Disneyland Paris is the greenest and most gorgeous Disney park in the world. (I may be biased as it is my nearest). Planning a trip can seem daunting but doing some research and coming prepared will make your trip so much easier and a whole lot more magical. Read on for our top tips for Disneyland Paris.
Otherwise known as Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant. the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris is a stunning piece of Imagineering. I may very well be biased, but I think it is the prettiest Disney castle and the details that are within and without are incredible. Here are 7 reasons Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland Paris is the coolest Disney castle in the world.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
7 Reasons Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Paris is the Coolest Disney Castle in the World:
With France being absolutely full of castles and stately homes, the Imagineers, headed by Tony Baxter, wanted to ensure that this would be the most gorgeous Disney castle in the world. They studied the most stunning chateaus and used them as inspiration. Each turret of the castle is different and they all have nods to these iconic French castles.
Oh, and then they painted it pink and blue both because those fairies wouldn’t have it any other way and so it would stand out from the grey European skies. There are actually 14 shades of pink across the castle, lending detail and depth to its facade. It reaches 167 foot tall (that’s just shy of 51 meters for those of us who work in metric) and as with all castles, it faces North to ensure a nice shot in front of it all day.
2.) La Tanière du Dragon (The Dragon’s Lair)
Underneath the beautiful castle there lies a scary secret. A cantankerous old dragon lives in a dark cavern in the hill. This dragon is Merlin’s and if you stick around for a few minutes you might see this grumpy boy wake up and give the visitors a warning to leave. There were two other versions of this dragon slated for originally Tokyo Disneyland and Animal Kingdom but only this boy made the cut. He was originally meant to be a stationary model but luckily for us, they turned it into an amazing moving, roaring and smoking animatronic. In fact, it originally breathed fire but it was a health and safety nightmare so that was quickly changed. It was the largest animatronic in the world when it was built but it has been surpassed many times since.
3.) La Galerie de la Belle au Bois Dormant (The Sleeping Beauty Gallery)
Upstairs (walking through from front to back, you’ll see the stairs on the left) are the most beautiful pieces of art. These are made by true artisans and tell the story of Sleeping Beauty.
The stained glass was created by British artist Paul Chapman. He is legit! So much so, he helped recreate Notre Dame’s windows during its renovation. He was the stained glass artist of choice for the British royal family for 30 years. In fact, he came out of retirement to do these beautiful pieces as he was so taken with the idea of telling a fairytale through stained glass. it makes a change from gospels…!
The tapestries are also properly handmade and not IKEA rug recreations. They were woven in Aubusson in central France, a tradition home of tapestry. They continue the story of Sleeping Beauty around the walls of the upstairs space. They are accompanied by the spinning wheel and two sleeping guards which help bring the story to life.
4.) Achats Fantastiques (Fantastic Shopping)
On the ground floor, you will find two brilliant shops. The first is the Christmas Shop, officially called La Boutique du Château, which has fun baubles, tree decorations, lights and more. It is decked out in Christmas sparkle all year round. This does feel a little bonkers in the heat of a Parisian August but there is never a bad time to get this year’s new ornament iis there? The flowers on the ceiling are reminiscent of real castle ceilings from Scotland to Southern France.
The second is the Merlin’s Enchanted shop, Merlin l’Enchanteur, which sells expensive jewellery, and decorative crystal pieces. Glittering glass displays including model castles at €25,000+ twinkling appealingly. If you need a tiara, there are more than a few to choose from. You can even have your own wand made here, a glass chassis filled with pretty glass beads which will be created right infront of you by an actual glassblower.
5.) Porter un Toast au Château (Toasting the Castle)
Unique to Paris is the casual alcohol policy. It is very recent that any alcohol was served in Magic Kingdom but in contrast, Disneyland Paris has been serving booze since 1993. But what does this have to do with the castle? On the opposite side of the hub, just outside of Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, you can grab a glass of champagne and enjoy a bit of bubbly with this beauty. The Disneyland Paris champagne is pretty good and it is so lovely to toast the castle. The wine is called Edition Spéciale Disneyland Paris – Champagne Pierre Mignon Grande Réserve, the regular version of which sells for around €35 a bottle in the shops. Bear in mind that DLP served Lanson during the 30th anniversary celebrations so their house Champers could change again. I think that at €20 for 150ml of bubbly and a souvenir glass, it isn’t terribly priced.
Look for the cart from mid-afternoon until the start of the fireworks.
The rolling hills that Sleeping Beauty’s castle perches upon, and the unusual square trees are both references to the art work from the 1959 Sleeping Beauty film. Eyvind Earle was the chief artist and added such a distinct style to the film which blended medieval art, tapestries and colours both against the sky and the fairies… In particular, he says he took inspiration from two pieces. The first, a tapestry called The Lady and the Unicorn which you can see in the Musée de Cluny, Paris. The second, an illustrated manuscript from the 1400s called Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, now found in the Musee Conde in Chantilly, France. It’s amazing how his research turned into a beautiful film, which translated to the 3D rectangular trees we see with our gorgeous castle.
7. ) Escargots (Snails)
OK, so having this as its own separate point might be a little overindulgent but it is such an adorable detail that i just couldn’t resist. If you are looking at the castle from the front, see if you can spy the golden turret with the small bumps. These are not just decorative blobs, but actually large golden snails. The imagineers wanted to give a little nod to the famous French delicacy of escargots (snails) especially popular doused in garlic butter and garnished with plenty of parsley. If you want to try them yourself, you could splash out on the lavish Royal Banquet in the Disneyland Paris Hotel. Alternatively, Brasserie Rosalie in the Disney Village has their own variation on the dish. Bon appetit!
Where to Snap a Photo
If you want to get your photo with the stunning Sleeping Beauty Castle, here are six of top spots:
Before you head down Main Street USA towards the castle, ensure you stop in the Town Square Gazebo.
The curved bridge that leads into the castle creates a nice block to those walking over it. Aim for the left side of the wall and you can get rid of at least some of the crowd.
Facing the castle, head around to the left and walk along the wide but short path towards the bridge. There is a little cul-de-sac here which hardly ever has anyone there.
The path that leads all the way around to the left, past the entrance to Adventureland, gives a super view of the castle and the hill it sit upon. To get a shot, you will have to wait for passing foot traffic but with a little patience, you’ll get a great one.
If you are looking at the back of the castle from Fantasyland there is a little nook next to the entrance to Snow White. You can use the bush to cover up the throngs of people and have a cute moment.(I intend to have a better photo here when I’m not wrapped up in snow gear).
On the other side of the fantasy land is the small but perfectly formed Cinderella fountain again this is a great spot to cover up some of the crowds for a nice back of the castle picture.
Finally, if you venture through the Alice in Wonderland Labyrinth and climb the castle belonging to the Queen of Hearts you can get a wonderful view of Sleeping Beauty’s castle in the distance.
Final Thoughts on Our 7 Reasons Disneyland Paris is the Coolest Disney Castle in the World
I suppose the only way I am going to be able to confirm my suspicion that our castle is the coolest one is to travel to every Disney castle park in the world. Thus far, I have only ticked off Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris and the OG in Disneyland but as for castle parks, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai still evade me.
What do you think? Are any of the other Dinsey castles your favourite and why? Let me know in the comments.
Travelling alone to Disneyland Paris might seem like a crazy way to spend a short break, but hear me out. Why not get a little bit of magic when you have time and money to do so, without having to worry about anyone else. Travelling solo, you can have exactly the trip you like and leave full of Disney feels. After some lovely “me time” at Disneyland Paris, here are my top tips for your Disneyland Paris solo trip.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
First things first, download the Disneyland Paris app. This doesn’t count as a tip, but an absolute necessity. This is how you book dining reservations, check “live” attraction queue times, mobile order your food, join virtual queues, buy Premier Access passes and more.
Now that that’s done, let’s look at how you can ace travelling to Disneyland Paris alone.
1. Choose Your Own Travel Time
School and National Holidays
If you don’t have kiddos in tow, you can travel at any point of the year. To save some money, or to hit slightly lessened crowds, you can pick dates that don’t fall during any school holidays or big national holidays. Do remember that Disneyland Paris attracts visitors from across Europe, and even from the USA so consider their dates too. For example, schools break up a month earlier than in the UK in summer for both US and EU. Definitely steer clear of Bastille Day on 14th July, the Easter holidays and the Christmas holidays. See below for August madness.
Weekends
Weekends are busier, of course as again, it is when the children aren’t at school, and when most people don’t go to work. You may be tied to a Monday to Friday job but if not, you can come midweek and it will be a markedly less busy…and cheaper for tickets too.
Special Events
Do you adore Halloween? Fancy doing something for Christmas? Want to see what Pride looks like at Disney? Well, Disneyland Paris is open 365 days a year so you can celebrate anything you want there.
2. Where to Stay for Your Solo Trip to Disneyland Paris
Try a Hostel
If you are up for sharing a room with a few folks you don’t know, you can book a single bed in a dorm. This is going to save you huge amounts of money but you might sacrifice a little sleep thanks to noisy bunkmates. There are a couple near enough to Disneyland Paris to catch a short bus ride but most will be closer to Central Paris and involve a train ride.
Disneyland Paris Hotels
Booking one of Disneyland Paris’s 6 hotels gives you all sorts of lovely perks. You can take advantage of more park time (extra magic hour in the morning) and access to cute meet and greets in the resorts. Your booking price includes tickets to both parks on the day you check in, and the day you check out. Going solo sadly doesn’t half the price but it will take off the cost of the second person’s tickets so you can save around €200.
If you are concerned about staying alone, you can spend a little extra for a preferred room. These are closer to reception, meaning you don’t have far to go on your own.
Even with the discount, the Disneyland Paris Hotel is a little beyond my budget
Other Hotels
I have stayed in a hotel two stations away which was cheap and cheerful, but not that nice to be honest. I think that in summer, I would be a little more wary of doing this as it would be so much later at night, but with the park closing early in winter, I was never out by myself in the wee hours. For peace of mind, opt for a hotel with a shuttle, or that is nice and close to the train station.
AirBnBs & Apartments
These can be a cheap option but do remember that the safety aspects aren’t as guaranteed. You are also at the whim of hosts/owners so could end up stuck outside waiting for keys or similar. A hotel with a reception eliminates this. Go with places that have countless amazing reviews and do remember to read the bad ones too so you are aware of any potential issues.
3. Take Advantage of Single Rider
Disney ride vehicles have a set number of seats and people arrive in odd sized groups. In order to fill every ride, many theme parks have something called a Single Ride Line. They fill the ride vehicles with people from this queue. As most people want to stick with their friends and family, they don’t line up in Single Rider. Thus, the queue is often shorter. In fact, you can check the queue times in the app as well as the regular stand by queue. I’m not going to lie, it can feel a little awkward screaming your head off next to a stranger on the rollercoasters, or hopping into a car with a family of four on Ratatouille but once you are used to it, its fantastic.
There are currently 8 rides with Single Rider Lines:
Crush’s Coaster
Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
RC Racer
Ratatouille: The Adventure
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure
Avengers Flight Force
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
If there is somewhere else you would like to skip the queue, you could always shell out for Premier Access (more on that later).
4. Get a Great View of the Entertainment Solo
When there is only one of you, you can find a nice little spot to squeeze into in a way that a family or couple never will. I like to find a lamp or bin so lean against. You will have that space solidly to yourself. You may also find getting a seat in the shows is easier as a single customer.
Do remember that you don’t have anyone to save your place while you run to the loo, or grab a hot chocolate so make sure you’ve done it all before you secure your spot. It is also worth remembering that although a glass of champagne by the castle is lovely, those boozy bubbles will make you need a pee at what could be a very inopportune moment.
5. Delight in Solo Dining
Table Dining
Table bookings open 12 months in advance for Disney property guests and 60 days in advance for everyone else. I think it is a great idea to have one sit down eaml booked. this punctuates your day and gives it a little structure. it is also a nice chance to chat to someone. The cast members will make you feel super welcome, and after only having your own thoughts to talk to, it might be nice to have a proper conversation. Waiting for a table for one or two people is very often quicker than the families in front of you that need four or five seats together. You may find you can skip the line as they find larger parties trickier to seat. Buffet restaurants are even easier as you can mostly do your own thing.
Where’s the Bar?
You could also ask if there is a seat at the bar, as some restaurants offer this. You will have your own little space and can grab that spot so much quicker. It also allevaites some of the embarrassment some people feel about sitting on a table for two or more when they are dining solo.
Set Meals or Graze your Way
The nicest thing about eating on your Disneyland Paris solo trip, is that you can do it however you like. If you love three sit down meals a day then you can go right ahead and book them in. Alternatively, you can just graze throughout the day, grabbing bits and bobs that take your fancy. Nobody else tummy rumbles throw off your carefully curated plan of rides through Frontierland and no picky eaters will ruin your chance to try the Middle Eastern cuisine of Agrabah Cafe. You can eat what, where and when you choose. plus, if you don’t share it on social media, you can have three extra desserts and there is nobody to judge you!
Ordering Technology
If you are thoroughly enjoying keeping yourself to yourself, you don’t even have to order from a perso at many quick service restaurants. You can order n advance on the Disneyland paris app. Mobile ordering gives you time to scroll through the options and to just grab it when it is ready. They have been using touchscreen ordering machines at Hyperion Cafe (you will familiar with these from McDonalds and similar establishments( which, again, gives you the chance to order whilst still listening to your own brain, music or whatever you have going on.
Hyperion Cafe
Speaking of Hyperion Cafe, this is a great place to eat if you hate sitting without something to do when you are on your own. The auditorium is actually called Videopolis because there is a large screen in the room which plays Disney shows and shorts. This is a nice diraction from what is a distinctly average fast food burger.
6. Set Your Own Pace
Are you an adrenaline junkie that wants to dash from ride to ride, stopping only to pee or throw up? Be our guest! Fancy just strolling along Main Street USA and soaking it all up? Take it easy. This is your day and you can do Disney your way. Strangely, my first solo visit, it took me a while to warm up. I am normally a ride junkie but I ended up walking around in circles for about an hour first. Howevere, once i got into the swing of it, I was on fast forward, popping to the bathroom or to pick up something delicious as and when.
12. Remember Your Safety
Watch the Weather
Make sure you have the correct gear for the weather during your visit. You won’t have anyone to remind you when it is time to reapply your sun cream or to put another layer on in the cold. Be a responsible bunny and take care of yourself.
Utilise Your Hotel Safe
If your hotel has a lockable safe, leave your important bits in here unless you want/need them in the park. French law requires you to carry ID but if that worries you, you can have a photocopy of your passport instead. If the police do ask to see it, you can show them the copy as long as you go and pick up the original to take to the police station afterwards.
Watch Your Valuables
We all have phones, possibly a wallet and even fancy action cameras on us when we visit Disneyland Paris. It would be so sad to have them nabbed. Travelling solo, you will only have yourself to keep an eye on your belongings. Don’t leave your bag at the table when you pop to the toilet, go to the buffet. or put it down next to you as you scroll your phone or watch the fireworks. Keep it strapped to you in some way, or have another small pouch with your most important bits in which never comes off.
Pickpockets do operate on buses, trains to and from Paris. and in the crowds around the park. Be vigilant and keep your bag in view with a nice secure zip. I like to have a little karabiner clip on mine in busy cities.
If someone starts to talk to you, be extra careful as they may be causing a distraction. Be polite but keep a hand on your bag.
Finally, if you are on RER or Paris and sitting by the door, beware of gadget snatchers. Someone could grab your phone just as the doors are shutting, then the train leaves while the thief remains on the platform. Be vigilant and maybe keep your phone away securely, listening to an airpod for entertainment.
Getting Home
Getting home at night means being a little aware. Don’t have loud music on in your earbuds, pay a bit more attention if your surroundings, especially if they are unfamiliar. Staying around Val L’Europe or Marne-la-Vallée is a good option as it is well lit. Just exercise your common sense. Last time I travelled to Disneyland Paris solo, I just hopped in an Uber and shared my ride details with my other half who was back in the UK.
Drinking
I am by no means telling you not to enjoy a drink or two. A glass of champagne in front of the castle, wine with dinner or a cool cocktail from the hotel bars is an adult treat that makes it feel like a holiday. However, do keep your wits about you and don’t test your limits. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and awareness so maybe stick to just a couple.
8. Love the Price
Travelling solo can often be an expensive business. When you are forced to take taxis, for example, you have no choice but to cover 100% of the cost. However, a Disneyland Paris solo trip is somewhat of a happy exception.
Transfers To and From the Airport
Skip the taxi because there are two good options. From Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris’ main hub, you can hop on a super speedy RER train to Mame le Vallee. It takes just ten minutes and as it can be pricy, only buying one ticket is a welcome treat. If you want a drop off at one of the Disney Hotels or Partner Hotels then you can grab a ticket for the Magical Shuttle. This takes an hour from either Charles de Gaulle or Orly (the budget airline airport).
Taking the Eurostar
Similarly, you can snag a cheap ticket just for yourself. As you are only beholden to your own schedule, you can choose the cheapest ticket. You’ll need to change at Lille or Paris Gare de Nord as direct services no longer run to DLP. This option is even better if you are very flexible and can take advantage of the Eurostar Snap scheme. Bear in mind that this will only take you to Paris Gare du Nord. One last thought on this. Flying limits your luggage greatly (especially for budget airlines). Eurostar has much more chilled luggage restrictions especially for size and liquids. travelling solo, you’ll need to carry everythign you need so this can really help.
Premier Access and Priority Viewing
Ah Premier Access… This is the Disneyland Paris’ queue-skipping option and it has replaced the old fst pass systems. Premier Access comes in two variations. You can choose to buy line-skip passes a la carte (Premier Access One) or pay for the whole day (Premier Access Ultimate). This allows you join the short queue at every included attraction once per day. As a solo traveller, you only have to shell out for one at a time…imagine a family of four, it would be horribly expensive.
Similarly, you can pay to go into a less crowded area for the parades and fireworks. The Priority Viewing tickets allow you to arrive later (a god-send in winter) and they have a great view.
9. Enjoy Some Guilt Free Treats
Shopping
Spending only your own money means you can shop til you drop without feeling any guilt. I am not big into merch so this one doesn’t affect me too much, but on a recent freezing visit I was considering buying a hat. The only person involved in making that spending decision was me! In the end, I decided that I didn’t like any of them enough to wear them again so I didn’t bother but it was so nice not to have a partner in tow, trying to dissuade me from my decision.
A Spa Break
You don’t have to spend your whole Disneyland Paris solo trip in the parks. You could take some time and relax in a pool or spa. After a few rounds of Flight Force, you are going to be in need of a massage. Head to a nearby hotel and indulge! This is especially lovely in winter when you feel like your bones are cold.
Liquid Treats
Its those drink treats that sometimes, your friends and family just don’t understand. My other half doesn’t drink coffee so trying to convince him to stand in that coffee queue is nigh on impossible. You want to queue for your caffeine fix? Go for it! Maybe you fancy something a little stronger? A glass of champagne in a plastic souvenir flute is €20 but if your travel buddy doesn’t drink, it might be considered a little excessive. Someone might even think it is weird to drink alcohol at a theme park. Well, on your own, you can treat yourself and sip away.
10. Don’t Miss Out on the Photos
You might think taking a Disneyland Paris solo trip means leaving without any nice photos of yourself. I can attest that there are several ways to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Tripods – You are welcome to bring a small tripod to set up here and there. When used with a timer or remote, you can get some super shots. I have one that folds to about 15cm and extends to about 1m and it was allowed. however, you cannot have a selfie stick or hold up an extended tripod/monopole. (These were taken with a tripod)
Selfie Cases – Some people bring phone cases with sticky suction pads that can attach your phone to the side of something shiny (a glass wall or bin). This is fine if you just want an outfit photo but you won’t find many places with aesthetic backgrounds for this kind of photography.
Photo Pass/Cast Members – You can pay for the professionals in certain spots around the park to take your photo. Do bear in mind, however, that they may not be where you want them to be and might not have much flexibility in where and what they can shoot. You can also give your phone/camera to staff when you meet characters.
“Do You Want One All Together?” – This is the best way I think. You can offer to take a group’s photos so they can all be in the shot and then ask nicely if they would mind getting one for you…if they haven’t already offered.
Selfies – If all else fails, a good selfie is a lovely way to document the day.
11. Don’t Worry About Feeling Lonely
There is no need to be lonely when travelling to Disneyland Paris alone. You are going to be super busy or busy relaxing. If you feel like you need some interaction, you can always find a character to meet or a nice cast member to chat to.
Use your time in queues or when you sit down for lunch to hop on social media or message people at home. You might not get an immediate answer but they will see your message and get back to you throughout the day which gives you little pieces of interaction.
Pop in a podcast or music. I love to listen to audio entertainment and I saved a few podcasts about Disneyland Paris to listen to. Surprisingly though, I enjoyed hearing the people and music i the park that I didn’t need them for most of the time.
12. Enjoy Some Slow Moments
Travelling with a group can feel a bit like you are being dragged from pillar to post. Being on a solo trip to Disneyland Paris means you can take the time to hunt out the details that you find interesting.
The castle has some gorgeous things to discover. Upstairs is a beautiful set of stained glass windows created by a genuine artisan. He worked for the British royal family and helped restore the stained glass in Notre Dame! There are also real tapestries. Together they tell the story of Sleeping Beauty. Then, downstairs is the dragon! It would be so easy to rush through all this.
Have you heard of hidden mickeys? These are intentional Mickey shapes integrated into decorations and rides throughout the park. Hunting them down can be a really fun game…if you’re in the mood. I’ll get you started with the one in the cogs outside It’s A Small World.
Final Thoughts About Travelling to Disneyland Paris Solo
Travelling to Disneyland Paris alone is a scary prospect. I was nervous the first time but it a genuinely lovely way to spend a few days. If you can’t rustle up a travel buddy, no fear, you do not need to change your plans. Hop on a train and get a little dose of Disney magic!
There are a few ways to travel between London and Paris. You can catch the train, drive and then use a ferry or the “chunnel”, or fly from one of several London airports to one of several Parisian counterparts. Then, there is the newest and cheapest option, catching the cheap bus between the UK to France. Read on for my full FlixBus London to Paris review.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
A Little About FlixBus
FlixBus has swept through Europe, swallowing the competition by providing clean and well run connections between towns and cities across The Continent. Despite their dominance elsewhere, they are still not that well known here in the U.K. I think that taking on National Express and Megabus is going to take time. Where they are really thriving is the cross-channel route between the capitals of U.K. and France.
My Trip to Paris
In November 2024, I spent a week in Paris with a few content creators. I travelled solo between home and the hotel and being rather more budget conscious when I travelled solo between without Mr Fluskey, I decided to give the coach a go. So how was it to travel on FlixBus between London and Paris? comme ci comme ça.
There is no sugarcoating it, London’s Victoria Coach Station is awful. Squat, crowded and a with distinctly chilly metal seats, it is not somewhere I choose to be if I can help it. Sadly, there aren’t really any alternatives, if you are travelling by coach. The small Pret A Manger had the usual crowd, a few coffee addicts who zoomed through, one guy who was fast asleep on the counter and some out-of-towners horrified by the price of a croissant. I thought about grabbing breakfast but decided against it. At this point, breakfast is mostly a social expectation for me rather than a requirement. Plus, I didn’t want to drink coffee and then board a bus. The bathrooms are very much for emergencies and I really didn’t want to need a wee.
The Coach
Having booked 1A, I was surprised to see that I was in fact, in the second row. For some unknown reason the driver had blocked off the front row seats with seatbelts strapped across the aisle. Then, new seat numbers had been scrolled above the rows behind, causing quite a lot of confusion on boarding as people tried to sit in the same row thinking they were both row two and row three.
I was a bit peeved because I had pushed the front row for a nice view out of the front of the coach, but instead was staring at the back of the seat. I’d paid £3.99 for the privilege that was in a regular seat. I was also a little confused as I’m pretty sure stringing seatbelts across the aisle, blocking the exit is a massive health and safety issue. If we were to get in an accident will have to disembark quickly quickly people were going to fall down the steps after having been trapped in a seatbelty web.
I did like that each seat had a one USB-A port for charging their devices, and as I was lucky enough to have the seat next to me free I could charge both my phone and my camera at the same time.
Departure
Our coach was due in at 06:45, arriving from Disneyland Paris, but it didn’t turn up until about 07:40. We departed at 07:47, 47 minutes late and I thought we were going to be late for the ferry. The timetable said “09:30 – Dover (P&O Ferries)” and there was a ferry that departed at 09:30. I did a quick map search and we weren’t due to arrive until 09:47. Clearly, I am stupid. Our ferry wasn’t the 09:30 one but the 11:00.
Entertainment
There wasn’t any to speak of. Now, I wasn’texpecting any so that was fine. However there was a sticker with a QR code which promised an entertainment suite. I did feel irritated when it didn’t work. Time to peel those stickers off me thinks.
Dover
We pulled into customs and passport check. I was first off and into the passport office which was very plain and looked distinctly temporary. One female guard sat in a small wooden box and checked our 28 passports, flicking quickly through the pages before banging the stamp down on each. The bus pulled forward and we climbed back on.
There was a departure terminal of sorts. It was almost identical to a motorway services with a WHSmith, Costa Coffee, Burger King and a little gambling arcade. There was an open door at the side and the front doors kept swishing open so it was quite cold. I made quick use of the ladies and hopped back on board for the remainder of our 30 minute break.
P&O Ferry
The coach pulled onto the big vehicle deck (Deck 5 – Red) and we all got off. I left my larger bag on my seat, just taking my little bum bag full of valuables. no point dragging it around for no reason.
I watched the White Cliffs of Dover disappearing behind the wake of the ship and for the next 45 minutes explored the decks, poking my nose in everywhere they would allow.
There were several lounges, each with a different intended function:
The Bar – Seating with a small casino in the corner.
The Family Lounge – Located at the front of the ship, the sofas here looked straight out to France. Those in the know bagged these seats very quickly. There was a cafe/bar counter in here and what seemed to be a dance floor(?)
The Pet Lounge – Somewhere for your furry friends to play, with an outside space at the back of the ship.
The Quiet Lounge – I only saw one couple in here that were chatting very loudly. They missed the point.
The Club Lounge – Only accessible by scanning a ticket, this is the premium lounge that includes food and drink throughout the sailing. It was £27 so if you were able to indulge then not bad value. I tried to see in but could only see a set of drinks optics on the wall…but that’ll do!
The Marketplace – On the top deck was the food hall. They had snacks, a selection of baked goods, hot meals, kids lunch boxes and some nice looking desserts.
I grabbed a can of Pimms and a packet of crisps from The Marketplace and settled in for the last half an hour of the crossing. Calais slowly hove into sight (everyone with normal eyesight had been able to see it for ages) and then we were called back to the bus.
Calais
We made a quick stop at a services near the port. There was a mostly shut cafe and a big shop with all kinds of food and drink. I just popped into the bathroom and straight back into the coach. I was grateful for the stop as it meant my Pimms was dealt with before we reached Paris.
Paris – Bercy Bus Station
Stepping off the coach at Bercy Bus Station was very overwhelming. It was noisy and crowded. Taxi touts swarmed the new arrivals. One guy in particular would not leave me alone and followed me, badgering me for a taxi. I escaped into the winter air as soon as I could. It was surprisingly dark in the park that is in front of the station so it took a moment to let my eyes adjust. Then it was am eight mimnute walk to the metro.
Not having read the email properly about where FlixBus picks up at Disneyland Paris, I was at the wrong bus station. I was stood outside Marne-le-Vallee train station but clicking on the map provided I realised that it wasn’t right. Luckily, I had bags of time before it was due to leave. I head back through the security, leading into the Disney bubble, and walked briskly to the exit across the way, to the Southern bus station, Chessy Sud. The bus was listed as being from Platform G which, on the sign, was labelled as Long Distance Buses. Makes sense!
The Coach
This coach was a bit newer on the inside and it was toasty warm which I really appreciated. There’s nothing worse than trying to sleep in a bus when you are cold.
Once again, I had paid a little extra to sit on the front row as it looked like it was just a single seat on one side. 1D was on the map but 1C wasn’t. Annoyingly, this was because it was reserved for one of the drivers. This whole seats thing is a bit messy and when they are charging for them, some clarity would be nice. (I’m still salty about my view on the first bus).
Departure
I was hoping to see the drone show above the car park roof but sadly, the cold and windy weather meant they didn’t take to the sky. The bus arrived about fifteen minutes before departure and the four passengers waiting, including myself, boarded. Presumably, the driver knew that everyone had arrived as we left six minutes early.
I was exhausted after a rather manic week and was looking forward to getting some sleep. However, I quickly realised that I had made a very rookie error. Sitting at the front was SUCH a bad plan. The radio was playing music, the drivers were chatting loudly and the windscreen was flooded with the headlights of vehicles. That £3.99 price tag made these seats look so tempting but a little corner somewhere at the back would have been far superior.
Bercy Bus Station
In comparison to Bercy, Victoria Coach Station is rather fancy. Buses are stacked here cheek by jowl, with just a small pavement to wait on. People spilled into the path of our coach as it approached. So dangerous! How is this the main bus station of a major European city?
I am so glad FlixBus has a service you can board from Disneyland Paris, it is vastly more pleasant and doesn’t feel as maddening or dodgy.
Calais
I dozed off, surfacing every 20 minutes or so, until we reached the Channel Tunnel terminal. The bus seemed to turn in circles until we found our way to French passport control. I made confused and tired small talk about Paris in the snow until the agent stamped my passport and I could nip back onto the coach.
I put my head down and tried to force myself back to sleep again, forgetting entirely that British Border Force was still to come.  I was just dropping off again when the coach stopped and bleary eyed, we traipsed back off. It was a very quick passport check, but then I think a couple of people were having their luggage checked by customs so we had to wait a little while before we were allowed to get back on the coach. I had been trying to dehydrate again to ensure that I could sleep and I didn’t have to use the cage. However, there was a bathroom after passport control, and a drink machine, I decided to throw caution to the wind, go for a wee and treat myself to a bottle of Orangina. I was wildly thirsty so this was definitely a good move.
The Eurotunnel
I woke up just in time to see the coach squeezing slowly onto our carriage if the EuroTunnel train.  these are basically metal shells and bogies, that you drive into. They are then sealed and the whole train chugs through the tunnel. You are not permitted to leave the vehicle during the trip. I don’t know if it was the constant light, the occasional rumbles, or just the strange sensation of being on coach that was moving without any engine, but I slept incredibly fitfully, gasping myself awake time after time. It speaks volumes that after the coach was driven back onto the road. I got a proper one and a half hours of uninterrupted sleep. Still, the train variation of this journey is far superior to that of the ferry overnight as you are made to get off the couch and then have to go and find somewhere to sleep on the boat for two hours.  if you are a good sleeper then I think you’ll get a pretty decent chunk of sleep after passport control.
London Victoria Coach Station
The next time my eyes opened, I was looking straight at a double-decker red bus, a strong indicator that we were somewhere within the M25. About five minutes later the drivers put the lights inside the coach up to full and announced that we were almost there. We arrived at about 07:00, a slight delay but nothing dramatic. I think the bus was due to turn around into the service that I had taken to Paris on the ferry originally.
The coach station to the Underground at Victoria is a steady ten minute walk and it isn’t signposted that well. Luckily, I have done this walk dozens of times so I could do it in my groggy autopilot. Weirdly, the tube was packed but I gave it a few trains and managed to get a seat all the way back to my home station…and I was straight to bed.
Final Thoughts on my Journey with FlixBus Between London and Paris
This was very much a journey of two halves. I actually really enjoyed travelling from London to Paris with FlixBus including the ferry. Yes, there was some drama with the seats but I still can’t work out if that was a FlixBus issue or that particular driver who had taken matters into his own hands. I think that for the price, and that starts at less than £20, it is a marvellous adventure and extra fun if you’re sharing it with someone else. I would 100% do this again.
However, despite the convenience of a coach that leaves directly from Disneyland Paris and carries on all the way to my hometown, the overnight journey was a bit of a trial. I am quite a light sleeper and so I always struggle on overnight transport to an extent. The recline on the seats was okay but not enough to make me feel like I was lying in a bed. Again, you can pick up these tickets at them absolute bargain but you are going to need a very decent nap when you arrive at your destination. Possibly, I wouldn’t choose to do this trip again overnight but coming back in the daytime I think would be fine.
Overall, I think FlixBus does a decent job and if you are travelling on a budget, or are trying to travel in a more sustainable way between London and Paris then it is a good option. Trust me, the next time I need to go between these two capitals and I’m short on cash, FlixBus will be the first place I look.
Cruising through Paris, on the mighty river Seine is both a delightfully touristy thing to do, and at the same time, is a must do whether you are local or not. But what lies beyond the city limits? Where does the Seine wind its stately way through? Travelling on the Viva Cruises Gloria, you have the chance to find out. Join us on our Seine to Atlantic, Viva Cruises itinerary.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Paris Part One
The Seine to Atlantic itinerary begins and ends in the City of Light…or is that the City of Love….or the City of A Thousand Instagrammers? The absolutely iconic French capital is one of those travel destinations that will lure me back time and time again.
I am the first to admit that I have done a fair amount of Instagramming here (including the clock in Musee d’Orsay during this trip) and loads of touristing but even just wandering the city as a “Flaneur” is real delight.
Did We Book a Tour?
No, we decided to tick off another bucket list Parisian moment.
What We Did Instead
Despite this being my fifth trip to Paris, and the third with Mr Fluskey, neither of us had ever seen Sainte Chappelle. As the trip was rather last minute, we didn’t book tickets tickets in advance which is definitely not the way to start a visit. We joined the walk-in queue and stood outside in the rain for about 45 minutes. It was only when we got to the front that we saw there was a priority access queue for disability and we could’ve skipped a lot. Oh well, you live and learn. It may have been a long old wait, but it was still definitely worth it. The stained glass in the Sainte Chappelle breathtaking.
Les Andelys
Les Andelys is very quaint. From an abundance of wood-timbered houses to a proper medieval castle, it screams Normandy!
Did We Book a Tour?
Not for this one as it all looked within walking distance.
What We Did Instead
Disembarking as soon as we could, we made a beeline for the fort atop the hill. This took us through the gorgeous Petit Andelys which was just seconds from the Viva Gloria. It is full of original timber-frame residences that are just absurdly picturesque. From here it was about 20 minutes through the village and up the hill to Chateau Gaillard. This is the quintessential Normal fort (well, kind of English as it was built by Richard the Lionheart in 1196). It has stone walls that are meters thick, archers windows, a proper garderobe (long drop toilet that sticks out over the walls) and perfect views down the river in both directions.
From here, we took the 30 minute stroll away from the river, into the centre of town to see the cathedral. The Collegiale Notre Dame is a surprisingly huge church for such an adorable town. It was built in the 1200s on the site of an Abbey that was already 700 years old. It has some beautiful sand glass from the 17th and 18th centuries.
That evening there was a piano concert in the church, and the pianist was practising adding dramatic atmosphere to the interior. The event manager scraping chairs across the floor in preparation for the audience, rather ruined the effect though.
The only place on our river cruise I had actually heard of, other than Paris obviously, was the capital of Normandy, Rouen.
Our boat docked in the evening we were excited to hear that there was a sound and light at the cathedral. We thought we would make the most of our time and disembarked earlier in the evening to grab a drink first. We found a bar right by the astrological clock (more on that later) that had some proper Normandy cidre. It was a very lively spot and we enjoyed our drinks before making our way to the square in front of the cathedral.
The show was not your normal bombastic historical epic to through sound and light but more to something you might see in the Tate Modern. “Star and Stone : A kind of love…some say” was created by an artist called Bab Wilson. Famous poems by Maya Angelou were read in both French and English over a Phillip Glass score whilst mesmerising projections played across the front of the magnificent facade.
Did We Book a Tour?
We sure did.
Rouen: Back to the Middle Ages with Chocolate & Cheese Tasting
Now, I know that Viva Cruise was all inclusive, but I’m never going to turn down chocolate or cheese.
This city tour with a foodie flair was a short walk taking in the sights, with a tasty treat twice along the way. Our bubbly tour guide took us from the boat, back up to the Cathedral square and through the rainy Rue de Gros Horloge. We learned all about the beautiful old astrological clock which shows the time, date and phases of the moon. Then, a short way along the next street we are most into the main town Square. In the middle was the most unusual church, the church of St Joan of Arc,  as this is where the unfortunate leader was burnt alive. The wooden church has an interesting structure designed to represent flames. Then inside, you can see the modern stand glass.
It was at the market nestled at the heart of the square that we had our cheese tasting. There was a cheese counter there stuffed with the most delectable looking cheese. We drooled over some of the more unusual types before everyone was presented with two trays. One was a camembert and it was funny to see the faces of the people that thought it was strong. I wish i could introduce them to some of the beautieis ripening away in my mum’s fridge. The other was a …..
Our next stop was a chocolatier called Hautot. They have three shops in Rouen but are still small producers focusing heavily on local ingredients. We we got to try two of their signature caramels. The pear was an unusual and light treat whilst the salted caramel seemed to be class favourite. Even more impressive was the lflurry of translation that was happening throughout the tasting. Our host was speaking in French and then our tour guide had to translate into German and English. Impressive stuff.
Finally, it was back to where we started at the Notre Dame. We had inside to hear the stories told with them, bringing the statuary and windows to life.
After the tour we popped back to the clock to see the day change with the sliding of one god to another. So cool! Then we dashed around, taking off the last few sites I spotted on Google Maps. There was an old prison tower which I’m quite sad. We didn’t have time to go around, gorgeous roads lined with ancient wooden buildings, and an old courtyard of delightfully macabre details. we could have spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the city but it was time to leave and actually we had a lovely afternoon in the hot tub and the brief window of sunshine that we were treated to.
Le Havre Part 1
Le Havre is a port city, that receives a fair few cruise ships. Bombed heavily in World War II, much was rebuilt and so it has a bit of a reputation as a concrete jungle. As ever, we were determined to form our own opinion.
Did We Book a Tour?
Yes.
Le Havre: On the road in Le Havre & Étretat
Our tour only had one stop in Le Havre, but as this was the furthest from our dock and it was the main site I was keen to see, this was perfect.
Le Havre has a superbly unique church due in large part to the time of its construction. It was designed by architect Auguste Perret and constructed in the 1950s as the city rose from the rubble of WWII. The almost Brutalist concrete naive of Elsie’s Saint Joseph is topped with a huge grey tower more akin to a power station than a palace of worship. It is said to resemble a lantern or a lighthouse but I think it gives Empire a state vibes. Head inside and you’ll see the hundreds of coloured glass dots that fill the interior with beads of colour. It’s a very unusual take on stained glass by artist Marguerite Huré which is subtly stunning.
From here our coach continued on to the seaside town of Etrotat. This pretty spot is most famous the stunning coast it sits within. Artists, including Monet and many a watercolour king, have come here to capture it both in glorious sun and dramatic stormy moods. We arrived on a distinctly dull day that you would only need greyscale to recreate.
After walking everyone to the beach, our guide gave us two suggestions of routes to take for a stellar view. We could take a right and hike up to the church, or to the left to hike up and see the natural rock arch. Rock arch for the win. It was a steep climb up but well worth it. On one side the sea was a beautiful blue under the arch, and on the other, the dramatic rock stack formation made for a very cool visit.
Coming back down, we noticed people gathering around some cool cars and a cherry picker which was now up in the sky. It turns out it was a special emergency services day and as we were admiring the cars, we heard a helicopter flying in from around the coast. They did a whole demonstration of a helicopter sea rescue which was very, very cool to see.
From here, we popped into the wooden market, grabbed the obligatory sneaky cidre and and walked back to the coach.
After the Tour
With a cloudy but dry sky, we decided to take a walk around the city and see the last few sights. It was a fifteen minute stroll around to our first stop, the … This big sculpture, a rainbow of shopping containers was strangely fabulous and makes a great welcome to arriving ships. From here we popped into the art museum for a quick warm up before meandering through to the cathedral.
Straight up the road from the Cathedral is The Volcano , a modernist arts venue with giant swooping white walls and … Opposite, the sobering war memorial is overflowing with the names of those lost fighting in the wars or defending the city. We crossed the giant arched …. Bridge and head back to the boat for a nice boozy Mexican coffee,
Le Havre Part 2
Our day started with a dash to Primark for tights (my legs were all kinds of chilly) which isn’t very cultural but needs must.
Did We Book a Tour?
No
What We Did Instead
So, Viva Cruises were running a tour to Honfleur, the town across the delta which is beloved by artists. I thought I wasn’t bothered…until it had already left. Suddenly flooded with FOMO, I declared that we too would head for Honfleur. We made our way to the bus and train station and hopped on a local bus.
The main harbour of Honfleur, Le Vieux-Bassin, is disgustingly picturesque. You cannot help but be charmed by it.
The rain and cold drove us to find shelter…and cidre. The aptly named Le Cidrerie serves proper Normandie cider and tasty buckwheat galleries, amongst other things…but why would you order anything else? We shared a …. pancake and had a couple of drinks each to warm up from the inside out. Fed and watered, it was time to return to Le Havre and the waiting boat.
Vernon
Again, we were up early for a quick extra something. We took a walk along the Seine and across the bridge to see the old mill.
Did We Book a Tour?
Yes we did.
Vernon: Monet’s House & Garden
Claude Monet’s house is the reason the small. village of Giverny is famous. The artist’s iconic water lily pond and water garden are here, along with his flower garden and actual house.
It is quite the tourist operation with tour after tour heading through in single file but, you know what? It was still a nice visit. We joined the throngs as we slowly wound our way through the paths, admiring the glorious gardens, which apparently he ensured was always in bloom by planting different seasonal flowers.
Then into the house to see how such an icon does interior decorating. It was mostly quite simple but we adored the tiled rooms downstairs.
Everyone was given some free time so we made a dash for the church, Église Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny, at the top of the village. The church is home to both Monet’s resting place and a lovely memorial to airmen that were killed here. Of course I grabbed a sneaky cider and that plus the gmagnificently red foliage gave me all the autumnal feels.
Paris Part 2
My Paris bucket list seems to grow longer with each visit, and so I need to hit as much as possible on every trip. That is why we were up and out nice and early on our return to the capital. The Musee d’Orsay was calling. We dashed in from the rain and made our way to the fifth floor, and that Insta-famous clock. After our snaps we enjoyed browsing the impressionist galleries and seeking out the Toulouse Latrec pieces.
After a morning hiding from the drizzle at Musee d’Orsay, we hopped on the RER back to grab a light lunch.
Did We Book a Tour?
Yes, we had something rather exciting lined up for the afternoon.
Paris: Vintage Citroën 2CV ‘Ente’ Tour to Montmartre
Puttering through the streets of Paris in an old 2CV gives serious main character energy. Add to that a roof that you can roll up and some banging tunes and you have an excellent way to spend a couple of hours in the capital.
We set off from the boat in a convoy of three cars, ready to take the drive all the way up to Montmatre. Our first drive by was of course, the Eiffel Tower. Magnificent as always. Then we crossed the Seine and started winding our way past some more iconic sights. The Opera Garnier, the Grand Palais and more.
Our delightful driver had a Bluetooth speaker and said we could put on our music. I bust out an 80s playlist and it turned out to be a good choice. He said he loved 80s tunes, and so do we! The cars were all drawing attention as they chugged past people, and ours, with our mini disco was the most ostentatious of all.
After the Tour
We simply couldn’t leave Paris without going to see the Eiffel Tower one more time. Remarkably, the sun came blazing through in 45 minutes of blue sky just as we reached its giant feet. We spent some time taking photos and then decided to walk back from here to the boat. It was a very pleasant stroll with the clouds only closing in just as we reached the Viva Gloria.
Final Thoughts on Our Seine to Atlantic Viva Cruises Itinerary
As an introduction to Normandy, our Seine to Atlantic Viva Cruises itinerary was ideal. Pretty cities, cute villages and some fun food along the way is just what we were after.
Checking into a hotel with an ever-changing view, and a new location every night has got to be the coolest thing about cruising. However, gigantic ships, dodgy buffets and faraway ports all take from the experience somewhat. Well, that is all solved on a river cruise, and we are so excited to share ours with you. Join us for 8 days on the Viva Gloria, cruising the mighty Seine from Paris to the Atlantic in France. This is our Viva Gloria & Viva Cruises review.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
The Seine to Atlantic Cruise
We were originally booked to sail on the Rhone on the south of France, but when Viva Cruises suggested we swap to Seine to Atlantic itinerary, we jumped at the chance. I’ll take any excuse to visit Paris, a city that will forever enthral me. During the sailing, we visited:
Paris – The stunning French capital with more sights than a shooting gallery. We had the chance to tick off a few more things from our Parisian bucketlist, on this occasion we hit the Musee d’Orsay, Sainte Chappelle and did a food tour too!
Les Andelys – This pretty Norman town has a striking medieval castle and Le Petit Andely is awash with pretty timbered houses. We didn’t book a tour here, but just strolled around.
Rouen – The main city of Normandy is crowned with a mighty cathedral on which we caught a very cool light show which run on summer nights. The next day, we hit the streets, exploring the pretty buildings, unique Joan of Arc church and got to try some local chocolate and cheese.
Le Havre – Le Havre is a port town connecting The Seine River to The Atlantic Sea. We did spend a little time in the city but spent most of our time in two neighbouring villages. Honfleur is full of intriguing wooden buildings, including a double-naived church whilst Etrotat is all about the stunning natural coastline.
Vernon – Beyond its cute timber mill, this is the base to head to Monet’s house in nearby Giverny. It was lovely to see his gardens and adorable tiled kitchen before grabbing a cider.
Viva Cruises is part of parent company Scylla. They launched straight into a pandemic world and stayed afloat (pun intended) serving the German domestic market until the world reopened. Now they can be found on all the major rivers of Europe,
Our boat, the Viva Gloria has been cruising since 2005 so it isn’t super new but you wouldn’t know it. Viva Cruises has renovated and maintained it beautifully. The interiors are kept spick and span, polished to perfection every single day. All the decor was classy with no horrendous carpets. The room decor was grey and navy which was very city chic, while this entrance lobby had a Mediterranean vibe.
The boat is 100m long, allowing it to travel through many important locks. There are-76 cabins and suites, spread across 3 decks. She can carry 152 passengers and they are looked after by 36 staff. That’s one member of staff for every 4 2 passengers. To be honest, it feels like there are more than that as service was never lacking.
Our Diamond Deck Room
Our stateroom was a 14m² twin, the most common room on the Viva Gloria. Every room on the Diamond and Ruby decks have a french balcony (how apt). If you are staying on the Emerald deck (the bottom deck) you are going to have two windows that are just above the water line. I thought these would be too high for me but they were just right and it was so fun to see the swell from other vessels lapping the glass, or a duck paddling past.
But back to our room…
On the left side as you enter were two wardrobes. The first had a higher hanging rail and a couple of shelves. I don’t think this would take a full length maxiso bear that in mind before you being something that crumples easily. The wardrobe next door had more shelves, one houseing the lockable sfae. Below wasanother rail, ideal for tops or shorter skirts etc.
Along the wall from here is a desk with a large mirror above. In lieu of a kettle, there is a Nespresso machine. I made good use of it and despite having the choice of regular or decaffeinated coffee pods, it was the hard stuff all the way.
Every room gets a bottle of sparkling wine in their room and this also sits up on the desk when you check in. Below the desk is a fridge that is unbelievably, included in the cost of the cruise. We had some water, soft drinks and even a couple of beers. We found anything we drank replaced whenever the next room service was (twice per day).
The Bed
Our bed was really wide and so comfortable. The covers were nice and warm but if you are a very cold sleeper, there are two more blankets in the wardrobe. I struggled with the pillow options as they were very soft. I ended up using the display cushion in a pillow case, stuffing the unwanted ones under the bed. Speaking of…there was plenty of room for our two backpacks, a hand luggage suitcase and the pillows so it would comfortably hide a normal sixed case.
Every evening there was a turn down service with a little chocolate on th pillow so make sure you leave room at dinner! I had to save mine up as I forgot nearly every single night and was always full to the brim.
The Bathroom
The bathrooms were quite small but managed to squeeze in the toilet, shower and sink. This is just one of those bathrooms that is for function, not for dancing about in a towel. I am pretty sure this standard on river cruise boats as everything is that little bit smaller. Saying that, there was a nice big cupboard under the sink for storage, but I think it would be better if it was divided into two shelves.
The amenities are made by Rituals so they smell great and are fantastic quality. Strangely, the Emerald deck room we checked out had a body lotion and something else that I forget, but our room didn’t. Maybe it is compensation for the smaller windows? Being the backpackers we are, we brought everything with us anyway so it didn’t matter but I am still curious.
The shower was surprisingly powerful for a boat but the space was limited so fine for washing your hair but the contortions of a leg shave were a bit of a struggle. I didn’t have any problems with the temperature but Mr Fluskey seemed to. Maybe he got unlucky with a popular shower time.
Viva Gloria’s Facilities
The Boutique
We are not into shopping so didn’t make use of the gift shop on board. They did have some very cute scarves and cardigans though, a requirement in the chilly French autumn days we caught. Everyday they rotated the stock that was on show at the front and there did seem to be some nice jewellery options but I didn’t investigate further.
The Sun Deck
Up on the top deck was a large collection of seats and sun loungers, ready and waiting for a little sightseeing or sunbathing. Guests could lounge up here and catch a tan, or bring up some drinks to enjoy at the tables. The L-shaped sofas at the front were particularly nice for sightseeing. on sunny days. Alternatively, the seats with the wind protection were better for a chillier sailing like ours. As we sailed, Viva Cruises played interesting facts and tidbits from the speakers up here.
I was hoping to spend a little more time up on sun deck but we were a little unlucky with the September weather. No Indian summers here. There was one nice, sunny afternoon as we sailed from Rouen and of course, we hopped straight in the hot tub. It was so lush to enjoy a glass of bubbles, in the bubbles, with the green river banks sliding past.
One cool and crazy thing about river cruise boats is that they are all designed to fit under the bridges spanning the water. However, to do this they sometimes have to collapse everything. If there are people on the deck, they either have to move them away completely, or ask everyone to sit down until the bridge is cleared.
The Spa
Down on the Emerald deck is the spa. This was an excellent alternative to hanging out on the sun deck as it was nice and warm on a rainy and rather dreary day.
You can book the spa for an hour and you’ll have it all to yourself, or between your group if that’s what you would prefer. Inside there is a sauna, a steam room, a shower and a Jacuzzi bath. Bear in mind that there is only really room for three in the sauna and the steam room at a time so if you are a larger group, you’ll have to swap. We hired the spa for a lazy morning that we would be sailing rather than docked. It was a very nice way to spend a lazy morning. The steam room was so steamy that we couldn’t see each other about a meter away, but the sauna wasn’t that hot. It was an infrared sauna so if you’re looking for the full Finnish experience, you may be disappointed. Neither of us like to be fully roasted, so it was very comfortable for us. I ended our time with a very happy 10 minutes in the bubbly bath.
There are towels in the spa so you do not need to bring any from your room. Oh, and if you need bathroom robes but you aren’t staying in a suite, you can request these from housekeeping and they will be with you within 10 minutes.
Dining Aboard Viva Gloria
Panorama Lounge
The bar in the Panorama Lounge is at the front of the room with a nice wraparound view. Here you can order a few wines, beers or pick from a cocktail list that we worked our way through far too quickly. They also had a cocktail of the day, along with a matching mocktail, which wasn’t on the menu. It was a fun touch. Not on the cocktail list per se, the Mexican Coffee was one of my favourites. I was not alone, mid afternoon there were plenty of these on the go around the lounge.
At lunchtime, a light lunch is served in the Panorama Lounge. There is a soup (the same on that is served on the main lunch). Then, you can usually choose from a salad bar, a pasta dish and something carby (a sandwich, a toasted croissant or a baguette). Finally, there will be one dessert. This is great if you aren’t that hungry, are in a rush or just don’t fancy the formality of a served multicourse lunch.
More food? Oh go on then!
All the special food offerings were up here too. During our sailing we had an ice cream party, a gorgeous afternoon tea and a delicous “taste of Normandy”. This comprised a huge selection of meats and cheeses served along with a splendid Normandy cidre. I expressed my love of cider to the staff and they very kindly made sure a couple of bottles were left so that i could enjoy it for the last couple of days. This is definitely the advantage of a smaller river cruise. We knew the lovely staff by the end of day one and they took such good care of us.
The Riverside Restaurant
Down on the Emerald deck is the Riverside Restaurant. Viva Cruises has open seating which means you can choose the table you fancy and you can arrive at any time during the opening hours. It is worth noting that people tended to pick a table and stick with it but we liked to switch it up, hunting out the nicest view on the day. For lunch and dinner Riverside Restaurant is open for about two hours. It was really nice to dine with friends we had made during the week and to chop and change our plans.
Breakfast
The only time you will find a proper buffet on Viva Cruises is at breakfast. There is a large continental slection of meats, cheeses, salad, fruit and lashings of smoked salmon. Then, as you would hope,, the pastries are top notch and varied.
Even with all this, there is an a la carte menu that you can choose from as well. the omelettes in particular were a highlight. They are made french-style (rather than the chopped-up version you find in the USA). The portion is just right for one person when added to a bit or two from the buffet.
Oh, and if you are feeling really frivolous, there is a bottle of sparkling wine sitting ready for a bubbly brekkie.
Lunch
In the Riverside restaurant, lunch is a semi a la carte affair. You can grab some starters bits and bobs with a salad bar in the centre of the room. Then you are given the option of a soup, the choice of a few main courses and finally two or so dessert options.
Fair warning, if you indulge in everything, you may struggle to eat another four courses at dinner even though these are a little lighter than those served later.
It is worth noting that the cooking of everything for both lunch and dinner was excellent. The only thing we would change is the viscosity of the soups on offer. We both thought they were a little thin, but that is my personal preference.
Dinner
Dinner was usually four courses. A starter, soup, main dish (entree) and dessert. Both the selection of ingredients, and the cookery were restaurant quality. We had blushing pink duck, a fancy champagne sauce, and all manner of perfectly prepared potatoes. I suppose that in France, we wouldn’t accept any less.
This is going to sound crazy, but it was the source of several dinner time conversations. The chef on Viva Gloria, despite cooking for 100 people, somehow managed to get perfectly crispy fish skin every time. Every fish we had, was delightful. We both adore seafood. I think you can trust us on this one.
Gala Dinner
During our sailing they had one gala night. I didn’t know it was happening but happily, we had a collared shirt for Karl and a pair of little heels for me so we could slightly upgrade our dinner look. The tables too had a glow up. The napkins had little bow ties (too cute) and the menu was served as a scroll.
On this evening, dinner was six courses including an amouse bouche and pralines. The fillet mignon was perfect, as was the chocolate fondant cake. I was very impressed that they managed a flowing centre with so many people to serve at once. Oh how my heart sank when I realised the two chocolates meant one each and I had just demolished mine thinking there was another to come.
Vino Vino
At the back of the Diamond deck is Vino Vino. This was used as a bistro during our sailing and we booked to eat there on the second to last night. In Vino Vino (as the name would suggest) there was a wider selection of wines on offer. It was nice to have more to pick from after having the same drink menu for the week. (More on the drinks next). The starter for everyone was a salad which was crispy but very simple. Then I opted for a Chateaubriand and Mr Fluskey chose the burger.
Now, I was particularly excited about my steak. It is not often you see Chateaubriand on a menu for just one person so this was going to be a real treat. We also never “go for steak” at home as Mr Fluskey isn’t a fan of beef. I kept waiting for the waiter to ask me how I liked it but instead, I was presented with a plate. ofmeat that was well done. Personally, I like my steak barely past rare and was not keen on chewing my way through this beautiful steak that I felt was ruined. I have genuinely never sent a plate of food back in my life but considering the rarity of my special steak dinner, I did on this occasion. Well, the staff did some epic service recovery. Within five minutes a perfectly blushing Chateaubriand was in front of me with freshly cooked chips too. I felt so embarrassed that I had complained but they dealt with it with grace, kindness and excellent cooking skills. Amazing work!
The Drinks
Viva Cruises has, what they called, their “all-inclusiveconcept“. This allows guests to choose from house wines, beers, spirits, champagne and cocktails, along with soft drinks and hot drinks. These are all included in the price of the cruise and you only pay extra if you want to pick from the wider wine list anywhere other than Vino Vino. This is one of those inclusions that really allows you to relax and enjoy the cruise. I hate stressing about drink prices on holiday. It is so much nicer to just think about what you really want and pick that.
Entertainment
There was only one main entertainer on the boat, a pianist who also sang. She had a very laid-back lounge style of piano , which I found a little soporific. I did enjoy the blend of the great American songbook, popular songs from the 70s and 80s, and musical theatre. ‘s greatest hits, however.
Our last night we were treated to a cabaret show performed by a group called Lipstick Productions. They were so talented and it was so nice to see the crowd slowly perk up. Mr Fluskey was roped into one of the skits and he wasn’t alone. Crowd participation was encouraged and they were so kind to the willing, or unwilling, volunteers.I thorouhgly enjoyed the hour long show which eneded in a full French can-can, the perfect Parisian performance.
Final Thoughts for Our Viva Cruises Review
Honestly, I wasn’t sure that river cruising would be our thing. It is weirdly both quite slow, and an opportunity to see loads in a short time. I think the compatibility of any traveller with this kind of trip is the itinerary. Exploring somewhere new, stopping vibrant cities, chasing art trails, taking a foodie adventure or travelling on different rivers, there is the perfect itinerary for everyone.
I do know that I would be thrilled to sell with Viva Cruises again and would love to see the new ships, exploring more of Europe’s waterways in style.
Paris is a city of foodies. Parisians are passionate about great food and preserving tradition whilst also exploring new culinary horizons. That is why it is always a shame when tourists visit the city and leave with memories of mediocre meals, crap crepes and expensive eats. There is so much to try and so much of it is so good! We joined Eating Europe on the Left Bank to learn about where to go and what to seek out. Read on for our Eating Europe review.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Eating Europe in Paris
Eating Europe has food tours all around Europe. They hire local guides with a love of food, their home town and of meeting new people. Not only are they going to feed you the good food, but you’ll have the chance to learn about the guides and local area…if you want. Our guide Rachel was British, and both a tour guide, and a food journalist that has been in Paris for three years.
During our latest trip to Paris, we opted for the Eating Paris: Left Bank Food & Wine Tour as it was a nice blend of sweet and savoury, and who doesn’t love a glass or two of wine along the way? Plus, we had never been to the St Germain area of Paris so it would be a fun discovery too.
Breakfast From the Bakery
Every good day starts with pastry, the flakier and more buttery the better. Nowhere is this truer than in France. Admittedly, classics like the croissant actually came from Austria (why these pastries are often referred to as Viennoiserie) but I think France has perfected the balance of sweet and savoury to make them a firm favourite.
We skipped breakfast so it was marvellous to hear that our first was a bakery. Here we learned about the first of our Parisian artisans. A family that has been in the bread business for generations and has several branches of their shop in Paris. Poilane are famous for their giant sourdough loaves which line the shelves on one side of this location. They are also the owners of the only wood-fired oven left in Paris and the smell of the wood is lush. However, the sourdough wasn’t our intended treat. Instead, we picked up some biscuits to have a little later and an apple pastry. It was perfectly crisp and full of proper pieces of baked apple. Heaven.
Cheeeeeeeeese
Yes, it is always worth the Wallace and Gromit quote.
I don’t about you, but I always find the cheese counter a bit scary as I am probably a bit basic. I love a brilliant brie, can munch a mean manchego and chomp a cheddar or seven. However, when it comes to unusual French cheese, I am still learning. It might take a while considering there are officially around 1300 types!
Walking into Barthelemy was more exciting than walking into a sweet shop for sure. The goat cheese section alone, with its pretty petit fois cheeses, was so exciting. Apparently, they age their cheeses in the cellar but that isn’t for public viewing. I wasn’t going to argue as Madam Nicole Barthelemy that has run this cheese emporium for decades is famously terrifying (until you get to know her).
I wish we could have eaten our way around the whole shop, but I believe nibbling the edges of every cheese is frowned upon. Instead, we had a chat about fromage (cheese) in France. it is taken seriously and to earn an AOP you have to make your cheese in a certain way, and in a certain location. These are craftspeople of dairy and that is why the cheese in here costs a fair whack. Rachel picked up a few tasty options for later. Waiting for cheese is torture.
Baguettes at the Boulangerie
If you aren’t eating a baguette a day, are you even in Paris? However, what we get as baguettes in the U.K. are typically not the kind every Parisian is enjoying. The “Traditional” is a baguette in its purest form. In fact, it can only contain four basic ingredients and has to be a certain size and weight. If it has anything other than flour, watering, salt and yeast then it is not a Tradition. The white sticks we see most often are here referred to as “Classique” or “Ordinaires”.
For our second boulangerie (bakery) of the tour, Thierry Marx, we grabbed some bread and popped in the our tote bag (such locals). We learned that for a shop to be considered a boulangerie it must make the majority of its money from the sale of bread. It must be so hard when everyone’s baguettes have to be the same!
The Willy Wonka of Paris
We have both eaten a fair amount of chocolate in our time. We have sampled the spectrum from cheap supermarket slabs to fine Swiss concoctions. However, I feel like I have been wasting my tastebuds after visiting Jacques Genin. The chocolates in this fancy boutique are on a whole other level.
Jacques Genin, the chocolatier is incredibly meticulous in the selection of ingredients and then, with his stash of top quality flavours, he treats them with the greatest of care and skill. We had the chance to try his mint chocolates first and my eyes nearly popped out of my face with surprise. It was a burst of fresh mint, like thrusting your face into a plant. After years and years of peppermint oil and peppermint cream choccies, this was a revelation.
Next, we sampled one of his mango and passionfruit caramels. I was a little apprehensive of “caramels” picturing either the kind that is penny-shaped and sticks your teeth together for half an hour (from that Christmas box), or the sickly sweet liquid centres from the other box’s golden barrel. Well, this was soft and easily chewed with a bright and intense tropical fruit burst.
It is no wonder he supplies all the top hotels…now how can I get him to deliver to our house?
A Seafood Sit Down
With our collection of vittles, we made our way to a gorgeous deli/cafe/wine shop called Kaviari Deli. Already excited about our cheese, bread and biscuits, it was amazing to find out we were going o have some scrummy smoked salmon and caviar.
Seafood is my happy place and smoked salmon in particular has always been a part of my family’s celebrations so it is linked to so much joy. Seated in our next stop, we were treated to a blini with four corners.
Gravalax – Mild and soft with a fennel and dill marinade. I could have eaten this whole fish.
Smoked salmon – Lightly smoked and served with a smooth creme fraiche. Can I have this all over a bagel please?
French salmon roe spread – A bit like taramasalata but with a lighter flavour and thicken texture. Considering how many pots of salmon roe dip I have eaten this was obviously going to make me happy.
Caviar – What can you say? Caviar is pure bliss and it was really interesting to find out how this shop works with sustainable sturgeon farmers. We had a bite with creme fraiche and then slowly enjoyed the remaining soft, buttery fish eggs on their own.
More Cheeeeeeeeese
Once this was all devoured, we bust out the bread, cheese and biccies.
We were presented with our very own Fontainebleau, Its fluffy top looked so tempting so we dug our biscuits straight in. The cheese was really mild and almost sweet. Turns out it is cows milk cream cheese and whipped cream. I could do some real damage with this and a plate of cucumber slices.
To go with the whipped cheese, we had the biscuits from Poilane. These little shortbread biscuits were very simple and tasty, cooked in the bakery’s wood-fired oven. However, as the cheese was so lightly flavoured, I would have gone for a saltier base…but that’s just me. I would, however, like to nibble on a punishment biscuit with a cup of coffee. I will leave the story of the name for your tour, I don’t want to give everything away!
We also had a fun selection of four other cheeses to work our way through:
Ossau-Iraty – A semi hard sheep’s cheese that is very like manchego and goes excellently with quince paste…which we also had.
Rocamadour – A lovely goats cheese, not as punchy as the kind we normally have. A nice discovery.
Comté – I call this French cheddar (uncultured swine that I am). it’s a semi hard Alpine cheese which is the most widely produced of all AOC cheeses.
Fourme d’Ambert – Rachel said it was a mild blue but I’m not huge fan of blue cheese so it was strong enough for me.
We washed all of this delicious food down with a crisp glass of white wine as customers came in and out, ordering the excellently prepared salads and yummy fish on offer. What a foody paradise.
Pigging Out
For glass of wine number two, plus some more tasty snacks, we stopped at Avant Comptoir. After so many traditional treats, this was a nice change of pace. Avant Comptoir focuses on cuisine which links France and Spain. Here you will find gentle spice and lots and lots of pork. They have a mound of self-serve butter which we hacked into with relish. Then you could add salt, pick up some paprika and even grab as many cornichons as you fancied. How novel!
We ordered the caramelised pork belly, sweetened with Corsican honey which was very moreish. Sadly, it had a decent amount of onion in and I cannot bear onion so most of it was Mr Fluskeys.
Then we went a bit more left field with a couple of black pudding macarons. Apparently, some guests are a bit squeamish when it comes to blood sausage but we both enjoy it so we thought this a very fun dish to try. It was intriguing to have it with the sweet cases. I liked the salty sweet combo but the macaroni exploded when I tried to bite into it. I should have gone down in one!
A Divine Dessert
Have you heard of anything more delightful than the concept of a chocolate mousse bar?!
Now I am not a massive fan of the light, slightly watery mousse that you can buy in the supermarket. I’m much more of a Pots of Joy or Gu girl. However, the chocolate mousse at Chaplin is a very different beast. Again, the chocolatier here is a real master. He used to work at Buckingham Palace so he is no joke!
We got to pick from five different flavours. These included the extremely dark Venezuelan mousse and limited edition lemon. We opted for the Ecuadorean milk chocolate. Honestly, neither of us thought we had room, especially as Rachel had warned us that we might struggle.
The mousse was creamy and rich but still light and fully demolished it as the heavens opened and began to rain. This was the perfect punctuation mark at the end of our tour. We said a fond farewell to Rachel and she dashed off to the metro as we popped into a church for a touch of culture, and to wait out the worst of the rain shower.
Final Thoughts on Our Eating Europe Review
This was such an amazing exploration of some of the finest food in St Germain. We even got recommendations of a nearby food market that we need to go back to. I mean, I have been thinking about those chocolates ever since we left the sleek shop behind.
If you want make sure you don’t leave Paris with a bad taste in your mouth, I.can’t recommend taking a tour with Eating Europe enough. It was casual yet informative, fun and of course, delicious!
If you love the Disney Parks in Florida but have decided to branch out and venture across the pond, you are likely to experience a little Disney culture shock. There is still a castle, still the Fab Five and still queues for the toilets, but there are also plenty of differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World. Here are a few that we think you need to know about.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
1. The Attractions
Looking at a map of Disneyland Paris, or a list of the rides, you are going to find some that are pleasingly familiar. However, don’t be fooled, some of these are very different from their US counterparts. So here are all the attractions that are most worthy of mention:
Ones You Think You Know
Peter Pan’s Flight – This is going to sound mad, but Peter Pan’s flight is actually faster in Paris.
Hyperspace Mountain vs Space Mountain– From the Star Wars overlay to the launch at the beginning, this is unlike the toboggan ride you might be used to.
Phantom Manor vs Haunted Mansion– There are many familiar aspects of this haunted house, but the Western theme gives it a new twist.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle – Quite a bit larger than the US Park castles, you will also notice that it is painted in brighter colours to contrast the commonly grey sky. Don’t miss out on the sleeping beauty story upstairs, and the scary dragon downstairs.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril – This is a bone-rattling kit rollercoaster, with one small loop and several head-jangling terns.
Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin – If you know Slinky Dog Dash, this one is a total disappointment. It is a gentle, wiggly worm ride, that just goes around on a slightly waved round track. Let me put it this way, it is great if you are three years old.
Ones You Don’t
Crush’s Coaster – Part dark ride, part family coaster, this nod to a Pixar favourite is great fun. It starts off with some storytelling all about Levi and his friends joining the EAC, and then has a zippy, but not so well themed gravity section to finish it off.
Pays des Contes de Fées (Storybook boats) – This is a slow boat ride through several fairytales. It used to include some lesser known properties, but it has just undergone a refresh and now you will spy Frozen and other new IPs.
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth – Not so much a ride, but an attraction. It is a great example of something Disneyland Paris does very well. You can run riot through a maze full of Alice in Wonderland characters, ending up at a brilliantly colourful castle.
Avengers Assemble Flight Force – Well, I say you won’t know it, but if you are familiar with Rock and Rollercoaster featuring Aerosmith, then it is going to feel very familiar. This is the same track and launch but with a re-theme.
Spiderman WEB Adventure – Think Toy Story midway mania but you use your hands to shoot webs instead of an external, handheld device. It is ridiculously fun, and ridiculously addictive. 
RC Racer – This might not look scary, but this slightly hard-core version of a pirate ship pack a surprising punch you are going to lose your tummy more than once.
Toy Story Parachute Drop – If Tower of Terror is too extreme for you, this drop ride might be more your speed. Plus, it has lovely views across the parks.
2. Cast Members
American customer service is known throughout the world. Big smiles, lots of compliments and sprinkles of pixie dust at every term make the Disney cast members in the USA justifiably famous.
Now, I not saying that the cast members at Disneyland Paris are worse at all. France just has a different idea of what good customer service looks like. Everyone does their job, does it well, does it with a smile, and goes above and beyond where their role allows. It may seem a little unenthusiastic, but it is in no way disingenuous. If someone is creating Disney magic for you, or complimenting your DisneyBound, they mean every word.
Yes, being in France means that French is pretty prevalent. You will find it on the signs, in the shows and throughout the attractions. However, it is by no means the only language spoken. In fact, UK guests make up the second largest group of visitors. Everything that is not in French, and that’s about 50% of everything, is in English.
Plus, as English is the language of tourism, you will find Disneygoers from across Europe who use it as their second language. Don’t panic, you will get through.
Of course, a cheery, “Bonjour/Bonsoir”, and a grateful, “Merci”, are very much appreciated.
4. Photo Pass
If you pay for photos expecting an album full of delightful family photos in front of the castle and other photogenic spots around the park, you are going to be disappointed. Photographers are few and far between at Disneyland Paris, and most of the photos you will be able to get come from character interactions and from the rides. Even with characters, you can usually ask the cast members to take some photo or video on your own devices. If you do want a few official photos, it is probably best a la carte.
5. The Food
It Takes Longer
Eating out in Europe is usually a relaxed affair. In the USA, you may be used to a bill appearing as you are halfway through your main dish. In Paris, you need to attract someone’s attention and request the bill. They don’t tend to assume you are finished, and would rather like you to order some more wine or coffee to bump up their profits. Remember, it is not okay to click or whistle at the waiters in France as is common in some of the world. Instead, try to make eye contact and give them a little wave, or the universal hand gesture for signing a cheque.
It Isn’t So Important
Disney snacks are a very big deal in the USA. Innovative and delicious dishes that you can indulge in or share on social media are the basis for many a WDW trip. In France, however, a nation of foodies, Disney is not the peak of culinary excellence. A lot less funding goes towards the food in the parks and you wilkl find that the snacks in particular are not up to the standards of WDW. The sit-down spots are very good but you will probably find classier cuisine in Paris itself.
Mobile Ordering
Disneyland in California has mobile ordering for absolutely everything. Walt Disney world has it for most quick service spots and it works well. Disneyland Paris has mobile ordering for some quick service food places but it isn’t that good. Be prepared to queue.
Tipping
Finally, the big difference when the bill comes is the tips or service charge that are expected. In the USA you are given options ranging from 18 – 25%. If buying a drink at a bar, tips star at $1 a drink. However, in France, picking up quick service or buying a drink from a bar without table service doesn’t require a tip. In a sit-down restaurant, a 15% service charge is included in the menu price you see so you do not need to tip further. This is already above the standard 10% that you would add elsewhere in Europe.
I have heard tell of people staking out their spots for the fireworks up to three hours in advance in Walt Disney World. This is entirely unnecessary at Disneyland Paris The most hardcore of fans will grab a spot an hour and half before but most people start to gather about 45 minutes before. Alternatively, you could pay for a good viewing place which starts at around €19, but you have already paid enough!
Similarly, there is an announcement that is sounded about 10 minutes before any parade. At this point you can still find a semi-decent place to see it from. Ideally, about 15 minutes before could get you a front row seat.
7. Strollers/Buggies
In European cities. cobbled streets, steep hills and public transport make dragging toddlers around in buggies/pushchairs/strollers, rather hard work. Kids in Europe walk a lot. Of course there is still a decent amount of buggies being pushed and parked around the parks, but there seem to be far fewer thanin the USA. I bet every one of those parents regrets it when their little one gets super tired and refuses to walk any more! It is possible to hire a pushchair from Town Hall so if you are travelling to Paris from elsewhere, you don’t need to bring your own.
8. Premier Access
Forget the old Fast Passes, or the recently defunct Genie Plus, we don’t even have Lightning Lane Multipss, in Paris, it is Premier Access. The first option for guests is to pay for an all-day express pass called Disney Premier Access Ultimate which starts from €90 per day. This gives fast-track entrance to the each of included rides once over the course of the day. Alternatively, you can just skip the queue of one ride at a time with Disney Premier Access One. This is bought for an individual attraction and can only be used once. These start at €5.
9. Alcoholic Drinks
There is a very casual attitude to drinking at Disneyland Paris leading to one of the grown up differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World. Most of the castle parks around the world were dry until very recently, but Paris was granted an alcohol license just one year after it opened. A glass of wine or beer at lunch was too ingrained in the French culture (and seven glasses is about right for the UK guests). Carrying a drink around, and even into the queues is permitted. Somehow, we were even allowed to bring a plastic glass of Champagne onto Autopia, which led to some wildly irresponsible drinking and driving (DUI). You are not allowed to bring your own alocholl into DLP but once yu are in, have at it!
EPCOT, the happy exception, is full of boozy treats
10. Smoking
There are smoking areas within the parks and you may see a lot more people smoking than you are used to. These are sometimes tucked away but they can be right in front of bathrooms, which isn’t so nice. You will also find that a few people ignore the rules and smoke when they are waiting for the parades or fireworks. (Vapers are especially naughty for this and they like to puff strawberry mist in the queues).
11. Parisian Weather
Florida may have year-round warm temperatures with a crazy hurricane season full of heavy storm showers, and California can get nice and warm in summer but Paris has four distinct seasons.
Summer can be boiling and air conditioning isn’t too common so pack a fan. You will also want plenty of sun cream as some of the longest queues, including Crush’s Coaster and Autopia are outside.
Autumn has some nice crisp, blue sky days but an equal number is pure grey. Be sure to bring many layers and gear for rain. Remember that in Paris, rain doesn’t tend to storm hard and then disappear. it is quite normal for a whole day of drizzle which you may not think is rain. Trust us when we say, the steady application of misty rain will leave you drenched if you don’t take it seriously. I’m British…I know rain!
Winter is cold, often with temperatures just above freezing. Dashing about, it isn’t too bad but when you are stood still queueing or waiting for parades/fireworks, you are going to be chilly. It is a good idea to pack lots of layers and some hand warmer pads or similar.
Spring is the least predictable. It can be rather warm and lovely, or slip back into winter. You wil find nice flowers blooming, blossom in Paris and the first little flare sof summer warmth. It is probably the nicest season to visit weather-wise.
Look at that beautiful August sky….hmmm.
12. Walking Between Parks
If you are a Disneylander then this won’t be all that shocking to you, but coming from Florida, it is a surprise how close the park entrances are. Exiting Disneyland Park, it will take you less than five minutes to reach the gates of Walt Disney Studios by foot. It makes park hopping a total breeze. We were watching a parade by the castle hub when we got a last minute table at Bistrot Chez Remy in the other park. We managed to make it in 15 minutes for the table. This is one of my favourite differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World as it makes a one day trip, perfectly manageble.
13. The Price
The ticket prices for Disney parks around the world creep ever upwards but the most extreme price hikes seem to be in Florida. The best direct comparison of ticket prices I can find is a 4 day pass (this includes both parks in Paris as standard but only one park per day in Orlando). These prices are correct as of 15th September 2024.
Orlando: $700 (£535)
Paris: €245 – €341 (£207 – £288)
Now just for fun, let’s look at some of the other parks and how much it would cost to visit them for four days.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (one park per day): $445 (£341)
Hong Kong (2×2 day tickets): HK$2163 (£211)
Shanghai (2×2 day tickets): ¥1660 – ¥3196 (£179 – £344)
Tokyo & Tokyo DisneySea (4×1 day tickets, one park per day): ¥33,600 – ¥36,900 (£178 – £212)
Of course, these prices will fluctuate due to currency changes but it is just an illustration of WDW’s spenny tickets.
…and why we should go to Tokyo for our next Disney adventure!
14. The Technology
My Disney Experience is the app used by everyone in Walt Disney World. It is quite reliable and to have a good day, you really can’t be without it. The Disneyland Paris app has a lot less functionality. It will allow you to book dining reservations, mobile order food from a few outlets and check the menus of others, and pay for extras like Premier Access and spots for parades and fireworks. Thats kind of it. You won’t spend the whole day glued to your phone as you do with booking Lightning Lanes etc in Walt Disney World.
Oh, and MagicBands don’t exist in Disneyland Paris at all so it is totally pointless bringing them,
15. Paris is Right There
The last of the differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World is the location (that’s obvious I know but hang on). You can reach Orlando from WDW, and Anaheim from Disneyland…that is nice enough but from DLP, you can visit Paris.
Paris is a gorgeous city, perfect for a wandering walk and studded with world famous landmarks. How can you be so close and miss out on a visit to Notre Dame, or a visit to the Eiffel Tower?
Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World
Travelling between the world’s Disney parks can create a little bit of uncanny valley effect. However, enjoying the differences between Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World is part of the fun. Find every bit of novelty because novelty enhances delight.
Disneyland Paris is one of Europe’s premier theme parks but it can have a reputation for being a little “kiddy”. When you are competing with Europe Park, Efftling and Alton Towers with huge coasters and thrills galore, the rides can seem a bit tame and the theming something from our childhoods. However, I can categorically state that no matter how old you are, you are going to have a blast. So if you’re all grown up, taking a child-free trip with your friends or significant other, here are some top Disneyland Paris tips for adults.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
“I do not make films primarily for children. I make them for the child in all of us, whether we be six or sixty.” – Walt Disney on why he would wholeheartedly approve of Disney adults!
1. Don’t Miss the Arcades
Whether you need to get down in a hurry, or you need somewhere to relax for a while, the arcades that run parallel to Main Street in Disneyland Park are a good bet. For some reason, these two stretches of covered walkway, that run behind the shops, are ignored by most people. Maybe they think they are for shop deliveries? You’ll find cute pavement cafes, some history of America(?) and the parks in here, and just a spot which seems distinctly more chilled. This also means you can dash through if you are in a rush, or hide from the rain if needs be.
The Liberty Arcade is all about the link between the USA and France, including the Statue of Liberty. Pop behind this sign for a random diorama of its opening day in NYC.
The Discovery Arcade has display cabinets that celebrate the history of some important inventions and a set toilets.
2. Enjoy an Adult Beverage
Although things are changing over in WDW, they still have a long way to go when it comes to alcohol. DLP was the first “castle park” to introduce alcohol way back in 1993. (I think WDW has only just started serving in the last year). Throughout US parks, cocktails are available in selected spots (and all around the world in EPCOT) but on the whole they are sugary, sweet and brightly coloured. Usually they are tasty but you never quite feel sophisticated with one. Basically, they are made to be an event, part of the important snack culture in the US parks.
In Disneyland Paris however, you can grab a glass of wine or bottle of beer in most eating spots. That includes both table and counter service locations. It is deemed to be part of the French experience. The sad part of this drinks experience is that most of the bars within the parks serve the same thing, rather than the drastically different menus in the US parks. This means a bar crawl isn’t as exciting and you aren’t going anywhere specific for your favourite beverage.
There is one main exception to this, however. Main Street has a cart that serves Champagne and ordering a glass here feels fun and decadent. The bubbly comes in a plastic glass with a logo and that is for you to keep. Its a nice souvenir. Look for the cart outside Gibson Girl in the afternoon and evening.
The hotels and Disney village are another matter…but we will talk about that later.
3. Hit All of the DIsneyland Paris Rides for Adults
OK, so technically none of these rides are only for adults.
RC Racer – This really might not look all that but you will really lose your tummy, especially if you sit in one of the back rows.
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain – Although I miss the original Jules Verne themeing, this is pretty cool and has the best launch at the beginning. This goes upside down and can be a little head bumpy so take your ears and hats off. Sit at the front for the best experience.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril – This is an OG Paris ride but was bought as one of those build-a-rollercoaster kits so I am sure I have ridden the exact same ride in two other parks in the world. It is a bone-jangler and you will be whipped about a bit as it zips around at 35mph.
Avengers Assemble: Flight Force – Rock and Rollercoaster has had quite the facelift at DLP. It races up to 57mph with a decent launch at the beginning. Again this one can be bit of a head rattler.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Although this is beside Avenger’s Campus, it has been spared the Guardians of Galaxy retheme seen elsewhere and is still based on the ’50s Twilight Zone., It is a multi-drop ride and is a bit too hardcore for me (but even the Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop is a little too droppy for me).
Crush’s Coaster – Crush traverses the tracks at speeds of up to 40mph but the spinning ride vehicle can increase the G-force and make it feel crazy.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – This is more intense than the same ride elsewhere in the world. The final section of the ride zooms up to 100mph in the final tunnel. Sit at the back for the wildest experience.
4. Give Everyone a Break
Yourselves
Long park days are tiring, and not just for little ones. You are going to be walking tens of thousands of steps and being up from dawn to dusk. Remember to take breaks and relax. If you start to get irritable with each other, it is time to stop and watch a show or grab a bite to eat with a seat. In fact, queueing for shows like Mickey and the Magician is the perfect excuse to have a snack whilst sitting on the floor and relaxing…and then you get to sit down even more as you watch the show.
Other People
Everyone is trying to have an amazing day despite the crowds and the planning. The weather may be maddening hot, or depressingly rainy and tempers may be fraying. Forgive crying children, pushy parents and stressed out families. They are all just trying to have a magical time after shelling out lots of money on this trip, in the same way you are. As Lucy from my favourite podcast The Disneyland Paris Show says, “Be The Magic”.
5. Skipping the Queues
Premier Access
This is the Disneyland Paris’ paid queue skipping pass. There are two versions of this.
You can either buy the pass for the day, Disney Premier Access Ultimate, and it will give you fast track entrance to the included rides once over the course of the day. Alternatively, you can opt to go a la carte with Disney Premier Access One. This is bought for an individual attraction and can only be used once.
Visiting Disneyland Paris as an adult means you are dealing with your own budget and yours alone. You could splash out on something like this and here are no additional dependents that you have to pay for at the same time. This is good for you but it does make me a little sad for large families that can’t afford to pay for them all.
Single Rider
The single rider queue for the larger rides is used to fill up the ride vehicles when they hold an odd number of guests. The queue is usually much shorter than the regular queue as it usually means splutting up from others in your party for the ride. Obviously, families with children are far less likely to want to do this and so you can take advantage and enjoy the shorter line.
6. Go Beneath the Castle’s Facade
Disneyland Paris has the most beautiful castle of any of the Disney parks. Kiddos will find it pretty enough but it takes a proper grown up to appreciate all the details you can find here. Let us share some of our favourite secrets:
Look up at the top of the castle. The 16 towers reaching for the sky are all inspired by real chateaus in France. The cutest detail here though, is the golden turret covered in bumps. Look closer and you will see that these are actually golden snails, escaping their spot on an escargot plate.
The landscaping is unusual. Look at the trees and their unnatural shape. This is taken right from the artistry of Eyvind Earle who created the original Sleeping Beauty aesthetic.
Inside the castle you will find two shops. As you pass through, the one on the right is the Christmas shop. On the left is the crystal shop where you can buy some wildly expensive crystal models, pretty jewellery and even your own crystal wand.
Go up the stairs on your right and you will find the most incredible stained glass. British artist Paul Chapman was coaxed out of retirement by the idea of telling a fairytale through the medium of coloured glass. A true artisan, he had previously worked on windows in St Paul.s Cathedral and Notre Dame, and was officially appointed by the British crown. Clearly, the result is beautiful. Up here you will also find gorgeous tapestries, sleeping guards and even the cursed spinning wheel.
Descend into the cavern under the castle (round to the left as you face the front of the castle). Down here you will find the gnarled dragon, slumbering gently. This is Merlin’s dragon but you will find plenty of people who are sure it is Maleficent.
7. Give Disneybounding a Go
As adults, you are beholden to a few dress code rules:
No costumes.
No floor length dresses.
No offensive slogans.
A top, bottoms and shoes must be worn at all times.
When it comes to DisneyBounding, it is point number one that concerns us. You are not allowed to go to DIsneyland Paris in fancy dress (or in a costume). That is where DisneyBounding comes in. You CAN go to the park in clothes that suggest a character’s garb. You can wear the colours of a character with a few fun accessories, giving the impression of your favourite princess or villain. This is a growing phneominom and it is a nice bit of magic for the adults to enjoy. It is fun both to Bound, and to see if you can work out other peoples’. Here are a few examples of my DisneyBounds:
There are some excellent places to get photos in Disneyland Paris, perfect for bragging on social media.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle – It is THE castle and its square trees and pink and blue hues are just stunning.
Fantasia Gardens – Before you enter the park, you will walk through Fantasia Gardens. Don’t ignore the gorgeous landscaping. It was influenced by Versailles’ formal gardens and includes a gorgeous floral clock of Mickey.
Main Street Square – The bandstand in the centre frames the castle perfectly.
Toy Story Land – Giant toys and characters from the film bring this land to life.
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth – This attraction is unique to Paris and is worth exploring. It is full of characters from the film and a cool Cheshire cat hedge. At the end you will find the very cool castle of the Queen of Hearts which is cool in itself and is a great spot to take a selfie with the main castle.
Walt Disney’s Studios Park Gates – Based on a pair of classic Hollywood studio gates, these never have a crowd and are pretty iconic.
The Partner Statue at Hollywood Boulevard – Mickey and Walt holding hands…need i say more.
Bistro Chez Rémy – Giant plates, champagne corks and more make you feel lie you have shrunk to the size of a rat. It is very Instagrammable.
Pink Porch – Opposite the Coca-Cola van on Main Street, this pretty pink house might not scream Disney but its one for the IYKYK crowd.
9. Relax in a Bar
Outside of the parks, it is time to look for some of those speciality cocktails akin to those across the pond. I know we have mentioned alcoholic drinks but this is about the atmosphere and the more unique drinks. These are a few of the best places to grab a bevvi9e of an evening.
Fleur de Lys Bar, The Disneyland Hotel – Mentally prepare your wallet for this option, as it is the most expensive. You’ll see a lot of champagne on this menu which is expected for their high end bar, but the champagne-based cocktails are an eye-wateringly high price (€28 a pop) and some are very strange. This is worth a visit for a quieter experience and for a little poke around the hotel, but it isn’t that fun and the normal cocktails can be found elsewhere for much cheaper.
The Bleeker Lounge, Art of Marvel Hotel – Open in the afternoon and evening, Bleeker Lounge has a really cool Manhattan loft vibe and some very fun cocktails.
Skyline Bar, Art of Marvel Hotel – In the same hotel, with “views” of the New York, Skyline Bar serves classic cocktails including Manhattans and Martinis. It gives the impression of a classy high rise bar in the city. Pay attention and you might spot a Marvel character jetting across the sky.
Redwood Bar and Lounge, Sequoia Lodge – This bar is so cozy. It has an American lodge theme with lots of wood and an exposed stone fireplace with a roaring fire.
Captain’s Quarters, Newport Bay Hotel – A small nautical themed bar. You can order a couple of drinks and they will be served at your table with some nuts and olives. The only downside to this bar is the lighting which is quite bright so isn’t that relaxing.
Billy Bobs Country Western Saloon, Disney Village – This is a Western themed bar/restaurant with live entertainment including circus acts, live music and more. They have a dance floor on Friday and Saturday nights.
Sports Bar, Disney Village – If you want to watch sports, this is a great spot as it has some big screens. It is also good if you are on a budget, because despite the fact it serves many of the same drinks as other Disney Village bars, they are cheapest here.
Skip the Royal Pub, it has next to no English pub charm.
Of course, nobody is saying you have to have a hard drink to go to a bar. You could enjoy a fun mocktail or a glass of your favourite soda product. It is just nice to have a space with less kiddos and a seat to rest upon.
10. Forget You Are an Adult for a Bit
If you can lose your grown up inhibitions for just a moment, you are going to have a magical time. Wave at your favourite characters in the parade, giggle your way around the carousel and watch the fireworks open-mouthed and put your cynicism aside. I promise you, nobody will judge you for having the most fun. One Imagineer, interviewed on “The Imagineering Story” mentions seeing a very fancy French couple waltzing to the Main Street Electrical Parade music. Too cute!
Plus, there are some of Disney’s old rides here that remain in their original form so it will scratch that Millennial Disney Adult itch. You KNOW you want to sing along with the dolls on Small World really!
11.) Don’t Skip the Fireworks
The fireworks show is a must see. It has nostalgia, sentimentality and big, pretty bursts of fire. The best thing? It isn’t after your bedtime! If you are ride crazy, the run up to fireworks time will let you hit some of the larger rides with a shorter queue, which is nice. However, the fireworks shows are great and worth giving up a few last minute rides for, especially if you are only here for a day.
12.) Dip into Paris
Disneyland Paris is just one hour away from the centre of the city by RER train. This means you can spend the morning with Mickey and climb the Eiffel Tower at lunch. There are even dedicated travel companies that run towards from Disneyland Paris to both Paris and Versailles Palace. of course, if you have visited the city before then you can make this a theme park only trip but if you have never seen the city of lights and love, then make sure you have a little time to explore.
Final Thoughts on Our Top Disneyland Paris Tips for Adults
As a child, I never visited a Disney park which is probably why I can confirm Disneyland Paris is great fun for adults. I don’t have those nostalgic memories of trips in times gone by. The theming, the fun to be found and feeling of letting Disney do the hard work all make it a wonderful trip. See you in the parks!
Visiting the happiest place on earth is a treat but have you considered that preparing for the trip can be fun too? Planning your outfits for the Disney Parks can be a great way to get excited. This is especially true if you are going to take some DisneyBounds. What is DisneyBounding? I am glad you asked. Let me tell you all about DisneyBounding: the what, how and why it is my new obsession.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Disney’s Dress Code
There are a few rules that, as adults ((people over 14 in this case), you need to follow at Disney Parks across the world.
You cannot wear costumes or proper cosplay of any Disney characters.
They don’t allow floor length dresses/gowns.
You cannot wear any clothing with offensive slogans.
Clothing (top and bottoms) and shows must be worn at all times.
With this in mind, especially the first rule, a quiet phenomenon has erupted; DisneyBounding.
What is DisneyBounding?
Dressing up as your favourite character is such fun,. especially when they spot you from their parade float. However, as adults, we are not allowed. Instead, you can put together an outfit that gives enough hints of who you are without breaking the rules. This is DisneyBounding. Then, when you hit the park, you can try to spot other Bounds and work them out, while people are sussing out yours. It is a very cool way to feel involved and to recreate some Disney magic.
Why Adults Can’t Dress as Disney Characters?
Keeping adults out of costumes ensures little ones don’t get confused between random people and the hired (and highly trained) character actors. It would be a little shocking to see Belle all boozed-up, Snow White drop an S-Bomb or Tiana throwing up after too many rides on Test Track. Even if you are on best behaviour, the cast members spend a long time learning the voices, mannerisms and flourishes of their role. Its no joke and diluting that would really spoil the magic.
How do you DisneyBound?
So, instead of a full out costume, we are aiming to echo the outfit of a certain character with colours, themes of their story and famous things from their films or TV show. Things to consider are:
Main Outfit
Think about the character you want to emulate. Most people go just for the colours while some try to aim for the silhouette too. I am a colour girl as it is the easiest thing to reproduce. I love a dress or top and skirt combo so i aim for that but trousers, shorts and tights are all handy ways to break up a fit into different colour blocks. For some inspiration, just check out the DisneyBounding on Instagram!
Accessories
Pins, hats, earrings, Mickey/Minnie ears, necklaces, hair bands and other small additions give some more fun clues. Adding a little badge easily brings in those story notes or hints of the actual person. What jewellery or hair accessories do they have? Do they carry anything specific? Its all those little touches that will level up your Bound.
Bag
You could bring a bag that goes with the theme. Hardcore Disney shoppers may have a Loungefly bag that matches but at £60-100 a pop, that is so far beyond my budget. Instead, I opt for a cheap and cheerful bag that goes with the accessories (a shell for Ariel, mouse for Cinderlla, apple for Snow White, Cow Print for Jessie).
Alternatively (and I have to give 37 Disney Street credit for this one) I tae a clear bag which I can use every day. The idea is to print a scene or something from each film and pop it in the front clear panel. One bag, a million outfits!
Hair
Of course I am not suggesting wigs or hair dye but I would say that styling your hair as your chosen person is fun. Bear in mind that things may get bumped during rides so make sure you hair is still comfortable and not full of pins. Try a side plait for Rapunzel or Elsa, a top bun for Tinkerbell or Cinderella, a bubble ponytail for Jasmine, side buns for Princess Leia and a fake bob for Snow White. Mind you, if you are aiming for a horribly early rope drop, this might be an effort too far.
A quick note on partner Bounds: Trying to get Mr Fluskey into a DisneyBound can be tricky but giving him a themed t-shirt that matches my outfit seems to work well. If you have a partner or friend that wants to join in with your outfit, discuss options and then decide whether you are putting it together or if you trust them to do it.
Why is it Called DisneyBounding?
The term DisneyBounding goes back to 2011 and blogger Leslie Kay who had a Tumblr blog called DisneyBound. It was the clothes she was wearing when she was “Bound” for Disney. She began sharing her outfits and inspiration and started a movement.
There is still a DisneyBound website sharing ideas so check it out for some more inspiration.
Some of Our Past DisneyBounding Outfits
Snow White & Grumpy DisneyBound
Me:
A red bow hairband – Matches Snow White’s.
Blue top with puffy sleeves – To represent her top.
Yellow skirt – To emulate the yellow bottom of the gown.
An exceedingly cute red, wicker apple bag – Her apple scene is iconic!
Mr Fluskey:
A top covered in Grumpy – I’m saying nothing.
Cinderella DisneyBound
This day in Disneyland Paris was freezing so I also wore cardigan for most of the day but in the sun, it was almost manageable. This outfit had:
A pale blue dress (from the Pretty Dress Company which I LOVE) – Cinderlla’s ball gown.
Black choker – Her jewellery for the ball.
In a warmer park I would have worn my clear, glittery jelly shoes but it was about 9°C in this picture and didn’t get much warmer – Glass slippers.
Ariel & Flounder DisneyBound
Me:
A red hairband – Ariel’s red hair.
A purple top – Her shell bra.
The dark shiny green skirt – The mermaid tail.
Red crab earrings – Little Sebastians.
A little, glittery shell bag- General underwater things.
Mr Fluskey:
A yellow and blue striped t-shirt – Flounder.
Minnie DisneyBound
So this was kind of based on the Mickey and Minnie love story. I wanted to wear yellow shoes and my proper Minnie ears but we actually lost some of our luggage on the way to Walt Disney World. Luckily, I had all these bits with me and cobbled them together.
Red dress with white polka dots – Minnie’s iconic dress.
A Minnie hair clip – Her colours and ears.
The cutest tights with Mickey and Minnie kissing – These just made me squeal when I found them.
A Mickey backpack.
Mr Fluskey:
Our lost luggage meant he had to buy a Mickey Mouse t-shirt at Zara.
Dory and Nemo DisneyBound
Me:
Blue top – Her main blue body
Yellow skirt – Her cute yellow tail
Black belt – Her black back
Starfish necklace – The Pixar starfish that melted our hearts
Mr Fluskey
An orange and white striped top
Belle DisneyBound
Yellow dress with a slightly frilly skirt – Belle’s ballgown
Red Rose Hair clip – The rose is so important!
Chip bag – More Beauty and the Beast hints
Mr Fluskey:
A cool handmade shirt with Beauty and the Beast stained glass design
Rapunzel and Pascal
Me:
Purple dress – With a fun corset front
Hair flowers – Planned to do a plait but decided this was cuter
Sundrop earrings – A Rapunzel must have
Mr Fluskey:
Green shorts
Green top
Pascal pin – You probably can’t see it from here
Tinkerbell and Peter Pan DisneyBound
Me:
Green dress – Her iconic outfit
Hair doughnut – You’ve got to have that blonde bun.
Wing hair clips – These will go on the back of my hair to be her little fairy wings.
Mr Fluskey:
Green shorts
Green top
Green cap with red feather – Close to the Pan hat as I think we are allowed
Spiderman and Deadpool
Me:
Blue top – The main part of his suit
Red skirt with straps – A weird combo outside of Disney
Spiderman earrings – Just in case you didn’t get it
Spiderman ears – The bow meant Mr Fluskey wasn’t feeling them
Spider in a web necklace – An old Halloween purchase
Mr Fluskey:
Deadpool t-shirt
…that’s it.
Some of Our Future DisneyBound Outfits
I actually have most of these outfits ready to go for our next trip to a Disney Park…whenever that may be.
Pooh & Piglet DisneyBound
Me:
A pink playsuit – Piglet’s pink belly
Piglet ears
Blue balloon pin -My favourite piglet moment is him with the birthday balloon
Mr Fluskey:
Yellow shorts – Pooh’s shorts
Red t-shirt – Pooh’s yellow fur
Three Bounds With the Same Hot Pink Bow Belt
Marie from Aristocats – A white dress with the pink belt and cat ears
Fairy Godmother from Cinderella – A blue dress with the belt and a wand
Charlotte la Boueff from Princess and the Frog – A pink dress with the pink belt, a big blonde bun, a tiara and a frog pin.
Some Future Bounds
Ursula DisneyBound
Black skirt
Purple top
Shell necklace
The Floating House from Up
Multicolour polkadot dress – For the balloons. (This would work for Inside Out too!)
House Ears – Stashed in a box and ready to go
A clouds cardigan or coat
Final Thoughts on DisneyBounding
DisneyBounding brings back some of that childlike magic at the Disney Parks. The thrill of the characters recognising themselves in your Bound is honestly really exciting. Creating the outfit, matching the outfit and then showing it off is so rewarding. Plus, spotting other Bounders in the parks, and have them work out yours is another layer of fun for the day.
Who would you DisneyBound as? We would LOVE to see your pictures!
MSC Cruises is Italy’s foremost cruise company, running its first cruise in 1988 and growing every year. They offer some amazing value cruises around the world with lots of great extras included in the price. In January 2023 my friend (Caz) and I were lucky enough to bag a spot on MSC Grandiosa for a week-long Mediterranean cruise. Read on for our full MSC Grandiosa review.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
A quick note: I am not going to review every last spot on the ship, but those that are worth a mention.
The Ports
Our Mediterranean cruise was due to visit six ports over seven days:
Barcelona, Spain (where we embarked and disembarked) – A fun city full of amazing tapas, plenty of culture, art and history. Add to that a generous helping of Gaudi architecture and you have a wonderful city for a short break at either end of the cruise.
Marseille, France – Marseille gets a bad rap but it has some lovely areas. Head up to the pretty Notre Dame de la Garde for beautiful views over the city or take a seat by the port full of little boats and slurp down some iconic bouillabaisse chased with some anise-flavoured pastis.
Genoa, Italy – Walk quickly around the port and up to Genoa‘s old town for a nice relaxing stroll through cafe-lined streets. Grab some pesto-smothered pasta and an Aperol Spritz or a prosecco for a taste of local life.
Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy – The most popular thing to do from this port is a long day trip into the city of Rome. You can check out the most famous sights (Trevi Fountain, The Colosseum etc) or visit Vatican City. It is wise to take one of the prearranged trips as the boat will wait for them at the end of the day and it can be a long journey independently.
Palermo, Sicily – The capital of Sicily has two beautiful concert venues, plenty of pretty churches, delicious markets and beaches nearby. We organised a food tour with Palermo Street Food during our stop here which was a brilliant way to explore the city.
Valletta, Malta – Probably the most gorgeous of the stops in this itinerary, Valletta is a wonderful walking city. There is a wonderful blend of cuisines to savour, churches to explore (the cathedral is incredible) and world war two tunnels to take you back in time. We love Malta, and here is our Malta content for you to have a nosy!
The Weather
Due to some inclement weather, our journey took longer than expected and some changes were made. The entry to Civitavecchia took a very long time so day trips to Rome became unviable. Instead, we checked out the spa. The visit to Valletta was also cancelled to allow the ship a chance to get back to Barcelona and back on track. Unusually, passengers could embark at many of the stops, a nice way to ensure people don’t have to travel too far to cruise. I wonder what happened to the people who were meant to travel to/from Valletta?
Let’s head back on board and have a look at the ship.
Our Interior Stateroom
Firstly, let me apologise for the quality of most of these pictures, they were screen grabs from a quick room tour.
We had an interior stateroom which is the smallest and darkest of the rooms on board. I missed the window massively, having no sense of the weather or time when I woke up. We had an unexpected day at sea due to the weather and we spent much of the day in the dark as the ship rolled. It was nice to doze but so weird without the daylight.
When we boarded, the beds were set as a double but our steward assured us that he would redress the room for my friend and I to have twin beds.
How it started……how it’s going
By each of our beds, we had a little table, a wall light and a plug which was great.
Over to one side of the room was a dressing table/desk. There were some plugs here so it became both our hair station and charging station. There was a shelf with clever glass inserts, keeping our in room glasses safe.
Under this was a strange electronic device. This was called Zoe and it was meant to be the MSC version of Alexa. We couldn’t really get it to work (turns out, she speak Italian…and we don’t) but we could use it as a Bluetooth speaker, which we enjoyed. It was nice to listen to music out of a reasonable speaker whilst getting ready for dinner.
To one side of the wardrobe was the TV which we only used for the safety video as we preferred to be out of the room where we could see the outside world.
The bathroom was small on one hand but very roomy on the other. The sink was in the corner, with a double mirror, making this area feel much bigger. The toilet and shower were both on the same side, giving a large space to walk in and out of the bathroom. Finally, as there was a towel rack and a reasonably large shelving unit, the countertop could be kept clear, again giving the illusion of space.
The Ship – A Look Around MSC Grandiosa
The Food and Beverage
Buffet Breakfast
Breakfast on MSC Grandiosa is spread over 5 hours, which really puts less of a strain on the room. This isn’t the case on popular port days where everyone is there at the same time and it is quite hard to find a table.
The buffet itsaelf had a lovely, large variety of options. A big, bread selection sat next to two delectable cake selections. Italians do very good breakfast cakes! There is lots of fresh fruit and two stations for hot items like sausages (frankfurter style), egg and tomatoes. Then of course, there was loads of cold meats and excellent cheeses from all across Europe. It was nice to see a section with chilled fish too, including rollmops and other Scandi options.
Yes, we did make sandwiches to take off the ship with us using the cream cheese and cucumbers.
A La Carte Breakfast
I can’t believe we didn’t know about this until our very last morning. We thought that the Purple Carb, another dining room, was serving another buffet but it was actually a la carte! I chose a ham and cheese omelette with smoked salmon on the side. Paired with some more of that excellent coffee and I suddenly wanted another week on board!
Buffet Lumch
The lunch buffet was a little lack lustre in my opinion. There was plenty of pasta dishes, Asian noodles and pre-made burgers. It was all pretty stodgy. That being said, I loved watching them prepare mozzarella in the glass-fronted area as we walked into the buffet. This cheese was readily available, fresh on the buffet and used on the pizzas that were coming out every few minutes next door.
The Main Dining Room
The main dining room we were in was called La Perla Grigia. It had a cool central area, lined with bottles of wine which was very stylish. Guests are assigned a table for the length of their cruise. It was nice not to share but we were in a corner, in close quarters with the same English couple next to us the whole time. It would have been nice to meet some new friends every day…or not be so close as to have to make friends.
The food options were wide enough that we found something we wanted to try every day. Caz is gluten-free and our waiter was brilliant, bringing her a different menu every night, and her own bread too. I felt the food was presented reasonably, with a few stand out dishes which looked great. However, many of the dishes felt cheap. I ordered a prawn risotto and it had a grand total of three prawns. The meat and two options seemed a bit like they came from a fancy school canteen. There was a marked improvement in quality on the formal night so obviously, the food got a glow up too.
Speciality Dining
MSC Grandiosa has four specialty restaurants. For an extra cost, you can add a dining package which allows you a set selection to choose from. Doing this in advance saves up to 40%. There are lots of upcharge options in each restaurant but you can have a delicious dinner with no extra, extra cost if you want.
L’Atelier Bistrot – The French bistro-style spot was our first speciality meal and it was alo of fun. Sadly, the restaurant was nearly empty so it was lacking a lot of atmosphere. However, the food was fantastic. The snails were not too tough and didn’t look too scary. Then the chips were really crispy and fluffy, and the roast chicken super tender. Top marks!
Keito Sushi and Teppanyaki – Seafood is my happy place, so of course I jumped at the chance to try the ship’s sushi spot. The grilled prawn were perfectly cooked, shame there was only one each. The sushi was pretty good, but it was a shame not to be able to pick our own dishes. I got lucky, as the selection included some of my favourites.
Hola! Tapas Bar – Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the tapas bar. We were planning to but the gluten-free otions were almost non-existant so we made our way to Butcher’s Cut instead.
Butcher’s Cut – Mr Fluskey doesn’t love a steak so I don’t get the chance to go for a fancy slab of meat very often. We started with some egg-cellent (yes, I had to) devilled eggs. It was so fun to finally try these after years of seeing them on TV for years. Caz opted for tartare and said it was perfection. Then it was time for steak! I was a bit disappointed in the size when it first arrived but it was tender, juicy and just the right amount…so what do I know. To finish I had a skillet cookie and it filled me to the brim so it was lucky the steak wasn’t any bigger.
The Drinks
We decided to buy the drinks package for the duration of our trip. This just meant we could relax and not worry about prices throughout the trip. I am so glad we did as we ended up with an extra sea day and having a few cocktails throughout the day eased the disappointment. It also meant we could try some silly things. This flaming shot for example, supplied by the brilliant guys in the Masters of the Sea pub. I worked my way through a fair few strawberry bellinis.
You can pay as you go, or get a package with MSC Cruises. If you plan to have a package buy it before you board, it is 15% cheaper. You must have the same package as those you share a room with so it may take some negotiation. We opted for the Easy Package which is the cheapest of the alcoholic options. We had a selection of wines, sparkling and still, and about 12 cocktails to pick from. It was plenty.
The Entertainment
The Main Theatre de Comedie
There was a show in the main theatre every night. It houses just under 1000 people so you need to be there and ready to go when it opens. This was not a big blockbuster musical or a headliner comedian. Instead, these were jukebox type shows with lots of singing and dancing. They were clearly catering for the vast array of languages on board, making sure the maximum number of people could enjoy them. I had fun singing along…not sure those around me enjoyed my singing but hey ho. The singers were talented, and I loved some of the sections in the shows but it would have been nice to see somehting more narrative on a couple of nights.
The Circus Shows
For an added fee (I think it was around £25), you can see a show at the other end of the ship, in the Carousel bar. This involves a lot of circus performers and makes a nice change from the other shows. Again, it is a series of acts but the physical prowess and upgrade of production values made it feel like it was worth it. Plus, the tickets price included a welcome drink…so that was nice.
Parties and Live Music
MSC knows how to throw a party. The main thoroughfare was turned into a crazy disco on more than one occasion. Worthy of note were the silent disco (always hilarious from both inside and outside of the party). We also got involved in the white party with lots of singing along to Italian songs we didn’t know, copying dance moves from the crew and jumping up and down. We were so happy to see not one, not two, but three conga line moments on evening as we sipped our drinks and watched from the balcony of the Masters of the Sea pub.
Earlier in the day, and dotted around the ship, live bands entertained the crowd, and dance lessons kept people limber. On our cruise there was one particular couple that strut their ballroom stuff at every chance they could get. They were ship celebs. We never joined in with the dancing but on an itinerary with more sea days, I would absolutely have been up and wiggling too.
The Recreation Areas
Galleria Grandiosa and The Infinity Atrium
Referred to as “the main thoroughfare” earlier in the post is the Galleria Grandiosa. This area runs through the centre of the ship on two levels and is home to the shops and speciality restaurants. Along the roof was a huge, curved screen….at least, I think it was a screen. This had beautiful scenes throughout the day from sunny skies to stained glass windows, pretending to be an art gallery to displaying abstract art itself. In the early evenings, they had cool animated projection shows that lasted 10-15 minutes. It was nice to grab a drink and watch, or just to be surprised by one that you didn’t know was coming. At one end was the theatre, and at the other the space opened up and down into the Infinity Atrium. This housed some impressive décor, including the iconic Swarovski stairs. These glitter with crystals and it is so hard to capture just how pretty they are on camera.
The shops, known in an enclave called Piazza del Lusso didn’t hold anything for me. Designer brands aren’t my cup of tea and to be honest, a week long cruise with hand luggage meant absolutely no shopping anywhere. For those who are into retail therapy, there was a nice selection of jewellery, watch, clothing and beauty shops to play in.
The Best Bars
Given a drinks package, and week to try it out, we made it to many of the bars….maybe all of them. As all the bars served the same menu, this is all based on the bar, not the beverages. These were our favourites:
Edge Cocktail Bar – This bar seemed almost tucked in the corner of the Infinity Atrium but it is a very handy to grab a walking drink. Some people were propping up the bar here every time we passed but it was a little dark to make it our best spot.
Masters of the Sea Pub – Our most frequented bar. This nautical themed pub area was a great spot for watching the Galleria Grandiosa shows and parties. The air con inside was a bit chilly so we grabbed a table by the railing and settled in. The bar staff were so funny and friendly and even got us to try flaming shooters one night which was madness.
TV & Studio Bar – Across from Masters of the Sea but enclosed, TV & Studio Bar was the place to be late at night. They played host to karaoke a lot but we didn’t fancy joining in so we only popped in here for a quick one. If you love to sing, or to see other people attempt to sing, then its worth an evening.
Champagne Bar – This was a nice, bright bar at the top of the Infinity Atrium. It had nice views to the outside and who doesn’t love a champagne!? Despite not being on our package, we had to buy a glass here and indulge. I would say that the carpet stopped it from being truly classy but that is just a nitpick.
Sky Lounge – Our best spot for a late night cocktail, or an early morning coffee was th Sky Lounge. This was above the buffet and gym, and had a nice view across the pool deck and wrapping around the sides to the horizon. The mid-century colour scheme seemed a little dull and I thought it a little strange that there were sofas with their backs to the window, not allowing you the view, but the staff here were great.
Horizons Bar – The bar that overlooks the back of the ship isn’t much itself, but it is surrounded by chairs and tables with lovely outside views of the wake.
Masters of the SeaInfinity AtriumChampagne BarHorizons BarSky Lounge
The Attic Club
We made our way here one night and it was a weird atmosphere. The club was split across two rooms dark, shiny rooms. One was full of the young people (teenagers) and one with older cruisers (40s-50s). We felt like we had slightly slipped through the cracks and didn’t fit in anywhere. The bar was really crowded and people were happily pushing in front of others and pushing in general. It all felt a bit hostile and awkward so we danced for about half an hour before deciding to go back to a nice quiet cocktail bar. We found out later that the teens club was held in one of the rooms so it makes total sense that they all gravitated there in the evening.
Sportplex and the Kid’s Areas
Let’s be real, we didn’t use most of these. We don’t have kids to use the kid’s clubs so can’t comment on them. However, I love that this is an option, allowing their parents some true relaxation time.
Being a big kind, I was interested in the games arcade but sad to see this cost extra. I was also tempted to use the ropes course, including the Himalayan Bridge and the Aquaforest Waterpark. Sadly,. due to winds and chilly temperatures, these were closed. I saw someone up on the ropes on our first day but thuoght “I have a whole week to try it”…and it was never open again.
The Aurea Spa
One of our planned excursions was a day trip from Civitavecchia port to Rome. Due to bad weather delaying our docking by three hours, there wasn’t time to take the tour. The very kind tours people and travel agent gave us our onboard credit back and so we used it for a spa session instead. There was enough for one massage and we decided Caz needed it more than me so she head off for a massage, leaving me to explore the thermal suite. I had a blast in the hot tub. The rocking of the ship sloshed it around and I was giggling away when she came back thoroughly blissed out. Sounds like it was perfect, a great antidote for the locked-in feeling we had after missing out on the excursion.
The spa was spotlessly clean, with big lockers and shower facilities. Inside the Thermal Area was an array of rooms offering a sauna, a steam room, salt relaxation, warm relaxation, an ice room and hot tubs. We left after three hours so happy.
The Pools
There were three pools available for use (with another in the separate MSC Yacht Club area.) As well as this, there were three whirlpools too. As the weather wasn’t ideal, we had these to ourselves. We head up for one sunrise and it felt pretty special watching the sky change as the warm water bubbled our sleep away.
The outdoor pool is on deck 16 is the Atmospheric Pool. This is split into two and was definitely in “winter mode”. Usually, the water is a little higher so the first row of sunbeds is actually in the water. Plus, the sculptures in between the two halves are fountains. Clearly, It was too cold to use the pool in January but I did it for the ‘gram! It was a lovely large pool and I think there was plenty of room around to relaxation. At one end was a huge screen. On our sailing just had ship messages etc but I think it is used for movies in warmer weather. I’d love to watch a film from the water. At the other end was the Atmosphere Bar. In summer, this may have been our go to but it was shut for much of the time and too cold to be a nice spot.
It is worth noting that the covered seating was very popular with smokers as it reduced the win greatly so if you are hanging by the pool and don’t like smoke, try and work out where the wind will whip it away from you.
There is a small infinity pool at the back of the ship, called The Horizon Pool. I think this could be a nice place to take in the sailaway but the statue here, aimed at the kiddos, took away from the class of the spot.
The Safari Pool is inside and also has some more whirlpools. This pool is quite small and crowded with children in the day but does have the advantage of not being in the chilly air if it’s winter. The whirlpools were packed with groups but I guess this wouldn’t be the case if there were more outdoor areas accessible.
The Gym
Oh come on, you don’t think I actually used the gym!? No, but honestly, it was well-equipped and had a great view of the pool. There were plenty of people in there making use of the facilities…I just wasn’t one of them.
Final Thoughts for this MSC Grandiosa Review
My mood and opinion when I originally sat to write this MSC Grandiosa review were obviously coloured by the bad weather we experienced. Looking back, it was actually a great week.
Pros
Being with a friend was a lot of fun. She is both silly when I am feeling wound up (in the best way) and the most amazing cheerleader.
The ship was big enough that everyone could find their own space to relax or have fun. 19 decks really spreads people out.
We got to see beautiful places which Europe is just loaded with!
Cons
I do hate the drinks package nonsense on cruise lines. It would be much nicer to just have reasonably priced drinks available for when the desire strikes rather than paying out a big whack at once. This leads to feeling like you have to make the most of it every single day of the cruise. This is hard-going when you need to have six drinks a day to break even!
I think the food and evening shows could do with some improvement as they’re the weakest part of the experience.
I think that cruising the Med has its advantages, if you are short on time then you can see a lot but I found the clock-watching a little stressful. I think I could get used to it but it might take a few more cruises!
Overall, I really enjoyed the time I spent on MSC Grandiosa and I would love to see some of their newer ships…or just sail in the warmth as I think it would be a very different experience.
Strasbourg, located in the Alsace region of France, is a pretty city famous for its beautiful architecture, rich history, and delicious food. It has a unique Ascharm which is no surprise as it changed nationality between France and Germany 4 times in 75 years. If you only have 2 days in Strasbourg, this two-day Strasbourg itinerary, combined with your Strasbourg Pass will help you make the most of this special spot.
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The Strasbourg Pass
Commonly referred to as the Strasbourg Pass, this handy tourist pass is actually called the Strasbourg City Card. It gives holders access to special discounts throughout the city for 7 days from activation. The Strasbourg City Card costs just €5 for adults & €3.50 for children and you can make that back in just two attractions.
For example, you will save €4 on the climb to the Cathedral roof and €3 on the boat tour with Batorrama. Those are our first two suggestions for day one of your Strasbourg itinerary.
2 Days in Strasbourg – Day One Exploring the Old Town
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg
Start your day at the imposing Notre Dame de Strasbourg. The size may take you by surprise if approaching from the narrow street in front as you cannot see the total facade or the bulk that lies behind. This is one of the world’s largest cathedrals (and the tallest building in the world from 1647 – 1874) with a tower that stretches up to 142 metres. Yes, there is only one so it does look a tiny bit lopsided. The original plan had two towers but the second was never built.
That single tower was nearly destroyed in 1793 by the mayor of the town who was destroying churches but someone popped a red hat on top (the favoured headgear of the revolutionaries) and it was left standing. There was talk of completing the second tower by the Germans when they regained Alsace in 1871 but locals fought against it as they believed it would stand as a symbol of German occupation.
The Astronomical Clock
The famous and intricate astronomical clock inside the Cathedral is the third of its kind on the spot. Even this third iteration is from 1843. Its dials and displays show a calendar, the gravitation of the planets in the solar system and the lunar phases. Every day, at solar noon (12:30) it puts on a show. Figures file past Jesus and are blessed as a cockerel crows three times. (Remember, it is a French rooster so it says “cocorico”). If you plan on seeing this, be here EARLY. Turning up just on time means you are late.
The Rooftop
Purchase an extra ticket to climb to the roof terrace. There aren’t many places to get views across the city so this is one of your only chances. Bear in mind that the climb is steep and many of the spiral staircase windows are open to the elements so it can be windy. It is not for those with a fear of heights.
Petite France
If you have seen photos of Alsace, I am willing to bet that it was the gorgeous half-timber buildings that attracted you to the area. Well, Strasberg doesn’t disappoint with a stunning part of town known as Petite France.
Many of the unusual buildings, with multiple wooden floors, were actually tanneries. Luckily, the distinctive aromas of the tanning industry are a thing of the past. Consequently, the river that flows through Petty France, split by the picturesque islands is clean and pretty. Take a stroll through the area, crossing bridges, passing locks and soaking up the jovial atmosphere on the cobbled streets.
Once you have explored on foot, it is time to have a fuel stop. This is a perfect time to try an Alsatian classic like flammekueche, a thin tart traditionally topped with creamy soft cheese or creme fraiche, onion and bacon lardons.
Ponts Couverts
Built in across the River Ill in 1250, this large bridge was the first line of defence for Strasbourg. The name (Covered Bridges) comes from the wooden roofs that no longer exist but protected patrolling soldiers from attack…and the weather. These were removed in 1784 but the name stuck. Its distinctive square towers once served as prisons. Oh, and those little holes in the bridge are called the Mouths of Fire as they were designed to fit the muzzles of cannon.
Barrage Vauban
In 1690, the newer, bigger dam and defence system Barrage Vauban was built in front of Ponts Couverts. Its recent restoration has both strengthened it and allowed the space to be used for art displays. Head upstairs when you visit for beautiful views of Ponts Couverts. (This is especially popular at sunset).
Cruise the Canals on a Batorama Boat Tour
One now, it is time to see Petite France from a different angle. Every day, the boats of Batorama take visitors around the centre of Strasbourg. You take a seat and plug in a set of headphones (they do provide some, but bring your own from print sound quality). They have commentary in several different languages and even ones, especially for the kids. It is not constant, and it makes the whole boat jump when it’s been silent for a while which is quite amusing.
The tour takes around an hour and is a relaxing way to see the city, particularly fun is there. Particularly fun is passing through the big lock in the centre of Petty France. Your boat quickly becomes a tourist attraction all of its own as crowds gather to watch the water rise, and the boat ascend to the higher level of the canal.
The boat glides around the river, allowing small glimpses of the New Town and its slightly more modern buildings (its all relative). Then, it takes the straight path out to the European Parliament buildings, a real contrast to the medieval centre and even the New Town’s architecture. The shining silver building (free to visit but impossible from the boat) was completed in 999 so it too will soon be “classic”.
Dinner – Chez Yvonne
Dark wooden walls and booths, plenty of trinkets, and thick curtains all give you a sense of being in someone’s cabin, high in the Alps. Although being Alsace, I suppose I mean deep in the river valley. The food at Chez Yvonne is staunchly traditional, delightfully hearty, and unfailingly delicious. When I visited, my French let me down and I ordered the wrong dish. I thought I was going to have a tasty fish fillet but instead was presented with a fillet of beef. Never mind, it was perfection with a nice pink blush and seriously crispy potatoes on the side. The wines were all local, featuring plenty of dry Reisling and Pinot Gris so I treated myself to a carafe. Don’t skip on the choucroute, the Alsatian pickled cabbage that is cooked in wine and isn’t quite as sharp as raw pickled sauerkraut.
2 Days in Strasbourg – Day Two Museums and Meanderings
Enjoy a Breath of Fresh Air in Parc de l’Orangerie
Start the day by hopping on a bus or a tram out to Parc de l’Orangerie. This feels a world away from the hectic centre of town and is the perfect place for a quiet stroll before attacking the sightseeing ahead. Around the park. There are some nice cafés for a quick morning coffee and a beautiful lake surrounded by cute follies and inhabited by storks which were bred here to save them from disappearing. It gives great people-watching opportunities as dog walkers, joggers, students and ladies, who lunch promenade the paths. Pavillon Joséphine houses temporary exhibitions so see what is on offer if you are swinging by. Even when it is shut, the formal gardens in front are lovely.
All. de la Robertsau
Take a walk west, towards town, along All. de la Robertsau. This is not the most exciting walk if I am honest, but there are some beautiful old art nouveau buildings to pique your interest. Keep your eyes peeled for number 56 which is a blend of French and German art nouveau styles. The European Audiovisual Observatory at 76 is also rather attractive. The building on the left here is neither of those…I just liked it.
From the entrance of the park, it is around 18 minutes to reach our next stop, Eglise Réformée Saint-Paul.
Pont d’Auvergne, Église Réformée Saint-Paul. & Pont Royal
St Paul’s Church may look as gothic as the cathedral but it’s actually gothic revival built in the 1890s. It was built for the German Lutherans who occupied the area at the time. They had to build 19 entrances to ensure that every military rank could come through their own special door. The rose window is particularly lovely but has been reconstructed after both Allied bombings in WWII and a huge hailstorm in the 1950s. From afar, the towers are the most striking features and they are best snapped from one more bridge along, Pont Royal.
A Drink on the Ill
Have a drink on the river in one of the bar boats lined up along Quai des Pêcheurs. These are total sun traps which makes them the perfect stop for a quick Aperol Spritz. If you don’t fancy a drink and want to keep walking, there’s a very good just past the last boat. It may be a nice place to return to before dinner if you haven’t walked your socks off by then.
Learn About Amazing Alsace at the Alsatian Museum
This small museum is absolutely packed with artefacts and information about Alsace. Visitors learn about local dress, architecture, customs, and design, and there are weird and wonderful quirks unique to the region. In one room, you see a birthing chair, in another, the scary, but very cool mouths of the flour barrels. Even the building itself feels like a part of history with its creaking wooden floors and pretty courtyard.
Lunch – La Bolée de Cidre
This is slightly out of the way…but only slightly. If you love crepes and/or cider then it is something to seek out. There’s two kinds of cidre, sweet or dry and they are served in the cutest set with either 25cl or 50cl in. You can choose from savoury Breton crepes including ham, cheese…or ham and cheese, eggs, mushrooms, bacon and chicken. Alternatively, you can have a savoury white flour crepe with fillings like Nutella, fresh fruit and berries, caramel, Kinder and cooked fruits like caramelised apples and bananas. It is the perfect lunch, big enough to keep you going and light enough that you won’t be weighed down as you do. Plus, cider is the best!
Join a Walking Tour
If your feet can take more walking, and your brain has more room for information, then join a walking tour. There are several in the city, but we favour Happy Strasbourg‘s Original Walking Tour. The guides are fun, informative and you can donate what you like at the end as the tour is free. There are several places along the route that you will not have visited or may have passed without knowing what they were so it is definitely worth it to see a little more of the old town and to discover the new town. The tour lasts just shy of 2 hours and each guide will take a slightly different route. Here are some of things I saw on my tour:
Dinner – Les Chauvins Père & Fils
As you peruse the menu, the owner of the restaurant may pop by with an iPad. On said tablet, you can see the dishes on offer, which could help you make your choice more easily. If anything, it is a way to see the whole of this interesting menu. The cuisine at Les Chauvins Père & Fils focuses on local produce and traditional dishes given a modern treatment. Particularly good were the asparagus cappuccinos, the trout and horseradish sushi and the planchette of local cheeses. The atmosphere is busy with families, dates, nights and groups of friends having a wonderful time. I think the wine list that is full of Alsatian tipples adds to the jollity.
Final Thoughts on Your 2 Days in Strasbourg
This itinerary offers a mix of history, culture, and Alsatian cuisine, allowing you most of your 2 days in Strasbourg. Of course, there is more to see and do in Alsace, especially if you are heading to nearby pretty villages or cycling through vineyards but. Even if you only have a short time in the city, use this two-day Strasbourg itinerary as a jumping off point and you are going to love it!
Rosie xx
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