South of France to Rome, Italy: Why So Hard?

When I leave today for Rome from sunny Montpellier, I will walk to the end of my street and board an express train to Nice. I have an hour and a half layover in Nice - just enough time to stroll down to the sea while munching on a delicious sandwich from Paul - [...]

Paris Flea Markets: Best Description Ever

Stuff White People Like is a funny, scathing look at the things people of a certain kind hold dear. Their newest feature, White Spots, talks about places around the world that White People Like. The newest features the best description of the flea market in Paris - LE MARCHÉ AUX PUCES for you [...]

Pictures From Paris: Later That Same Day…

Hello!  Yesterday I showed you some groovy pictures of Paris in the rain.  Today, the final installment of my recent weekend in Paris: The train home to Montpellier.  The most spectacular weather followed us all the way down, until of course we hit the border of Languedoc and everything became South of France clear and [...]

Paris Pictures: Made For The Rain

Paris is lovely; of that there is no doubt. But nothing makes a shutterbug’s heart beat faster than Paris in the rain and black and white film in the camera. It’s raining here in Montpel, so while I won’t be strolling here I figure I’d give you rain in the city rain was [...]

Where to Eat in Paris, Part 1 of 2: French Food

Finally! Right?? Let’s get down to bidness.
First, the basics of dining in Paris - according to me:
1. Menus vary wildly - and not just the food offered on them. You’re as likely to get a laminated, expertly translated menu as you are a piece of slate with the day’s dishes written in [...]

Weekend in Paris: Executive Summary

The legendary Girls’ Weekend in Paris went swimmingly!
Some stats:
Combined miles traveled: 8,330

Meals eaten: 8

Dishes cooked, served, taken away and cleaned by someone else: 19

Scarves lost: 1

Scarves found, swung above head as entire bar cheered: 1

Nutella crepes consumed with great gusto by MK: 4

Topics discussed: 5,621

Miles walked: approx. 147

Bottles of wine drunk, paid for: 3

Bottles of [...]

Fun With Blog Stats

I love looking at my blog stats. Not for the number of hits I get; whatever, they come and go, I’ll keep writing anyway - but for the hilarious peek into the minds of people who use search engines.
I’ve posted about this before, I know - but today’s are plain wacky and just too [...]

Weekend in Paris - What to Do, If You’re Me

I was musing further on the fact that I’m having a girls’ weekend in Paris next month, and it got me to thinking about my favorite haunts. I’d thought I’d share some with you - and I want to hear what you like, as well!
Berthillon is always on my agenda. Ice cream shops [...]

Girls’ Weekend in Paris

I am just a princess.
The Queen Mum of travel addiction is my dear friend and gentlest reader MK. I got a fevered email from her just the other evening:
Just home from Costa Rica, let’s talk Paris baby.
She had just returned from a week-long vacation with three other adults and four children under the age [...]

How to Choose a Hotel Online

As promised, here are my secrets for finding a great hotel room online. These time-tested tips have been closely guarded until now - so get ready to travel like Miss Expatria!
We’ll use Paris, France as an example.
First, I go to Wiki Travel. This is just like Wikipedia, but with a focus on each [...]