George Town Grand Cayman

Four days into our Caribbean cruise, I had started to get used to the luxury of the ship, my newly acquired tan and visiting exotic ports. So I was completely ready for Grand Cayman.
With a population of almost thirty thousand, George Town is not only the capital of the beautiful Cayman Islands but also a leader in captive domiciles, hedge fund registrations and a major international banking center. Since we were not interested in their banking services, we decided to invest our money in shopping and to adventure in Stingray city for a swim with the creatures who killed Steve Irwin. Scary? Not at all.

Bet let's start with the shopping experience. We were tendered to the shore in a shuttle boat, and disembarked in the center of Grand Cayman's shopping district with nothing but a map of the town and two hours to kill until we boarded the boat that was going to take us to the stingrays. So we had a look at what George Town has to offer in terms of diamonds, and went of course, to my favorite jewelry retailer, Diamonds International. At the time of our cruise, the shop had organized a 'hunt'; you had to purchase one of their bracelets and then visit their shop in each and every one of the ports, to collect your free pendants. A very interesting marketing idea, to bring tourists to their locations, and, I must admit, the pendants were worth the trouble, as they made for beautiful souvenirs of my first Caribbean trip. Even so, the Caribbean Islands are famous for the amazing deals they offer on jewelry, so it is the perfect location to treat yourself to something shiny. Plus, if you are traveling with somebody who knows how to bargain, you will score some amazing deals on your purchases. The vendors will bend over backwards to sell you whatever you are interested in, and they will be open to negotiations for any type of jewelry, from tanzanites to fabulous diamonds.

Grand Cayman is also known as 'Brand Cayman', due to the wide range of duty-free designer products like Chopard, Gucci, Cartier or Concord, to name a few. Have a look in the local supermarkets and let yourself be tempted by the delicious rum cakes and local liquors.

If you are hungry, stop by the Hard Rock Cafe or the Guy Harvey restaurant. Or have a drink in the famous Margaritaville.
We skipped having lunch in the port, since we had a barbecue included in the Stingray city excursion. Which brings me to the highlight of my vacation. We boarded the 'Cockatoo' a small boat,  that was going to sails us to Stingray City, at about 11 am, and were introduced to the captain and the two professional guides that were leading us into this beautiful adventure.

 The sail is peaceful and wonderful. You will have the opportunity to take some amazing photos of the island, and of the clear, beautiful turquoise water. In no other Caribbean ports, have I had such a breathtaking view of the sea, and even now, when I think about it, it gives me chills. It's a piece of paradise, which is why, I guess, Grand Cayman is so far , for me, the ideal destination. Now, about the stingrays. Sure, they might be dangerous. After all, we are talking about wild sea life, and, as I like to call them, professional killers, since one of them managed to take down the king of wildlife himself, Steve Irwin. This is why, you have to pay attention to the guide's instructions on how to approach and hold the stingrays, so you can avoid the 'love bites' they might 'place' on your skin - nothing extremely painful or that will require medical attention, just a bit of a burn, since some stingrays' mouths contain two powerful, shell-crushing plates, while other species only have sucking mouthparts-. Just stay away from their tails, and you will be ok. Relax and enjoy the experience, knowing that the tour guides will be permanently around you in the water. Here is a picture of Alex, holding a stingray, just to prove that they are harmless and extremely friendly.

For me, the stingrays were not the main source of my anxiety, but the fact that, at that point, I couldn't swim. Which wouldn't be a problem for a normal height person, but becomes a challenge for one like me, who barely reaches 1.60. Yeah, I know, I am a tiny human..but, you know what they say : strong essences are kept in small bottles. Screw that, it sucks to be short:) Especially when you are in the ocean and your feet can't touch anything. My luck was that my boyfriend is tall enough to piggy-bank me and to occasionally make fun at my terrified face. But once I relaxed, I managed to pick up one of the tens of stingrays gliding around us, swimming in our arms, and I even gave it a kiss. They are used to being fed by tourists, and this is one of the reasons why they become so affectionate ( at times, they act like pets, rubbing themselves on your leg, so you can scratch their bellies).

Once the stingrays were fed and played with, we returned to the ship, not before having a tasty lunch on the 'Cockatoo', consisting of barbecue chicken wings, fries, salads, rum cakes and margaritas.
Stingray city is definitely a destination you shouldn't miss, just check the incredible reviews it has on trip advisor, from the thousands of people who have loved it and who, like us, would do it over and over again.

We sailed away from Grand Cayman in the evening, heading towards our last stop...Cozumel, Mexico! On my blog, in a couple of days! :)

Falmouth, Jamaica

Out of all the ports of call, Falmouth was the one I was looking forward to, the most. Located on Jamaica's North Coast, 18 miles East of Montego Bay, Falmouth is one of the first ports in the Caribbean and, also, a  wealthy city that has had piped water even before New York. 

But, despite the technology and the incredibly-well preserved Georgian architecture, Fallmouth's treasure is Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, born and raised here. While driving towards Ocho Rios for our adrenaline filled shore excursion, we passed by the place where Bolt used to train. It's impressive to see where determination and hard work takes you, considering the fact that the track is smaller than the one I had in Highschool.

I mentioned in a previous post that we chose to do zip lining in Jamaica, mainly due to the breathtaking view you have of the rain forests, and to the slightly higher difficulty of the track. I watched people zip lining in Haiti, so I thought all I will need to do is basically be safely and tightly strapped on a slope and descend slowly in the sea. I couldn't have been further from the truth. The ride to Ocho Rios takes about 40 minutes and is a fantastic opportunity to take in the surroundings and get familiar with the local culture and habits. From passing by kids coming back from school, dressed in what looks like military uniforms, to witnessing locals smoking pot, to enjoying the ragge music that here seems to be the soundtrack of life itself. Upon arrival, the tour guides will provide you with the  professional equipment you need in order to safely zip line : a jacket and a helmet. I must admit that my favorite part of this experience were the guides. Three bubbly, full of life Jamaican guys, with an incredible sense of humor, that will make you feel safe, relaxed and most of all, happy, the entire trip. We started our ascend by car, and we still remember one of the tour guides yelling at the driver to go faster by telling him ' Yo, man! Drive it like it's stollen', which made the entire group burst into laughing

The good mood lasted until we got to the starting point of our zip line. I have no idea how high we were, but all I could see was a long wire hanging from one tree leading to another at the opposite side of the forest. Basically, about 20 meters of gliding with nothing but levels and levels of rainforest vegetation underneath your feet..The guides took about10 minutes to demonstrate how it's done, but all I could hear was my hart beating out of my chest, so I couldn't tell you what they actually said..All I remember is one of the guys strapping the belt from my jacket to the wire and giving me a push..all of a sudden I was rapidly drifting down the line and, since there was no way back, I decided to open my eyes and look around me. That was the moment when I realized where I was and how insainely magical this entire experience actually is. I felt like I was flying over the forest! We continued for 10 more lines, but I don't want to tell you more about the entire track, I'd rather you get surprised. Have a look on their website if you would like to book a tour http://chukka.com/tour/zipline-canopy/ or, if you are on board of a ship talk to whoever is in charge of the shore excursions. 

If you are not an adrenaline junky, there are plenty other things you can do. Have a walk through the port and take in the magnificent british colonial architecture, take a trip through time on a horse-and-buggy ride, relax on one of the beaches in Montego Bay and don't forget to buy some of the Jamaican Jerk, the island's signature spice mix.

That is all about Jamaica...next, you will get to have a virtual trip with us in one of my favorite places in the world...Grand Cayman! 

Day one - Labadee, Haiti.

After two nights at sea, Labadee was the first port of call. We had spend our sea days sipping cocktails by the pool, had fun playing some Blackjack in the casino and ate ourselves into oblivion -something that I would never do again;)- so, frankly, I had forgotten that we were actually sailing towards Haiti. At six in the morning, Jan woke me up shouting from the balcony. I dragged myself out of bed, completely annoyed and frustrated because, in the end, I was on vacation, so I was planning to catch up on my sleep. Little did I know that out there, on the balcony, the most beautiful view I had seen up to that point, was unravelling itself...the breathtaking Haitian coast. Imposing hills completely covered in vegetation sinking into the turquoise Caribbean sea, small yachts and boats peacefully drifting by our monster ship, framed by the clear blue sky. Jan looked at me, smiled and said 'Welcome to Haiti, baby!'...

Labadee is a destination that you will only reach while on a Royal Caribbean cruise, since it is a private resort, leased by Royal until 2050. A 55 million dollars investment, Labadee's attractions include a Haitian flea market, beaches, water parks, a roller-coaster ride and even a zip line. The place has been named after Marquis de La Badie, a Frenchman who first settled the area in the 17th century, but the spelling was changed to 'Labadee' to make it easier for English-speakers to pronounce. 
But don't let the wealth of this resort fool you into forgetting where you actually are. Behind the tall gates that separate Labadee from the rest of the island, there is immense poverty, hunger and desperation. I was sad to see thousands of tourists disembarking the ship only to splurge in the bars or lay in the sun, completely ignoring the sad truth of the island they were on. Don't get me wrong, you are, after all, on vacation  so you should relax, but please, try at least to lend a hand to the economy by purchasing something from the Flea market, the only place where you get to meet Haitians, and the only place where you will be confronted with the cruel reality. 

Here, you will find nice souvenirs, ranging from magnets, hand-crafted wooden items, masks, shirts and even numismatic collections. I had a look on Trip Advisor, only to be disappointed  with the way the flea market is described. Sure, when you spend your life in a Cadillac and have the luxury of a roof over your head, you fail to understand why Haitian vendors are so aggressive  - if you are familiar with the Turks in the bazars, this is what the terms refers to, please do not think they will grab you and force you to buy anything-. Well, it is mainly because those 5 dollars that you spend, pay for the food they will be eating this week, or  maybe it's because what you consider pocket change, for them is the mean of feeding and keeping their children healthy. We spent about an hour having a walk through the market and we have not been pushed, pulled or threatened to make any purchase. What we did see were very talented people, some of them who do lead a hard bargain, who were doing nothing but inviting you in to explore their merchandise. So, my advice is to cast your fears aside and help Haiti as much as you can, before you head over to the beach or to the bars.
I have also read that a lot of people were expecting to explore Haiti, and were disappointed by the fact that they remained secluded in Labadee, resorting to calling Royal an evil company that just wants you to spend your time on their resort, buying their own products and services. Yes, on one had, it is true...and it is called business. But then again, we did not pay for anything expect for the items we bought from the Flea market..and that money does not go into the cruise line's pockets. Not to mention that the barbecue lunch was included in the cost of the cruise. Second of all, since 1986, Royal Caribbean has brought he largest proportion of tourist revenue to Haiti, employing 300 locals, allowing 200 more to sell their products on the premises , and, most importantly, paying the Haitian government 6 dollars for every tourist. Also, after the devastating earthquake of 2010, Royal donated 1 million dollars to fund relief efforts in Haiti and used their ships to ferry relief supplies and personnel to the island. So, as far as I am concerned, they are free to make their money how they please, because, in the end, we live in a world where nothing is for free, as long as they keep up the good work of helping Haitians and bringing revenue to the island.
It is pretty easy to 'navigate' through Labadee on your own. You will dock at the pier, which makes for a great opportunity to take some very cool pictures with the ship in the background. Some photographers from the staff will be there to assist you, and you will find your photos back on the ship, the next day, along with the ones from the formal nights. 

By far, the number one reason people go to Haiti is for the beaches. The one we went to had rocks instead of sand, kinda' like in Nice, France...so a little annoying if you want to take a walk along the shore. However, we enjoyed taking some sun, and we were very lucky that we got there early and managed to book two chairs in a pretty intimate area. 

If you are an adrenaline junky, you can either surf on 'Adrenaline Beach', have a ride in the 'Dragon's Trail Rollercoaster - a single car vehicle that races down a track at 30 miles per hour and features 360 degree turns, as well as dips, waves and curves, a magnificent way to catch glimpses of the ocean-or, for the really courageous ones, there is always the chance to zip line. 

We had already booked the zip line for Jamaica, so we chose to go to Dragon's Breath Point instead. Here is how Royal Caribbean describes it, and I couldn't say it better myself 'As the water flows in and out among the rocks, you hear a "hissing" noise that sounds like "dragon's breath".  What's happening is the air is compressed in small caves under the rocks and is forced out through cracks in the rocks. It is worth the walk to hear it.'

The surrounding area is quite beautiful and you should bring a camera to snap a few photos of the beautiful vistas you will find here.

That's all about Labadee for now. We will be going back in January 2015, for a very special cruise...Next post will describe our second port of call, this time in Jamaica.

My first cruise

On our first date, trying to impress Jan, I was bragging about the places that I had visited prior to knowing him. I remember how he pulled out his phone and showed me a map of the world completely covered in green little dots. There were so many of them I couldn't even see the names of the cities. The dots represented, of course, the places he has travelled to, therefore making me feel completely embarrassed. However, he promised to take me on a cruise, his favorite type of traveling, and swore I will absolutely enjoy it.

Back then, cruising was something I never payed any type of attention to. I thought, as many others do, that in order to board a cruise ship you either need to be a millionaire or to work for a cruise company, so I've ignored it completely, and focused on the more common types of voyages, the ones I like to call the 'Go-to-a-place-and-lay-there-for-two-weeks-until-you-get-bored'. Boy, I was wrong!

On the 4th of February 2013, I boarded the beautiful Royal Caribbean ship named 'Freedom of the Seas'. Driving into the port and seeing that ship for the very first time, is a memory that will stay with me until I die. Despite the fact that Jan had described the Freedom of the Seas to me countless times, mentioning the Titanic has nothing on the modern cruise ships, I never truly believed it. But there it was, docked in Port Canaveral, this gigantic floating city, that can accommodate 3,634 passengers and 1,300 crew members on 15 decks. This magnificent ship measuring almost 339 meters was ready to sail the Caribbean seas for seven nights, a short journey that will take us to four breathtaking destinations : Haiti, Jamaica, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

Ok, so far so good. But what do you do on a ship for seven days? No need to worry. Freedom of the seas offers everything you need so you can feel even better than on shore, from fast foods, speciality restaurants, a miniature golf course, a full sized basketball court, a FloRider surf simulator, three swimming areas, a rock climbing wall, shops, a casino, an ice skating ring and a three-deck-high broadway style theatre. I don't know about you, but that's more than what we have as entertainment in old, rainy Dublin. 

How about the rooms? If you imagine the cabins as something similar to the one Jack Dawson was sleeping in, you can't be more wrong. All staterooms are equipped with interactive flat screen Tvs, comfortable beds that can be configured either in a king size or as twin beds, a small bathroom and even a dresser. The cheapest category is the Inside cabin (140 sq. feet), which comes with two twin beds (also can be converted in a queen size bed), a vanity area, and a private bathroom.

Sadly, this type of cabin does not feature an outside window, hence the name. But there are other options available for those of you who prefer to have access to the gorgeous views. Starting with the 'Oceanview Stateroom', and finishing with the five types of suites : Junior, Grand, Royal, Owner and Presidential. Of course, the better the stateroom, the bigger the prices. It is hard to give you an exact price, since they vary from season to season, from ship to ship and from destination to destination. If you have a look on the Royal Caribbean website http://www.royalcaribbean.com/home.do, for the same cruise that we took, an inside cabin starts from 649$ per person and the best suite of the ship, the Royal Suite would cost you 4600$. We chose a Junior Suite ( priced now at 1600$ per person), which provided all we needed in terms of space, comfort and luxury. My favorite part? The private balcony, an ideal spot to have breakfast in the morning, while we sailed into the beautiful Caribbean ports.

Ok, so far it might seem more expensive than your 7 day stay on Sunny Beach, but you couldn't be further from the truth. If you opt for an inside cabin, the 1300$ you are going to pay include of course, the state room for you and your significant other, entrance to 4 Caribbean ports, and, most importantly...all the food you can eat. The buffet (known as the Windjammer) offers a wide range of options, starting from sandwiches and finishing with Indian, Chinese or Italian dishes. It is basically an ultra all inclusive (excluding the drinks that you can pay for, or opt for an all inclusive drink package). The only difference being that the food is 100 times better.

The amount also covers the entry to the Main dining room, a more intimate and luxurious setting than the Windjammer, Normally, you have the choice between early and late dining ( you choose them when you book the cruise) but you can also select 'My time dining' which allows you to either make a different time reservation each night or to just go eat at your leisure and wait for the next available table. 

Not included in the price of the cruise are, to start with, the two speciality restaurants. In the case of Freedom of the Seas, we had Portofino and, our all time favorite Chops.

Portofino, named after a small fishing village in Italy, is the right choice for those who prefer Fine Italian dining. Bright and spacious, this restaurant has a cover charge of 20$ per person, which includes a complete four-course meal, but not the drinks. If you are a fan of italian cuisine, you can choose Portofino without being afraid you'll make a mistake. As far as I am concerned, if I had to choose just one speciality restaurant, I would opt for Chops. Why? Well, for starters, I am extremely pretentious when it comes to food. And I am not referring to being a snob or something. I just don't eat a lot of things, such as veal, carpaccio, lamb or duck. Which makes it really hard for me to find a restaurant to fit my taste. Jan, however, enjoyed it enough to recommend it. I have to mention that I had the pleasant surprise,when booking a table, of finding out that the manager of Portofino is a Romanian man, originally from Constanta. He was extremely excited to finally have a client from his own country, so excited that he made us feel as royalty, and gave us two cocktails on the house. I was proud to discover a hard working compatriot, especially someone who, through hard work and commitment, got to a top position, and was not ashamed of his origins. 

Chops is the second restaurant, and we like it so much that we actually considered using it for our wedding reception.:) An exquisite steakhouse, one of the few places that can prepare Jan's blue steak, and that can convince me to eat spicy tuna. There isn't one thing on the menu that tastes less than extraordinary. We returned to Chops even on our European cruise, and we will do so every single time we are on a Royal ship. For four nights in a row this was the only place we ate in. We were there so often that we had our own waiter, who become a friend by the end of the cruise, who knew exactly what we wanted and how we wanted it. The service is impeccable -on our Mediterranean cruise we even had a demonstration on how to correctly decant wine, done by a wine expert- not to mention that this is the kind of place where the Chef - who, by the way, deserves a standing ovation- comes and thanks you for choosing his restaurant. I recommend the barramundi and Jan will of course tell you to choose the fillet mignon. Oh, and the pimento sauce ( just try it!). When it comes to deserts, do what we always do. We ordered the red velvet cake and the mudpie and ate them on our balcony while enjoying the warm caribbean breeze. I could write one hundred posts about Chops, and I still won't be able to describe everything this restaurant is. You just have to try it and I promise you, you will shout 'Shut up and take my money'.:)

When it comes to on board entertainment, in the beginning of this post I talked about the numerous options you have on a cruise ship, so that you never get bored. There is always something to do. Let's start with the pool area, a place where you can relax and get that perfect tan, on sea days. Royal Caribbean always has a live band by the pool that will provide the ideal musical background while you sit on your lounge chair and sip your Pina Colada. The drinks you order at the pool-side bar cost extra. 

And speaking about payments, I have to add that on a cruise ship you do not carry cash. When you board you are given a sea pass that functions as a credit card. Everything you spend on the ship will get charged on that sea pass, that is of course associated to your bank account. The pass is very important, as it is also your ID, the only thing that gives you access on and off the ship, therefore, you should have it with you at all times.

For on board shopping, have a walk on the Promenade, and you will find everything from cafes to jewellery and souvenir shops. For gamble enthusiasts, have a look at the Casino. Sure, it is not the size of a, let's say Vegas Casino, but it will do the trick in those nights when you are feeling lucky. 

For anything else, always consult your compass, a small booklet you will find every night in your room, which contains the programme of all the activities that will take place on and off the ship, one day in advance. This way, you will be able to plan your day so you can make sure you take full advantage of what the ship has to offer. 

A lot of people have asked me how safe cruising actually is. For me, it is the safest way to travel after airplanes, of course. Do not pay attention to horror movies and please, stop thinking that you will end up like the passengers on the Titanic. Just pay attention during the emergency drill - done before you start sailing- and you will notice how prepared and organized the crew is for whatever calamity you think might happen. Modern cruise ships are massive constructions designed to keep you safe and floating at any cost:). Don' t even worry about sea sickness..I am the perfect example, since I always get sick on a small ship, like a ferry, but never on a cruise ship. And if, by any chance you get injured or you feel a bit under the weather, there is always an on call doctor ready to assist you. However, make sure you get a travel insurance that includes treatment on the US territory, as the prices are according to the US healthcare system -hence huge, a consultation will otherwise cost you several hundreds of euros-.

One more advice would be to join the Royal Caribbean Crow and Anchor loyalty program, which rewards frequent travelers. As a member you will get to choose upgrades and enjoy special discounts. Luckily for me, I got to take Jan's status as a Diamond Plus member which allowed me to dine at the same table with the Captain, take part in a special ceremony that celebrates and awards frequent cruisers and enjoy the benefits of the Concierge Lounge - free drinks and snacks-.

There are a lot of things to be said about cruising, so many that it will probably take me about a week of constantly posting on this blog. Sadly, I do not have enough time to do so, but you can always use the comment section to ask me whatever you like regarding this subject. I would love to see more people experience cruising, because it is, in my opinion, a unique opportunity of visiting places on this Earth that you would never even dream to see. It is a unique opportunity to discover the beauty of sailing and to relax and get pampered like nowhere else. 

In my next post I will be writing about the ports we have visited during our Caribbean cruise, starting with..Labadee, Haiti! Stay tuned !

Valentines Day in Paris

After two months of horrible Dublin weather, we decided to spend Valentines Day in a place not very far from Ireland ( we are saving our energy for the 9 hour flights to the US in April), a place that means a lot to us. Paris was our first destination as a couple, and it made sense to go back to the place where it all kinda started, back in 2012.
It has always been extremely difficult for me to say which european city is my favorite, despite the fact that I have always considered Barcelona to be the best on the 'old continent'. However, Paris is indeed a strong contender. I do not consider it 'The City of Lights' and I don't even think it is the most romantic place in the world. If you take time to understand its history, if you love literature and most of all, if you adore food...this is the city for you. Don' t go to Paris just so you can cross it off your 'to do' list. Visit it with an open mind, forget the cliches and try to walk as much as you can. This it the city that has inspired Woody Allen to write the script for 'Midnight in Paris' after one stroll along the Seine...and if you have seen the movie prior to visiting Paris, you will understand that somehow it is true..there is something truly magical and mysterious about the French capital.
It was hard but I've managed to put together a list of 10 less ordinary- I should say- things you should do in Paris, from restaurants to sights, to shows and museums. Enjoy! :)

1. ONE NIGHT IN THE VERSAILLES GARDEN - Yes, it is possible. Trianon Palace Versailles ( a Waldorf Astoria Hotel) offers you the unique opportunity to literary sleep in the hart of the wonderful Versailles Palace. With a breathtaking view to the Versailles gardens, luxurious decor and exquisite French cuisine, the Trianon might just be the place of dreams. Louis XIV 's 'modest house' ;) is just a 10 minute walk away from the hotel entrance, an enchanting walk, might I add, through a three-acre wooded park featuring centuries-old trees and lush gardens. The two restaurants located inside the Trainon are nothing short of extraordinary. We chose ' La Veranda' for a fabulous contemporary continental style dinner ; this is a Gordon Ramsey restaurant that features a terrace overlooking the Chateau and the best panna cotta I've had in my life. Do not wear your jeans and t-shirt, unless you don't care about being stared at;) However, if you like a more casual dinning experience I would recommend the ' Gordon Ramsey au Trainon Versailles', inspired by the famous one in London. All in all, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy living almost as royalty and to experience Versailles with all your senses. Be prepared to drain your wallet. Prices start from €289 for a classic garden view room and go up to €3000 for a suite with private dinning.

2. CRAZY HORSE CABARET - WHEN BURLESQUE BECOMES ART - When I said you should keep an open mind about Paris, I meant it. Forget about the Moulin Rouge - ridiculously overpriced, crowded and a bit of a tourist trap-, this is the place to take your significant other for a show that goes beyond sexy. If you have never been to a burlesque show, I will need to tell you that this is not pole dancing ' put money in my G-string' kind of place. It involves full nudity done it the most classy and 'artsy' possible way. Watch Beyonce's 'Partition' video, as it is completely inspired by two if the routines done at the Crazy Horse. We've been to one of the most famous burlesque shows in Vegas and we ended up hating it to the bitter end. The music sucked, the venue and drinks were horrible and the dancers lacked rhythm and sex appeal. This is not the case at the Crazy Horse. Sure, it will cost you at least five times more, but quality has its price. The routines are designed to fit any taste and fantasy, starting from girls in uniform to..bondage. Some of the numbers will remind you of Cirque de Soleil and the mid-show acts are going to entertain you to the fullest. Prices start from €150 per person and tickets include a bottle of champagne and caviar. You will not be allowed to take photos or film the show. Just lay back, relax and enjoy the sexiest part of your Paris trip.

 3. THE LADUREE EXPERIENCE - After you are done queuing for the Eiffel Tower or for the      Louvre, there is one more line you should not skip : the one to enter one of the Ladurée shops in Paris. This French luxury bakery was founded in 1862 and was made famous by Ladurée's grandson, Pierre Desfontaines, who, in 1930 had the brilliant idea of putting two macaron shells together and filling  them with ganache cream, therefore creating the so called 'double decker macaron', in the form that is today known by everyone. In a time when women were not allowed in cafes, Desfontaines opened a tearoom inside his pastry shop, giving the ladies the unique opportunity of meeting in a luxurious and free environment. Today, Ladurée is owned by the Holder family (who also manage the Paul bakery chain), but it hasn't lost a bit of its enchantment. We chose to shop in the Ladurée shop located on Champs-Elysées and, despite the fact that Jan hates waiting in line, it turned out to be totally worth it. Once you step inside you are struck by the multitude of  delicious and visually striking deserts displayed all around you. Even though the maison is famous for the 26 different types of macaron flavors, you will also be able to purchase scented candles, cosmetic cases, bath products and even home decorations..all of course inspired by the amazing Ladurée deserts. The original tearoom is now a cute modern little bar, and you also have the possibility to taste any of the maison's signature treats in a small but elegant cafe. Prices start from €10 for a small box of macarons, but you can be sure they will be the best you have ever had.                                                                                                                            

4. SHOP UNDER THE LOUVRE - They say it takes months to visit every corner of the Louvre, but a regular tourist will only allocate a maximum of four hours to stroll across the numerous galleries in the famous museum. Even so, The Louvre is a destination on its own and you should have it on your list...but what if I told you that under the beautiful palace you can find a small shopping gallery called ' The Carrousel du Louvre'. Open daily from 10 am to 8 pm, the gallery is home to shops like Lancel, Swarovski and..even an Apple Store. I decided to include it in this list because not even a former Paris resident, like Jan, was aware of its existence. It is a unique opportunity to closely examine parts of the original fortress of the Louvre Palace, to have a coffee or a burger at one of the fast foods and cafes located on the upper level of the shopping gallery and to take a picture with the inverted pyramid...a smaller copy of the famous Louvre pyramid-the most popular entrance to the museum-. Sure, we felt a bit strange going to the Louvre just so we can have a look at the Apple products, but if you've already visited the museum, give The Carrousel a chance. It will be worth it.

5. RIDE THE TUILERIES FERRIS WHEEL - I would recommend to start at night, from the Arc de Triomphe and walk down the Champs-Elysées. Not only will you enjoy the beautiful parisian lights on the city's most famous boulevard, but you will have the opportunity to take some amazing shots of the Tuileries Ferris Wheel. If you have been in the London Eye, do not expect this one to resemble it. It is smaller, and sometimes it felt a bit unsteady..but we survived;). The advantage is that the cabins will only fit you and the people traveling with you, so you can ride the wheel with familiar faces instead of strangers. It lasts for about 10 minutes, costs €10 per person, and offers breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, the Opera, the Tuileries Gardens, Champs-Elysées and...more.

6. BOOK AN OPERA VIEW ROOM AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL . The Intercontinental Paris le Grand is, by far, the best hotel I have stayed in. Why? Lets's start with the most important thing...location, location, location! Rue Scribe, right in front of the Garnier Opera, in walking distance to the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens, Place Vendôme, the amazing department store Lafayette and..for the ones who love luxury..to Rue de Rivoli and Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré. Which send me to reason number two : breathtaking views. We chose this hotel for both of the times we travelled to Paris, and each time we opted for an Opera View Room. How can you dislike going out on the balcony and admiring the city lights, the impressing architecture of the Opera and the fashionable people walking by on the street in their beautifully tailored Chanel suits? Speaking about architecture, you will be impressed by the majestic columns in the lobby and the decor of the rooms which features, among others, tall walls and windows( for a slightly claustrophobic person like me, this is a big plus). The food is amazing. I couldn't tell you anything about the standard breakfast because we choose to pay for the Club Entry which provides you unlimited food and beverages throughout the day, starting with the classic omelette and finishing with caviar, macarons and fine champagne. This will be the only excuse we have for drinking champagne at 8 in the morning and gaining about 3 kilos every time we visit Paris. Nevertheless, it is worth the investment. I wouldn't stay anywhere else. Well, except for the Shangri-La maybe...but that is reserved for our next Parisian 'expedition'.

7. HAVE A MILLE-FEUILLE IN CAFE DE LA PAIX - Since I talked about the Intercontinental, it made sense to include the hotel's most famous café, Café de la Paix. This was the hottest spot on the map during the Belle Epoque and, since its opening back in 1862, has been visited by famous artists and poets such as Emile Zola and Guy de Maupassant. It is now your turn;). Even if you are not into art or literature, this café is a historic site that is worth your time and your money. I recommend the delicious mille-feuille, which you can find anywhere in Paris..but it will not taste the same, since Café de la Paix is known as the place where this famous desert is the tastiest. Not only in Paris..but in the entire country. I am gluten intolerant..but I risked it for this mille-feuille, and not even the pain I felt after eating it made me regret it. That says a lot!

8. DINE IN THE EIFFEL TOWER - in the Jules Verne restaurant, of course! Nothing says Paris more than exquisite French cuisine, and nothing says exquisite cuisine more than Alain Ducasse. The famous chef describes his restaurant as 'a reflection of French culinary heritage with a hint of contemporary touch of attentive service', and it couldn't be further from the truth. Even if you are not a gourmand, Jules Verne offers breathtaking views of Paris from its most famous and photographed 'building'. Haute cuisine? At 125 meters off the ground, it most definitely is! Staying true to its name, the restaurant carries a menu specifically designed to take you on a voyage of five or six different dishes. Lunch starts at €98 on weekdays and dinner at €185. If the price is an inconvenience, I should tell you also that sometimes you will have to book a table three months in advance. But this is THE place to be and most importantly, the place to splurge! 

9. ENJOY THE BEST VIEW OF THE EIFFEL TOWER - There is only one place, and I can't stress this enough, to see the Eiffel Tower from, and that is Place de Trocadero. Situated on the North side of the Seine, this is one of the lesser known places in the French capital, and honestly, I do not understand why. I have seen the Eiffel tower from every possible angle, I have even stayed right under it, but nothing compares to the view you have from Trocadero. It is also THE best possible place to take photos of it, including the - slightly annoying- ones you always see of people trying to look like they are holding the tower on their pinky:). Easily accessible by metro, Trocadero is one place that will leave you breathless. P. S. If you are interested in fashion, you might know this is the place where Coco Chanel used to sing her famous 'Qui qu'a vu a Coco', before she become the most renowned designer in the world.

10. UNIQUE SOUVENIR FROM MONTMARTRE - On my first visit in Paris, this was the only place that made me tear up. What might look like a simple hill populated with cafés and street vendors to the naked eye, is actually the hart of old Paris, and encompasses the true parisian spirit. During the summer there is nothing that can compare to savoring your drink in a small but chic café in Montmartre while the street buzzes with offers from artists, throwing compliments to the beautiful ladies they would want as muses. Take the time to get painted or sketched by one of this amazing artists and you will have a better souvenir that the mug or the fridge magnet made in China. Start from Sacré Coeur and don't forget to walk in Pigalle as well. You will be in for some surprises, given that Pigalle is famous for its brothels and vivid characters. (Also the location of Moulin Rouge)

There you have it! The list of 10 of the most unusual and unique things to do in Paris, and also, my first post on this blog! Hope you enjoyed it  and I am looking forward to reading some of your lists and pieces of advice regarding this beautiful city! Feel free to express your thoughts below. 

In preparation for the next posts I should add that I will be writing some reviews about my favorite type of traveling...cruising! Caribbean cruising...to be exact!

 So...stay tuned!

:)