Posts Tagged ‘barge cruise’

Over 40s Lazy Adventure in Paris 2024

Join me for the Over 40s Lazy Adventure in Paris

This Over 40s Lazy Adventure in Paris is for people who don’t want to rush around Paris like mad tourists — hot, tired, exhausted – and looking to get away from other tourists.

Hidden Paris Tours barge cruise on the boat 02Hidden Paris Tours barge cruise on the boat 04Hidden Paris Tours barge cruise on the boat 05

Photos all © Teena Hughes – A-Night-in-Paris 2008-2009

2024 — Dates: September – October (to be confirmed)

Here’s the scenario:

You want to visit Paris but you don’t feel like buzzing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, constantly travelling on public transport, getting sore feet with all the constant walking, getting jostled in the crowds, perhaps even feeling out of place.

This is my daydream of being in Paris, spanning a couple of days:

  • be met by a mini-bus at the airport who’ll take you to your hotel
  • enjoy a Champagne Cruise on the River Seine the first night, and a Welcome Dinner in a delightful restaurant
  • have late breakfasts
  • do a bit of shopping
  • have morning and afternoon teas in cute French tea salons
  • maybe see a movie or wander down a delightful street in “hidden Paris” far from the tourist crowd
  • take a barge cruise under and around Paris for a couple of hours
  • drop into a pub you’ve walking past in the afternoons for a refreshing beer, glass of wine or a cocktail
  • and then have a lovely dinner with lots of laughter whilst getting to know the other people sharing the same adventure
  • on the last evening we’ll have a celebratory Farewell Dinner
  • after breakfast the next morning, you’re free to use the Airport Bus already arranged for you, or head off to more adventures of your own.

Sound like the type of relaxing break you’d like?

We’ll do a smaller version of this dream :-)

Please note:

  • there will be no visits to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or any other tourist destination
  • there will be no standing in queues for any touristy thing – ever, ok?
  • there will be no running, rushing or being out of breath
  • there will be no stressful metro, instead we’ll use buses and taxis, barges and boats
  • there will be lazy walking, strolling, sitting in lots of cafes and restaurants, enjoyable laughter and a general sense of well-being all-round – are you ready for that?
  • Good, now let’s have some lazy fun!

What’s included in this One Day Adventure?

There are a variety of ways to fill our day, please choose one of these potential settings:

Meet and greet coffee or tea is included in a delightful Paris cafe

  1. 3 hours on a Barge Cruise which goes around and UNDER Paris
  2. having fun whilst exploring the hidden Paris
  3. visiting several of the ancient covered Passages
  4. having an adventure in a classic French car, the 2CV (Deux Chevaux, 2 Horse)

Price for 2024  … $US (to be confirmed shortly)

The Lazy Paris Adventure lasts for one Day, and the choice of Settings will be decidedd before we meet.

Dates: September – October (to be confirmed shortly)


What’s not included?

  • Your expenses in getting to Paris.
  • Accommodation in a Paris hotel (which may include breakfasts at the hotel)
  • Meals, drinks and all other expenses not included above.

Teena Hughes, AustralianWant to know more about the Over 40s Lazy Adventure in Paris?

If you’re interested in this lazy relaxing way to see just a little bit of Paris, please do contact me today – ask me your questions, and join in the Adventure!

Want to see the other Adventures I host while I’m in Paris? Pop over to the Adventures page >>

I look forward to hanging around and taking it easy with you :-)

Two and a half hours aboard the Hidden Paris barge cruise was fabulous and relaxing
Above: the Lazy Paris Barge Cruise
If you enjoyed this, please feel free to share on Twitter, Facebook or anywhere you like (click one of the little icons on this page). PS — I’d love to hear from you!
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Teena Hughes, Australian who loves Paris :-)

Over 40s Lazy Adventure in Paris September 2018

Join me for the Over 40s Lazy Adventure in Paris

This Over 40s Lazy Adventure in Paris is for people who don’t want to rush around Paris like mad tourists, — hot, tired, exhausted – and looking to get away from other tourists.

Hidden Paris Tours barge cruise on the boat 02Hidden Paris Tours barge cruise on the boat 04Hidden Paris Tours barge cruise on the boat 05

Photos all © Teena Hughes – A-Night-in-Paris 2008-2009

Option 1 — Dates: September 2018 (to be confirmed)

Here’s the scenario:

You want to visit Paris but you don’t feel like buzzing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, constantly travelling on public transport, getting sore feet with all the constant walking.

You’d really prefer to take it easy, perhaps along these lines:

  • be met by a mini-bus at the airport who’ll take you to your hotel
  • enjoy a Champagne Cruise on the River Seine the first night, and a Welcome Dinner in a delightful restaurant
  • have late breakfasts
  • do a bit of shopping
  • have morning and afternoon teas in cute French tea salons
  • maybe see a movie or wander down a delightful street in “hidden Paris” far from the tourist crowd
  • take a barge cruise under and around Paris for a couple of hours
  • drop into a pub we’re walking past in the afternoons for a refreshing beer, glass of wine or a cocktail
  • and then have a lovely dinner with lots of laughter whilst getting to know the other people sharing the same adventure
  • on the last evening we’ll have a celebratory Farewell Dinner
  • after breakfast the next morning, you’re free to use the Airport Bus already arranged for you, or head off to more adventures of your own.

Sound like you?

Spend 3 days and 2 nights where you can be lazy in Paris, and enjoy yourself totally with like-minded travellers. Couples welcome.

Please note:

  • there will be no visits to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or any other tourist destination
  • there will be no standing in queues for any touristy thing – ever, ok?
  • there will be no running, rushing or being out of breath
  • there will be lazy walking, strolling, sitting in lots of cafes and restaurants, lazy laughter and a general sense of all-round well-being – you ready for that?
  • Good, now let’s have some lazy fun!

What’s included in this Adventure?

  1. airport pickup and drop-off in Paris (at a hotel of your choice or let me know if you need help with this)
  2. surprise Welcome Gift :-)
  3. fabulous Champagne Cruise on the River Seine at dusk on your first day
  4. Day 1 Welcome Dinner
  5. Final Night Farewell Dinner
  6. metro/bus tickets for getting to/from our destinations
  7. Barge Cruise
  8. having fun whilst exploring the hidden Paris for 3 days and 2 nights.

Price for 2018  … $US (to be confirmed shortly)

The Lazy Paris Adventure lasts for 3 Days / 2 Nights

Dates: September 2018 (to be confirmed shortly)


What’s not included?

  • Your expenses in getting to Paris.
  • Accommodation in a Paris hotel (which may include breakfasts at the hotel)
  • Meals, drinks and all other expenses not included above.

Option 2 – Don’t have 3 days to spare?

Spend one lazy day with me in Paris for $US (to be confirmed shortly)

Meet and greet coffee or tea is included.


Join the Lazy Adventure in Paris with Teena Hughes Want to know more about the Over 40s Lazy Adventure in Paris?

If you’re interested in this lazy relaxing way to see just a little bit of Paris, please do contact me today – ask me your questions, and join in the Adventure!

Want to see the other Adventures I host while I’m in Paris? Pop over to the Adventures page >>

I look forward to hanging around and taking it easy with you :-)

Two and a half hours aboard the Hidden Paris barge cruise was fabulous and relaxing
Above: the Lazy Paris Barge Cruise
If you enjoyed this, please feel free to share on Twitter, Facebook or anywhere you like (click one of the little icons on this page). PS — I’d love to hear from you!

Postcards from Paris September 2015

Postcards from Paris is a newsletter about the city I love!

 

Today I have been printing off my e-ticket to fly from Brisbane to Paris via Dubai, airport bus pick-up vouchers at both ends of the journey, access info for my rented apartment, sticky labels for the postcards and cards I’ll send to friends from gay Paree —

Follow my photos and videos on Facebook >>


MEET ME IN PARIS — OOH LA LA!

Got some spare time while you’re in Paris? Join one of my Adventures – it’ll be a lot of fun!

Only got time for a coffee or a cocktail? Get in touch and see what we can work out :-)


 

Postcards from Paris - other things to do

 Q & A • Question about Paris September 2015

A question from Sylvia:

“Hi Teena, how long will it take for you to get to Paris this year?”

Excellent question, Sylvia! This year I decided to pay a bit more for my airline tickets in order to reduce the waiting time inbetween flights, and I’m so pleased!

In the past I’ve had layovers in Guangzhou (pronounced “Gwang-joe”, China), Abu Dhabi, Singapore and this time the layover will be in Dubai.

Some of those layovers have been horrendous, time-wise, facilities, and many other factors.  In Abu Dhabi one year there were hundreds of us transit passengers who had to sit on the floor of the airport, in corridors, because the management refused to open the Translit Lounge until the flight was ready for boarding. Was it five hours, six or even seven? More? Thank heavens I’ve blocked the details from my brain, but take it from me — sitting on a floor for all those hours with so many rules and regulations about what we weren’t allowed to do, did NOT make for a fun time. Nerves were frayed, everyone was exhausted, we felt like cattle. Not a happy time.

Jumping forward to NOW, I am thrilled to say I will only have a 2 hour layover in Dubai, making the whole journey so much easier!

Here’s how it’ll work for me tonight:

  • catch a ferry to the mainland
  • airport bus pickup about 10pm, drive for about an hour to the airport
  • three and a half hours waiting for the flight to depart at 2:30am
  • fly to Dubai — 16.25 hours in the air
  • then a two hour layover
  • fly Dubai to Paris for 7.15 hours
  • 45 minute wait for scheduled airport bus pick-up
  • about an hour to drive in Paris
  • total travelling time approximately 32 hours all up.

And THAT’S why I stay for 4 weeks — if it was only 10-15 hours away, I’d be flying to Paris ALL the time :-)


 

Artists' Open Doors in Paris 2008 -- Paris September 2015

What’s on when I’m in Paris in September 2015?

What am I looking forward to in September?

One of the very first things I love to do after arriving in Paris — generally AFTER I’ve had my first croissant :-) — is to take a barge cruise on the outskirts of the River Seine, to reacquaint myself with the outer suburbs and the fascinating history (as told by the Barge storyteller). For two and a half hours I soak up the Parisian atmosphere without having to plan anything — I wave to the folks on the banks and on the little bridges which go across the river in its narrower parts. When the barge navigates down the locks of different heights, it’s a great way to be reminded about nature. We then slowly venture UNDER Paris, and when we get to the bit under the Bastille monument (in the 4th arrondissement), I heave a sigh of ‘history’, remembering what happened here (storming of the Bastille).

I’m also remembering the wonderful years I spent living just a few steps from this majestic Paris icon. OK – that’s enough waxing lyrical :-)

Here’s a bit more about it, with some of my photos:

I’m also looking forward to checking out the wonderful artists and their artwork at PORTES OUVERTES:

  • 25-26-27-28 September 2015

Brushing up on a few of my tips about Paris

 

Here’s a little video I made when I was in PARIS in 2012:

  • jump to 2 mins 29 seconds for a walking tour with me:

I’ll be making more videos this trip too — so stay tuned!

 


I’m heading to the airport in a few hours, so I’ll start waving to you now :-)

The next update will be from gay Paree! Woohoo!

Maybe I’ll see you there — that would be so fabulous :-)

ciao ciao for now,

Teena!


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Pop over there now and sign up so you don’t miss out!

 

Sign up for Teena Hughes' Postcards from Paris Video Newsletter today!

Postcards from Paris 26 May 2015

Postcards from Paris is a newsletter about the city I love!

Bonjour mes amis! Hello my friends of Postcards From Paris!

I thought I’d start off today’s edition with a HUGE welcome to my last few subscribers this month! Maybe you’re one of these folks? If you are, please do write back to me and say BONJOUR! I’d love to hear from you :-)

  1. Bonjour from Teena Hughes of Postcards from ParisTeri from San Diego, USA
  2. Stephen from Vancouver, Canada
  3. Rod from Cleveland, USA
  4. Victoria from Mcdonough, USA
  5. Jim from Mesa, USA
  6. MaKenzie from Bloomington, USA
  7. Paula from Benton, USA
  8. Linda from Pasadena, USA
  9. Robin from Perth, Australia
  10. Liz from Georgia, USA
  11. Lida from Houston, USA
  12. Jenifer from Sanford, US
  13. Craig from Paris
  14. Bettie from South Africa

I do hope you enjoy my little tips and stories about the city I love — I live in Australia and I try to get to Paris every year or two to fill my soul with the joie de vivre (joy of life) I feel whenever I’m in this extraordinary city!

Ways to Meet Me in Paris in September!

I’ve been totally revamping all the things I love to share when I’m in Paris:

  • Painting Workshops
  • Plus Size Fashion Adventures
  • Over 40’s Lazy Paris Adventure

and I’d love to share some new options — but I want to know if any of you think these might be of interest … just because I’d love to do these doesn’t mean anyone else would :-)

  • Stationery Lovers’ Adventure (there are some beautiful traditional pen and paper stores!)
  • Coffee Conversations in French — meet me for an hour and a half in a cafe with 3 other people and learn the right amount of French to survive in a cafe on your own :-)
  • Textile Tidbits Adventure — would you love to find some fabulous stores in Paris specialising in hand-made haberdashery (ribbon, beads, leather, twine, knitting needles, silk, felt)? The two stores we’ll visit have goodies from the 1890s to 1930s, a real feast for the eyes.

I will be finalising the dates and details within the next few days, so I will send a quick email to let you know all the “deets” (details). Can’t wait to be there – woohoo!

Learn French from a wonderful little French girl telling a story based on a mix of other fairy tales :-)

I just came across this video and I have to share — listening to French children is a great way to learn the language! Let me know what you think of this — I think it’s adorable!

I’ll be in Paris in September 2015 – will you be there?

Textile Tasters in Paris with Teena Hughes of How-to-paint-on-silk.comLast edition I wrote:

I have been dreaming in French, and in my dreams I’m in Paris, and when I wake I am speaking or singing in French — what do you think that means?!!

You’re right!

It means I’m way overdue to visit the city where I’ve left my heart, and to where I return whenever possible, from the other side of the planet in Australia -)

and the great news is I have booked my Paris apartment and am finalising my flights this week to spend an entire month speaking French and dipping my croissant into my hot coffee!

What about you? What would you love to do in Paris? Send me a message, I’d love to hear!

  • I am finalising the pages for the Adventures I will be hosting, so do pop back and check this page (I’ll add a link HERE) and you can also follow the Facebook Postcards from Paris page too where I post updates >>

Here are some of the ways to do that:

  1. click the “Say bonjour to Teena” button which should appear down the right side of the web page — you can record your voice straight away — and some of you have already been using this, I love it!
  2. take a “selfie” video or photo with your phone or camera, then email it
  3. record a voice message on your phone, then email it
  4. email me on bonjour [at] a-night-in-paris [dot com]
  5. connect via Facebook, Twitter or my website.

If you do ANY of these things, I’d love to have your permission to share on my website, newsletter etc — if that’s not OK, let me know when you contact me :-)

So – what’s on in Paris in June 2015?

Postcards from Paris June 2015 Goutte d'Or en Fete

Excellent question! There is a ton of wonderful things to do in Paris in June each year, from jazz festivals, to fairs like the Foire St-Germain, and I’ll mention some of them here:

  1. 10-14th June — Goutte d’Or Music Festival
  2. 21st June — La Fete de La Musique #FDLM – read more in English >>
  3. 20th June – 14th July — Festival Chopin a Paris : Chopin Festival in Paris >>
  4. more things to do in June in Paris (and plan ahead for July!)

FESTIVAL-CHOPIN-2015_3072527867408385000

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fete-du-velo-2015-tousavelo

 

 

 Other news in Paris

The famous “love locks” which have appeared over the last few years are being removed from Paris’ centuries-old bridges, monuments, tourist attractions and other fences as the weight has become quite problematic, and placed some bridges under too much stress and strain.  Everyone has an opinion on it, but the bottom line is there is no area which has been created specifically for this type of romantic gesture.

Read more >>

Click the video below to play >>

What else can you do in Paris in June and July?

Have a picnic of course :-)

Buy a baguette, cheese, wine etc and go to one of the many beautiful parks in Paris.

Take a barge cruise UNDER Paris! I love this!

For an added adventure, take your picnic on a Barge Cruise — this is one of my all-time favourite things to do when I arrive, I get to relax for a couple of hours as I take in Paris and the outskirts from a barge, which also takes me on a magical journey BELOW Paris!

Oh you must try this if you’re there — it’s away from the madding tourist crowds and such a lovely way to spend a morning or afternoon in the city I love.

I wrote more about it here :

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Postcards from Paris - other things to do

Other fab things to do:

Ready to try something really unusual?

How about brunch, lunch or dinner in someone’s home? This is a great idea which has been going on for decades and is a great way to meet Parisians and other adventurous travellers — check out the article I wrote about this a while back:

“How do I get to my hotel?”

One of the most common questions I hear is about transport from the airports and major train stations to accommodation. I always use the Paris Shuttle for $27 which I book in advance, and there are some other great choices too.

Facebook Updates

Do you use Facebook? You might like to check out my page and join in the conversation:

Have you enjoyed this Postcards from Paris?

Please do write and let me know :-)

Hopefully I’ll see you there in September!

A bientot (see you soon), and don’t forget I’ll be sending you a quick email when the new Adventures are online in the next few days!

Teena!