Day Trips From Paris Part 1: Bruges

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It has begun. The planning and dreaming and not quite yet stressing about our summer trip to Paris. We had guide books out yesterday, y'all. 

This sh*t is for realz....

So what I want to figure out first, and plan my whole trip around (for now), is a day trip out of Paris to cross a border.

Yes, I'm beginning my Paris-trip-planning by investigating trips out of Paris. It may seem weird, but that's where my mind is going so I'm running with it. In all honesty, it's probably my function of my lust for new places. Paris is a repeat for me, and as much as I love the city, I'm eager to add a new place to the agenda.  The Boy has some major catching up to do as far as his country-count, so this will help him, and I just hate to go all that way and not add to my tally. 

Being that France borders a whopping 6 countries, plus a watery border with the UK, we have several options. But given that we want to take the train, and not spend really more than a day or day and a half, we're reasonably limited to the following countries: Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. 

So here's Vol. 1: Bruges, Belgium

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This is the option I'm leaning towards already. I think after bustling Paris, it would be nice to spend a day in Bruges, a notoriously charming town with a fairy-tale vibe. I mean, just look at that main square! Called "The Venice of the North," the city of Bruges seems to huddle merrily along the banks of it's many winding canals. If the real Venice is one of my world-wide favorites, why not try it's northern namesake?

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Attractions? Museums, quaint stores, and enough chocolate shops to make one sick (49 to be exact. But really what attracts me to Bruges is not the plethora of historic sites or gasp worthy Flemmish artworks, it's the ambiance of the place. It looks so quaint and quietly cheerful that I just want to row a little boat down the canal and wave to all the passersby.

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While on the canal, I would also like to stay in the floating De Barge Hotel, a second life boat docked on the canal at the center of town.

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Find  the NY Times recommendations here and drool over twice fried french fry reviews.

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So what do you think? Bruges? Or shall we keep searching....


Update: Do you read Hi Sugarplum? It's super cute and she has a nice review of Bruges as well. All signs point to this cute city, but I'm still researching! 

AHHHHHHH......

That's how my vacation felt. Ahhhhhhh......

Like letting out a long sigh that I didn't know I was holding. 

I'll fill you in with pictures and itineraries and all that jazz tomorrow, once I've downloaded my pictures and unpacked my suitcase (there may or may not be a giant rock impeding that process...) But let it suffice to say I had an amazing time. The trip combined all of my most important elements:

• Time with old friends and lots and lots of laughing (plus a snort or two)
• Sleeping in (on one of the most comfortable beds I've tried, to boot!)
• Uninterrupted time with The Boy - in fact, the longest time we've spent together since Christmas- woo hoo!
• The perfect mix of fun activities and relaxation time
• Completely unnecessary amounts of delicious food

I truly believe that vacations are necessary. Think back to school days - you had your summer break, winter break, spring and fall breaks. Whoever has the power to decide knew it was important that kids (and teachers) got breaks from school. I think that same idea should apply to us working stiffs. Sure, we don't get told to take vacation - but we should follow our younger footsteps and give ourselves breaks. 

Though I probably can't swing eight weeks off in the summer, my new MO is to take  breaks - long weekends, full weeks, whatever I can get - every season.

I feel so refreshed and much less likely to stab any and all coworkers with staples - that alone should be a good recommendation. But I also feel reminded of how much fun I can have and how wonderful it is to have friends and Boyfriends who make life rich.

If you haven't yet this year, take my advice - plan a vacation. Your brain, and co-workers, will thank you for it ;)

Beach, Please

The title for this post, for all you True Blood fans, is inspired by Lafayette. I'm finally catching up on Season 4, and it seems like every other word out of his mouth is "Bitch, Pleeeeease." Love him.

On the way to the beach, from here.

Instead of curled up under my faux fur throw, watching True Blood episodes by the dozens while it SNOWS outside, I'd much rather be heading to a warm beach. So, for my own enjoyment and torment, I thought I'd compile a little highlight of my favorite beaches ... and a few I'd like to visit.

1. Lake Michigan

From here.

Ok, not the most glamorous or ritzy of beaches - it's no St. Tropez- but definitely the homiest, and easiest to reach for us Hoosiers. I have spent many a blissful summer day here, sprawled in the sand, following creeks and paths through the dunes, and boating on the lake. Even snacks dropped in the sand tasted good up there...

2. Huatulco, Mexico



Huatulco Beach, from here.



This was a Spring Break destination, and definitely one of the best. I know Mexico is a little scary right now, but as a far as I know, the violence isn't anywhere near this part of the country. It's a much more remote area, and the little nearby towns are very authentic and not touristy like Cancun (yuck). The beach was huge, the water was bath-tub warm, and the drinks were delivered poolside.

Yes, please, beach.

3. Folly Beach, SC



Folly Beach, from here.

 This was another Spring Break hot spot. Every year, Davidson College seniors make a pilgrimage to this quaint beach town just outside Charleston, rent houses, and drink themselves silly. Basically the days went like this: breakfast, cocktail, sunning with a cocktail, lunch, nap in the sun, cocktail hour, beer pong, bed.

And that's it --how sad is this? Those are the only three beaches I can think of that I really loved. I guess my number of beach vacations is relatively slim -- I usually spend a lot more team in cities or mountains. So here are a few on my beach vacation to do list:

1. Goa

Goa Beach, from here.

The only beach I went to in India was covered in dog shit and beggars, so not really the ideal vacation spot. Goa is known throughout India as the place for beach bums to hang out, drink a coconut and party.  But the beaches are known for their natural beauty, and if you can get to a more remote one, you can soak up the culture without all the hippies cramping your style.

2. The French Riviera



Love the umbrellas! from here.

 

What's better than a vacation to France? Um... a beach vacation to France! Though the combination of French food and a bikini may be a bit dangerous...guess that's why they invented nude beaches!

3. Thailand



So serene, from here.



That teal water. And that white, white sand. Thailand has so much I want to see that I'd be tempted to spend a whole trip gallivanting from city to historic site and back, but this picture makes me promise myself that I will stop at the beach and just...relax.

Ok, now where's my daquiri? Anyone...?