Living on Cloud Nine: Palace of Versailles

Showing posts with label Palace of Versailles. Show all posts

PARIS 2023 Days 1 & 2

The Eurostar train from London to Paris was super fun, and you did not even know when you were under the water. (31 mile long tube under the water). It just amazes me.

blurry but happy, lol

We got a taxi from the train station right away to our hotel across from the Louvre museum and it was beyond spectacular, one of my favorite places I’ve ever stayed in in my 52 years, definitely top three. It was recommended by a fellow Influencer and she was spot on.

The Hotel Regina catered to our every need. We did not have to lift a finger for anything. Not only was our bed decorated so sweetly with roses, it was a suite that had two bathrooms which Mr. Nine and I love! One was charming and one was modern. There were even rose petals in the bidets! AND oh that view.

The Eiffel Tower view never got old. We cheers big time after Champagne was delivered to our room!

We were so excited go get a bite to eat and start our time in Paris. The concierge was beyond spectacular and she recommended this sweet little café called Café Flottes down the road. I had the most delicious Caesar salad. And we shared a delightful crème brûlée.

We had tickets to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for 6:30, so we quickly found our way to walk there but it took a little bit.

We made sure to get familiar with the metro to head back but sometimes even though you have tickets you still have to get in line so we did not end up getting up to the Arc until sunset. That actually was an amazing blessing because guess what? We got to see the Eiffel tower light up and sparkle, what an amazing site. And all those 284 steps on the spiral staircase worth it to get up there!

Stunning...then at 9.... it Sparkled!!

Our Hotel on the walk back from the Metro at night.

Even Mirrors on the ceiling too!

Saturday, was a packed day. We had to get up bright and early for our photo shoot with a company, called The Paris Photographer, also recommend to me. But I really had reservations about doing it, it was what our photographer, Alex, told us the windiest day in Paris in three years, and it was only 39° out. His assistant, who is also his wife, did such a good job of keeping me warm. I’m currently in the process of picking out our photos so I believe it was worth it but I’ll never forget how miserable I was. Mr. Nine had a sport coat so he was a little warmer, lol.

Sneak Peak..still selecting photos.

We grabbed a quick coffee and croissant and headed back to change for our trek to the Palace of Versailles.

Croissants just weren’t enough, lol, so we went down to the Happy Caffe (2 F's) for crepes and I can see why it is called that. It is one of the top rated in Paris even though just a little hole in the wall, but the owners are absolutely spectacular, and so so funny! We had the best crepes we’ve ever had in our lives. Mr. Nine got a savory, and I got a sweet and we shared them and look at the precious Cappuccino.

We should've grabbed one of these.

Unfortunately, the train you take to get to Palace of Versailles was out so we had to figure out this crazy way to get there as it is about 45 minutes outside the city. Needless to say, we got kind of lost and had to grab an Uber and made it to the tour group by the hair of our chinny chin chin, lol. The Palace of Versailles is a massive and such an incredible story of power, greed and gluttony with the kings of France.

Located in the countryside, about 45 minutes outside of Paris, the 17^th century chateau boasts 2,300 rooms across 87,728,720 square feet!! You can read more about the history on their website. The below photo is from National Geographic to show you how massive the Palace and grounds are.

All that gold

I thought this tour was going to be amazing, but it was the beginning of the busy season and I thought I would have a panic attack with the wall-to-wall people. But the rooms were a sight to behold. The Hall of Mirrors was my favorite.

Our tour guide was a little boring which I did not think would be the case. But as soon as we got out into the palace gardens, we were mesmerized and even though cold, the fresh air felt great!

We sat and admired the pond and I got a hot chocolate, but then had to get an Uber to get to the Eiffel tower for our tickets there and it was pouring down rain and we were standing on a corner in the gardens while the Uber‘s kept switching and we never thought we get there. Finally one waited for us, but we had to walk about a half a mile because they would not allow him in the gates. Everything is a little confusing in Paris and they were many ways they could’ve made it easier. Crazy.

The clouds parted a bit so we could climb to the 1st observation area. Views were spectacular. Everyone said there was no need to go to the top and they were right.

Rain began again and we were starving so we found a fabulous lil Italian place and had some wonderful burrata and a salad for me.

Then, since hadn’t had berries of any kind since of been there so Mr. Nine bought me the most beautiful strawberries from a market so I could have them on the following morning: my Birthday! Can’t wait to tell you about days 3 (my favorite) and 4 next Monday.

In case you’ve missed any of the recaps:

Favorites from Trip HERE

London Days 1 & 2 HERE

London Days 3 & 4 HERE

Happy Fresh Week!

AND PS: did you catch our BIGGEST BEST NEWS ON INSTA!

Watch it HERE

LINKING-UP with Style on the Daily // Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files //

Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday

xoxo

FRIDAY FAVORITES...EUROPE TRIP FAVORITES

Happy Good Friday! We’re Baaack! Part of me is so glad to be back home, and the other part wishes we would’ve had just a little bit more time as the weather started to get nice, which we never really got to enjoy, lol. But you know we Nine’s, we made the most of it with gusto.

Today, since it’s the 7th, I’m sharing my top 7 favorite things from our trip in seven different categories, but I will get into much more detail in my recaps. So much to do, so much to see so much to wear; I could probably do a month’s worth of posts on London and Paris, lol.

Food/Drink in London:

The Dom Perignon Afternoon Tea in London

Mr. Nine and I did research on our English afternoon tease, and we knew that we had to do this one at the mirror room. Of course, I chose the Dom Perignon art afternoon tea. This is so beautifully presented in the most beautiful location and loved it. We had an afternoon tea plan for the next day, but we canceled it, because this is a lengthy process, but so enjoyable!

The scones were my favorite but Monday I'll show you the "artful" desserts.

Attraction in London:

Westminster Abbey!

As I was walking through the Abbey, I could just hear Elton John singing “candle in the wind” at Princess Diana’s funeral. Originally, I thought that her and Charles got married there too and then I remembered that the wedding was at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where we went a couple days after this. Westminster Abby is absolutely stunning, and so rich in history. I loved that we got to go up to the Queen’s jubilee and have a view like this.

Food/Drink in Paris:

My favorite meal was at a little spur the moment café called Treize au Jardin, on the only good weather day we got, so we got to sit outside in the sunshine and enjoy brunch! Um this pic says it all!

View:

Hotel Suite View in Paris

This was something I was so excited about because I knew our suite at Hotel Regina would overlook the Eiffel Tower, but it exceeded my dreams. Especially on the last night when we got the one and only Sunset of the entire week and a half! The neat thing about the Eiffel tower is that at 9 PM it lights up and then every hour for a few hours and for five minutes long, it’s sparkles!

Attraction in Paris:

Palace of Versailles

It was all really cool, but I have to say the Palace of Versailles and the gardens there are a sight to behold! Did you know it took 104 years to build the Palace of Versailles and over 39,000 men lost their lives during its Construction! Plus, it’s a very interesting story about the kings of France and how indulgent and horrible they were.

Magnificent Hall of Mirrors

Best Day:

Sunday, April 2nd; My Birthday

My favorite day of the trip was absolutely my birthday! Sunday, the 2nd, it started with breakfast in bed, and the most beautiful spread presented by our hotel. They even lit a candle for me.

My Favorite Photo of the trip

Lunch was at the magnificent. Le Maison Rose, a very famous pink restaurant in my favorite section of the entire city called Montmartre! So charming.

The waiter had everyone in the restaurant sing happy birthday to me and I got yet another candle.

Then that night we did an evening dinner cruise and got to see all the sites lit up in the evening along with a four course French meal. And they also sing happy birthday to me along with another gal who shared the same day, and my third and final candle of the night to top off the best day.

View of Eiffel Tower from the Boat

Purchase:

By Mr. Nine I should say, lol. We shopped enough that we needed to buy an additional suitcase to take back, lol. But besides this trip being my birthday gift, Mr. Nine indulged me in a Saint Laurent purse and coin/card purse. I was lucky to get the last two of these items with the gold on them, which is what I had my heart set on.

Bag HERE // Flap Card Case HERE

I was going to get a colorful Louis Vuitton, but I like the classy aspect of Saint Laurent so that is why I went with something more refined.

PS FAV: My Birthday Pie

Oh so wonderful to come home to a clean house, a happy doggie and my annual Key lime birthday pie from my beautiful mama! She took such good care of everything and even had my beloved ham and beans waiting in the fridge so I wouldn’t have to cook after our return! She is the best, and so is her pie! Check out her recipe HERE