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Bella Italia 2018
  • Debi Shaw
  • Brad Shaw

Bella Italia 2018

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We came. We saw. We loved! Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 30, 2018
    Bella Italia 2018

    Our Italian adventure begins...

    August 30, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    After almost a year of planning we are finally on our way, ready to start our nine week Italian adventure. Suitcases are packed and checked in and there is nothing left to do except to enjoy the time we have to relax before our big flight ahead.Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    1We have a balcony - very frenchLove the decor

    Welcome to Gay Paree

    August 31, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    After a long journey including an extremely uncomfortable train ride (who knew you could fit so many people in one train carriage) we finally found our accommodation for the first leg of our trip. And we were impressed. We are staying at Pantheon Villa, situated on Paris’ Left Bank in the historic district of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, a four minute walk from the Pantheon and an eight minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral. It is a beautiful are and while the room isn’t that big it has style and the exterior is very Parisian. Love it.

    A great place to celebrate my birthday.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    La Petite Perigourdine, Paris

    September 1, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We had great plans to celebrate my birthday with a very Parisian dinner, however that was not to be. We were so tired that when the alarm went off, we just rolled over and went back to sleep.

    So we started our first day in Paris with a post birthday French breakfast in a restaurant just next to where we are staying. A very French way to start the day.Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Pantheon, Paris

    September 1, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    After getting hopelessly lost trying to find our first destination we ended up at the Pantheon, five minutes from where we are staying. This might not have been first on our agenda today but what a way to start our Paris touring.

    What an impressive building! It is so hard to fathom how these buildings were built so long ago and still stand the test of time. Building commenced in 1758 and it was finally completed in 1790. It was originally built as a church and is now a mausoleum that holds the remains of some of France's most famous people.

    The height, proportions, the workmanship were awe-inspiring. And it had a sense of calmness to it too.
    The crypts were serene and beautiful in their simplicity. And in vivid contrast to the surroundings was an art exhibition in the crypts by one of France's street artists, Christian Guemy, whose alias is C215. C215 has completed 28 pieces of street art around Paris and on display were bright photographs depicting him in action and some of his tools. The contrast against the cool stone caverns was striking.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris

    September 1, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    After endless wandering we finally found what was meant to be our first stop for the day - Church of Saint-Sulpice. This is the second largest church in Paris and was built in 1646. While it has the amazing size, it was obvious that it is not the wealthiest church in Paris and was in fact in need of maintenance, cleaning and repair, which was sad to see.

    It is known for the Great Organ which was reconstructed in 1862, and the unique holy water fonts which were made from the two halves of an enormous shell given to the King by the Venetian public.

    Outside the church was a lovely square and the Fontaine Saint-Sulpice. A nice place to sit and admire the Parisian surroundings.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Luxembourg Gardens, Paris

    September 1, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Next stop was the famous Luxembourg Gardens. We entered the gardens from the side gate and, to be honest, were not that impressed to start off with. The pathways were dusty gravel and you obviously cannot sit or walk on the grass here. I was surprised at the number of Parisians sunning themselves in the midday sun on the many chairs scattered on the pathways.

    Once we made our way to the main part of the gardens we could see what the appeal was. The flowers in bloom surrounding the green lawns scattered with white marble and stone statues against the backdrop of the majestic Luxembourg Palace, and pond filled with toy sailing boats, was very picturesque.

    It was a lovely place to rest our weary feet and enjoy some refreshments while admiring the view and enjoying some people watching. We cannot get over how hot it is here so the break was very welcome.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Catacombs, Paris

    September 1, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    After a very busy morning getting lost and walking for what felt like ages, we headed back to our room to rest our feet for a bit before heading to the famous Catacombs of Paris.

    This time we didn’t get lost and found the Catacombs quite easily, although we were very surprised by the appearance of the entrance as it looked like an abandoned building. After an hour and a half long line-up in the sun we finally got to enter the Catacombs. Heading down underground was a bit daunting to start with but I quickly got use to it, and it was so hard to believe that these ancient man-made tunnels are still accessible today.

    The Catacombs of Paris are underground ossuaries which hold the remains of more than six million people as part of the effort to eliminate the city's overflowing cemeteries. Work began in 1774 after a series of gruesome Saint Innocents-cemetery-quarter basement wall collapses added a sense of urgency to the cemetery-eliminating measure. From 1786, nightly processions of covered wagons transferred remains from most of Paris' cemeteries to the mine shaft opening.

    The ossuary remained largely forgotten until it became a novelty-place for concerts and other private events in the early 19th century. It was open to public visitation from 1874.

    This is one of those places that you have to see to believe. It is almost too much to take in - the rows and rows and walls of bones and skulls placed in perfect formation, and the sheer size and quantity of tunnels filled with remains. It also makes you wonder who decided to create different patterns with the bones and skulls. It feels so disrespectful yet interesting at the same time.

    Certainly an experience I will never forget.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Sacre Coeur Basilica, Paris

    September 1, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Next on our busy itinerary was the Sacre Coeur Basilica. We somehow managed to manoeuver our way by Metro, and a very, very steep climb to the Sacre Coeur Basilica, a church located at the top of the Montmarte, the highest point in the entire city.

    Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, construction started in 1875 and it was completed in 1914. It features the largest golden mosaics in Europe and they were amazing to see. The golden colours shining as the sun hit them through the windows was breath-taking.

    The 19 tonne bell is the heaviest in the world and while we had the option to climb to the gallery in the inner dome to admire the view, our feet and legs were just not up to it. Instead we admired the view of Paris from the steps of the basilica.

    I loved the calmness and peacefulness of the design of the inside, while Brad was more impressed with the others we had seen today. I still think it was worth the exhausting hike up the hill.    Read more

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    Place du Terte, Paris

    September 1, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Not too far from the Sacre Coeur Basilica is Place du Terte. This was recommended in a few online travel guides but I do think it is now too touristy - yes, an ironic statement coming from a tourist. It is a public square known for its many street artists and Renoir, Dali, Van Gogh all lived in apartments and honed their skills as artists here.

    While it was nice for a quick walk around and I did enjoy some of the 'works' on the surrounding walls and alleys, it isn't somewhere I would say is a "must do" in Paris.    Read more

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    Moulin Rouge and the Parisian Streets

    September 1, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Final destination for the day was to see the Moulin Rouge and photograph the famous red windmill. Moulin Rouge has been a long-time favourite movie of mine so it was great to see the structure in real life.

    I had read so many mixed reviews on the Moulin Rouge show that we decided not to see it this time. We had so many other things we wanted to see. Maybe next time we visit Paris we will consider it.

    Our first day exploring the streets of Paris has been fabulous (with the exception of our very sore feet and the heat) and we love the many different buildings, statues and fountains that make this city so beautiful. The avenues lined with trees, the friendly French people we encountered throughout the day and the wonderful vibe of the city made our first day in Paris so enjoyable.

    We finished back at the restaurant where we had started our day and enjoyed a delicious French meal and some friendly banter with our waiter. Magnifique!    Read more

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    Musee d'Orsay, Paris

    September 2, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We had an early start today as we headed over to the Orsay Museum to have a wander around before it opened and to enjoy another French breakfast at a nearby cafe. As a result we were first in line and managed to avoid the crowds again.

    The building is as much a work of art as the pieces on display inside it. It is magnificent!

    The Orsay Museum was originally built as a railway station and was inaugurated in 1900 for the World Fair. The building included a luxurious hotel and grand reception room. With the modernisation of trains the station was gradually abandoned. In 1977 the French government decided to transform the building into a museum and in 1986 the Musee d'Orsay was inaugurated.

    We enjoyed a couple of hours admiring the variety of works of art on display and the building itself. Standing on the inside and looking out through the large clock was amazing. I have discovered that as much as I admire a lot of the classics, Van Gogh, Renoir and Degas, I enjoy the unusual and interesting pieces just as much.

    It was a great start to our day.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Les Invalides, Paris

    September 2, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Next on the agenda for today was a visit to Les Invalides. Unfortunately a lot of the building was roped off for construction reasons but we did get to see Napoleon's tomb inside the circular crypt, under the golden dome.

    The building itself was amazing and Napoleon's tomb was huge. They certainly did things in grand style - the bigger the better. Even though we have seen a few amazing historic sites already we were still oohing and wowing over everything.

    It was a quick visit and a nice respite from the hot sun. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch at the cafe on the grounds before heading onto our next location.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Pont Alexandre III, Paris

    September 2, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    On our way to the Arc de Triomphe we crossed the Pont Alexandre III, the Alexandre III bridge. This bridge is widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in the city and it certainly is. I don't know if you can call bridges beautiful but that word describes this bridge perfectly.

    The bridge is decorated with exuberant Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, nymphs and winged horses at either end, and was built between 1896 and 1900. It is named after Tsar Alexander III, who had concluded the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892.

    We also got some pretty great views of the Eiffel Tower from here and of course I had to take a few more photos of the famous Paris icon.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Champs-Elysees, Paris

    September 2, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We continued our "stroll" up the Champs-Elysees, admiring the beautiful Parisian homes, amazing storefronts and even come across a shop just for me - DS World - Debi Shaw World. Even better was the fact there were some seats along the way to sit and rest our weary feet, and admire the surroundings, of course.

    The highlight of our walk up the Champs-Elysees was the Dior shop that looked like it had been shrink wrapped in a bright graffiti pattern. It definitely stood out in contrast to the traditional Parisian buildings.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Arc de Triomphe, Paris

    September 2, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Feeling very feet sore it was a relief to finally reach the Arc de Triomphe. Seeing it brought back so many memories from my Year 8 French lessons. I couldn't believe I was actually standing in front of it. Luckily I had done a little research and knew we had to walk under the road to reach the Arc de Triomphe, not risk our lives like some idiots trying to cross the extremely busy ring road.

    Measuring 50m tall and 45m wide, the Arc de Triomphe is the most monumental of all triumphal arches. It was built between 1806 and 1836 with its main purpose being to celebrate the victory of Napoleon. At the base of the Arch stands a torch and every evening at 6:30 pm it is rekindled to recognise the sacrifice of an unknown French soldier who gave his life during World War I, whose body is buried there.

    Thankfully we were able to get to the top in the lift and did not have to climb the 284 steps. The lift itself was amazing as it was a semi circle shape. Very unique and a bit claustrophobic, but I would have put up with anything so I wouldn't have to climb the stairs. I don't think my feet would have held up to the challenge at this stage.

    The views from the top were breathtaking and we could see the entire city spread out below. I loved the contrast of the leafy avenues against the white of the buildings. It was also a great view to some of the spectacular gardens built on top of the buildings. How on earth they built them there is beyond me. And of course, another great view of the iron lady, the Eiffel Tower.

    I was glad we managed to make our way here to experience the views, and to recall some school day memories.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Place du Trocadero, Paris

    September 2, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We then made our way to Place du Trocadéro, site of the Palais de Chaillot. It is in the 16th arrondissement area of Paris, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. The hill of the Trocadéro is the hill of Chaillot, a former village. From here you get the best views of the Eiffel Tower.

    We had some time to kill before our scheduled spot for the Eiffel Tower so we made the most of the grassy areas and shady trees to take some time out and rest for a while, after we had taken a “few” more photos of Eiffel Tower of course.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Eiffel Tower, Paris

    September 2, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    After a relaxing rest in the park, very Parisian like, we headed over to have a nice stroll through the Champ de Mars, the well-known gardens in front of the Eiffel Tower. What a disappointment, we were horrified at the condition of the gardens. Basically there was very little grass, what little there was was worn down from so much foot traffic and there were dusty dirty paths everywhere. AND the most disgusting toilets we have ever experienced. Not impressed at all and very sad to see it such a state. It was not pleasant to be in.

    So, instead of enjoying a stroll we decided to play French tourists and enjoyed some delicious crepes at a nearby cafe, which ended up being a very nice way to spend the afternoon while waiting for our Eiffle Tower time slot.

    Finally we made our way to the Eiffel Tower and boy were we impressed. It certainly lived up to the anticipation. We took the lift up to the summit and I have to admit the ride up was a bit daunting. We even contemplated not going further than the second level but realised there was no way we could not go all the way to the top. Once we were there it was amazing. The views went on forever. Unfortunately it was too crowded for Brad to get on bended knee and propose again.

    By the time we made our way back down we had only a small wait until the nightly light show began and it was worth the wait. While we have loved the sites we have seen today, we were very happy to finally make our way home and rest our feet. It had been a very long day - but an amazing day. We love Paris.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    The Louvre, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Today was one of the days I was really looking forward to, although I don’t think my feet were - it was going to be another big one. First up for the day was a visit to the famous Louvre Museum. We had heard so much about the line-ups for the Louvre, even with prepaid tickets, that we made sure we were there bright and early. We were so early in fact, that there was only one other person there when we arrived, and funnily enough, he was from Sydney. It was great to be able to photograph and admire the Louvre without the thousands of tourists surrounding it and we enjoyed chatting to other people in line while we waited. It made the waiting time go quickly.

    It wasn't until we were in the Louvre that I realised how huge the actual museum was. The origin of the Louvre dates back to the 1200s and the buildings are just as impressive as the art on display. Once a royal residence, it became a museum in 1793 during the French Revolution and is now home to artworks dating from the 7th millennium BC to the 1850s. The collections are displayed on five levels, in three interconnecting wings and it was very easy to get lost.

    First stop was of course to see the most famous of all art, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. And she did not disappoint. The Mona Lisa has been described as "the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world". It is also one of the most valuable paintings in the world. It holds the Guinness World Record for the highest known insurance valuation in history at $100 million in 1962, which is worth nearly $800 million in 2017. Once again, we were very lucky with regards to the crowds and didn't have to line up to see the painting up close.

    Next stop was the famous statue, La Venus de Milo. Discovered in April 1820 on the island of Melos in the Cyclades (Greece), the statue is believed to depict Aphrodite, goddess of Love, known to the Romans as Venus. This masterpiece of Greek marble sculpture, whose sculptor is unknown, is dated from about 120 BC. It is so hard to fathom that works of art from so long ago are still around today for us to admire.

    After visiting the main iconic pieces of art, we enjoyed some time wandering through the Louvre and admiring the many other masterpieces on display. There were quite a few random pieces that I really liked, that took me back to my high school art classes. I think the Louvre is one of those places you could visit every time you go to Paris and you will always discover something you haven’t seen before. It was an amazing way to start the day.    Read more

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    Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    After a stop for a late breakfast/brunch we made our way to the Centre Georges Pompidou, commonly known as the Pompidou Centre. The Pompidou Centre is Europe's largest modern art museum whose exterior and interior are almost equally absurd and surreal.

    The exterior uses an “inside out” design with large pipes on the building’s facade, and the inside consists of some quite conceptual outside-the-box modern art. The inside-out exterior moved the building’s functional appliances out of the main space and into the open air so that the galleries inside could have more room to work with. To spice things up even more, the building’s appliances were colour-coded: blue for heating and cooling, green for plumbing pipes, yellow for electrical wiring, and red for the escalator (which, of course, is located on the exterior of the building too).

    The works of art on display inside certainly match the exterior of the building although there are some pieces that make me wonder who decides what is classed as art that is worth displaying. While I found some pieces quite bizarre I did enjoy seeing works by Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Vassily Kandinsky. Brad enjoyed finding the more risque pieces.

    And the added bonus was the views of Paris as a backdrop to the sculptures on display on the outside patios. It was a cool place to spend an hour or two.    Read more

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    La Fontaine Stravinsky, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Just outside the Pompidou Centre is the whimsical public fountain called the Stravinsky Fountain (La Fontaine Stravinsky in French). It is ornamented with sixteen sculpture pieces, moving and spraying water, representing the works of composer Igor Stravinsky. It was created in 1983 by sculptors Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle, and is quite a surprise to see amongst the traditional French buildings and churches.

    I also loved the huge mural painted on the side of a nearby wall in contrast with the old traditional church. Certainly something different to see.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018

    Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    After a refreshing drink in a traditional French cafe we finally made our way to the Notre Dame Cathedral. What a stunning building.

    The cathedral's construction begun in 1160 and was largely complete by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the following centuries. In the 1790s, Notre-Dame was desecrated during the French Revolution and in the 19th century it was the site of the coronation of Napoleon I. It regained popularity again after the 1831 publication of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and has undergone major restoration since then.

    The cathedral is one of the most widely recognized symbols of the city of Paris, and the French nation. It is known to house one of the world’s largest organs and immense church bells, as well as the most important relics in Christendom, the Crown of Thorns, a sliver of the true cross and a nail from the true cross. Approximately 12 million people visit Notre-Dame annually, making it the most visited monument in Paris.

    Our original plan was to climb the stairs to the top but we were exhausted and having seen all of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc De Triomphe we decided we could give that a miss. We did make sure to check out the inside though and it was spectacular. The stained-glass windows were amazing and once again we were in awe by the craftsmanship of the many amazing works of art and statues, and the workmanship of the building itself.

    It is so hard to fathom how these amazing structures were made so long ago and how it was possibly done. AMAZING.    Read more

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    The Conciergerie, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    On our way to visit Sainte-Chapelle we stopped in at The Conciergerie, the oldest prison in Paris. Dating back to the 6th century, it was originally the palatial residence of Clovis, the first king of Paris. During the French Revolution between 1793 and 1795 it served as a prison where its most famous prisoner, Marie-Antoinette was kept up to the day she was executed. Hundreds of prisoners during the French Revolution were taken from the Conciergerie to be executed by guillotine at a number of locations around Paris.

    Throughout the centuries it has housed many of the French monarchy, been the home to France’s Parliament and is the birthplace of the first Conciergerie. Appointed by King Charles V, the last royal resident, the Conciergerie were charged with maintaining order, overseeing the police and supervising prisons. Today it still houses judicial offices.

    We entered through the Hall of Soldiers and after seeing the elaborate interior of the Notre Dame the simplicity of the Conciergerie was simply beautiful. The hall was empty but impressive with its graceful curved beams. There was such a feeling of serenity and peacefulness about the place even though it was a place of sadness. It was almost a spiritual feeling being there and I loved it.    Read more

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    Sainte-Chapelle, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France

    In the same grounds as the Concergerie, is Sainte-Chapelle, the Holy Chapel, our last stop for the day. Commissioned by King Louis IX in the 1200s as part of the palace complex, it was completed in 1248 and served as a private chapel for the royal family. Though some of the palace grounds from those early days are gone, Sainte-Chapelle remains intact.

    While the exterior was nothing extra special, the interior blew my mind. The stain glass windows were breathtaking with the afternoon sun shining through. Arranged across 15 windows, each 15 metres high, the stained-glass panes depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments, recounting the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris.

    This was by far the most amazing location we have visited in Paris, although I seem to be saying that about every place we visit. Paris is a beautiful city, filled with so many, many amazing buildings and sites to see. I am just so glad I had added this one to our itinerary. It was a fabulous end to our very long, and amazing day.    Read more

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    Paris

    September 4, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Our last day in Paris and we had plans to visit the cemetery and explore more of Paris, however we woke to a wet and overcast day. We were exhausted, so it was a great chance to rest our weary feet, enjoy a lie in, and recharge. Once the weather cleared, we ventured out for an afternoon stroll around our local area, soaking up the Parisian vibe. There is so much about Paris that I love, the touches of art, the beautiful buildings, the gorgeous streets. I have been very impressed by Paris and need so much more time here to fully immerse myself in the city.Read more

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    Le Dante Bistrot, Paris

    September 4, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Due to the fact we had had an easy tourist day we decided to get into the Parisian way of life and venture out for a late dinner. We have been so exhausted at the end of our days exploring the city that we are usually in bed at 9pm, so it was a treat to venture out for dinner at that time. We decied to try some local cuisine at Bistro Le Dante, where we sat on the footpath, Parisian style.

    The funniest thing was watching one of the staff members from the restaurant park his car by actually bumping the car in front and behind him until he got his car in place. I think we sat there in disbelief for some time. Image doing that at home!!

    For dinner Brad ordered snails as an entree, AND I actually tried one! Not something I would have again but at least I gave it a go. It was a delicious dinner, a great experience, and a lovely way to end our last day in Paris.    Read more

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