France : Paris seen from another angle

Some years ago, we had a friend who lived in the suburbs of Paris (and who now lives in Oslo) and wanted to show us Paris from another point of view. When we arrived he said I hope you have your walking shoes with because we're going to walk a lot, we will follow the walk "Paris debauched and shady"... this was... well let's say... intriguing.

We started in force at the "Père Lachaise" cimitery. This beautiful place makes you forget that you are in the middle of the city. This place hosts a lot of well-known people such as Chopin, Jim Morrison or Oscar Wilde.

 

We walked our way up to Montmartre going to all kind of small and narrow streets. When we arrived on top we could admire the gargoyles of the basilic of the "Sacré-Coeur". A little further you have an oustanding view over Paris.

Going back down we passed the world known Moulin Rouge with its legendary dansers.

 

We then went direction Le Louvre. We went through little passages, tunnels, narrow streerts where, according to our book, a lot of murders found place and prostitutes were running everywhere. A place I wouldn't want to be at night time at the beginning of the 19th century.

Of course we had to pass by the iconic cathedral of Notre-Dame and closed our tour at the Eifel tower at night time.

 

We liked to see Paris from a different angle and walking through the narrow less known streets was a real delight :)

United States : Philly, between history and cheesesteak

I stayed a couple of years ago near Philladelphia and I've always wanted to come back. I really like the northeast cities as you can see modern skyscappers and and small old houses charged of history. Philly is definitely one of them. Our first stop was of course the Liberty Bell and Independance Hall. This is the place where the United States were founded. When visiting Independance Hall you are immegered in that time period and feels like you were there. (http://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm)

While being in US history, you can stop by Betsy Ross' house. She is thought to be the one that sewed the first US flag. (http://www.historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/what-to-see/)

A little further you can visit the place where house of Benjamin Franklin used to stand. (http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org/site/sections/about_house/default.htm)

To finish our historic tour we walk to the Elfreth Alley (http://www.elfrethsalley.org/). This old street seems to come from another time. We you look around you see large roads and tall buildings but when you are in this narrow street you're back in time and can almost imagine the horses and carriages running aound.

Of course Philadelphia is not only for its history. You have to try the Philly cheesesteak at Jim's (http://www.jimssteaks.com/SouthStreet.html) or a soft pretzle.

Belgium : Sunny Sunday in Bruges (Brugge)

We woke up in the morning and saw the beautiful blue sky. What should we do today?... Well let's go to the shore and visit one of the most known city: Bruges.

We first went to take some fresh air at the shore and drove afterwards to Bruges. We didn't really visit all the interesting museums or navigate on the inner city canals. We've just enjoyed wandering in this beautiful city often called "Venice of the north". After walking all afternoon we sat down at a terrace on the main square  with a blanket around us.
Because, first of all, Bruges is also so romantic!