Cruising through the Catacombs of Paris

Paris is definitely one of my favorite cities to visit...and this particular adventure was a bucket list experience for me, so I thought I would share! If you are in Paris, don't get creeped out too easily, and don't mind being far beneath the city of Paris, in tight spaces, surrounded by skulls and bones, you gotta go! 

The Catacombs of Paris are underground ossuaries which hold the artfully arranged remains of 6 to 7 million Parisians in a small part of a tunnel network built to consolidate Paris' ancient stone quarries. Extending south from the Barrière d'Enfer ("Gate of Hell"), this ossuary was created as part of the effort to eliminate the city's overflowing cemeteries. It lies deep below the city, under the subway and water lines, and is SUPER creepy. I LOVED it, cause I like scary stuff! 

I HIGHLY recommend purchasing a "skip the line" ticket online BEFORE you go. Actually, I would buy the ticket a few days in advance. The walk-up line is CRAZY long on most days and you could be waiting for 2 hours outside, in a line wrapped around the block, just to get to the front to purchase tickets. I researched our tickets on Trip Advisor. Our tickets were around $40 when we went in 2019. Also, be prepared for a very tight fit as you descend the winding-staircase into the tomb-like darkness - with an evident temperature drop and the smell of damp earth seeping through the porous walls. Smells like, creepy history! 

Santa Fe's Magical Staircase

Miraculous things happen! And yet another reason why I find New Mexico so magical. Make sure if you are ever in Santa Fe, you visit the miraculous Lorretto Staircase. 
When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small chapel. A mysterious carpenter / drifter / spirit ?! installed this miraculous staircase— WITH ZERO NAILS. Then, he disappeared. Whaaaaattt!!!? The staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. It is said that the staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs. 

For more information, visit the Loretto Chapel website.

A Hidden Honolulu Gem

A magical, lush garden in the middle of busy downtown Honolulu? Yes, it exists!  As the oldest of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, Foster Botanical Garden displays a mature and impressive collection of tropical plants. Some of the magnificent trees in this 14-acre garden were planted in the 1850's by Dr. William Hillebrand. They marked the beginning of a heritage that became The Honolulu Botanical Gardens. I highly recommend this for a date spot! It's cheap, it's beautiful, it's romantic, and healthy. Added bonus? Go to Zippy's across the street first, grab a bento to go, and enjoy your meal at the gardens. I like bringing a blanket, but there are a few benches to relax on throughout the gardens. 

Garden highlights include the Conservatory, Outdoor Butterfly Garden, Palm Garden, Prehistoric Glen Cycad Collection, Exceptional Trees, and Gift Shop. And don't forget to check out the famous Corpse Plant!

ADMISSION COSTS:

Adults: $5

Hawaii Residents: $3

Children 6-12: $1

Children under 5: Free

Annual Family Pass: $25

HOURS:

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Closed Christmas Day (December 25)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1)