http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/ Paris, France, and trust me, they hype about Paris is right. It is, indeed, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and this comes from the mouth of someone who has widely traveled all over the world. If there is one place you must visit in your lifetime, make it Paris.]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.0 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:28:51 -0600 0 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/d/331-2/paris.jpg http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/ http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/seine-bridge.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/seine-bridge.jpg.html
The Seine River is a delightful place whether you are taking a boat cruise or just relaxing on its banks on a date or relaxing after a day's work.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:38:38 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/bastille-opera-house.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/bastille-opera-house.jpg.html
While the original Opera House in Paris is alive and well, if you actually want to enjoy opera or other artistic performances, you will need to visit this modern building right in the Bastille Square.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:59:47 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/wall-sculpture.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/wall-sculpture.jpg.html
I was reluctant to visit the Saint Chapelle church due to the long line but in the end I am glad I did. Take a look at this marvelous piece of work on the walls outside.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:53:47 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles.jpg.html
While you may be tempted to make it short and sweet while visiting the Versailles Palace, my recommendation is that if you have the time, give yourself one full day. Get out after an early morning breakfast, enjoy the lunch inside (even better bring your own sandwich, cheese and wine for a picnic), walk around the palace and the gardens, and then leave in the late afternoon. As this picture shows, it is a big place.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:53:47 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-tourist.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-tourist.jpg.html
Almost all books, particularly by Rick Stevens, recommend that you arrive as early as possible to the Verasilles Palace. You can also buy your ticket at a train station or at many other places before coming (use the information in your guide book or talk to your concierge). That way you won't waste time in buying a ticket and join the security line right away. Bring something to read or listen to if you are alone, plenty of water and even a snack to eat. Use the rest room before you line up and figure out where the toilet is before you line up. It will be a long wait.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:53:47 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-toilet.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-toilet.jpg.html
Versailles draws millions of tourists each year to France. The fee to enter is very high and there is a long wait to enter the palace or the gardens, but the authorities have to do a better job of helping the tourists. For instance, when you are waiting to get inside, the lines are so long but using the toilet is a problem. There are no visible signs to the rest room and there are huge lines outside the restroom. When we ended up at a restaurant inside to eat, apart from the chaotic atmosphere in the restaurant (poor service, overwhelmed staff, dirty tables, wrong orders, etc.) the toilet was so dirty that no decent human being could use it.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:53:47 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-statue.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-statue.jpg.html
Versailles is a destination that you will never forget. The things that you will remember are the massive palace, the incredible gardens, and art everywhere. See this beautiful statue hidden in one of the gardens. What I don't want to remember are dirty toilets in Versailles.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:53:47 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-side-view.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-side-view.jpg.html
There is no doubt that Versailles Palace is huge, bigger than the White House or Buckingham Palace, but this picture demonstrates how massive this building really is.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:53:47 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-panorama.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-panorama.jpg.html
Similar to this panoramic view of the Versailles Palace, this view is yet another angle and as you can see there are many romantic couples posing for their memorable trips to Paris and Versailles.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:22:18 -0500 http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-palace.jpg.html http://www.mynippon.com/gallery/v/admin/paris/versailles-palace.jpg.html
Unfortunately the day I was there it was a bit cloudy and rather windy and the water in the reflecting pool was going nuts eliminating any chance for me to photograph the palace as a reflection.]]> photo Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:22:18 -0500