Travel Notecards: PARIS

Showing posts with label PARIS. Show all posts

Friday, 9 November 2012

La Butte aux Cailles; a village in Paris, France

La Butte aux Cailles, celebrated for it's street art
Check out Miss.tic's art here

My recent stroll through the streets of La Butte aux Cailles area on the left bank in the 13th arrondissement of Paris was not my first, however it was the first time I was lucky enough to have crossed paths with Jean-François.

La Butte aux Cailles, once a working class suburb of outer Paris is now known for its contemporary art scene as well as its rich history and hip atmosphere.

If its your first visit to La Butte aux Cailles head to see Jean -François in his store Paris-Mythique before you hit the cobbled streets of this quaint yet quirky area of Paris. (Directions below).

Not only is Jean-François a great source of information, but his shop Paris-Mythique stocks fabulous books, guides and maps to both Paris and La Butte aux Cailles, as well as books on the artistic community whose street art decorates this now inner 'village' of Paris.

Grab a map and ask Jean-Françpois to direct you to the best of this art as well as other points of interest.

He can also fill you in on some of the historical stories of the area, including the first ever human piloted hot air balloon flight by François Pilatre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes, they landed the balloon right here in La Butte aux Cailles (not far from Place d'Italie) in 1783.

Some of the most interesting streets of this area are; rue de la Butte aux Cailles, which is the main 'strip' and where you will find most of the cafés, bars and restaurants, a great place to chill out for either a drink or a meal, rue des Cinq Diamonts, rue de l'Esperance, rue Daviel and Villa Daviel for its tiny village houses.

The eclectic 'Station Arret Faculatatif'

Shopping

Station Arret Faculatatif
For the eclectic and incredible; you may even find that stuffed bat that you have been searching for all your life, or maybe just a tiny slipper for some wall decoration.
10 rue de l'Esperance

Les Abeilles
A world of honey; you could spend hours in here tasting every type of honey imaginable, from orange to the Tasmanian leather wood. Or maybe its a cough elixir or a mosquito repellent you are after. Fabulous!
21 rue de la Butte aux Cailles

La Clarière
An Atelier where the owner creates and sews beautiful old world nightgowns, childrens wear, and other gorgeous creations from vintage French linen. There are also brocante items such as divine french plates. A charming and wonderful find in this equally charming part of Paris.
8 rue de l'Esperance

Directions to Jean-François and 'Paris-Mythique'
Get off the metro at Corsivart (line 6), head over the street and you will see stairs heading up the hill, climb them and you will reach rue des Cinq Diamants, Jean-François is at no 43.

If a guided tour of the area is more your style, then Jean François is also the person to organise it for you.

I think you'll love La Butte aux Cailles!

Millie xx

Friday, 13 July 2012

Paris; The summer that isn't

Summer activities are in full swing in Paris, however the weather has other ideas........a rainy Thursday......

Fete des Tuilleries

"I will be the gladdest thing under the sun! I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick one".
Edna St Vincent Millay (first female to be awarded a Pulitzer for Poetry).

Paris map

Millie x
© Copyright Millie Brown 2012

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Saturday, 30 June 2012

Paris Lingerie Shopping

Lingerie in the rooftops of Paris

Paris Lingerie Shopping:

French women love their lingerie, it's all part of feeling and looking great. However; women being women means they are probably not alone in loving the luxury of gorgeous undergarments... so when in Paris shop till you drop at these addresses.

Sabbia Rose

73 rue des Saints Peres 6th

Le Bon Marché

22 rue de Sevres 7th

Chantal Thomass

211 rue St Honoré, 1st

Cadolle

4 rue Cambon, 1st

Fifi Chachnill

231 rue St Honoré, 1st

Aubade L'art d'aimer

Check their website for store addresses

Vannina Vesperini

4 rue Toumon, 6th

Check their website for store addresses

Paris Lingerie shopping à petits prix (inexpensive lingerie)

Soleil Sucré
Online Store
Store Locator

Tati
Online Store

Etam
Online Store

Oysho

Intimissimi
Online Store

Planet undies - for men & women

For the latest lingerie news pop into the blog The Lingerie Post

Paris Map

Millie x
© Copyright Millie Brown 2012

Monday, 4 June 2012

Paris addresses; eating, walking, visiting Paris

As if returning to beautiful Paris is not exciting enough, the added excitement is that I am returning with my parents and other family members (so a lot of excitement and a lot of Paris to pack in during our time together).

Here are a few Paris pleasures I am looking forward to, some of which you may like to add to your Paris 'to do' book.

Included are a few dining out experiences that I have not yet tried but will definitely be doing my best to get to, they come highly recommended by a girl who knows her food.... Wendy Lyn, the definitive 'it' girl of Paris food and dining.

There is not much about dining out in Paris that this food guru doesn't make her business to know, and because of this I have included links that will take you directly to her individual recommendations, or you can visit her mouth watering blog all by yourself at The Paris Kitchen.

Eating

A good starter is Bistro aux deux amis in the 11th arrondissement

Albion in the 10th

Wine Bar Vivant Also in the 10th

One of my personal picks for the ambience and setting alone is the terrace at

Café Marly

looking onto the cour Napoléon and the pyramid entrance to the Louvre Museum (Photo above), is a hard view to beat!

Visiting

Jacquemart-André Museum
For another morning or afternoon of visual beauty visit the Jacquemart-André Museum, then make your way to the mansion's divinely decorated former dining room for a 'spot' of lunch or afternoon tea.

Nohant, House of George Sand

Spend a night in the countryside.
Here is a country house I would really like to visit... and it's an easy overnight trip from Paris (or perhaps a great place to make a break when traveling to the South). Situated 300km South of Paris is Nohant (in the region of Berry), the family home of one of France's greatest writers from the 19th Century, George Sand.

It is here she spent much of her life and wrote many of her novels. Frédéric Chopin her lover for many years also shared life here with Sand and wrote much of his work in Nohant.

The house and garden are open for guided visits.

Recommended reading

Chopin's Funeral

Walking

Put your walking shoes on, because here may be a walk you have not done or heard of before. (I have only completed it once myself).

This walk takes you along old train tracks set amongst flourishing vegetation high above the ground on an old viaduct in the 12th arrondissement (just behind the Opera Bastille).

Promenade Plantée

Boating

(on a canal)

Yep, thats right in Paris!

Cruise along the Canal Saint Martin. Starting at the Paris Arsenal Marina at Place de la Bastille and finishing at Parc de la Villette (or the reverse)! with Canauxrama

Perhaps do this on a warm sunny day and not a freezing winter one as I did!

I can't wait to get back to you with many more posts from Paris.

Paris Map

Millie xx

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Instinct, your best travel partner. It's midnight in Paris...

I feel I have an angel watching over me, however I won't continue to push my luck!

It's midnight in Paris and I'm walking home on a cold January night when a cough behind me takes my attention. I turn to see who is sharing the dimly lit and deserted street with me.

I make out a male figure in a dark jacket with a hood pulled tightly over his head, he’s 20 meters behind. As I reassure myself there is no reason to be afraid I quickly take out the gate keys anyway and hope that this will be the one night I won't be forced to wrestle with the lock.

I have only just put the key in when it's clear that I'm not going to make it. Some sort of weapon is shoved rudely and violently into the small of my back and I feel a prod like instrument pushing forward, it makes a loud clicking type noise and my muscles experience a tightening and weakening at the same time. The 'charmer' repeats his attack again and again into my back. I fight back as best I can and let out a shrill and persistant scream, this seems to infuriate him further and so he takes his weapon and forcefully jams it into my head, twice.

I am sharing this, one of my not so pretty Parisian experiences, to emphasize the importance of listening to one's gut instinct and using it to stay safe wherever you are in the world.

Had I listened to my instinct that night I would not have taken the metro line that I took, I had always and purposely avoided it at night as it meant a longer, darker and more deserted walk than the alternative metro line.

I remember vividly the words I said to a friend I was with that particular evening.....'I don't usually take that line....but ok, just this once then'.

Even though I didn't feel good about my split second decision I went with it and took the less safe option.

I do not know exactly what this guy wanted with me, it is possible he may not have simply wanted to take my bag. My screaming saved me, it alerted my neighbour who was putting her cats out for the night, she yelled and the 'courgageous' man ran like hell picking up my bag on his way out and leaving me bloodied and sprawled on the ground.

There followed a visit from the police, followed promptly by the ambulance, hospital and a bunch of stiches, a police station visit and even a home visit from a couple of detectives the next day. Unfortunately in my struggle I never got to see the perpetrator's face and so he is left to roam the streets freely and dangerously.

Up until very recently I had no intention of sharing this story on my blog, however a recent experience in Laos changed this. Once again I ignored a gut feeling and found myself in a very tense situation with an inebriated and clearly irrational man in a very isolated part of the country.

Had I listened to my intuition I would never have found myself in the frightening position I was in, and to this day I am not entirely sure why I didn't, although it could possibly have something to do with a stubborn streak, and the fact that when I set my eyes and my camera on something I become focused to the exclusion of all else, including my personal safety.

I will not go into the details of my experience, I will be eternally grateful for a spot of luck which saw two other tourists able to get me out of what was a drawn out and very scary situation.

Neither France nor Laos are dangerous countries, either event could have taken place in my home country of Australia. Having said this, I do want to emphasize that there are cultural differences and less stringent rules and regulations in developing nations such as Laos so it is important to understand and recognize this.

Instinct is one of man's most primal responses. It exists for a reason and should be trusted and acted upon. I certainly feel I have learnt some important lessons and have vowed to never again override what my 'gut' is telling me.

In the coming weeks I will be adding a page of travel and safety tips and I hope they can be of some use.

Please stay safe and don't doubt for a minute your primal and most important of responses, instinct.

PS In relation to my opening words.... it really was dead on midnight in Paris....I'm not stealing any movie title I promise!

Millie xx

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Discover France with In-Room

For those of you traveling to France (or those already there) and interested in finding the best of the best on offer in not only Paris but many of the other beautiful regions and cities in France, here is the website that will quickly get you to where you want to go and to what you want to experience.

In-Room is a new, high end and importantly user friendly website highlighting the best of everything on offer in various destinations within France.....click here to enter

They tell us.....

''We have kept our site deliberately clutter-free and simple so it’s easy to navigate, with destination links to find that specific place in France, and categories to find where to stay, eat, shop etc''

''An event calendar with the highlights in the whole of France is also available under explore. Our special offers have their own spot in the main menu, as they may actually influence your entire travel plan''!

I can personally recommend this site, because I know that the people behind the scenes live and breath France, and appreciate quality and good service. Now fortunately for us they are sharing their inside knowledge on In-Room!

Bookmark this site and enjoy exploring, discovering and booking the best there is in France.

Paris Map

Millie x

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Le Marais, Paris, France

Summer play time in Place des Vosges

The Marais, Paris:
I moved apartments so many times when I was living in Paris that I know many of its arrondissements like the back of my hand.

My last apartment before leaving for Italy was located in the Marais and is undoubtedly one of my favourite areas of Paris.

Vintage on Place des Vosges

Many of the districts in Paris have a distinct village feel to them and if you never wanted to venture further than your own arrondissement you would still have everything that you could possibly need or desire within a short walking distance. It is this intimate village atmosphere that I miss in my daily life when I am not there.

Whenever I moved to a new area of Paris, the first thing I did was to put on my walking shoes and explore every nook and cranny, to find all my 'special' spots that would sustain me in my daily life.

Finding the best coffee and croissant was always number one priority on my list, followed by the yummiest pastries, the freshest fruit and veg (this is very often the closest open air market), my favourite café terrace, the best baguette sandwich, the local cheese shop..... there were of course other non food related necessities to find but they were always a little less important to me somehow.

The gorgeous architecture of Place des Vosges

For me the heart of the Marais district is undoubtedly the Place des Vosges, it is hard not to love this beautiful historical square and there are many ways to enjoy it.....wander into the many art galleries or cafés, browse the vintage shops and boutiques, enjoy a picnic on the grass or visit the Victor Hugo Museum. The atmosphere always seems to be relaxed and happy and it's a great place to bring the kids, they love the sandpits, play equipment and fountains.

The Marais spreads over the 3rd and 4th arrondissements and is an area of great historical importance and beauty. It became the fashionable area for the aristocracy back in the 16th & 17th Centuries, hence the abundance of magnificent hotels (mansions) that we can still see today. After the revolution of 1789 the area was abandoned and left to rot, and it wasn't until the 60's that the restoration commenced and the Marais was returned to its former glory and has since become one of the most fashionable areas of Paris.

It is importantly also one of the few areas of Paris that was not razed by Napoleon III's modernization program which saw Baron Haussmann re-plan medieval Paris (1853 - 1870) to its current city plan (long wide boulevards and parks), and is why the Marais still retains its small cobbled streets and authentic Parisian atmosphere, as well as some of the few remaining medieval buildings in Paris.

Here are some of the places that I loved (and still love) to visit and which were also part of my daily life in the Marais, you may also enjoy them.

Museums and galleries

La Maison Européenne de la photographie

82 rue François Miron

75004

Permanent and visiting exhibitions as well as a great library, bookshop and café

Hotel de Sully

62 rue St Antoine

75004

A magnificent example of 17th Century Louis XIII architecture, and was the home of one of Henri the IV's ministers. Enter either from Place des Vosges or from rue St Antoine. Enjoy the gorgeous little garden and wonderful book shop. Also housed here is one of the two Jeu de Paume museums of Paris, which host some great photographic exhibitions.

Musée National Picasso Paris

Hotel Salé
5 rue de Thorigny
75003
Closed until summer 2013

Musée Carnavalet

23 rue de Sévigné

75003

A museum devoted to the History of Paris. This is a must do in my opinion not only for the museum and gallery of artwork but for its architectural beauty and its gardens.

Cafe / Bistro / Restaurants

Au Bouquet St Paul

85 rue St Antoine

75004

Love the ambiance here, and try the crèpes, a friend of mine couldn't get enough of them and I found her here every morning during her week in Paris.

Chez Janou

click here

2 rue Roger Verlomme

75003

One of my favourite places to have a drink and eat. Book if you want the terrace on a summer night or arrive early.

Les Temps des Cerises
31 rue de la Cerisaie
75004

A tiny place buzzing with locals so arrive early for lunch, great value.

Village Saint Paul

rue Saint Paul
75004

A village within a village, wonderful bric a brac, vintage, antiques, art and little places to eat and drink. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of my favourite place for coffee and cake but look for the winiest place tucked into a corner and you will have found it!

Ma Patissière

Au Petit Versailles du Marais
1 rue Tiron and François Miron
75004

Pastries / Desserts / Coffee & Tea

Le Loir dans la Théière
3 rue des Rosiers
75004
Settle in here for the afternoon, a comfortable, cozy and eclectic café that serves great heart warming desserts.

Mariage Frères
click here
30 rue du Bourg-Tibourg
75004
Its a tea emporium, museam and tea salon with beautiful pastries. Visit even if you don't have time to sit and indulge. I always buy my tea here and take it with me wherever I am in the world.
(This is one of only many Mariage Frères emporiums in Paris)

Little specialty food store
Produits Exotiques
30 rue François Miron
75004
It is like stepping back in time, its tiny but it has everything (even my favourite french olive oil from Les Baux )

Parks
Square Leopold Achille
rue du Parc Royal
75004

Square Georges Cain
rue Payenne
75004

Place
Place du marché St Catherine
off rue d'Ormesson
75004
Tree lined tiny quaint square with numerous restaurants and only a few steps away from the Place des Vosges.

Food markets

Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
The oldest covered market in paris.
39 rue Bretagne
75003
(Not open Mondays)
click here for opening hours

Bastille Market
Boulevard Richard Lenoir
Situated in the 11th arrondissement but two steps from the Marais area.
The biggest outdoor food market in Paris and in my opinion one of the very best, its wonderful, don't miss it.
(Thursdays and Sundays until around 2.30pm)

Wine

Nicolas

rue Saint Antoine

75004

They are a chain, and I love them. I have always found the staff to be friendly and helpful and they have a good selection.

Department Store

BHV (Bazaar Hotel de Ville)

52 rue de Rivoli

75004

Called as such because it is opposite the Hotel de Ville

You can find anything your heart desires here.... from cosmetics to hardware items

Favourite Streets

rue des Rosiers

rue Francs Bougeois

rue Vieille du Temple

rue St Paul

rue Bourg Tibourg

There is so much to discover and enjoy in this area of Paris as there is in all of the other corners of this gorgeous city, enjoy!

Paris Map

Millie xx

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Mauvais Président.....and protest marches in Paris

I found this image while going through my archive tonight, it is from the year 2008 and it reminded me of the great photo opportunity that the endless protest marches in Paris provide, and I admit to enjoying getting amongst it all with my camera.

I remember the first large protest I came across, a sea of people was streaming down Boulevard Beaumarchais from Place de la République on its way to Place de la Bastille. I unfortunately didn't have my camera on me and was simply on my way to the supermarket. Just negotiating the crossing was an experience in itself and in doing so I was surprised to notice that everyone seemed to be in good spirits and pretty much enjoying themselves. I have a feeling that some Parisians quite simply love a good march!

I am not sure what you think about involving children in the adult world of political demonstrations, I know what I think. I do wonder when I look at this photo how much this boy knows of President Sarkozy and his policies (then again the same question could be asked of many adults too I am sure). Food for thought in any case.

By the way the literal translation of his placard is bad President.

Paris Map

Millie x

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Cultural Guides for what's on in Paris - Pariscope & L'Officiel des Spectacles

Roaming Paris at night with my tripod when the crowds have usually disappeared

If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast - Ernest Hemingway

I have just finished reading Ernest Hemingway's 'A moveable Feast'. Love the book, really enjoy Hemingway's style, its so to the point.....and of course its no secret, I love Paris.

As I prepare slowly to go back to the city I love so much, I feel excited again about doing all the things I love to do in Paris, even if that means doing not terribly much sometimes. Sipping a rosé on a warm day on some café terrace, or reading a book by my favourite fountain in the Jardin du Luxembourg, or maybe simply enjoying the sunday papers over a fresh buttery croissant and café crème.

I am on the outdoor terrace of Printemps (department store) photographing La Basilique du Sacré Coeur in Montmartre.

I can't wait to speak the language that I love so much again and hear it spoken, to walk miles and miles of museum corridors and rooms devouring history, art and all the photographic exhibitions that I can find, and to pop in to see some of France's best actors treading the stage in one of the city's many gorgeous theatres. There is simply no end to the possibilities in Paris.

When you arrive in Paris and you don't have much time, (or even if you do), grab one of these publications from any newsstand or newsagent and hit the ground running.

Pariscope or L'Officiel des Spectacles both great weekly publications / cultural guides that cost next to nothing and list simply everything that is happening in Paris for that week. Throw one of them in your bag and keep it there (with the umbrella)!

Pariscope website here

L'Officiel des Spectacles website here

Paris Map

Millie xx

These photos are copyrighted please do not download, thank you :-)

Thursday, 24 November 2011

Apartment swap - Paris / Venice

I knew who was getting the better end of the deal in the nitty gritty of the apartment swap but as far as the location went it was pretty equal!

I had just received an email from my dear friend Helen who lives most happily between Venice and Australia, 6 months in Venice from spring to Autumn and back to Australia for its warmer months.

She had the wonderful idea of swapping homes for a week, I would fly to Venice and stay with her for a night and the next day after we had enjoyed a good catch up she would take my house keys and a plane to Paris.

While Marco (Helen's Venetian husband) and Helen's gorgeous roomy apartment is situated on an adorable and quiet canal 10 minutes walk from St Marks square in Venice, my apartment was a studio around 10 times smaller and consisted of a pull out couch bed (albeit a very nice leather one). However, the position of my studio was 'tops', rue St Paul in the Marais and I loved it, and so apparently did Helen. Who spends time in an apartment anyway when the streets of Paris are beckoning.

For the one afternoon and evening that we had together in Venice Helen ran me around like the 'local' that she was (and still is) and I was immediately under the spell...of everything...at that time it had been two years since I had spent any time in Italy and probably 20 years since I had visited Venice.

Since this particular visit I have been lucky enough to have been able to return to Venice a number of times, even taking the train from Florence for a day trip just to experience and see Venice in all its Carnival glory. A huge photo opportunity if ever there is one.

Here are some recommendations that Helen shared with me for

Venice, the city she loves and knows so well.

St Marks square at night (Piazza San Marco)

Helen led me to St Marks square at night and later told me she had done this for a reason. It was only around 8 o'clock but there was hardly a soul on the streets, (it was the last week in September) and I had absolutely no idea what we were heading for....that was until we turned the corner and my re-introduction to this beautiful space quite literally took my breath away. The sheer beauty of the Cathedral with its magnificent mosaic facade, and the grandeur of the square itself is amplified tenfold by the soft lights and the still of night.

If you have the opportunity to experience St Marks square at night after the crowds have disappeared, do it, it is such a very different experience than the one you will have sharing it with thousands of others during the day.

Entry to St Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

Helen had left me with a very 'handy' piece of knowledge that saved me quite literally at least an hours wait in a queue. (I am not someone who loves a queue)!

There is no church that will refuse a person the opportunity for prayer and so there is usually an entrance to accommodate these people, and it is usually located to the side and away from the mile long queue that is common in many of the busy and large Cathedrals. If you do not speak the language the sign for prayer is universal and always understood. If you feel that you would like to take the time for prayer look for this door and you will be allowed entry without queuing. More information here

The beautiful domes of St Mark's Basilica taken from Saint Mark's Bell Tower (Camponile di San Marco)

Traghetto

When crossing certain canals in Venice stand up with the locals in a traghetto (much more fun than a vaporetto). My first traghetto experience was crossing the grand canal on the San Sofia Traghetto to get to the Rialto food and fish market (which is fabulous by the way and well worth a visit).

Crossing the Canal on a Traghetto

Disembarking a traghetto

Coffee Standing at the bar in the gorgeous Cafe Florian - St Marks Square

I didn't stand, my feet need resting occasionally, so I sat snuggled into a corner of one of the intimate and gorgeously decorated rooms where I soaked up the warmth of the coffee, the pastries and the atmosphere. Simply divine and I didn't care what it cost! Website here

Scuola grande di San Rocco

Visit the Scuola di San Rocco, it was a confraternity or lay brotherhood and was formed in the 15th Century to help those affected by the plague and give comfort to the poor. It is lavishly decorated with canvases by one of Venice's greatest Renaissance artists Tintoretto. He completed an extraordinary series of religious works throughout the many rooms of the Scuola between 1564 and 1588.
Campo San Rocco, San Polo

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Is one of Venice's most important Basilicas because of the wealth of art that is found here, including Titan's Altarpiece of the Assumption ( a masterpiece of the high Renaissance), a wooden statue of St John the Baptist by Donatello and paintings by Bellini (one of Venice's most famous painters). It is also the burial place for Francesco Foscari (one of the most powerful and important Doges of Venice, 1423 - 1457) as well as Titan himself who died of the plague in 1576.
Campo dei Frari.

Nico's gelato

Head for the Fondamenta Zattere on the Giudecca canal in the Dorsoduro area to stop and choose one of Nico's wonderful gelati. Enjoy it while making your way to the Punta della Dogana Center of Contemporary Art (which houses modern artworks from the Francois Pinault Foundation). This space was formerly the old customs building and was renovated by the Japanese Architect Tadao Ando. Apparently the restoration was done in 18 months.

Best Coffee and Croissants (Cornetti) Caffè del Doge

Helen took me here on my first morning and I returned every day after that! Only in Italy can they make a coffee as good as this and the cornetti alla crema are sensational. The café is located very close to the Rialto bridge, tucked away in a tiny little alleyway called Calle dei Cinque in San Palo, if you cross over the bridge from the San Marco side turn left and it is the 3rd alleyway on your right and down 50 metres or so on the right. Ask one of the waiters from the restaurants if you can't find it.

Cantina Do Mori for Italian tapas (cicchetti) and a glass of wine

Wonderful atmospheric wine bar, again very close to the Rialto bridge. It's a great place to stop for a minute or an hour. When I was there it seemed to be full of locals, they can down their wine and cicchetti while standing at the bar nearly as quickly as their morning coffee! I, however took my time and loved it. Situated in Calle do Mori or Calle Galiazza in San Palo (two entrances). In the area just behind the Rialto market.

An Angel on the facade of the Doge's Palace

Take the 'Secret' tour of the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

You will need to book in advance for this one (as I found out) , you can book online or if you are in a hotel they may be able to get you tickets.

Unlike the regular tour the secret tour takes you to many of the hidden passages and rooms of this palazzo from where the Doges ruled the Republic of Venice for hundreds of years. It will also give you an insight into some of the the darker secrets of Medieval and Renaissance Venice. More Information and tickets here

Like Florence.........I could go on and on, but I simply have to end somewhere.

Thank you Helen and Marco for having loaned me your wonderful home and for having given me the gift of one glorious week in Venice.

Recommended reading

A History of Venice - John Julius Norwich

Journey from Venice - Ruth Cracknell

Venice - Jan Morris

Paris Map
Street map Venice Italy

Millie x