First, we picked a departure date and decided that we could afford (both money-wise and time-wise) to spend five nights in Paris. Our flight from Dallas would depart in early afternoon, arriving in Paris early the next day, and our departure from Paris would be late morning after our last night in our chosen hotel. I next called my diabetes physician and scheduled an appointment with him two weeks before departure to make sure everything was in order and to plan what extra medications and testing supplies I would need to order well in advance of our departure.
Next, I started checking airlines for their best fares. Although at any one time, up to 100 different airfares can be quoted for a particular flight, Hotwire (an advertiser in this section) won with the lowest airfare, followed closely by Orbitz (another advertiser) and American Airlines direct. Since I know that fares will go down closer to the time, I've book marked these websites as well as Air France and will continue to visit them regularly until the rate comes down to the $400-$450 range, at which time I'll book the flight. Next I went on the Net to search out hotels - since there are so many from which to chose, I'll also delay actually booking the hotel until I have confirmed airline reservations, but I found at least fifty within the area I wish to stay - near the Eiffel Tower and within reasonable walking distance of the Left Bank of the Seine.
Flying on any of the airlines, we'll be arriving at our hotel shortly before noon the day after departure from Dallas. A quick bite of lunch will be of first order, then a restful nap - getting up around 4 o'clock to explore the immediate area on foot, buy a bouquet of fresh spring flowers for the room from one of the many sidewalk flower stalls, and then return to the hotel to change for a late supper at Alcazar, La Bastide Odéon, or Paul Minchelli, all of whom are featured in our newest cookbook, The Joslin Diabetes Great Chefs Cook Healthy Cookbook. Then it'll be early to bed so that after a continental breakfast in our room the next morning, we can start exploring Paris!
Shall we just stroll along the Champs-Elysées or shall we head straight for the Opera district where the chic boutiques, Paris's department stores, and outdoor markets are waiting for me? After lunch at a sidewalk café and people watching, I'd like to browse the shops along the Left Bank for antique books and then stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens to view the spring flowers. Dinner that night will be at one of the restaurants we didn't make the night before.
The next day we will have booked a tour to Giverny, the home to Claude Monet from 1883 until his death in 1926-my husband's favorite artist and the "Father of Impressionism." Not only is his home and workspace open to the public, but also there will be plenty of time to stroll through his famous gardens so often painted by this artistic genius. We'll be tired on our return to the hotel so likely dinner will be by room service, or we'll try one of the many in-house restaurants for a light meal.
The next day will feature an Evening in Paris that includes dinner in the famous restaurant housed in the Eiffel Tower, followed by a relaxing cruise along the Seine for an unforgettable experience. As we coast along the water, we pass under the many famous bridges of the Seine and glide by the illuminated monuments of Paris - including Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower.
Our fifth day in Paris will be spent haunting the many food shops of Paris, as like any true "foodie," I will fill a carry-on with special olive oils, vinegars, herb blends, kitchen gadgets, and other fanciful food gifts for myself and my friends. That night we'll dine at the third of our restaurants, which participated in our cookbook, and then visit the Latin Quarter to see and hear some fabulous sights and sounds. We'll likely not get much sleep that night with the excitement of our last night in Paris, but we can catch up on sleep during our 10 1/2 flight back to Dallas the next day.
As our plane takes off from Charles DeGalle Airport the next morning, I'm sure we'll regret only allotting five nights in Paris, but there's always next year. .I'm sure Paris would be fabulous anytime of the year . . .maybe the fall of 2004?
FTG
