July 20th Final Post

Hello everyone! Well this is a very sad day, because we are home from France and it is our final blog post. We are writing this one together, as we are re-living some of our favorite moments of the trip. We arrived back at RDU and are actually sitting in the airport writing this final blog. This has been the trip of a lifetime and now we encourage you to go to France! From its historical monuments, to its beautiful beaches and the unique museums, there was a dull moment!

France is a country that anyone can visit and will be guaranteed a good time. The tourism industry there is one of the highest in the world, with over twenty-one million visitors entering France every year. There is obviously a reason for that, because one wouldn't spend time there unless it was worthwhile! From the breath-taking monuments, the majestic beaches, the mouth-watering food, and the beautiful weather, France is a country that is worth visiting. Old or young, age doesn't matter! Little children can visit Disneyland in Paris to see their favorite characters or spend a day at the beach playing in the sand! Older people might like to see the history that lies in France and visit the national monuments. Those that are too elderly to spend a day walking from place to place, don't worry! In Paris, bus tours happen daily so it can be seen by sitting in the comfort of a bus! Whether you go in January, or in July, the weather is always moderate and not too extreme. In the winter, a jacket might be good, but it doesn't get too cold! In the summer, you can bask in the sunlight that France usually sees!

According to the US News Travel, Paris was recently rated the number three place to visit in the world. If that doesn't make you want to go there, I don't know what does! You really should take a chance to go to France, it is definitely worthwhile.

While in France, US dollars are not allowed. Instead, euros are used as the form of currency. When we got there, we had to convert all of our money into euros and were a little bit confused. Luckily, most people in France are good at conversions, so we had a lot of help! We had $20,000 dollars to use, and in euros that came out to 15,187 euros. In other words, one euro is about $1.32 here in the United States. As you can see below, most of our costs came from traveling and meals but somehow we stayed under budget!

July 19th 2013 Last day in France

July 19th 
Bonjour everyone ! It's Breanna Again.  So far I've had an amazing trip with these girls and we've became so much closer.  Since we didn't want to waste our last day, dreading what lies ahead we decided to put it behind us and spend the whole day out.  With all the food and attractions we are still under budget which gave us room to splurge on a wonderful breakfast at the beach. In Cannes France there are many wonderful places to eat but we decided on a trendy cafe named Volpute.  This Trendy Cafe is for small snacks or a lunch break.  Since tea is very popular in Europe, we all decided on trying different types of the multiple tea's this cafe offered.  I ordered the Kiss of an angel and the name lived up to its name.  Each sip was very delicate with hints of peach, cinnamon and included spicy undertones of their specialty leaf imported from china. To top it off we all shared a native dessert of France called creme brulee. The walk back to the hotel was a sad one, because we knew it would be our last. Although we were very upset to be packing our bags, many of us felt a little home sick.  The idea of going back to school and returning to our homes wasn't a dreadful one. As we packed our bags I looked at all the things I purchased that would be going home with me.  I realized that I wasn't leaving France forever, I made my mark on this beautiful country along with my friends.  France was also  going to make a mark on North Carolina and our families as well.  Our ability to fly across the ocean to another country allowed us to learn different ways of life and I was glad I got that chance.  Before we left, all of us decided to use the hotel amenities to the extent.  As me and Savannah headed to the Spa, Hailey, Lexi B. and Lexi G. booked it to the huge golf course, which over looked the famous French Rivera. After all the hotel fun all of us met by the pool and spent our last few hours splashing around.  Soon enough we washed up, and put on our best attire for dinner at the most extravagant place of them all Le Meurice.  This elegant, grand slam restaurant was enough to leave our jaws hanging.  There was nothing like this in the us.  Waiters were polite, the food tasted like heaven and the presentation of them were beautiful.  Here we drank exquisite wines while feasting on the rarest produce in the world.
After dinner we went to a very nice live music venue called Le Carmen.  This venue filled our ears with beautiful modern french music and chatter among tourist like our selves.  We went to the lobby after this wonderful last day to pick up our luggage and take a cab back to the Airport. The next time you'll hear from us, we will be in  North Carolina, thank for stay with us for the ride.  

Cafe Volput = 75 euros 

Dinner at Le Meurice =  835.30 euros 

Traveling to France = Priceless 

Total For Today = $1198.77

Final Grand total = $ 17, 269.61 

July 18th

July 18, 2013

           Hi its Lexi B.!  This is the last day I will be blogging; it’s so sad that we are leaving in two days! For breakfast instead of just eating the stuff at the hotel, we decided to eat really good for the next few days.  We took the local bus to a Bakery and it was only a $2 ticket. The restaurant wasn't that crowed so it felt pretty relaxed. I order a chocolate almond croissant, and it was the best croissant I've ever had. Once we left we decided to go shopping and get some souvenirs from the beach to take home with us since we haven’t yet.  One of the biggest fashion places in the world is Monte Carlo, so we all decided to take a small trip there to shop. There was constantly buses driving in and out of Monte Carlo and we thought that would be the cheapest way to get there. The bus came around 12 pm since we missed the first one in the morning because we were at breakfast.

            The bus ride was about 20 minutes long, so it wasn't that bad. The stores here are so expensive, so we just wanted to mess around and try on everything that was so out of our price range. The French wedding dresses were the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen, so we thought of a way that they would let us try them on. Our plan was to say that I was getting married in about 8 months and looking for a couture wedding dress. I told the woman that was helping us find be ball gown like dresses, and it was the best feeling ever to have on $10,000 worth of dress from such a famous designer called, Valentino. This was the type of dress I tried on, it was very ball gown like with a lot of pattern at the top. I felt like I was on top of the world wearing something this expensive. The girls jaws dropped as I entered the room, and I gave the dress a little twirl.  It was only until our wedding attended asked if this was the dress, that I snapped out of my trance.  I shook my head and then I think we all got the message it was time to leave.

            Our next stop was to eat dinner.  We went to a place called L'Hirondelle, it served Pissaladiere, which is a famous meal that French people eat. It's a type of white pizza without tomatoes, and it is served with onions, olives, garlic, anchovies and then caramelized on top. It was one of the best pizza like dishes I have ever had. It was pretty expensive since we ordered some red wine with that. It was around $120 even though that was the cheapest place for that dish. We got back to the hotel by the bus, and all passed out after all the walking we did that day.

 Au Revior!

Breakfast at a Bakery = 49.36 euros 

Bus ticket= 1.52 euros 

Shopping in Monte Carlo = 759.36

Dinner at L'Hirondelle = 91.12 euros 

Trying on a Designer Wedding Dress = Priceless 

Total For Today = $1187 

Grand Total = $16,070.84 

July 17th

July 17th: Chill day at the beach

            Hey, it is Lexi again! Yesterday was such a long day that we decided to be more casual today. It took us a little while to get up in the morning since scuba diving took all the energy out of us. We went down to the lobby and got some breakfast, I made a cream cheese bagel and had 3 cups of coffee; that for sure woke me up. After we got dressed, we looked up some bike rentals in the local handbook.  We only had to walk down the road a little to get to the store. The girls and I  all got a mountain bikes so we could ride either on the roads or on the beach for a small cost of We made some sandwiches from the grocery store that we went to the other day. We packed some water and snacks, and some bird food so we could feed the pelicans at the beach. The weather outside was around eighty-four degrees outside and it felt amazing. We ended up just biking on the beach, which was somewhat hard, but it was worth the exercise, we fed some pelicans and they were all over us. France is the biggest biking country in the world, it host the Tour De France every year.  We were not the only ones out biking since it is such a popular sport on a nice day. Before heading out to the pier for our next meal we showered and dressed our best to attend the Grand Café de Turin.  This restaurant has one of the best reviews in the French Rivera. We ordered an appetizer which included of buttery rolls that melted in my mouth.  Whatever they put in them was amazing because we could not stop eating them. Finally, our lobster came with a side of salad.  By time I finished my meal we were all stuffed there was absolutely no room for dessert. The meal all together was about $150, which is a lot but it was worth it. Once we got back to the hotel, we decided to have a movie night and watch French Classics.  We ended up watching Jean de Florette, and I fell asleep just an hour in. France has not failed me yet, I cannot wait until tomorrow

Good Night and Au Revior!  

Biking on the Beach = 66.82 euros per person 

Dinner at Grand Cafe De Turin = 113.90 euros 

Old French Classics with the girls = Priceless 

Total of Today = $ 590 

Grand Total = $ 14,883.84

July 16th, 2013

July 16: Another Day in France 

Hey it is Lexi Bowman! Cannes, France is so beautiful; the view here is so beautiful especially at sunrise.  Today when I woke up, got ready, and went downstairs for some breakfast.  For breakfast I had some eggs, a blueberry muffin and some orange juice. It wasn't too filling which was good because today we decided to do a series of water activities. This place called the Cannes Diving Club and there was a variety of activities that we could attempt like Exploration, Night diving, Wreck Diving and snorkeling.  We loved that the diving was only a few blocks away from our hotel so we just decided to walk.

On the walk we enjoyed the mid 70’s breezy weather France had to offer. The center was so nice and welcoming, I knew from then that this experience would be really fun. Us 5 and 2 other instructors met at the Pointe Croisette Harbour in Cannes  to take off into the coast of the French  Rivera. The whole time I was so excited to actually be diving.  Hailey on the other hand was a little apprehensive about our diving adventure.  This apprehension was short lived when she was reassured by our guide leader David, he was really sweet and knew everything about the area. The package we purchased allowed all 5 of us to take the divers certification program with a guide, and then be able to snorkel.   It took a little bit to put on the wet suits and tanks since it’s so heavy.  Once we got them on I observed the area around us, the coast of Cannes was soon to be a small speck as we headed farther away.  Without a moments notice we were at a very nice area with crystal clear water and lots of marine life.  The divers program was well worth it because I found it very hard to navigate. The instructors I noticed were also just as worth it.  In between Snorkels they would discuss the sea life, and the coral that bloomed below our feet.  After hopping out of the wet suits we headed for the hotel to take quick showers and eat some lunch. A local grocery store suited our needs with a $45 lunch and we were off again. We hopped in a cab and headed out to the shopping center of Cannes, France.  This area is very famous for its wide variety of choices to shop from.  There are shops with food, flea markets, department stores, book stores, and antiques stores.  My personal favorite the Designer stores including of Hermes, Dior, Channel and Louis Vuitton. In retrospect the money we spent here was well worth it, if I could, I would do it all over again.  I would never regret buying my Channel perfume and Louis Vuitton Sun Glasses.  After shopping on the strip we decided to buy local groceries from the Rue Meynadier, this was another part of Cannes that had various shops that sold some of the best olives, wine, cheese, bread, and herbs. These  foods all together made perfect buy for a picnic on the beach.  Without another thought, off we went to the beach for a sunset dinner.  After eating and just chatting for a hour we jumped into the water which was  surprisingly warm and I was surprised on how perfect it was.  Without even opening my eyes I could tell I was at a beach.  The smell of the sea water, sounds of the branches scraping each other, and the wave crashing gave me an awesome feeling.   Around 9pm the girls and I dragged our trash and sand filled shorts back to the hotel. I should probably get some sleep now, today was exhausting.  See you guys tomorrow! 

                            Suba-diving lessons  =269 euros

                             Groceries = 100 euros 

                              Shopping trip = 334.12 euros

                             Sunset picnic on the beach = Priceless

Total for Today = $925.94 

Grand Total = $ 14,293.84 

July 12th Post

Segway Tours

Okay this is the last day I am blogging on our journey and then I believe Lexi will be blogging next. Today, July 12^th, 2013 we woke up and saw that the weather was beautiful outside. We ate quickly and walked outside to enjoy the sunny day and weather in the mid 60’s. To me, that is absolutely perfect! We decided it was a perfect morning to see the city by staying outside. We saw the sights of Paris in a very interesting way: segway tours! In case you've never heard of a segway, it is a unit of transportation that is just becoming popular in cities. It is a two-wheel device that moves based on your balance. If you don’t have good balance, good luck getting around on them! It is your own personal transportation device that can be used almost anywhere. As we walked up to the place where you can check them out for the morning, we were offered lessons. It was an extremely good opportunity, because without a thirty minute lesson, we might have been in trouble! When our lesson was complete, we felt like we were ready to head out on our own. We had a blast cruising around the streets of Paris on segways!  I must say, I became pretty good at it the time our adventure was up! Unfortunately, we could not get any pictures while on them, or else we could have crashed! It’s ok though, because we just toured the outside of Paris, passing cute little boutiques and shops along the way.
As our journey continued, we got hungry and stopped at Au Bourguignon du Marais. There, we had some of the weirdest foods I'd ever tasted, but definitely had a meal that was traditional in France! We experienced a taste of many different parts of France, and every bite was delicious! As they brought out the first course, we all squealed and debated on who would eat it first. It was escargot! This famous French appetizer, is a dish of cooked snails. I was very skeptical about eating it, but it was heaven! I wanted to eat the whole plate, but then my next course arrived. For the main dish, it was one that Au Bourguignon du Marais is famous for! Boeuf bourguignon is a dish that consists of beef in a stew form, cooked in red wine, traditional beef broth and garnished with many flavors including garlic and onions. It may sound gross, but trust me, it was DELICIOUS! Although I was full, dessert came out and I couldn't pass it up! We then enjoyed lemon souffles! These were absolutely delicious, and a dessert that is a classic in France! The term souffle refers to a dish that is light and airy, and can hold its' shape but isn't too stiff. It did just that and with every bite, it melted in my mouth. Our stomachs were absolutely full and that traditional French meal was perfect!




We continued and saw many monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and other places we had already seen. We also ventured into new parts of Paris that were quaint with little shops and cafes. Finally, after a few hours, we finished our tour and returned our little machines. It was one of the most fun things I've ever done, and it challenged me to not crash! In any city you are in, look for the opportunity to tour by segway, it is a really cool thing you won’t want to pass up!

          After that, we went back to the hotel for just a little while and got a power nap in. Then, at about 3 o’clock, we were well rested and took a nice long walk that put us at the Arc de Triomphe! Besides the Eiffel Tower, I personally believe that this is the most known and famous monument in Paris. In early 1806, Napoleon had the idea of having his city become more beautiful, and wanted a place in which people could pass through while entering Paris. In early 1806, many famous architects came together under Napoleon’s orders and began the project. Many delays occurred along the years, and about thirty years later, the project was finally complete. Inside the monument walls are carved with the names of French generals as well as the names of battles fought during the Napoleonic era. Beneath the arc lies the tomb of the unknown soldiers from World War 1. Many visit here and pay respect to all those who lost their lives during this war. Every year on November 11^th, a ceremony is held here to remember the armistice signed between France and Germany way back in 1918. Like I said, it is just a magnificent place with fabulous architecture and great historical meaning.  While we were there, I’d say at least a few thousand other tourists stopped by or drove through it to get pictures of this historical place. It was so marvelous and incredible; no words can really describe it! We enjoyed it because it is an absolute must-do in Paris. Checking that after our list, it began to get dark so we strolled back to our hotel. I am so worn out after such a fun day! It’s been great writing on this blog; I can’t wait for the rest of our adventures! Until then, goodnight!

Segway tours= 85 euros per person 
Dinner at Au Bourguignon du Marais = 63 euros 

Arc de Triomphe at sunset =Priceless 

total for today= $194.86

Grand Total= $8548.40

July 11th Post

Hey it’s Savannah again! Paris has still yet to disappoint me, and I've been having the time of my life! Today, July 11^th, the girls and I got to sleep in a little bit after partying late last night. We woke up, got dressed and had brunch at Ze Kitchen Galerie. This restaurant took on the style of most of the surrounding art galleries.  It was filled with contemporary style including loft like white walls, parquet floors and steel tables and chairs. We ate a native pasta dish called Sardinian Malloreddus with pesto.  This dish definitely satisfied my taste buds with the different spices and wonderful presentation. After eating we paid 55 euros which wasn't that bad for such a beautiful place. 
            With full stomachs we hopped on the metro and stepped out and were facing something so spectacular: the Palace of Versailles. It started as a small little building as was constructed into one of the most complex and extravagant buildings in the world. It housed Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. At the beginning, about 37,000 acres of land were cleared to put up trees lining the place, thousands of flowers and over one thousand fountains. In 1676, it was designed and a second floor was put into place as well as a Hall of Mirrors. Ongoing construction has taken place for centuries, and still is today. At one point after the fall of the monarchy, many furnishings and pieces in the palace were taken out but now have recently been placed back in their original positions. Just a few decades ago, the palace was restored to its’ original state and back to the way it was. Since many of the rooms are government offices, we were only allowed in the north, south and central wings.We took a few pictures and then  met up with our tour guide who was waiting out front for us. It was about a three hour tour walking into as many rooms as we could. There was a professional tour guide up front with a microphone in which we heard through ear pieces that we wore. Some of the rooms were filled with mirrors and paintings bigger than I thought possible. The furniture in every room was so old and it looked too beautiful to touch. They said we could sit on the couch, but it looked to special to get near it!  We ended our tour with a walk around the outside gardens. Much of it was roped off, but we went upstairs to look out across the whole thing. That in itself is a work of art.  Honestly, that was my favorite part because the flowers were so beautiful! Here in this picture, you can see how breath taking it was. I cannot even imagine how much work it took to get it to look like this!  Although, the picture does nothing compared to actually being there.

Gardens at Palace of Versailles! 

After that, we thanked the tour guide and then roamed around a little bit on our own, basking in the beauty surrounding us. After that, it was almost 2 pm and we were starving! We headed out to grab lunch. We had such a delightful lunch at the Hard Rock Café. One of the most famous restaurants in the world, it didn’t fail to impress us. We even had to stand in line for about an hour to get in because it was such a popular place! Pictures of famous rock and roll musicians lined every wall. If there wasn't a picture on the wall, a huge TV screen showing sporting events around the world was on the wall instead. Taking a break from all the unique French food we ate several days straight, we enjoyed some American food such as cheeseburgers and hot dogs  We then headed across the street to a store where we purchased some souvenirs such as Hard Rock Café t-shirts and water bottles.  I guess we were very excited to be at this Cafe and we all spent a total of 62 euros. 

With our tummies full, we began our journey to our next place which was incredible! We went to the Grevin Wax Museum! It was so spectacular and one of the coolest things I've ever seen! Founded by Arthur Meyer in 1882, it is one of the oldest wax museums in Europe. It now contains over four hundred and fifty figures, in which we were only able to make it around to a portion of those. It also has a theatre for magic shows to be performed. We did not see a show, but if I’m ever back in France, it is definitely something I’d love to do.  In every room, there was a famous figure made of wax and they looked so real! I learned a lot about French history, because many figures in the exhibits were those of significance in France from this century to many ago. I will always wonder how they look that way, but it is the beauty of it to not really know. They all looked just so real I could have mistaken them for a real person! They also had a hall of fascinating mirrors, where I was highly entertained. Each mirror distorted you in some way, and if was pretty cool! We had fun in there playing like little children running from mirror to mirror. I could have spent hours and hours in there, but we were tired and ready to hit the hotel for the night. Overall, it was such a fantastic day and I can’t wait for what awaits us tomorrow!   

Brunch at the Ze Kitchen Galerie = 55 euros 

Cab = 7.60 euros 

Hard rock cafe Souvenirs = 62 euros 

Standing in the Garden of Versailles = Pricless

Total For today = $ 164.34

Grand Total overall= $8353.54