July 8, 2013

July 8th 2013

Arrival: 6:45 AM 

The Eiffel tower just outside our window

Downtown right outside our hotel 

Travel Itinerary

Prepared For:  Sunny, cool and clear skies	Event or Purpose: Travel and Tourism
Departing:   July 7th , 2013	Returning: July  20th , 2013

Leg 1 

Total Per Person: $1,330

Depart From:   RDU   To: JFK     Flight #  4549

Airline or Carrier:  American Airlines

Depart Time: 2:15 PM  Arrival Time: 4:05 PM

The numerous Flights at CDG

Leg 2

Depart From:    JFK   To: CDG     Flight # 44

Airline:  American Airlines 

Depart Time:  5:10 PM   Arrival Time: 6:45 AM(Paris Time) 7/08/2012 Monday 

Hotel / Accommodations:

Hotel Name:  Plug Inn Youth Hostel   

Hotel Address: 7 rue Aristide Bruant Paris, France 

Check-in Date:  July 08th, 2013 @ 11 AM

 # of Nights: 6

Check out Date:  July 14th , 2013 @ 3 PM

 

Day 1: France Airports and Attractions 

         Hey Its Breanna Blogging! Our first day in France was like no other.  As I arrived at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris, France my friends, and I were greeted by elegant structures and wonderful people that surprisingly spoke fairly good English with French accents. Although the flight was very costly at $1330 dollars it was well spent since many of the attractions are free of charge. The airport it self had tons of history behind it.  It was named after Charles De Gaulle who was the leader of the Free French Forces and the founder of the French Fifth Republic.  This airport serves at the principle hub for Air France and its the world's sixth busiest airport.  As we headed out of the Airport on a RER train to the Cathedral of Norte Dame I found the metro maps to be every cute.  The Norte Dame Cathedral is one of the finest examples of french gothic architecture in Europe. We learned it  currently contains the archbishop of Paris as head and construction began in 1163.  Since 1163 there has been lots of destruction of the church because of Huguenots and there religious rival against Catholics.  As we all headed to the train again to another popular train route, I observed that everyone was feeling the jet lag.  Back home in  North Carolina it was around 4 in the morning, but we all decided one more special site was worth it. Around 45 minutes later we all gazed at the Eiffel tower in delight. After I was done gazing, I politely  asked a near by native to snap a few shots of my friends and I. He took more than enough out of generosity.  When visiting the majestic  tower we learned many useful things about French culture and history.  The  Eiffel tower was built in 1887 and is the most visited paid monument in the world. It stands 1050 feet tall and held the title for the tallest building in the world from 1889-1930.  In retrospect I admired all the pictures taken. They were all filled with happy faces and a beautiful structure behind us.  Slowly we all made it back to the train in time for it to haul us to the hotel. Before entering the hotel we decided to have some Haute Cuisine at L' Astrance which means food that is very luxurious and presented nicely.  as soon as we entered our expectations were exceeded greatly.  This restaurant offered a high ceiling dinning area with mirrored walls and near perfect cuisine. We all ordered the famous avocado and crab salad because we weren't that hungry from all anticipation of visiting France.  After the small dinner we decided  there was room for dessert and I ordered the chocolate cake layered with praline.  After finishing that cake I wondered how I would be able to go back  to North Carolina, being spoiled with all the food. This great adventure has just begun and my whole body is tired, traveling is truly exhausting.
Au revoir!

-Breanna 

Here are a few pictures from the first day 

 Plane ticket = 1029 euros per person 
French Food = 65 euros 

Metro/RER tickets = 8 euros 

 Best Friends = Priceless 

Grand total for the day for all 5 of us: $6870.02