.

Lunch

After the Louvre we enjoyed lunch, Parisian style, at Le Madeleine 7. I love sitting on the street sipping wine and enjoying a huge salad after a busy morning. Located between the Louvre and the Opera House, a bright red awning and huge salads caught our eye as we walked by the restaurant. It was still packed at 2pm and most people sounded and appeared as if they were locals, always a good sign.

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The Paris Opera House

After three trips to Paris in the past year, we finally checked the Paris Opera House off of our “must see” list! So many people and articles have recommended touring the Paris Opera house that this was the first thing we booked this trip! We bought tickets ahead of time for a self-guided tour and audio guides which allowed us to visit at any time yesterday versus being locked into a particular guided tour slot. The audio guide tour was 45 minutes in length and took us through the entire space including the grand theatre, the halls, and special exhibits!

Bo and I agree that this is one of Paris’ highlights. It  features architecture and design that doesn’t necessarily fit well in any category, but its utter exuberance will make you gasp upon entering at the grandness of the design and decor. Another random fact is that this was being built while the Americans were fighting the Civil War.

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Dinner and Drinks in Saint-Germain-des-Pres

A perfect counterpoint to the right bank of Paris, Saint-Germain-des-Pres reminds me of Gramercy and the West Village in New York City. Narrow, tree-lined streets with cobblestone roads meant more for pedestrians to walk, hand in hand, than for cars. Cafes are plentiful and many fit no more than 50 in their small spaces. The beautiful and perfectly maintained Luxembourg Gardens sit at one end while the Seine, Notre Dame and the Louvre are all within walking distance just north of the area.

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The concierge at my aunt and uncle’s hotel recommended Brasserie Lipp, a Paris restaurant which has been a favorite spot of Hemingway and many others over the years. Last night the restaurant was empty when we arrived at 8pm but packed and bustling by 9:30 when we left. I’d suggest this restaurant for a traditional French bistro dinner but wish our reservations had been for 9 or 10pm in order to get the full restaurant experience. They didn’t like cameras so I don’t have any pictures from dinner itself, but my steak was cooked perfectly rare, just the way I like it, and everyone loved each of their dishes.

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Following dinner Bo and I introduced Rusty and Randy to our favorite neighborhood and park, meandering down the small streets, laughing about our wonderful day and planning our next adventure. We felt so lucky to have this time with them while they were in Europe, blessed that Geneva is located so centrally.

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Later in the evening, after the Luxembourg Garden gates closed, we found ourselves not wanting the night to end. Instead of parting ways, we stumbled upon a wonderful, intimate bar, Le Mont Verdi,  where we enjoyed a few night caps. If you find yourself in the area, please go. The live piano, candlelight, book-lined bar, and perfect pours were the perfect ending to our day together in Paris. (source)

Have you been to Paris? If so, what is your favorite restaurant or spot in Paris?

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Best Places to Eat in Savannah

This weekend many of my blog buddies are spending time in my favorite city – Savannah! As most of you know, Bo and I were both raised in Savannah, calling it home until we each left for college at the age of 18. While we only get back 1-2 times per year the gorgeous moss covered oak trees, marsh grass sunsets, beach walks, history, and, of course, our family still make it our favorite city. Whether you are in town for 24 hours or moving there permanently, I thought I would put together a list of our favorite restaurants, bars, and sights.

Most of these spots are conveniently located within walking distance to downtown, historic Savannah hotels but a few of them are out on Tybee, our beach which is a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Savannah.

Best Places to eat in savannah

Eats

  • B. Matthews Eatery – This bistro located near River Street is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but their weekend brunch is what keeps me coming back! The made from scratch biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, or mayme’s omelette make this a regular stop anytime I’m home.
  • Mrs Wilkes Dining Room – There is no better fried chicken in Savannah. Only open Monday through Friday the wait is well worth it. Enjoy family style Southern food in the heart of historic Savannah and wash it all down with sweet tea.
  • The Olde Pink House – A perfect location for a date night dinner their menu will leave you drooling but leave room for dessert. I highly recommend the scored flounder.
  • Zunzi’s – Incredible sandwiches and an extensive vegetarian menu bring locals and tourists alike to this small spot which blends South African, Italian, Swiss and Dutch flavors together due to the owner’s backgrounds.
  • Vinnie Van GoGo’s Pizza – A cash only Savannah institution serving up thin crust pizzas in the heart of City Market.
  • Crystal Beer Parlor – When all you are craving is a burger and beer there is no better spot than this Savannah institution which reopened downtown a few years ago.
  • Vic’s on the River – Enjoy views of the waterfront while enjoying fried green tomatoes, crawfish beignets, lump crab cakes and shrimp and grits. Go hungry and with a fun crowd because this is one of my favorite places to steal tastes from other people’s plates!
  • Elizabeth’s on 37th – Hands down my favorite restaurant in Savannah you can go for lunch if you aren’t looking for a formal dinner experience or date night while you’re in town. Everything on their menu is incredible and the staff makes you feel like your family as you dine in an old, Savannah home. The herbs on your salad are from their garden, I dream about their cheddar biscuits and orange marmalade and the restaurant has hosted the likes of the Marc Jacobs and the Dalai Lama to name a few in recent years.

Sweets

  • Leopold’s Ice Cream– Located on Broughton Street this local ice cream shop has been in existence since 1919 but reopened in the current location in 2004. The small shop draws crowds daily thanks to the delicious, creamy ice cream. My favorite flavors are mint chocolate chip, peanut butter chippy and lemon sorbet.
  • River Street Sweets – A perfect rest stop during your River Street exploration, you can thank me later for introducing you to turtles and Southern pralines.

Sips

  • Rocks on the Roof – The roof of the Bohemian Hotel has become an evening or weekend meeting spot due to the gorgeous views, delicious cocktails and convenient location.

Tybee

  • North Beach Grill – After spending the morning enjoying some beach time or an afternoon climbing to the top of the Tybee Light House there is no better spot on Tybee then sitting beach side enjoying some life music and seafood fritters, fish taco or one of their more Caribbean dishes.
  • The Breakfast Club – This diner features a chef who is a Culinary Institute of America alum and a multi-page menu filled with dishes such as the Blackhawk burrito, Grill cleaner, country fried steak and other solid foods. I personally love their omelets, filled to the brim with vegetables and shrimp or their egg florentine. They do not take reservations so I recommend getting there early, especially in the Summer months.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have via the comments, Twitter or email!

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Travel: Where to Stay & Eat in Rome

This weekend Bo and I headed south to Rome, Italy for 48 hours of history, architecture, delicious food, and fun with two of our friends from Georgia, Raj and Asha. While you can certainly spend multiple days in Rome without growing bored, I would say that a minimum of two nights is needed to really experience both aspects of the area but 3 nights is ideal. This weekend we spent one full day seeing ancient Rome and another full day exploring Vatican City which was a perfect way to see the city without becoming overwhelmed.

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STAY

Since Bo recently left his job we knew that finding a reasonably priced hotel or an AirBnB spot would be ideal for this trip. Since none of us had spent much time in Rome, narrowing down the area of town where we wanted to stay was quite difficult. Luckily I work in an international office so I was able to ask a few co-workers who are from Rome for suggestions. Since we knew that we wanted to spend a full day in Vatican City and we didn’t want to be in an area packed with tourists, two co-workers each suggested staying near the Vatican. The rates tend to be less expensive yet you can still reach many of the popular sites across the river either on foot or with a less than 10 euro cab ride. We were very pleased with our experience at Starhotels Michaelangelo. Located just 5 minutes from Vatican City, the hotel was recently renovated and features 179 rooms, half of which enjoy gorgeous views of the Vatican. We found the hotel on Expedia and were lucky to snag reasonable rates which were 1/2 as much as many other 4 and 5 star hotels in Rome. Our rooms featured a king size bed, large bathroom, balcony, fridge which was perfect for storing snacks & wine, and a blow dryer. Our room rate also included a full European breakfast and wi-fi which is often not included in European hotels. The only thing to note about the hotel is that their front desk staff leaves something to be desired. They acted as if answering questions and calling a cab for us was doing us a favor or something out of the ordinary.

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EAT

How do I begin to describe the incredible food we ate while in Rome? Seriously we were so lucky to get recommendations from friends, blog readers and Twitter because so many of our bites and tastes through Rome were memorable. In order to make this easy to read and remember for later, here our 4 places you must eat while in Rome!

  • Gelato: Located near the Trevi Fountain, San Crispino gelato shop has gained recognition around the world through its inclusion in Eat, Pray Love, New York Times, Michelin Guide and others for their made from scratch gelato which ranges in flavors from the light and fruity to the incredibly decadent. The gelato is served only in cups due to their belief that cones aren’t hygienic. I highly recommend splurging on two scoops because one flavor just won’t suffice. IMG_6548IMG_6545IMG_6547
  • Pizza: The pizza served at Pizzeria Remo came so highly recommended we were willing to wait in the rain for our table! This bustling pizzeria serves up delicious, simple Roman thin crust pizzas while greeting customers with a smile and a hearty pour of their very inexpensive house wines. This was the best pizza of our trip and also very reasonably priced as our group of 4 enjoyed wine, water, appetizer and two pizzas for under 60 euros! The margherita pie was by far my favorite not needing any topics to wow our taste buds with it’s simple buffalo mozzarella and fresh tomato combination. 

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  • Cheese: My second time dining at Roscioli, a small restaurant within the Italian grocery store wasn’t quite as magical as the first. We were seated near an unruly American crowd for 30 minutes which made enjoying our wine and hearing each other talk difficult. After that the courses were hit and miss, a huge change versus my first experience. However, one dish continued to amaze and leave me wanting more. The con pomodorini dish, which is now a dish I can’t imagine not enjoying whenever in Rome, is a heaping plate of fresh Burrata cheese topped with crushed pepper and house made roasted tomatoes. What makes this dish is the combination of flavors due to the Burrata and uniqueness of the sundried tomatoes. Burrata cheese is similar to fresh mozzarella but as if it has been taken out before it’s fully matured. This dish included the taste of soft mozzarella with almost brie like gooeyness.  On the side, sun dried tomatoes added a rich, herb flavor while being far more moist and flavorful than your average jarred sun dried tomatoes.

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  • Pasta: Located a few blocks away from Pizzeria Remo, Felice a Testaccio had a similar feel – crowded but local. We shared 3 different pasta dishes -  carbonara, pepper parmesan, and a simple tomato sauce pasta. Shared with a bottle of wine, this meal was the perfect way to end our time in Rome. I have no idea who recommended this small local restaurant to Asha but we are forever grateful as they pointed us in the direction of the best pasta we’ve ever tasted. I know that is a strong statement but last night’s house made egg pasta, topped with a simple tomato sauce, was absolutely incredible. We asked our waiter for further details regarding the tomato sauce, including a hint at the ingredients, and he merely winked and said it was just tomatoes. IMG_6773IMG_6771IMG_6772

Later this week I’ll share details around the two wonderful tours we enjoyed while in Rome – one through the ruins and the other through Vatican City!

Have you been to Rome? If so, what was your favorite food experience?

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