Destination: Paris!  What could be better than a wonderful trip to the city of lights?  We recently took a trip to Paris.  It was spectacular. Definitely a destination to consider as you plan your honeymoon!

I wanted to share some photos from our trip.  A few portraits were taken with my pro camera, but everything else was taken with my iphone and VSCO.

For these portraits at the Eiffel Tower, we went to Trocoderro in the early morning.  We were there at dawn, and still there were lots and lots of people.  The red shows up nicely against what is otherwise a pretty foggy, and gray morning.  I used a 50 mm prime lens for these photos.  It’s pretty versatile and travels easily compared to a larger zoom lens.  I like to infuse movement in my photos, so walking, dancing, spinning are a great way to get natural happy expressions.  I used a high speed drive at 1/400 shutter speed and bumped the ISO.

 

 

Little did I know, my dad brought along a ring for my mom, to celebrate their anniversary – and then this happened!  🙂

 

Our apartment was right near the Louvre.  These were done in the early morning with 50 mm, 2.8, 1/400 shutter speed.  The wide aperture gives a slight blur to the background –  I.M. Pei’s Pyramid at the Louvre.

 

After searching endlessly for a nice hotel within our budget, we decided to rent an apartment.  This is definitely the way to go! We went through Paris Vacation Apartments.  The place was beautiful and spacious and centrally located near the Louvre, which saved us lots of time because we were right in the heart of city.  It was nice to wander around the city during the day, have a wonderful leisurely dinner, and wake up in our own apartment for coffee, before heading out into the city again.  It was a routine I could definitely get used to.

 

 

 

The rest of these are done with my iphone, but I thought I would share some of our favorite spots on our Parisienne adventure.

 

I’m so glad my parents were able to join us in Paris.  It was a great trip with memories to last a lifetime.  These giant doors lead to a beautiful courtyard and the stairs to our apartment in the First Arrondissement.

To See

Musee D’Orsay.  Musee D’Orsay makes some serious hot chocolate.  They also have a really great restaurant.  Not to mention, some really great art.  🙂

Musee de l’Orangerie

If you’ve never seen Monet’s Water Lilies, then definitely check it out.

Musee Rodin

Pondering our next adventure.

 

Also, be sure to check out the beautiful ceiling by Chagal at the Palais Garnier, Opera House.

When you have had your fill of Monet, Rodin, Chagal, it’s time to:

 

WANDER AROUND, SHOP AND EAT!

The Winter Markets.  Macarons at the winter market near the Eiffel Tower.  We also had Raclette at the winter market – awesome comfort food for a winter day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And don’t forget a nighttime cruise on the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower at night.  Check out Bateaux Mouches 

 

Of course, there is a lot of great food in Paris.  Here are few we really enjoyed.

LE GRAND COLBERT.  We could walk to it from our apartment, so that was a plus.  Classic Bistro fare.  The roast chicken was as good as it is said to be.

Bistro Victoires.  Awesome potatoes, carafes of wine, a real neighborhood feel.

ANGELINA  Wonderful atmosphere.  Amazing hot chocolate.