SECOND HALF TRAVEL ADVENTURES

"I love your Funny Face." is a song and a favorite movie filmed in Paris, France. One of the old-time movies which I have been enjoyed on several occasions over the years is “Funny Face”, starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. This is one of her most famous films. A wonderfully upbeat story about fashion that took place in Paris. The footage of scenes around the City of Lights is fabulous. It’s almost like being there on your own personal tour. One of the iconic photographs from this film is of Audrey Hepburn taken at the Louvre Museum. She descended the staircase beneath the Victory of Samothrace sculpture in the background wearing a stunning Givenchy evening gown as seen in this photo. As a matter of fact, my favorite statue at the Louvre is the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Can’t explain exactly why this winged beauty captures my imagination to the nth degree. Perhaps is the feeling of freedom as she looks as though at any second she will take off and fly. Maybe it’s the beautiful way her dress is draped across her body which is amazing. The position in which the statue is located at the top of a set of stairs is very dramatic. Whatever the reason, this is one stunningly beautiful artifact, in my opinion. I have always wondered, how in the world do the artists who sculpt these statues from a piece of solid marble do so without making mistakes? The Louvre is the world's largest museum. It opened in Paris France. The year was 1793. The collections on display are known for being among the most impressive and extensive anywhere in the world. It is among the city's biggest tourist attractions. One of the most famous paintings ever created is at the Louvre. The Mona Lisa painted by Leonard da Vinci in the 19th century is one of the masterpieces here. On a recent trip to Paris, we went to see this painting again, but there were so many people, we couldn’t get even close. If you want to see the Mona Lisa, be sure to arrive early. Never enough time to see the extensive artwork at the Louvre so my husband and I return to this museum whenever we are in Paris. Such an amazing place, but way too big to even think about seeing everything. It’s important to pick and choose the sections in the museum of interest and head there. After all, the number of artifacts is enormous…representing some 11,000 years of human civilization and culture. Situated on the banks of the Seine River, the exterior of the Louvre is a beautiful sight. The combination of the ancient baroque-style museum and the dramatic modern architecture of a triangular glass-shaped cube is a fascinating combination of the old and new together. It took a lot of courage on the part of the decision-makers to combine these diametrically opposed designs. Interesting to note…the people of Paris did not like this glass cube at first, but neither did they approve of the Eiffel Tower. Thought of both as eyesores. Not any longer! Both famous tourist attractions are wildly admired now.

How about Making a Wish at an Ancient Fountain? Yes, you can make a wish at an ancient fountain. This is a long-standing tradition at the Trevi Fountain in Rome to toss in three coins. This ongoing tradition is believed to have begun after the Movie, “Three Coins In a Fountain,” which was released in 1954. Trevi is a favorite destination for tourists who continue the coin-tossing tradition to this day. The very first coin toss is to assure a return trip to Rome, the second brings the promise of a new romance, and the third assures a marriage is in your future. However, keep in mind, all types of wishes are made at the Trevi Fountain. My husband and I each toss one coin along with a wish for a return trip to Rome… always a such a treat for us. All the coins thrown into Rome’s Trevi Fountain are collected every day and donated to a number of charities. Guess how much? Over one and a half million dollars a year! Now that is a lot of coins! The Trevi Fountain is in my opinion the most beautiful in all of Rome and possibly in all the world. Definitely a Baroque masterpiece completed in 1762. Over the years it has become a backdrop to such movies as La Dolce Vita, when right then and there Anita Ekberg jumped into the fountain fully clothed! In addition the Trevi Fountain can be seen in films including Roman Holiday, Three Coins In A Fountain and The Lizzie McGuire movie. And, if you find yourself at Walt Disney World, there is a replica at EPCOT! So when in Rome, take time to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, Perhaps your special wishes will come true.

On the streets of Buenos Aires, one is treated to amazing performances of the tango. My husband and I were mesmerized by this beautiful, sexy, and romantic dance. Such fun to walk along to see one couple after another performing this complicated, but amazing dance. #secondhalftraveladventures #tango #buenosaires #sexydance #secondhalftraveladventures #tango #buenosaires