The French Museum for Everyone

I've been to a lot of museums. I like to see different ones when we travel. Though we had some big plans to hit up several in Paris, we again didn't make it to the Louvre and the Dali museum was closed. The Centre Pompidou was on our list of museums that we could get into for "free" with the museum pass that came with our Paris Pass. I had seen on the Metro that they had a Roy Lichtenstein exhibition and they were open later than all the other museums in the city, so we made an effort to get there on one of the days after we had done some general sightseeing. 

The museum has several floors, a bookstore, cafe and gift shop. If you've ever been to Universal Studios in Hollywood and had the joy of taking the 9 escalators from the parking garages and lower lot to the upper lot, you'll have deja vu when visiting Centre Pompidou. We made it all the way to the fifth floor and through the line, only to be told that we needed to buy tickets for the Lichtenstein exhibit on the ground floor. Annoyed that this was not pointed out anywhere, we decided to wander through the rest of the museum (we had already read all about the life and art periods of Lichtenstein waiting in line) and were completely delighted. Most museums focus on one thing and while modern art is not always my cup of tea, the sheer variety at Centre Pompidou was enough to keep anyone interested. 

I enjoy textiles, pop art and retro pieces and Eric likes different stuff, which made it fun to wander the rooms that were never the same and always had something interesting and thought-provoking. Of course, some of my favorite pieces looked like they could have been done by a small child and another was a nylon pantyhose material that was filled with different spices, creating a weird formation, but an interesting smell.

With so much art to choose from, we were surprised by how much more exciting it was from the Tate Modern in London, which we both though was going to be amazing and ended up bored after only 20 minutes. I'm sorry, but a starfish with a shoe and a lady sitting in a chair complaining about life do not count as art to me. At Centre Pompidou, I felt like there was a lot of thought and talent put into each piece. it made me wish I had more time to explore the hundreds of works on display. It truly is a museum that holds something interesting for everyone of any age, whether you are a lover of art or a total novice and think museums are lame. For free admission with your museum pass, it's definitely worth a stop. 

Do you have a favorite museum from your travels? Where was it?

Review: NapWrap Personal Travel Armrest

Stuck in the middle seat again? Or maybe you have the aisle and your elbow sneaks out into the walkway, putting it right in the way of the beverage cart – ouch! - or those on their way to or from the restroom. Seats on the plane seem to be getting smaller and smaller, so you have less and less room each time you travel. If you fly with a spouse or friend, it’s not a big deal if you invade each other’s space. If you’re flying alone or have that aisle seat issue, you probably feel like there’s no place to put your arms and you don’t have an armrest to yourself. You might want to cross your arms and take a nap, but when you fall asleep, they flop around, making you uncomfortable again.

photo courtesy of NapWrap

This was the problem that resulted in the NapWrap. It’s a convenient little wrap that helps to keep your arms crossed, without giving you achy joints, for as long as you need to. You don’t have to make the continual effort to keep your arms in position, plus the fabric is breathable, so it doesn’t make your arm or hand all sweaty. It’s also stretchy, which means people of all sizes can wear it and it fits over sleeves. Though it can be a little tricky to work at first, once you have the hang of it, it’s super easy to use. There’s this handy video to help.

Of course, I’m not one to buy something that has just one use, even though the NapWrap is very comfortable and does exactly what it’s meant to do, it isn’t just a cool arm holder that you twist your hand into. It can also be used as an armband that holds your phone or MP3 player, so you can listen to your music.

Another great thing you can use your NapWrap for is an eye mask. I usually pack one of those in my bag when I travel, because you never know if you will be sleeping in a room that has inadequate curtains (where you’re woken up at 5 am with light right in your eye) or you just need a little extra help falling and staying asleep. The NapWrap is adjustable and also covers your ears, muffling noises that might be keeping you awake as well.

And if your destination is cold, use it as a headband that covers and protects your ears. It’s way better than also packing a pair of earmuffs. Even if you carry more than one with you, they still pack flat and take up almost no room in your bag – less if you wear it on your arm as you are commuting through the airport.

So, if you have issues with sharing armrests with strangers, having a place to put your phone, sleeping when it’s not pitch black in your room or need to keep your ears warm, then the NapWrap should be on your list of must-have travel items. 

More information:

How big is it? One Size Fits All

Colors it comes in: The velcro closure comes in black, sky, carrot, lime

Where can you buy it? NapWrap website

How much is it? $20.00

Disclosure: I was provided with the NapWrap for the purpose of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

What’s the REAL Value of Your Hotel Room?

When you book a hotel room, do you look only at price? If you do, you could be losing value on your stay, especially if you are staying for more than a few days. The more things you can get included in your nightly rate, the better, especially if the price is still budget-friendly for you. I don’t book any hotel without free WiFi, but I also like to have a mini fridge – for leftovers, snacks and drinks – and a microwave if possible.

Having a restaurant on-site is great. If you’re only going to be in town for a couple days or you are spending your trip nearby, it is convenient to be able to just run downstairs and get a meal. It’s the next best thing to free breakfast, but it’s also perfect for a romantic getaway, because you don’t have to waste time searching for a good restaurant in the area. There’s one right out your front door. If you haven’t rented a car,  it can also save you money on transportation.

I love a boutique hotel. Often, they offer great rooms with unique or funky furnishings that have all the comforts you’re looking for away from home. Many will have their own restaurants, coffee counters, shops and other amenities that make staying in much easier, while also keeping more of your money in the hotel (read: in the community).

The Croft Hotel is one such hotel (find them at http://www.crofthotel.net/). It can be found in a very desirable – and quiet – neighborhood in Darlington, England. Set right near the river, on beautiful ground, and close to local attractions, the hotel has just 20 rooms, which means you’ll get the personalized service you want and deserve. Right outside your cozy room, you can pop into the gastro pub or the tea rooms on-site. Whether you’re in the mood for a light breakfast, afternoon tea, a fine dining experience or anything in between, you are covered. Get out for a bit of sightseeing in Richmondshire or get in a round of golf and come back to your lovely room to relax and change before dinner.

As you can see, a good location can also increase the value of your room cost, because it enables you to save transportation time and costs, so make sure you look at everything included in your room rate and think about how it can benefit you and save you time and money. If it doesn’t do either of those things, you’re paying for more than you should, so possibly look elsewhere.

What are your must-have amenities when you stay in a hotel?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.