Some of the trip planning has been put on hold over the past week. The trip is not on hold (conversely, it's one of the few things that keep me going after a week like last), but the planning had to take a back-seat after the loss of a coworker meant much much more for me to do at work.
But one of the few things I have accomplished during the past week is confirming availability and deciding on our Paris hotel.
Hotel Henri IV is a tiny hotel right in the heart of Paris. It only has a 64% TripAdvisor rating, but most of that seems related to the irritable manager. And let's face it, we're going to have to deal with some rude French people. So why not take advantage of an AMAZING location while we're at it?
No, seriously. Look it up on the map. It's the hotel icon right in the perfect center of the city. You know, the one on the island in the Seine called Ile de la Cite - the one Notre Dame is located on? Right next to Saint-Chappelle, known as the most beautiful church in Paris.
And yeah, it's just across the river from the Louvre (which I keep wanting the spell Lourve, because I know I will Lourve it).
At 78E/night, it's just barely outside of our goal rate for a twin room (we're aiming for all out hotels to be less than $100/night, which averages out to about 71E/night), but it does include breakfast - and just think of the metro fare we'll save being within walking distance of so many things!
Reservations will be made this week. One unfortunate thing: they do not accept online booking. BUT, my savior Fred (that crazy Canadian), has volunteered to be my translator (in exchange for food, nom nom nom) - PLUS, his phone service through Vonage allows free calling to several international countries, including France! So, for the cost of groceries, I get international calling + translation.
Because I'm not confident my "Bonjour" "Sil vouz plais" and "Au revoir" is enough to get me through an a conversation with a short-tempered French woman.
But at least I'm trying, right?
No comments:
Post a Comment