Bringing Down the White Picket Fence
A Couple's Quest to Live Globally
Archives
Stroll the Bridges You don’t have to stand in line at all the tourist attractions to get the best views of Paris. Skip the lines and head for the bridges! Take an evening stroll, breathe in the delicious Paris air, and watch the sun work its magic on this beautiful city. When the sun goes down, the city and its bridges light up. Stay up late and share in the nightlife. This… Read More
There are just too many fantastic places to eat in the city of Paris, and we’ve got more of our favorites coming your way. Stay tuned. Check out some of our recommendations here in Part 1 of Our Guide to Paris-Where We Eat and Our Guide to Paris-Where to Stay. © Paul and Michelle Shappirio and Bringing Down the White Picket Fence, 2007-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and… Read More
I always say, “To travel is to eat,” and I believe food is the ultimate gateway between the traveler and the local. There is no better way to embrace the culture of a country than to dig your hands, your fork, your bread, into the culinary delights of a foreign place. Food gives you opportunities, not only to taste, but also to converse with the people who cook it and serve… Read More
Paris, that magical place that makes people’s eyes sparkle. Whether they’ve traveled there or not, the world swoons over Paris. Maybe its love, maybe its good bread and cheese, or maybe its just that glittering tower that draws travelers in and keeps them coming back for more. With all of its fascinating architecture, glittering lights, and bustling cafes, the city of Paris is dreamy and delicious and not to be missed. I… Read More
Be on the look out for Bringing Down the White Picket’s Fence’s guide to Paris! We will feature all of our favorite things to see and do, recommend places to stay, and give you great suggestions for some amazing places to eat and drink! © Paul and Michelle Shappirio and Bringing Down the White Picket Fence, 2007-2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this… Read More
In July 2012, Paul and I rented an apartment in Paris for a month. It was quite possibly the best thing we’ve ever done. It was an absolutely thrilling experience to drop ourselves into a city in a country an ocean away from our own, to communicate in a language we didn’t speak, and to live a lifestyle so culturally different from the American way. We are changed because of Paris and… Read More
Who could think of a better time to visit Hoover Dam? I mean everybody enjoys traversing the desert in mid-July in 110 degree heat, right? After the extreme camping in the Grand Canyon, we continued our journey on to Las Vegas. While all of that outdoorsy bonding with the elk was indeed gratifying, we could not ignore the lure of a fancy hotel room and all of its basic amenities, like running… Read More
From the start of our cross country trip, my husband wasn’t thrilled about the whole “camping” thing. In fact, after our first sleepless night in the tent in West Virginia, I was pretty sure we’d never set up our expensive and luxurious L.L. Bean canvas mansion again. He’s not the camping type, but I convinced him it was the only economical way to get across the country and back. Luckily, he became… Read More
Put Santa Fe, New Mexico on your list right now. Let me tell you why. I’ve done this cross-country venture before. This was my second visit to Santa Fe. The first time, my mom, my friend Shannon, and I set up camp in the Santa Fe National Forest before strolling around the town square for a few hours. We all agreed Santa Fe was a special place, beautifully thriving in culture and… Read More
Bringing Down the White Picket Fence 