The boys had a big 2 week break from school sandwiched around a 4-day Easter weekend. So early in the year I had started to ping some friends in France about swapping apartments. Turns out that France only has one day off (WHAT, the French are actually working more than the Germans!), but as Benoit and Giovanna has just added an extra floor in their house, they suggested we just come and stay together with their 3 daughters: Stella (14), Luna (12), and Gaia (7). So will a base in Paris set we started planning. It was a long drive, and given the German’s love for roadtrips I decided to take a day before and a day after the holiday — otherwise you are guaranteed to be stuck in traffic for hours. Even still, it was a long trip (over 800km) to make. So we decided to add an extra bonus: a stop at Euro Disney on the way.

Travels out were smooth. Left early, and with the exception of an overturned trailer the driving was fluid and uneventful. We decided to stop in Metz on the way — I read about a Japanese exhibition at the Pompidou branch in Metz (it turns out it was an evening performance, but was fun anyway). A nice bistro lunch and some museum sightseeing and then we were off to Euro Disney.

We decided to stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel there — mainly because it was much easier to cancel there in case something came up. We were quite happy there. Got upgraded to a nice 2 room suite, received a nice welcome gift (water, beer, and local mustard), and had a good time playing in the swimming pool. Some room service dinner, a nice bath, and then catching a healthy sleep before Euro Disney.

We managed to pack and get down to the shuttle with a few minutes to spare. We arrived with the first crews at the entry to the park and surprisingly they let us in before the 10:00am opening time. We decided to first try queuing for Big Thunder Mountain, since Teo could ride also. After 40 minutes as we arrived at the front of the line, there was a problem with the ride. 20 minutes later they shut it down. It was a sad way to start to day, but at least when we left they gave us a ticket to comeback anytime.

We then got FastPass for PeterPan and decided to have an early lunch. This worked out well as we beat the rush, and then got FastPasses for other rides (at least I thought we did — the ticket written in French actually said I couldn’t get a FastPass for another hour). At this point light rain started, and so we decided to use our FastPass for Thunder Mountain before it got heavy. The boys loved it! At this point we split up — Kai and I went to Space Mountain (twice!) while Teo and Chika went again for Thunder Mountain. We then switched boys, and Kai rode Space Mountain (2 more times) and Teo rode Dumbo and then Pirates of the Carribean. We wrapped up the day with Peter Pan and the Dumbo Flying Elephant. All in all, with all the challenges and the weather, a great 1st time experience for the kids.

Then it was off to Paris. The drive was relatively short (under an hour) and we arrived. That evening we went to a local beer garden for some tasty beverages and middle eastern food. The next day I took Kai with Beniot to join Gaia’s soccer practice. It was great to see how he could fit in with people from other cultures, even without speaking the language. We then went to a local marketplace for lunch — fresh oysters, sauvignon blanc, frites, and sausages. Then we met up with Remy and Mariko and their children for a super dinner at their chic flat, complete with amazing cakes, more oysters, fresh roast of beef, wine, and probably some of the best cognac produced in the world.

Sunday we were meeting Remy and their crew again at a young peoples science experience (all hands on). Gaia joined us, which was a crash course in having 3 children. Not ready yet. Very cool exhibitions, and amazing hands on experiences — especially the television studio simulations. That night Giovanna and the older girls prepared homemade pasta cannelonis. Was super delicious — I made sure there was no leftovers.

The last day was a busy one. We started with a chocolate Easter egg hunt in the garden for the kids. Then we had to meet a different Remy
for coffee (we finally founds some sun in the Palais Royale). After a quick Uber, we were at to Stephane and his girlfriend’s new flat. Super cool redesign, lovely food (including rack of veal!), and more wine of course. Then a walk through the Marais followed by a bus tour to the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately, the lines were too long so we had to head back for a Japanese dinner with Ben and Gio’s family, with Remy joining too.

The next day was a train strike, so we started off early. We made it without too much hassle, and were able to make it to Strausborg for lunch. Chika found a great lunch bistro, followed by additional pastry hunting tour through town. Finally it was time to go back to Munich.

A great adventure — lots of hard work, but great rewards.