Normandy: More Than Just D-Day Beaches

Just a few short days after returning from Portugal, we were off again! This time to Rouen in the Normandy region of France. Nick had a work training there for a few days, so I decided to tag along. I'm so glad I did; Rouen is a very charming city, and we were able to take some time to see the Cliffs of Etretat while we were in the area.

6 Reasons Why You Should Visit Porto, Portugal

Last weekend we made our own "long holiday weekend" when we found cheap flights to Porto, Portugal. Having heard great things about Portugal from many friends, including Lillian who is Portuguese, we decided we had to check it out for ourselves. Many people choose Lisbon for their first visit to Portugal, but I am so glad we went with Porto. Although the weather was not as warm and sunny as you might think {in fact, Porto is typically very foggy and rainy}, it didn't stop us from having a great time. As I was describing to my French teacher what we were going to be doing in Porto, which included a food tour, she kept telling me that in French it would be called a sejour gastronomique. I kept trying to tell her no, it's just a 3 hour tour because sejour gastronomique actually translates to a gastronomic visit or stay. But, in fact, it turns out she was right; it definitely was a sejour gastronomique--a weekend that focused around walking, eating, and drinking!

A Cocktail Class...at the Packer Bar!

This past week I took my first ever cocktail class. Set up by the American Women's Group, it was an afternoon full of laughs, learning, and of course cocktails!

A Holiday Weekend...in Paris!

Last weekend was a four day weekend {well, if you faire du pont, or make the bridge, with 1 vacation day like Nick did}, and believe it or not, we didn't go anywhere! Instead, we decided to stay in Paris and take advantage of some much needed relaxation time.

Le Chocolat Chaud

I've been unofficially on the quest for the best hot chocolate in Paris since I moved here. Many people say the famous Angelina is the best, but I had to see for myself.

Let's just say, this is no American-watery hot chocolate.  It's real honest-to-goodness thick hot chocolate. Needless to say this taste test covered the span of three winters, and I'm so glad I've had so many wonderful friends willing to visit these places with me.

**The lack of and poor quality of these photos is due to my lack of planning and iPhone use.  I really should just start carrying our nice camera around!** Listed in order of tasting!

My scales (completely made up, by the way):
Taste: 1-10, with 10 being extremely sweet and 1 being not sweet at all
Overall rating: 1-10, with 10 being the best (I'd definitely go back), 5 being average (I'd maybe go back), and 1 being the worst (you couldn't pay me to go back!)

Angelina

Price: 8.20, but it does include a pot with a refill

Consistency:  THICK, extremely thick

Taste: 4, it's extremely rich but not super sweet

Atmosphere: Average. I went to the Luxembourg Garden location,

which I think it probably less impressive than the main location

Overall rating: 5--I was not super impressed with this hot chocolate,

given all the hype

Un Dimanche a Paris

Price: 8, included pot with refills

Consistency: Thick and creamy

Taste: 6, slightly sweet, but not overpowered

Atmosphere:  Quaint and cozy, tucked away in a little
alley-way in St. Germain. Perfect for a cold rainy, day!

Overall rating: 7, a pretty decent choice overall!

Cafe de Flore

Price: 7.20

Consistency: Thin, yet creamy

Taste: 9, the perfect combination of richness and sweetness!

Atmosphere: Ok, so this is a super touristy cafe because all the famous authors
hung out here (Hemingway, etc.) but I still loved the atmosphere!
Very quaint and feels like a step back in time!

Overall rating: 10

Jean-Paul Hevin

I actually went here twice--the first time I ordered a marron (chestnut) flavored hot chocolate, I would not recommend it. The second time I stuck with the original which was much better and is the only one I'll be talking about here!

Price: 7,90

Consistency:  Fairly thick (but not too thick!) and creamy

Taste: 7

Atmosphere: Cozy and modern. I went to the location on rue Saint Honore,
which is a pretty fancy area so it gives you some good people watching chances too!

Overall rating: 8, another solid choice!

Le Bristol

Price: 12, but for everything you get this is quite a deal!

Consistency: Creamy and thick, but they give you milk to dilute, if you wish

Taste: 8, another perfect combo of sweetness & richness

Atmosphere: Extravagant and a great way to experience
a 5* hotel at a fraction of the price!

Overall rating: 9, I'd happily go back here!
Ok, so the free homemade pastries were a pretty big bonus too!

Mamie Gateaux

Price: 4,50

Consistency: Thin, yet creamy

Taste: 9, one of my favorites!

Atmosphere: Cute & homey, feels like a French Grandma's kitchen
You drink the hot chocolate out a stone bowl!

Overall rating: 9, I'd definitely go back! Great lunch veggie dishes, as well!

So for me the winners are Cafe de Flore and Mamie Gateaux. Can't beat the flavor and price combos!

Vélib' Vendredi: Butte aux Cailles

So, I have a confession to make, this Vélib' Vendredi didn't actually involve a Vélib'. Maybe these posts should be called something like Exploring Fridays instead. Oh well, regardless, it's made me get out more and see new parts of the city. This week, I visited the neighborhood of Butte aux Cailles, which is in the southern part of Paris.

Gran Canaria: A Week en la Playa

If you know me, then you know I love the beach. I was getting a little sad, not having had a beach vacation this summer {or at all this year}, so when Michelle mentioned she had a week off from her grad program, we immediately went to work to find a beach that would still be warm in October. When we found cheap, direct flights to Gran Canaria, our decision was made...a week in the sun and at the beach. The Canary Islands are just off the coast of Morocco/Western Sahara, and we didn't really know what to expect other than that it's a well known beach destination for Europeans. Definitely one of the most relaxing vacations we've had in Europe.