Leaving Denver

I am so very excited – my family and I leave early tomorrow for Europe.  It’s our first proper vacation in years, unless you count camping.  My in-laws flew in yesterday to take care of our spoiled dogs (who I just can’t bring myself to take to a kennel) and will also be helping my sister in law with a home renovation project.  They are so good to us – if you happen to be reading this, Thank you!

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bravaria

One of the stops on our travels to Germany is going to be Neuschwanstein Castle which was used as inspiration by Walt Disney for the famed Disney icon, Cinderella Castle.   We figure that might make sight seeing with our 11 year old daughter a little more tolerable to add in some fun side trips that appeal to someone her age.  Our head quarters is going to be a little town outside of Würzberg where my step mother currently lives.  We also plan to visit Rothenburg, Munich, and Stuttgart (where my husband and I met).

Eiffel Tower

Since my husband took so much time off from work, we found terrific flight bargains within Europe and are going to spend 5 nights in Paris.  We figure we won’t be going back to Europe any time soon with me going back to school this fall so we should take full advantage of our trip.  $120 round trip per person from Frankfurt to Paris on Air France – can’t beat that.  Plus it was less expensive to fly than to take the train.  Instead of staying in a hotel, we found a screaming deal on a 1 bedroom apartment in le Marais which is in the heart of the city for about $140- a night through a terrific website called VRBO.  The place is in the 3rd arrondisement within walking distance to many of Paris’ main attractions such as the Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Picasso Museum, Notre Dame, the Seine & more.  We’re also going to swing by the little apartment where I used to live in 1985-87 when I was a student at the American University in Paris.  Good memories….

Back to VRBO which stands for Vacation Rentals by Owner – it’s a terrific site that we recently used when we went skiing in Steamboat Springs.  People post their homes & condos for rent on the site and a calender shows if the place is available along with plenty of photos & amenities.  We like living like a local and having access to a kitchen.  In an expensive city like Paris, eating at home saves a lot of money.

I will be unplugged for the next two weeks, but hope to take lots of photographs to share upon my return July 1st.  Maybe I’ll post 1 or 2 from Germany – I will have access to my step-mom’s computer.

Later,

Cynthia