it's that time again...

Starting to gear-up for our upcoming trip to France.  That's TEN times, if you were counting.  This time we are including a side trip to Italy.  I'm pretty excited about that trip because it will be my first time to Italy.  What's better is that we have friends that live in Bologna whom we will be able to see for the first time in over a year.

Our plans have evolved from a trip to France and Italy, on our own, visiting the family and our friends TO a trip to France and Italy, with another couple ~ friends of ours from our MINI club ~ visiting the sites around Paris, visiting the family, visiting our friends in Italy and visiting Venice and all of this includes a massive Road Trip!  I think we like road trips and it should be interesting doing one from France to Italy.

Keeping in mind that we are now traveling with friends, and our way of traveling may indeed be different.  Jerome and I do a lot of things on the cheap, and traveling usually never keeps us in one specific spot for longer than a day.  This will be our friend's first visit to Europe and they'd like to do some of it in a more special way.  For instance, typically when we have to stay in a hotel in the Paris area, this is the style that is chosen:
Formule-1 (Hotel F1)
...isn't it glamorous?  Aren't you now soooo jealous of me and my many trips to Paris?


In some cute email exchanges we were asked by our friends if we "wanna play lets make a deal???"

Behind door number one.....we each pay for our own nights in Paris and Venice. Behind door number two....you guys cover Venice and we cover Paris.
If you make the wise choice...not number one.... I will send the link to Mr. Crasher's choice of hotel in Paris which I just booked 2 rooms at.
With a choice given to you in such a way, how could you not choose door number two?  To which we received the hotel link (click on the link).

And to that, Jerome responded "with this hotel link, this is the best I could do for car rental... Who's driving?"


So, all joking aside, they've graciously offered to pay for the hotel in Paris...and then they sent us the real link...and now, for your viewing pleasure,...

Hotel Saint-James, Paris
I guess I'm going to have to buy me some new britches!  Actually, I'm still not completely sure they are serious and as soon as I am able to pick my jaw up off the floor, I will have to ask them.  I'm sure the rooms look just like the Formule-1.

So, beyond this frighteningly delightful surprise, this is our current itinerary.  Jerome and I leave after work on a Thursday, driving to NYC.  Drive to my sister D's house in Brooklyn to visit and drop off the car.  She takes us to the airport that Friday evening where we meet up with "The Crashers" (that's what they like to call themselves, and it's fitting since they "crashed" our trip to France with an email reminding us that they are The Crashers and they'd like us to consider the idea of them coming along with us).  Take off to CDG that night at nearly midnight and arrive in Paris on Saturday afternoon.  Spend Saturday and Sunday in Paris or the surroundings either going to the Palace at Versailles or perhaps visit the Monet gardens at Giverny.  Do other Paris-y things; the Metro, the Eiffel Tower, maybe catch a show.

While in the area, I believe we will visit Jerome's Aunt & Uncle, possibly his brother and maybe even his brothers ex-girlfriend.

Once done with our little Paris trip we head to the country to visit with the rest of the family; mom & dad, big sis and other brother.  Leaving the following Friday morning for our massive road trip to Italy.  We think we will be in Bologna sometime on Saturday.  We will stay with our friends while The Crashers will stay at a local Agriturismo.  We will visit the Bologna area (maybe even visiting the HQ of VM to see the people I work with and only know by email address) and then Monday head to Venice.

Our first indication that we were not in Kansas anymore was a month or so ago when our friends let us know that they had a reservation held at the Hotel Cipriani.  We took a look at the hotel and nearly fell out of our chairs.  It is the most expensive and exclusive hotel in Venice.  We quickly drafted an email to them to let them know that we have found a hotel down the street from there...that would be more in our price range and that we can't wait to meet up with them to check out the Cipriani!  We know rich people!  It was then explained to us that the reservations were for dinner, not the room and that they were quite happy with the hotel that we had chosen.
Domina Home Giudecca, Venice
Which, BTW, Jerome has informed me, this is not our typical cheap hotel either ~ so he's steppin' it up a bit himself.

When asked if they are keeping something from us, like one of their parents is a millionaire, they joked back "we might sleep in the car some other nights but not in Paris or Venice!!"

This is going to be quite a different trip than what I'm used to taking with Jerome.  Other than the scary thoughts that I'm already experiencing at night about the flight, I'm really looking forward to this trip.  I think it will be a bit of an adventure.

Comments

Charisa said…
An adventure is right! It all sounds fabulous! Have a wonderful time!
Jan Marie said…
Paris flea market????
baby sister said…
@Jan, I just recently purchased something from The French Gypsy on Etsy. She's sent the item to my in-laws in France since she is also located in France. Her profile says that she goes to the Flea Markets to get her items and I really like a lot of her items, so yeah, I will try to see what they have while we are there.
Jan Marie said…
oooo la la!!!!

I know if I ever make it to Paris I will go to.....

1. flea market
2. Eiffel Tower
3. Louvre
4. That area where all the artists hang out Monte something or another.
5. Moulon Rouge...just because I love the movie Gigi, with Leslie Caron and have to see a real can can dance.
6. And use one of those side walk bathrooms that are all metal and wash themselves between patrons. I saw it on Rick Steeves. I figured it would make for a good story....LOL
baby sister said…
sacre bleu!

1. on the "to-do" list
2. been there
3. done that
4. bought the caricature! (Montmatre)
5. we talked about doing a show...we'll see.
6. you need to watch out because you only get so many minutes...then it opens up automatically!

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