Paris, France

Paris skyline from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Photo

There are so many places that I plan on visiting while I am in Paris. The Louvre is definitely on my list as well as the Palace of Versailles.  I LOVE going to museums and seeing old stuff so this vacation will delight me to no end :)  So first I will find a place to stay and then I will be off. 

  Hotel -

After doing a quick Google search I was directed to Trip Adviser, Paris Hotels, to make my final choice. I love the feature there that you can use to open up the actual hotel website. It is in small print, but I find that it gives a nice overview of the rooms that I can use along with the reviews to make my decision. One fantastic feature is the personal photos that guests have uploaded Le Bristol Photo Albums. I found it very helpful to really get a complete overview to help me make my final choice. I chose the Le Bristol because of its vintage light and airy feel, but there were lots of other amazing choices too.  Le Bristol Hotel, Paris

Le Bristol Hotel - Website photo

Some of the hotel websites have lots of photos and videos to advertise the hotel or places to see nearby. I especially enjoyed this great  video on the Covered Passages of Paris  that was on the Four Seasons, George V Hotel website.  I must go shopping here! 

Places I want to Visit - Top Things to do in Paris

• Eiffel Tower
• Rue de Champs-Élysées Rue de Champs Elysees
• Arc de Triomphe 
• Covered Passages of Paris
• Notre-Dame Cathedral 
• Jardin du Luxembourg  Luxembourg Garden.
• Seine River - Evening Trip
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•  Notre-Dame Cathedral 

Photo Luxembourg Garden

Photo Seine River

Egypt

  Great photos of Egypt


Luxor -
I will first visit Luxor. The ancient site of Thebes. There are many complexes there that I will find of great interest.

Temple of Karnak - Largest religious
 Map of Karnak
Maps  Google has a few street views of Karnak that are quite impressive. I wish there were more, but it is still a great way to get the overall feel and scale.


Luxor Temple
Map of Luxor Temple
Photos of Luxor Temple


Deir el-Bahari  Map- Across the Nile from Karnak is the "Mountainside remains of temples including Queen Hatshepsut's tiered temple, chapels & tombs."
Photos Deir el-Bahari


Valley of the Kings Map
Valley of the Kings Here are some great photos taken in the Valley of the Kings.

Ramesseum Map

Ramesseum Photos

Colossi of Memnon Map

Colossi of Memnon Photos

Medinet Habu  Map

Medinet Habu Photos This place really has some amazing artwork that still has lots of colors in it.

Luxor Museum Luxor Museum
"Most of the artifacts displayed at the Luxor Museum were discovered in the area of ancient Thebes (Modern Luxor)"

Mortuary Temple of Seti I

Map

Mortuary Temple of Seti I Photos

Things of interest

Ancient Egyptian gods

Where I plan to stay
   - As always cost is no object with Faux Travel so I decided to choose between two hotels that had great star ratings -
 

Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor -It has a more old time feel makes me want to move right in. Luxury room $248

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa  - Great modern features and stunning pools. Spa suite special $362.

Iberotel Luxor - Now IF I were actually going to stay in a hotel I think I would choose this hotel. It has great review and four star rating and is only $29. a night. This is actually about double the cost of some of the three star hotels that are about $15. per night. 

The St. Regis - Florence

After looking all over the net for a hotel I have decided that for the first two nights I will stay at the St. Regis. It is right next to the river and close to lots of places that I want to see. 
 http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=45

Premium Deluxe, 2 nights - Renaissance Style $1458.24
  This rate includes breakfast. Excellent. 

Florence, Italy

  I have chosen to go to Florence this week. I am excited to find out all about this beautiful city in Tuscany. It sits next to the Arno river and is considered to be the birth place of the Italian Renaissance.

   If I fly coach tomorrow from San Francisco the cost is $1915.85. It would be cheaper if I bought the tickets in advance. If I bought tickets for next month I would only have to pay $1194.94.

COST  - Economy $1194.94          First Class $6382.59 

  Since everything is free I think I will go first class tomorrow morning and take a leisurely evening to pack my bags.

FINAL COST --- First Class $8056.89

  Looks like I will have a layover in Zurich, Switzerland. Awesome!
    I am right within budget! Now to find a place to stay.

It Starts

    I have finally decided to travel!
   I have always wanted to, but never had enough time or money to go where I would like and spend what I would want.  I have come up with a fun idea to do all the traveling that I want without having to pay for any of it. I will travel from home with a new idea... Faux Travel. I will go around the world to as many places that  I want without leaving my computer. I can spend, spend, spend without it costing me a dime!
   I will stay a day, a week or any amount of time that I choose Faux Traveling through any city or place of my choice. I will learn all about it and study everything that I would be doing if I were actually there. I can see everything I want to see,  and I will not have to wait in line behind other tourists.
   Now I just have to decide where to go first...