France

France is a great place to visit, but there are problems.  The first is allowing enough time to properly see what you would like to see.  Starting in Paris is a great idea, however, even with a week, it is difficult to do it justice.  We got a tip from a friend to stay at a hotel just off the square where the Opera is located.

 It is a Best Western called Hotel L’Horset Opera.  The rate was better than most hotels and we could walk to the

L'Opera was just down the street from the hotel.
L’Opera was just down the street from the hotel.

Louvre,  which is number one attraction in Paris and also centrally located.

Be sure and buy day passes for the double decker busses.  You can use them to hop on and off the buses anytime you like during the day.

Not only do you get a great view of the sights, but since they go past most of the important places to visit, you can use them as your mode of transportation. Your feet of course will get plenty of use too!

The Louvre was walking distance from the hotel.
The Louvre was walking distance from the hotel.

The vantage point from the upper level of the busses will allow you to get some great pictures of the important sights too.