Here was my reaction to the first gelato I tasted in Italy:

Old Bridge Gelateria in Rome, Italy

I spent the next several days absorbing as much art, history, food and drink as I could. I can’t wait to go back.

In my last post, I shared some photo highlights from Italy, but I didn’t show you the feasting we did in France. Here’s a photo summary:

First meal in Paris: Crêperie Josselin. Once again, we chose a highly rated stop along a street of at least twelve crêperies. The crepes were unbelievable. To drink, they serve hard cider in mini pitchers.

In line for the best falafel in Paris, at L’As du Fallafel, which was on a street with dozens of restaurants serving falafel.

An impressive collection of soufflés for dessert.

Pain au chocolat for breakfast at the Sunday organic market near our hotel in Montparnasse.

Chicken with morel mushrooms in a cream sauce at Auberge Bressane, where we had a fabulous dinner.

Brioche soaked in egg with caramel sauce…also known as french toast?

The best hot chocolate in Paris is at Angelina’s. It couldn’t get much richer! Oh, and it was served with pastries and bread and butter.

Stinky cheese plate, paired with a Bordeaux wine at L’Ecluse.

Bread on display at Poilane, an excellent bakery.

A passionfruit-curd filled tart with raspberries from Laduree. It may not look all that special, but it sure was.