One of the greatest, if not the greatest, Impressionists painters of all time is Claude Monet. His home, gardens, and studio is located about 75 km (about 45 miles) from the center of Paris.  We have done a trip to Giverny many times on our small group tours to Paris. It is an easy day trip done as a group or individually by car or train. If done right, a trip to Giverny is more than worthwhile.  Look at today's blog post for The Professor's best tips on planning a trip to Giverny.

Not only are there many great attractions within Paris, there are many good ones outside of town too.  In today's blog post, The Professor lists several exciting and easy-to-do trips that won't require an overnight stay outside of town.  Read the blog post to find out what's fun and easy to do on your next tour to Paris.

A visit to the beaches, cemeteries, and battle sites pays tribute to the acts of bravery our heroes displayed on June 6, 1944 in Normandy.  It brings with it a greater understanding and appreciation of the events surrounding that fateful day.  Walk in the sand at Utah and Omaha to get the vantage point of the liberators when their landing-craft ramps dropped into the surf.  Visit enemy bunkers. See the cliffs scaled by the Rangers at Pointe du Hoc.  Walk through the liberated villages still scarred by the ferocious fighting that took place.  Everyone experiences different emotions upon seeing the field of crosses and Stars of David at the American Cemetery, but be assured of this - the memory will stay forever.

Just got back home today from a small group tour with 10 travelers.   We started in Paris then went onto Giverny, the home of Monet.  From there we did 2-days in the Normandy Invasion Beaches followed up by 4 nights in London.   June and Jeff, Gail and Jim, Cindy and Larry have all been on tours with The Traveling Professor previously.   We had 4 new travelers, Joe and Nancy, Kris and Alex join us this time.  Read the blog post to get an overview of The Traveling Professor's small group tour to France and England.

On Friday I depart Bradley Airport in Hartford, CT to meet up with travelers in Philadelphia for an overnight flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.   From there we meet up with 8 other travelers for a 5 day tour in Paris, 3 days in Normandy via Giverny, the home and gardens of Monet, for a tour of the Normandy Invasion Beaches, then we finish up with 4 days in London.   The best place to follow our progress and see photos is on The Traveling Professor's Facebook page or check back here for updates.   Read the blog post for the details of our trip.

After 50 tours to Paris, I stopped counting.   But why go so much?  Paris is a city of discovery where there is something new every time I go.   Whether it be leading my small group tours to Paris or traveling solo to Paris, it never gets tired.   But what does a person do who has been to Paris as many times as I have been.  Check out the blog post for some inspiration of what to do on your next tour to Paris.

On my tours to Paris, we sometimes take a side trip to the home and gardens of Impressionist painter, Claude Monet.  It's an opportunity to be IN a Monet painting as opposed to looking at one.  Monet's home and gardens are located in a small town, about a 45-minute train ride from Paris, called Giverny.   In this blog post I will describe how to get to Giverny from Paris and how to enjoy a day at the home and gardens of Claude Monet.

One reason I keep coming back to Paris, even after 35 visits or so, is that I always discover something new to me.  On my past tours of Paris, I took several visits until I found things like the Musée l’Orangerie, my favorite restaurant, Le Pre Verre, the Musée Arts et Metiers, and the passageways and walks that make a visit to Paris almost like a new experience every time I go.   Read about my last 3 days in Paris and find out about the sites I have visited again and what’s new in Paris for me.