Just some thoughts: How to improve your hotel...

... or rather: How to improve MY stay at hotels! :-)

With all the travelling that I've been doing for work this year, I think I've been to and stayed at a record (for me) number of hotels in 2013. 

And here are a few observations:

• Why do so many hotels still offer packed bars of soap? Would it not be more environmentally friendly and more economical to have refillable liquid soap dispensers?
• Toothpaste and cotton buds are sadly still not part of the standard basic offering
• Why are duvets tucked in? I hate it. Especially when you have to use actual force to yank them free
• Wifi should be free!!! It is in a lot of places; shame on the others
• Please invest in decent hairdressers. and those that don't switch themselves off due to overheating after a minute
• Breakfast should always be offered until at least 10:00 - let people have a lie in during their holidays
• Don't employ people who don't actually want to work in hospitality

Musee d'Orsay

The Musee d'Orsay is one of the few Parisian sites that I hadn't yet visited. And what's better than a cool museum on a hot day? Unfortunately, they have a no photography policy. Which really is a pity, as the building itself - a former railway station - is stunning!

The museum opened only in 1986 and primarily houses French art from 1848 to 1915. It's most famous for its impressionist and post-impressionist collections - and those are also the busiest areas of the museum. They also have a collection of furniture and sculptures on display and a terrace with views over Paris on the roof.

Entrance fee is €9 and if you book your ticket online (for a small additional fee), you can jump the queue. Which in this hot weather is highly advisable, as the queue is right in plain sunshine.

Outside the museum

Views from the roof - tiny Sacre Coeur in the far distance

Centre Pompidou from the inside and Paris from above

The Centre George Pompidou houses the Musee National d'Art Moderne - the largest museum for modern art in Europe. And with its terraces also offers great views over the city. For €13 you get access to the museum and all the exhibitions or for just €3 you can enjoy the views.

Joseph Beuys and another felt installation: Plight

Part of the temporary Roy Lichtenstein exhibition

Part of the temporary Simon Hantai exhibition

So little time...

Just back in London from three days in lovely York. When I was studying in (not so pretty Hull), York was always a nice place to visit. I hadn't been for more than 10 years... and I hardly recognized anything. And unfortunately, that must be down to be my bad memory - cause I somehow don't think that the city has changed all that much. At least not the historic centre...

Am still catching up with posts about Paris.
So much to write about, so little time and even less motivation. I might primarily stick to photos.

Hope you are also enjoying the summer!

Parlez-vous francais?

As part of my university studies, I spent about 10 months in France. At the end of that stay, I was relatively fluent in French. Unfortunately, in the 11 years since then, I never really got to use my French anymore. So, I was pleasantly surprised just how much I am still able to understand! And it was actually fun to listen to people speak French again. Speaking on the other hand, was much tougher. And since the French don't seem to have improved their foreign language skills in the last 11 years either, it was a little frustrating...

My cousin asked me whether I'd consider moving back to France. And I wouldn't. Not being able to properly communicate makes me feel really uncomfortable. I still sometimes get to my limits in the UK - so moving to a non-English and non-German speaking country is certainly not an option at the moment.

It's George!

Nice is famous for its annual Jazz Festival. And it was on during our stay in Nice. Too bad though that I don't like jazz... Having said that, I quite enjoyed the main act who was on Friday night: George Benson.
Admittedly, I had never heard of him before (my knowledge of music in general is pretty non-existant...)...

France - my food diary

Beach restaurant Beau Rivage in Nice

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (and no, I didn't have both desserts!)

Creperie near le Forum des Halles (which is still under construction)

I'm afraid I can't remember the name of the restaurant; somewhere near the Opera

And this was mine and it was delicious!!

Desserts at Le Reminet - if you don't have a voucher, it's very over-priced!
And I didn't get a warm welcome - so would not recommend!