France Trip – Day 2: Rainy Skies, Royal Palaces & Parisian Magic

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

We woke up early this morning to a chilly, rainy Paris day—57 degrees and misty gray, which is quite the contrast to what I’m used to in sunny South Florida! But with umbrellas in hand, Remy and I were ready to take on the day. After a warm, satisfying breakfast (included in our stay), we boarded our comfortable motorcoach for the first excursion of the day: Versailles.

Despite the cool drizzle, the grandeur of Versailles was still breathtaking. We began with a walk through the gardens—thankfully a brief one thanks to the rain!—before heading inside to warm up and explore the palace itself. I’ve been fortunate to see some beautiful places in my travels, but Versailles stands out. The Hall of Mirrors was even more dazzling than I remembered, and I especially loved the Queen’s Bedroom—a space that felt both regal and unexpectedly intimate.

What made the whole experience seamless was being part of a Globus guided tour. Everything was thoughtfully organized—from timed entry to avoiding the heaviest crowds. It was my first time seeing Versailles with a tour, and I honestly don’t think I’d do it any other way now.

After a short break, we were back on the bus for an afternoon panoramic tour of Paris. I’ve done several Paris tours in the past, but this was by far the best—informative without being overwhelming, and perfectly paced so you really had time to take it all in. And for Remy, it was his very first time seeing the City of Light (even though he technically hails from Disneyland Paris 😉).

We drove past so many iconic landmarks:

The Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon’s monument to the French army

The majestic Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair and once considered an eyesore—now a symbol of Paris itself

Les Invalides, where Napoleon Bonaparte is buried beneath a golden dome

Place de la Concorde, with its Egyptian obelisk standing where the guillotine once did during the Revolution

The Grand Palais, another beauty from the 1900 World’s Fair

Musée Rodin, where we spotted the back of The Thinker as we passed

The Latin Quarter, buzzing with students, history, and charm

The Pantheon, where we reflected on the legacy of Marie Curie, one of its most honored residents

The Sorbonne, where Curie once taught

Notre-Dame, still undergoing careful restoration after the devastating 2019 fire

Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where revolutionaries and intellectuals once gathered—and where we passed two legendary cafés: Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore

Our final stop before dinner was a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens. Just as we arrived, the skies opened again, but there’s something magical about strolling through the gardens in the rain. Umbrellas up, we made our way to see the tucked-away Statue of Liberty replica, a lovely nod to the historic ties between France and the U.S.

Another emotional moment came as we passed the tunnel where Princess Diana’s accident occurred. Above it stands the Flame of Liberty, a replica of the torch from the Statue of Liberty, which has become an unofficial memorial to her. Quiet and reflective.

After a short break back at the hotel, we got cleaned up for dinner and headed out again—this time to one of the most iconic locations in all of Paris: the Eiffel Tower.

We had a beautiful meal at Madame Brasserie, located on the tower’s first floor. The views were incredible, the atmosphere was elegant but welcoming, and the food was absolutely delicious. What made it even better? This dinner, including two drinks, was included as part of our Globus tour. No reservations to manage, no lines to wait in, no stress. Just show up and enjoy.

It’s hard to put into words how special it felt to end the day dining above Paris—watching the city with Remy on my shoulder and the Eiffel Tower beneath my feet.

Traveling with Globus has made everything so easy—from seamless sightseeing to special dining experiences, all with expert guides who know exactly how to bring each place to life. Today was packed, but never felt rushed. It’s the kind of travel that lets you be present in the moment while still covering so much ground.

Tomorrow… we slow things down a bit and head into the French countryside. Our first stop will be a visit to Giverny, which has been on my Bucket List for far too long. I can’t wait.

TTFN

Kenneth

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Published by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Hi, I’m Kenneth Reece — and I help make unforgettable vacations feel effortless. With 50 cruises under my belt (and more in the works!), I specialize in bucket-list travel experiences for grown-up travelers who want something a little more meaningful, a little more personal, and a lot more fun. Whether you're cruising the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the stunning coastlines of Alaska, or soaking in the magic of Europe one cobblestone street at a time — I’m here to help you plan a trip you’ll always remember. Lately, river cruising has completely captured my heart. There’s just something special about waking up each morning in a new European town, with your floating boutique hotel waiting to take you to the next charming stop. I love pairing these river cruises with guided land tours for a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Princess Cruises has long been one of my favorites at sea, but I’ve sailed with many cruise lines and know how to match each client with the right one for them. I’ve also experienced the Disney magic around the world — from Disneyland and Walt Disney World to Tokyo and Paris — and I bring that same sense of wonder and thoughtful planning into everything I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling solo, or just need help making sense of all the choices out there, I’m here to be your guide. I love helping clients as much — or as little — as they prefer. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, you’ll know someone has your back. Let’s make your next trip easy, exciting, and completely tailored to you.