what happens when you let a man make arrangements

I admit it, I enjoy moments of being a Princesse in my personal life. And an agreed-upon division of labor (with respectful consultations as appropriate) is about the only way two imaginative neurotics can get anything done. And some people may be better dealing with some kinds of abstract concepts (e.g., moving airline mileage or distances in kilometers) than others. So having said all of that, here is the trip as it finally lays out, with just a few cultural notes to show we are more than just gluttons. Restaurant reservations are all made (whew!) and reports will follow.

Friday. London. V & A Museum, exhibit "The Roots of Beauty" (Art Nouveau). Late dinner.
Saturday. Lazy lunch. Theatre. Another late dinner (with friends who chose the the venue).
Sunday. Gorgeous lunch. Chunnel to Brussels.
Monday. Brussels. Outdoor tromp around Brussels gazing at Art Nouveau exteriors if not raining. Dinner.




Tuesday. Day trip to Bruges (love Bruges, love, love, love); dinner in Brussels.
Wednesday. TGV to Lyon. Dinner at longtime favorite bouchon.
Thursday. Lyon. Lunch at Les Halles de Lyon; dinner at favorite bouchon again (you don't get food like this anywhere else).


Friday: TGV to Paris. Dinner.
Saturday. Dinner.
Sunday. Lunch.
Monday. Dinner. (have been wanting to eat at Spring, among other places, but will not be in Paris in time for lunch on Friday, and they close weekends and don't reopen til Tuesday for dinner, Weds. for lunch. Just doesn't work, although they were charming when I spoke with them). Update from friend on the ground: dinner schedule staying the same but lunch will only be served on Fridays for the foreseeable future. Sigh.

Tuesday. Back to New York. Bare possibility of early lunch before we leave - always easier to repack than to pack; but if not, since we change planes at Heathrow, I have been promised a Large Snack at the Caviar Bar at Heathrow. Hmph.

This moving around sounds more hectic than it really is, because we don't have to fly (thus no airport traffic, no security lines, no early check-ins) or drive (no finding/waiting at car rental places, no traffic, no having to park) between places. I love driving around France, love the flexibility and the potential for improvisation, but that's for another time. Right now, suitcase beckons and I am smiling.
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7 comments:

  1. Jane and Lance HattattMay 31, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Hello:
    This does to us sound rather like a mad dash around Europe but punctuated with, very obviously, delicious meals en route.

    We do trust that you will not be too worn out, travel we find totally exhausting, to enjoy some of the sights along the way.

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  2. wellfedfredMay 31, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    I thought it sounded hectic, too, but we know these cities well, and intend to choose activities other than gluttony very carefully. And, as noted, we don't have to allow hours and hours to get to airports, clear security, etc. etc. That should help. I hope. And I'm hoping the weather will be with us as well!

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  3. Louise @ INGREDIENTSMay 31, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    I just started following your blog recently and I'm really enjoying it. Your trip does sound rather hectic when written out like that, but I assume your days will involve more than just eating! ;-) Taking the train is a relaxing and civilized way to travel. I have taken the train a couple times in Europe and it certainly beats taking Ryanair. Have a great trip and looking forward to your travel photos!

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  4. DaniBPMay 31, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    I love your itinerary. I think we would get along very well, it could have been planned by me.
    Agree that this is completely civilized. We have booked trips on the TGV while in France and I am so looking forward to it.
    I haven't been to Heathrow in 20 years, I didn't know there was a Caviar Bar there!

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  5. wellfedfredMay 31, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    Dani & Louise, I think it's going to be fine! We started planning a week in Paris, using mileage. No seats to Paris were available, but we could go if we changed in London. Only that would require staying at the airport overnight (not fun) or going into town and coming right back to the airport (not fun and v. expensive). Hence the time in London. Then we decided to take the Chunnel. Then we read that a favorite chef in Brussels will soon be retiring....

    Heathrow has expanded beyond recognition. They are also making serious attempts to civilize it, at least by US standards. The caviar bar is "Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar" and it's located in Terminal 2, after security. Decent champagne, lovely caviar, fabulous salmon. Antidote to what awaits on the plane.

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  6. Closet CrisisJune 1, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    haha! A real foodie trip! "Gluttony" is a form of culture, except you don't call it that, call it "Epicurean Adventures". Love Brugge as well. My sister got married there, and we spent 3 days eating our way around that little town. Sounds like a fabulous trip.

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  7. wellfedfredJune 1, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    A wedding! in Brugge! can't imagine anything more romantic...

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