The great Beauty of Paris,

I recently vacationed in France.  As with other European cities I have visited, it is filled with history and wonderful architecture.  Having studied this in college, I am of course incredibly interested in viewing it first hand.  My first stop was Paris and nothing can quite compare to that!  Loved it and will be going back.  So much to see and not enough time.  What I did see was amazing.  I had a list and was able to accomplish some of it.
The buildings, the bridges are all so old and so fantastic.  I was really taken away with the intricate carving I saw everywhere.  Imagine our very industrial and practical bridges in comparison to the intricately carved bridges all along the Seine. Statues everywhere. Very ornate, very beautiful!

A stop at the  Galeries Lafayette  offered much more than expected.  Consisting of several buildings along Boulevard Haussmann.  It was so huge I only really visited one of the buildings. Must go back there for sure - lots of goodies!  From the second floor there is an amazing view of all the other floors with once again intricately carved and painted balconies.  The top of the building has a beautiful stained glass dome.

All of the floors viewed from this point  

Of course one must see the well known tourist attractions - The Eiffel Tower, was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built it.  Eiffel lived in an apartment at the top of the tower for many years. 

A statue of Mr. Eiffel at the base of the tower                                                                                

Views from the top of the Eiffel Tower

Entrance to the Louvre

On a stroll up the Seine we were able to view the 
intricate details of he bridges.  So magnificant!

Notre Dame 

 

After our visit to the Cathedral we made our way down to the Archaeological ryps of Notre Dame which links to the Paris Catacombs which run for miles under the historical secton of Paris.

A view from the crypt out to the river

Looking out at the river from down in the crypt

Jardin des Tuileries

Versailles

A visit to Versailles is definitely worth the lineups.  Having studied this I was prepared for it's grandour and beauty but wow!! it is overwhelming in person.

 Famous Hall of Mirrors

An intimate dining space 












And set up for formal

entertaining

Above is a baby bassinetteA view of the gardens

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Champs Elysees - The famous shopping boulevard was all and more than expected. We spent out last night in Paris after returning from Cannes and strolled down the boulevard with a light rain falling,  just like in movies and art. Unfortunately all my lovely photos are on my tablet which is out there somewhere unknown...

Keep reading for part two - Cannes

Hanging out in Cabo.....

I had a fantastic vacation between Christmas and New Years this year.  We headed off to Cabo and had the best time ever.  It was really last minute and we were not expecting too much but it actually rated way higher.  This resort is new to the area, however they have many across the Caribbean.  We stayed at the Royal DeCameron Resort which sits at the tip of the Baja Peninsula so that you have the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortez on the other dividing it from the Mexican mainland.  The climate was heavenly - hot during the day with no humidity and cooler at night.  One could walk for miles and not become uncomfortable.  Everything about this resort was great - the staff, the amenities and as a real surprise it had the best food I have ever had at an all inclusive resort.  It rivaled good restaurants at home with the variety and their ability to prepare it.  My favourite was New Years Eve and there was Lobster Thermidor, salmon, Beef Wellington, Grilled Shrimp and that is only a teeny list of what was served.  The entertainment was much better than I have ever seen at Caribbean resorts as well.  They didn't just have the day staff dress up and perform; they brought in professionals.  All in all, a wonderful time.


A lovely rooftop pool and bar for relaxing

Enjoying a little R & R by the Rooftop pool               Views from the Rooftop pool

     

A view of the Resort from our balcony 

These cute bears were found lounging by the pool, in the disco and 

hanging out at the bar sharing a cool beverage

                                   

New Years Eve Celebrations by the pool some of which included large plastic bubbles/balls with an entertainer inside floating around and twirling hoops of light 

            

 

                                 

A visit to the Marina in Cabo San Lucas..... didn't run into any stars but had a great time  

Some Pelicans having a swim at the Marina

The entrance to the Christmas Market in San Jose del Cabo

a lovely historic town we were able to walk to

The church in the town square of San Jose del Cabo is the historic Mission of San Jose del Cabo Aniti which was founded by a Jesuit in 1730 and moved to this location in 1840. After the hurricane of 1918 it was once again reconstructed maintaining the original structure and some of its walls. 

The life size Nativity

 

Standing beside a giant Christmas Tree in the Square

Shops in San Jose del Cabo

   

  

 Love to take photos of entrances, doors and windows

 

 

A view of the many mountains from our plane

 Bye bye beautiful beach