Month: March 2023

Plans for this summer Updated 5/26/2023

Churches

Sainte-Chapelle – Sainte-Chapelle

Basilique Cathedrale Saint-Denis – Basilique cathédrale de Saint-Denis (saint-denis-basilique.fr)

Notre-Dame

Chateau de Vincennes – Château de Vincennes (chateau-de-vincennes.fr)

Pantheon – Panthéon (paris-pantheon.fr)

Arc de Triomphe

Conciergerie – Conciergerie (paris-conciergerie.fr)

Jardin du Luxembourg – Gardens Free

The OFFICIAL Eiffel Tower website: tickets, news, info… (toureiffel.paris)

Eiffel Tower Most iconic and most popular tourist attraction in Paris. Top has best views. 2nd level good views and easier to get to. First level Okay views but great place to bring lunch and hang out. Get tickets ASAP. Even if you don’t go up, great photo opportunities.

Top takes a while to get to but best view. Two elevators up or walk up to 2nd level then elevator. long lines, be prepared to wait.

2nd level Great view, eisier to get to but still crowded but not as much as top.

1st level ok views, but a bigger space to hang out. Restaurants there. Food stands and tables there. Great place to bring lunch and hang out after viewing.

Get tickets ASAP because sell out fast. Earliest buy 2 months ahead but tickets gone in an hour in summer so get then as soon as they open, remember the time change.

If can’t get tickets there is a wait list for tickets. Last resort but it worked for us. Always stand in line but it could be up to 2 hours.

OFFICIAL Eiffel tower tour guide for your mobile (toureiffel.paris)

Food Eiffel Tower. Common area on second floor, bring your own

Le Studio des Parfums – Paris

Museums

The Musée Marmottan Monet (Monet Marmottan Museum)

Musée de l’Orangerie (musee-orangerie.fr) – Winning the Museum Lottery in Paris. The Free days in can be like Winning the Museum Lottery in Paris or Spending a day in hell.
It all depends on the Museum you chose. I will show you the best way to get into one.of the best art Museums in the world.

Getting into a Museum in Paris on a free day is a challenge in itself, and you have to gamble between paying for a guaranteed non-refundable ticket 3 months early, of trying for a free ticket 1 month out. See our article here. But there is one more wrinkle, which Museum do you chose.

? Some large museums don’t restrict tickets as much as othersgreat for free days because they limit the visitors, not like the love which is insane. Like winning the Lottery as opposed to being in hell

Musée d’Orsay –

Roof Top Restaurants

Terrass” Hotel | Montmartre

Le Perchoir Ménilmontant

Free drinks

Free Sparkling water to help with climate change – https://www.eaudeparis.fr/en/where-to-find-water-paris

Paris is helping reduce climate change buy reducing the number of plastic bottles in an innovative. European cites for decades have been giving free water to citizens which allows people to reuse liquid containers. Paris is going one further along with a few other cities, and give out free sparkling water.

On the River Seine, there is a water fountain that not gives out fresh free water, it gives out carbonated water for free! It’s very simple to use, but bring a big water bottle because there is a lot of water dispensed. It’s difficult to get to because it is between to different sets of stairs down to the river, but the effort is well worth it.

We will be going to other fountains that despence carbinated water in Paris. We at NonRevWebsite want to promote amazing idea to reduce the amount of plastic and climate change. What a great idea to get us to use reusable water bottles. And we need to use these fountains all over the world.

Please visit and take a picture of you using it and post below. I’ll be the first.

Angelina

Day trip from Paris

Giverny – Where the Water Lilies were painted

Large bags forbidden, Restaurant, Map, flowers, history of water lilies, top 10 images painted, Facts,

Fondation Claude Monet (fondation-monet.com)

Getting to Giverny – Vernon : Getting back and forth to Giverney from Paris is not easy. If this is you first time in Paris, it will feel almost impossible. But I have done it and found out the pitfalls and problems for you. Here are some ideas to make it easy for you to enjoy where Monet painted his famous Waterlilies.

First, go to St.Lazare Train Station and get the ticket directly from TER. The website is okay to reference, but even the concierge at the hotel is stayed at on my layover was confused on how to use it. It is open 7Am to 9pm and the people are very friendly.

If you want to get tickets on the internet, go to SNCF Connect – Résultats d’itinéraires aller (sncf-connect.com). It’s easiest to pick on SNFC “Vernon” only and filtering with “direct”. Otherwise you will get a very complicated route and pay more than you have to.

Once in the town of Vernon, there are several ways to get to Giverny. There is the Shuttle, a taxi, or a “train” which goes on the road, or you can walk. Each has their good pints and bad. Here is what I have found.

If you take the Vernon-Giverny shuttle for 5 Euros, the easiest way, get ready to wait in a line. Even so, they time their shuttle schedule to th train so you don’t have to wait. They also seem to have the correct amount of buses for the people that are waiting to. The Shuttle does have a schedule which really helps with planning. The travel time is 15 to 20 minutes.

The walk from the station to Giverny is long, 5.1 km or 3.2. They say it could take up to a hour. The path is paved so on a nice day with time to spare, it could be an option. The estimated time of travel is 1 hour and 15 minutes.

There are taxis you can take to and from Giverny for 16 Euro for up to 4 people. This is good if you are trying to get back to Vernon to make your train and you miss the shuttle and the one won’t get you there on time. And if you have 4 people in your party, it’s actually cheaper to use the taxi instead of the shuttle. So this option could be more convenient and cheaper than the bus. Just remember it might be a while to get a cab when it is busy.

Once they drop you off, you have a short walk to the estate, but it can be very confusing. If you have time to spare, you can go the bust of Monet and enjoy the scenery. If you what to want to beat the crowds, follow the signs that say “Access to the Village”. Walk along the road until see the sign that says Sente Leroy.

If you have group tickets, take a left up Sente Leroy then take the first right. If you need tickets, take a left on Sente Leroy and continue until you see the main thoroughfare and take a right. If you got tickets online, which I highly suggest, turn left on Sente Leroy then the second right.

Getting to Giverny from Paris and back can be a challenge if you haven’t done it before. If you follow these suggestions, it will be much easier and your visit to Monet’s house will be even more enjoyable.

SNCF Connect – Résultats d’itinéraires aller (sncf-connect.com)

Train travel around France and Europe by SNCF Connect (sncf-connect.com)

Versailles Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles

Official website – Palace of Versailles (chateauversailles.fr)

Train to Versailles: Go to the Montparnasse Train Station to get your

River Cruises

Bateaux Mouches – $15

Bateaux Parisiens –

Cruise – talk $16

Lunch – $69 / $89

Batobus

“Discover the Best Way to Explore Paris: Batobus, the Hop On Hop Off Boat on the Seine River!”

If you’re planning a trip to the enchanting city of Paris, you’re in for a treat! One of the most convenient and picturesque ways to navigate between the city’s top attractions is through the Paris Hop On Hop Off Boat on the Seine. Get ready to embark on a journey that combines breathtaking views, flexibility, and easy access to iconic landmarks.

🛥️ Why Choose the Hop On Hop Off Boat?

Picture this: you’re standing on the deck of a charming boat, gently cruising along the Seine River. As you pass by some of Paris’ most famous landmarks, you realize that this is not just a mode of transportation – it’s an experience in itself. The Hop On Hop Off Boat offers a unique way to move between tourist attractions while soaking in the beauty of the city’s architecture.

⏰ Efficiency and Convenience

With just 15 minutes between attractions, the Hop On Hop Off Boat ensures you have more time to explore and less time waiting in traffic. The 2-hour round trip lets you cover a lot of ground in a short period. Whether you’re spending a full day or two in Paris, the flexibility of the Hop On Hop Off Boat allows you to create an itinerary that suits your preferences.

📍 The 9 Stops

The route includes 9 strategic stops that cover some of Paris’ most iconic destinations. From the majestic Eiffel Tower and the historic Louvre to the charming Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the magnificent Notre Dame, you’ll have the chance to experience the city’s rich history and culture like never before. The stops include:

1. Tour Eiffel
2. Invalides
3. Musée d’Orsay
4. Saint-Germain-des-Prés
5. Notre Dame
6. Jardin des plantes
7. Hôtel de ville
8. Louvre
9. Place de la Concorde

🎧 The Experience

While the Hop On Hop Off Boat doesn’t offer a tour or audio guide, fear not! Simply bring along this blog post as your handy guide. It’s packed with tips and information that will help you make the most of your journey along the Seine.

🚌 A Great Alternative

If you’re looking for an alternative to the standard tour bus, the Hop On Hop Off Boat is a fantastic choice. You’ll enjoy comparable views to the tour boats but with the added benefit of being able to ride all day long, not just once around.

So, why wait? Embrace the charm of Paris from the tranquil waters of the Seine. Hop on and off at your leisure, capturing unforgettable memories at every stop. Get ready for a journey that’s not just a mode of transport, but a true adventure! 🌉🚢🇫🇷 #ParisAdventure #SeineBoatTour #HopOnHopOff”

Vedettes de Paris – talked $20

Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off – $19 / 23 2 days. Great way to get around for the day. No tour, but extremely convenient.

Transportation

Airport

RER-B (Blue Line) Terminal 2, 30E) to Chatelee to 1

Week Pass

Navigo Découverte Pass – best deal for getting around Paris. 30 Euro from Monday to 11:59pm Sunday. Normally 2 euro a ticket for 90 minutes. 15 trips on the Metro for the week pays for it .
We arriVed Monday morning at CGV, got the pass and used it to travel on the RER to our place in Montmontre. That ride would have been 12 Euro, then used it the rest of the day, so we had paid 18 Euro to ride the Metro for the week. If you took the RER back to cgv on Sunday, you would have paid 6 Euro to use the Metro for that whole week.
Great deal to get around Paris, but need a map like this https://parisbytrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/paris-metro-map-2021.pdf and to read other posts I made. Refill for the day 8.45.

From CDG

Alexandre Dantzer

Mount Montre

Art Museum – Montmartre museum in the heart of Paris (museedemontmartre.fr)

MUSÉE DE MONTMARTRE – The people that “Normal” Society cast out who changed how we look at the world.

Originally La Maison du Bel Air where artists Auguste Renoir, Émile Bernard, Raoul Dufy, Charles Camoin, Suzanne Valadon or Maurice Utrillo used as inspiration for many of their paintings.

Permanent collection starts in 1870, right after Montmartre was annexed by Paris. Area known for bohemian atmosphere that seeded the cafes and cabarets which was inspiration for Impressionism’s most well known works of art.

Besides Artworks, you can visit the 3 Renoir gardens that were inspiration for e Bal du Moulin de la Galette (“The Moulin de la Galette Ball”), La Balancoire (“The Swing”), and Jardin de la rue Cortot (“Rue Cortot Garden”). Great for instagram and selfies putting yourself in famous works of art.

Finally, they host temporary expositions whose past artists include, Exhibition “Fernande Olivier and Pablo Picasso, in the intimacy of the Bateau-Lavoir, Charles Camoin, a free Fauve, Picasso in Montmartre, and Around the Chat Noir, Arts and pleasures in Montmartre, 1880-1910.

Not only is this a great find of Impressionistic Art, but a great historic documentation of social outcasts that changed the world. A place not only to visit because of your love of art, but to celebrate the greatness of those cast out by “normal” society.

Les Parous

Supplies

Best Universal International Outlet Travel Adapter that I have found -Unidapt Universal Travel Adapter,

Needed an adapter not only for the plug in devices, but with a USB plug in for phones and battery backs. Also had to be able to pack up in a small size for travel in suitcase and bags. And need to be usable anywhere in the world.

Unidapt Universal Travel Adapter works anywhere in the world which is important to me because I travel all over the world. works Worldwide Outlet for Europe US USA UK EU AUS . Covering over 160 countries with US/UK/EU/AU plugs, The Portable Converter support outlets in North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, Asia and so on.  

Intelligent charge “IC” allows the travel adapter to automatically recognize devices and delivers the best electric charge for everything you plug in the outlet, for optimized charging time of all of your devices.

Needs to be able to power more than one device. CHARGE UP TO 5 DEVICES: International Travel Adaptor allows SIMULTANEOUS use of the AC power Socket and Four USB CHARGING Ports including all smart phones, Laptops, Bluetooth speakers, Power banks, tablets and so on.

Must be safe so not to ruin my essential equipment I use to pilot an aircraft. 4 AC wall power sockets- 6 Amp max (660W max. at 110V, 1380W max. at 230V), AC 100-240V-max 6A output; 4-Port USB charger 2.4A 5V DC max; 2400mA. Unidapt adapters are small, safe and Perfect for Travel.

Must have a guarentee. SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: Or your Money Back & 1 Year full Warranty. Great Customer Service that will help in all situations.

Touring around the Island of Aegina is a daunting task. There is so much to do, you need more than a day to see it all. And you will need a Scouter or a car as I posted here. But if you want to just come for the day, here is the list of things to do. So read on, research to find what interests you, then go out and explore!

The Temple of Aphaia. The Temple of Aphaia was built around 500 BC pre-dating the Acropolis in Athens by almost 100 years. It pays homage to local Goddess Aphaia, goddess of fertility. She came to be identified with the goddesses Athena and Artemis as part of their origin story.

Agios Nektarios Monistary. This is one of the most visited sites on Aegina. Saint Nectarios is one of the most widely known Greek Orthodox Saints known for his miracles of curing diseases. For this reason, thousands come from around the world to visit his tomb and pray for a blessing to cure their ailments. Besides that, it is just a beautiful place to visit.

The Musee Christi’s Kapralos. Christi Kapralos is known as one of Greece’s greatest representatives of Modernism. His work is based on normal Greek life in peace and war, which he lived through. The art on display is from 1963 to 1993 and was created on the Island. Make sure to see a copy of the frieze called “The Monument of the Pindos Battle”, inspired by the Greek revolution against the Germans. The actual frieze is in the halls of the Greek Parliament.

Archaeological Museum of Aegina. This is the first National Museum of Greece and was founded on 21 October 1829 by Ioannis Kapodistrias in Aegina, which at that time was the capital of the Greece. It features art from the Prehistoric to Roman times including artifacts from Kolona, the Temple of Aphaia, the Temple of Ellanios Zeus, the Temple of Artemis, and the Temple of Apollo

Archaeological Site of Kolona. This is the former religious and political center of the island dated back to 3000 BC. the archaic temple of Apollo and according to island lore says Venetian sailors used for orientation. Excavations shows many gods worshiped here, from Apollo to Poseidon, going back to prehistoric times.

Moni Island Beach . An inhabited island and nature reserve, a great place to go to enjoy the wildlife. Getting to the secluded island just off the shore, takes a shuttle in the summer. Once there, enjoy the friendly animals, the lovely landscape, and the clear waters.

To see all there is to do in Athens for FREE, the City of Love, go to Nonrev Athens. To see free and cheap things to do around the world, go to NonRevWebsite.com/ .

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In the Aegina Sea, a short ferry ride from Athens, is the Island of Aegina. It is a great day trip if you are island hopping, or a great place to spend a few days exploring. Either way, it is a great spot which you can make the most, or as little as you want.

Getting there takes between 45 minutes to an hour and twenty minutes from Athens. It’s a very easy trip and you can see my post on island hopping if you need the details. If you want to go to see the sights, take the first high speed ferry. .There is almost too much to see in a day.

The port town of Aegina is very relaxing. This is the perfect place to go to decompress and just watch the ship enter and leave the harbor. The water front is great place to explore. It has a lot of history from the Aegina Cathedral to the Vogiatzis Mansion.

The Island has any sites to see outside the port town. The Temple of Aphaia, the Agios Nektarios Monistary, and the Tower of Markell’s to name a few. For those looking for the history of the area, there is the Musee Christi’s Capralos, the Archaeological Museum of Aegina, and the Archaeological Site of Kolona. There is even Moni Island Beach for sunbathers.

If you want to sightsee the whole island, there are many places to get vehicles Leonardou Lara, a street right off the harbor. The rental place are reasonable. A two person moped is more reasonable than single, and more reasonable than the car if 2 people. If there are 3 people in your group, it is better to get the car. You will need a vehicle to see all the sights on the island. One last tip. If it is slow, you might be able to bargain with them.

Aegina is great to visit for the day, or to spend a few days to soak in the history. Either way you will enjoy the Island of Aegina.

To see all there is to do in Athens for FREE, the City of Love, go to Nonrev Athens. To see free and cheap things to do around the world, go to NonRevWebsite.com/ .

Please visit our Sponsor

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Just because you’re in Athens doesn’t mean you have only tour the city. Athens is not only close to other islands with great history, it has great transportation system to take you there. Read on to learn how to go island hopping in Athens.

The first step is to get to the port to take the ferry which is at Piraeus. The fastest and cheapest way I found is to to take the metro to Piraeus, Green Line, or line 1.

The best way to use the Metro is to buy the 90 minute ticket. Less than half the all day. With how FAA the Metro in Greece is, you can get anywhere in less than 90 minutes. It is much more reasonable to get two 90 minute than getting all day.

When you get to Piraeus, walk out of the train station and right to the pier. The ferry system is very easy to use and gives you 2 choices, fast and slow.

The fast choice is the high speed boat. On a trip to Aegina, it’s twice as fast but it comes at a price. It’s a little over 60% more than the slower boat. This is a great option if you want to squeeze a lot of touring into your visit.

The other option is the slower boat which is half as fast but cheaper. On a trip to Aegina, it will take 1 hour and 20 minutes as opposed to 45 minutes. This is a good option for larger families or those on a budget.

Both ships have great interiors that are very clean and comfortable. There is clean bathrooms available which is great if you want to change into or out of your island wear. There is even a cafe if you need a snack.

Even though Athens is a great city with plenty of attractions to see, it is also a great base camp for day trips. The Metro and ferry system make it to explore more of Greece. So what are you waiting for, go island hopping in Athens!

To see all there is to do in Athens for FREE, the City of Love, go to Nonrev Athens. To see free and cheap things to do around the world, go to NonRevWebsite.com/ .

Please visit our Sponsor

Want to get miles on everything you buy without having to pay an annual fee? Check out the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card and Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide (terms apply)

In the center of this vibrant city lies a Free oasis, the National Gardens in Athens Greece. It’s Not so much a tourist attraction as it is a refuge from the heat and hard work of sightseeing. And here is how to get the most out of it.

Many attractions to recharge your batteries. Besides all the benches, there is a central lake with many types of birds. This picturesque spot is perfect to take selfies. Beyond the lake is a bird collection as well as some small animals. Next to that is a Botanical Museum. There’s lots of Ancient Ruins and even a children’s library.

Conveniently located next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the National Garden can be a great place to stop after seeing the Changing of the Guard. The shaded benches are just the remedy after standing in the crowds in the blazing Summer Sun. Right up the hill behind the central lake there lies the best feature, the free public bathroom to use.

Besides all these attractions, the National Gardens in Athens Greece also has a cafe. Visitors can get refreshments and snacks to recharge before they head out to the Arch of Hadrian, Temple of Zeus or the Parthenon. Each are within walking distance. And children can burn off their energy on the playground while parents get ready for more sightseeing.

The National Gardens in Athens Greece is a great place to relax in a shaded area on a hot summer’s day of touring the city. It’s central location is perfect to use to refresh, recharge, and get ready to explore more history. It’s not just a tourist place to go, it’s a place regroup.

To see all there is to do in Athens for FREE, the City of Love, go to Nonrev Athens. To see free and cheap things to do around the world, go to NonRevWebsite.com/ .

Please visit our Sponsor

Want to get miles on everything you buy without having to pay an annual fee? Check out the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card and Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide (terms apply)