LONDON
To celebrate our anniversary, my husband and I set out for London, the vibrant capital of England and the United Kingdom, in October. London’s imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower, London Bridge, and the historic Westminster Abbey—site of countless royal coronations—set the scene for our adventure. As we touched down at Heathrow International Airport, excitement and anticipation buzzed between us. We hailed an Uber to take us to The Royal Horse Guard Hotel, our home for the trip. Once inside, we needed to find the “lift” to reach the 4th floor, but after wandering for 30 minutes with no sign in sight, our patience wore thin. At last, we approached a customer service desk, where a young woman with long brown hair and sparkling blue, almond-shaped eyes greeted us with a warm smile. “Can I assist you?” she asked in a melodic English accent. http://amazon.com/author/anitadixonthomas
“I’m having trouble finding the lift,” I informed her. “We need to go to the 4th floor to get an Uber.”
She smiled and pointed past me. “It’s over there.”
I turned around and saw the elevator. “Do you mean the elevator?” I blushed.
“Yes! The lift will take you to the 4th floor.”
My husband and I looked at each other and laughed. How were we supposed to know the “lift” was the elevator?
As our Uber whisked us through the city, we gazed out the window in awe at the constant flurry of activity. Passing Buckingham Palace, we marveled at the grandeur and bustle that reminded us of New York City, with its lively crowds, endless restaurants, and vibrant shopping streets. The Royal Horse Guards Hotel, just two blocks from the palace, greeted us with a gracious welcome from the concierge staff. After settling into our elegant room, we enjoyed our first meal at Pasta Brown, a charming Italian restaurant just three blocks from Covent Garden Shopping Piazza. Savoring delicious food and wine, we immersed ourselves in the city’s energy, later strolling through the bustling piazza and exploring its eclectic shops.
The very next day, on our anniversary, we enjoyed a riverboat cruise on the Thames River and ate lunch. The panoramic view of this beautiful city was quite breathtaking. As the week progressed, we visited Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and other tourist sites. Then one morning, we took a train to Paris.
PARIS
The train ride to Paris was three and a half hours, arriving there at eleven thirty in the morning. The last time we visited the city was 4 years ago. We took pictures of the Eiffel Tower, but did not go up. This time, we planned to go up the Eiffel Tower. After checking into our hotel, we caught an Uber to the Champ de Mars District, where the Eiffel Tower is located. Famished, we stopped and ate lunch at a local restaurant and then headed to the Eiffel Tower.
This iconic structure is a wrought-iron lattice tower 1,083 ft tall. It was named after the engineer, Gustave Eiffel, whose construction company designed and built the tower in the late 1800s. The locals called it La dame de fer (French for “Iron Lady”). The Eiffel Tower has elevator access (the French say “elevator”, not “lift”) with three levels for visitors. The first two levels have restaurants. We decided to purchase tickets for the second level at 35 euros each, and the ride up was quite bumpy. http://amazon.com/author/anitadixonthomas
Once we ascended to the second level of the Eiffel Tower, I was taken aback by the height, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me as I refused to look down. I expressed my desire to return to solid ground as soon as possible. My husband chuckled, and together we maneuvered through the bustling crowd, capturing stunning photographs of Paris along the way. When we finally descended, I felt an immense sense of relief. The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering the enchanting Eiffel Tower District, where we marveled at the captivating architecture that surrounded us.
The following day, we hailed an Uber to the iconic Notre Dame District. There, we stumbled upon a charming restaurant called La Dame de Paris, conveniently located just a short stroll from the Notre Dame Cathedral. Known for its delectable croissants, France did not disappoint. We each indulged in a warm, flaky croissant paired with a rich coffee latte, and every heavenly bite melted in our mouths.
After our delightful breakfast, we eagerly made our way to the cathedral. Although entry is free, the line was daunting, and with a train to catch in the early afternoon, we had to forgo our visit. Instead, we meandered along the Seine River, exploring quaint shops and embracing the vibrant atmosphere of the city. Before we knew it, it was time to return to the train station and journey back to the hustle and bustle of London. http://anitasbooknook.com
Our trip to London and Paris was a truly enriching experience, and we look forward to returning soon. However, our next adventure awaits in the beautiful landscapes of Portugal, which we have planned for June of next year. Until then, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and thank you for sharing in our journey! http://anitasbooknook.com
