There are times when it is appropriate to cut corners when eating. We felt Mont Saint-Michel was one of those opportunities. A real tourist trap, even small packages of cookies with the island printed on the packaging ran over 7 euros in gift shops.

Le Potager du Marais

22, Rue Rambuteau
75005 Paris
Tel: 01 42 74 24 66
Certified Organic Vegetarian and Vegan

We already knew Paul bakery existed and was good because we had seen one two years ago in Charles de Gaulle airport during a layover. Being peak lunch time, Paul was doing a great business. In an effort to be speedy as we knew there was more on our to-do list, we ordered three pre-made waffles that were put into a warmer at 250 degrees Celsius. Then we could request chocolate syrup or powdered sugar as a topping.

Paco's is a small restaurant on Fairbanks Avenue and should almost have a downtown Orlando address instead of a Winter Park address. With its size and mismatched table linens and chairs, it might be hard to imagine how the restaurant could be celebrating 27 years and consistently have a line of hungry patrons waiting in the small entrance. The easiest answer would be really good food and really good service.

The powers-that-be in my office must really like this place because this is the third year in a row that our office Christmas party has been hosted here. It also has a good reputation in the city for quality. This is my first year being able to attend the entire Christmas party because of my church choir ironically always seems to sing at Disney on the same day as the party.

Paul says this is probably the most hippy place in Orlando. But you know what? We keep going there. In fact, it is the most visited restaurant on our list right now. We took my dad a month ago while my mom was out of town, and he loved it.

This is often a favorite lunch spot of us in Winter Park, Florida. It is very close to the hospital where Paul works and near shopping areas I may visit on my days off. The selling point of this restaurant is a relaxed atmosphere with outside eating, a selection of sandwiches and salads, and their amazing creation of smoothies--with or without yogurt.

It seems so long ago now, but in 2005 when I finished my Master's degree, Paul took me along on a trip to Italy and Germany. I believe everyone should visit Italy given the chance, although I think I love Germany more. This trip was peak-season, but we are very happy to travel in February/March/April when it's cooler and when the rates aren't so high. We have done that the last two years. But this was my first trip to Europe, and I will always remember it very fondly.