Day One - Paris 2013 Montmartre

You have to love the Bohemian style of Montmartre. It is a joy to walk the streets and visit the artist in the area. I always leave wishing that I had spent more time here.

Day One - Paris 2013 Au Clocher

Our little treasured restaurant Au Clocher near Sacre Coeur has changed owners and been completely renovated. We had a nice lunch here today but much of the ol' charm is gone. That said, the place is still located off the heavily traveled tourist track and a find in the area.

Beef steak with salad

Pork Loin with Winter Vegetables

Day One - Paris 2013 Sacre Coeur

Did I mention that Sacre Coeur in Montmartre sits on the highest spot in Paris? No matter how you approach it is a climb. We took Line 4 to Chateau Rouge to approach from the East.  I think it is easier but you still encounter some steep stairs to climb before reaching the Church and rewarding views of the city.

Day One - Paris 2013

The gang arrived in Paris without any hiccups (meaning our luggage arrived also). Carol has decided to join us for her second adventure to Europe after our successful visit to Rome in 2011. This will be her first trip to the City of Lights and we cannot wait to show her around the town. 

From CDG Airport - we traveled via RER B to St. Michel on the Left Bank. Thankfully we discovered an elevator from the underground metro to the street level - and best of all, it was working this year. We are staying at our favorite haute in the Latin Quarter - Hotel Able. This year we have three rooms - two on the third floor and one on the sixth floor. Our favorite appliance store DARTY was open on Sunday (Blvd St. Michel) and I completed my annual purchase of a (15 euro) coffee maker for my room. 

To fight off the jet lag - we are headed off to walk around the hills of Montmartre this afternoon to see Basilique du Sacre Coeur and Moulin Rouge.

Day Five - Budapest - Palaces

Today - we enjoyed our third tour from Context Travel in Budapest. Our docent, Enikő Bekes holds a Masters degree in classical philology and art history from the University ELTE, Budapest and one in Medieval Studies from the Central European University. She has a PhD in Neo-Latin Studies from the University of Szeged.  Enikő  took on a walk through Budapest’s Golden Age saw an unprecedented coming together of wealthy upper-class barons and aristocrats to shape what is known as the Palace District. Over the course of the 19th and early 20th century these barons of Budapest laid roots in the heart of Pest’s 8th district, leaving a legacy that speaks to a time of competition between the great European capitals. Since we are sleeping in Palazzo Zichy - one of the palaces turned into a modern hotel - this tour was especially fun for us. 

Day Five - Budapest - Hungarian National Gallery

Located in the Castle district of Buda - the Hungarian National Gallery building dominates the skyline. The permanent collection is manageable and can be viewed easily in about 2 hours. From Gothic period to modern times - the museum displays some of Hungary's best artist.

Day Five - Budapest - Matthias and Fisherman's Bastion

Officially known as The Church of Our Lady, Budapest's Matthias Church was built in 1255 century along Trinity Square, in the heart of the Castle District, and was Buda's first parish church.  It just underwent an extensive renovation and well worth a visit. 

Outside is the Fisherman's Bastion was built at the site of an old rampart that, during the Middle Ages, was defended by the guild of fishermen, who lived nearby in Vízívaros (watertown), at the foot of the hill. Thus the name of the bastion. An old fish market also sat at this location during medieval times. On a clear day - it provides some impressive views of the Parliament Building and city of Pest.

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