It’s my last day of work before I leave for Paris – the City of Lights – on holiday, and I can barely contain myself! From the sweeping boulevards lined with chic boutiques, charming sidewalk cafés, world-class galleries and outdoor markets, to the romantic Seine, dramatic Sacré Coeur and the energetic Marais neighbourhood, Paris is a mecca for art, fashion, food, literature and of course, architecture. Mon Dieu! Where does one even begin?

Forget Dan’s obsession with modernism – give me some history! One of our first adventures will be a visit to the 17th century Palace of Versailles – one of the best examples of French Baroque architecture with its extravagant features and decorative details. While outside the city limits my father (a former history teacher), has insisted that we also stop by the Chartres Cathedral – arguably one of Europe’s best examples of pure Gothic with its almost perfectly preserved design including all the original stained-glass windows.

Of course we’ll also explore all the top attractions in the heart of the city: the 700 year old Notre-Dame Cathedral with its 200 ft bell towers, ornate statues and sinister gargoyles; the Musée du Louvre to stare Mona Lisa in the eyes; the Arc De Triomph to celebrate the Tour De France as the participants complete their 3,642 km bike ride (just for you Suzana!); and my favourite destination – a romantic dusk trip atop the Eiffel Tower. Ooh la la!

While I’m thrilled at the opportunity to visit the alluring city of Paris and marvel in everything it has to offer, I can honestly say that I always feel a rush of excitement as my plane begins its descent home. Staring out the window to see a modern urban city surrounded by the beautiful ocean and mountains, there is truly no other place on earth like Vancouver. We are lucky to live here. Au revoir!

Krista Shirreff