Our Summer Vacation: Paris! London!

Lest you feel too sorry for me with my miserable health (thank you, by the way!), I thought I would share our summer vacation plans with you:

We're visiting Paris! And London!

A couple months ago, David and I decided it was time for an easy, breezy European vacation. Since we have only two weeks to spare, and neither of us felt like planning a big adventure, we decided to simply book two weeks in Paris. Ahhh...the romance!

This will be my 4th visit to Paris and David's second, but it's my favorite city in the world (so far) and I can't wait to return to my favorite haunts. Paris is like a second home to me as I lived there for a year as a student, where I studied for my master's degree. That year, I walked every street in Paris (or so it seemed) and know many neighborhoods like the back of my hand. My last visit was in 2003 so I'm overdue!

After we booked our flights, we began talking about making some day trips out to the French countryside and eventually stumbled upon the idea of visiting Normandy for a few days. I've already toured Brittany (pure heaven!) and a little of the south of France, but neither of us has visited Normandy. If we go, we'll visit the famous D-Day beaches from WWII, especially the beaches where the Canadians landed, and the Canadian memorials and graveyards around Courseulles and Beny-sur-Mer.

A second plan, which is rapidly gathering steam, is to do a purely urban voyage and visit London for a few days instead of Normandy. We can easily catch the Eurostar (fast train) through the chunnel, and (for several hundred dollars) have a very pleasant stay in London!

I haven't visited London before and have been voraciously reading guide books supplied by colleagues. Besides the sights, I'm already excited about having dinner at Gordon Ramsay's incredible restaurant. We may pass on the £120 per person dinner menu and simply have lunch. I have a colleague who recently visited London and spent £360 on the dinner service, including wine, with his wife! We're also considering Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen. I am rather fond of Gordon Ramsay, however, so I think his hot Michelin-rated spot will pull rank over Jamie's.

We have yet to plan the London leg, so if you have ANY suggestions about places to stay or things to see and do, please, please send me your suggestions! Do you have a favorite home decor store, a favorite gallery, a favorite pub or restaurant, or maybe a beautiful garden you like to visit?

Also, since I was a mere student when I lived in Paris, I really didn't do much home decor shopping, so I'd love any suggestions you have about great home decor or fashion shops. What do you know about the Paris flea market(s)? From what I understand there is the famous one, but also several others that are less overwhelming. Any suggestions? What about restaurants? Do you have any favorites in Paris?

Your suggestions are welcome!

More travel plans soon...