The Louvre

The Louvre is easily one of the most famous museums in the world. Located in the heart of Paris, it features the distinctive Glass Pyramid entrance in the courtyard and houses some of the world's greatest recognizable masterpieces.

Of course, everyone must see the three great ladies — the Venus de Milo, the Victory of Samothrace, and Mona Lisa (which is THE most crowded spot in the museum!). Go here to take a tour of ten of the museum's most famous works.

The Louvre opened in 1793 and houses over 35,000 works of art in eight departments - Near Eastern Antiquities; Egyptian Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Sculptures; Decorative Arts; Paintings; and Prints and Drawings. Discover the highlights of each collection by visiting An Overview of the Departments or take a Virtual Tour.

Go here for a floor plan of the Louvre and then click on individual floors to print your own map and chart your tour. Go here for awesome 360 degree tours of eight rooms in the Louvre.

And try your hand at pronouncing Louvre! Just click the arrow.

If you haven't read Dan Brown's popular novel The Da Vinci Code, you might want to before the trip. The murder mystery starts at the Louvre.

First Aid for Travelers

Every traveler should pack a simple first aid kit that includes items that might be needed immediately when a pharmacy is not available. Avoid packing a first aid kit that takes up too much space in your luggage. Be on the lookout for travel sizes. Consider these items to include:

1. Neosporin - helps prevent infection.
2. Dramamine - helps prevent motion sickness if taken at least 30 minutes before traveling.
3. Advil - ibuprofen in Advil helps reduce pain and fever as well as relieves inflammation in muscles after a full day of walking. Tylenol does not do this.
4. Pepcid Complete - relieves heartburn by combining a stomach-acid reducer with an antacid.
5. Cortaid - soothes rashes and bug bites
6. Benadryl - for relief of hay fever symptoms as well as treatment of hives and itchy nose and throat from food allergies.
7. Insect repellent - higher concentrations of deet last longer.
8. Imodium A-D - stops symptoms of diarrhea in 30 minutes. Pepto-Bismol could take up to six hours.
9. Sunscreen - preferably SPF 15 or greater
10. Aloe gel - for sunburns
11. Antihistamine or decongestant - to relieve allergies and inflammation
12. Cough suppressant and throat lozenges
13. Mild laxative
14. Basic first-aid items (adhesive bandages, gauze, ace wrap, tweezers, round tip scissors, cotton-tipped applicators, safety pins, antiseptic wipes)

For pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or allergies, consider wearing an alert bracelet/neck tag and make sure this information is on a card in your wallet with your other documents.

Personal prescription medications need to travel in their original container and bring a copy of the prescription from your doctor in case the medication is lost. Also bring at least 50 percent more than you need. And always put prescription medication in your carry-on.

A final reminder: a first aid kit is useful only if it is available. It should be carried with the traveler at all times...in carry-on baggage when allowable and on excursions. With heightened airline security, sharp objects and some liquids and gels will have to remain in checked luggage.

London Extension

Some of you have asked about extending your stay in London. Wimbledon is going on while we are there, and others are just interested in seeing more of Europe's largest city.

If you are interested, this is the procedure. A STAR (Special Travel ARrangements form) must be completed and submitted to Passports at least 120 days prior to departure, accompanied by $425 non-refundable fee ($225 processing fee and $200 additional airfare.)

Additional airfare may apply. Please note that the exact cost, along with your flight schedule, will be determined within 30 days of departure. You will be notified 90 days prior to departure if Passports is unable to honor your request.

Passports does not make any individual travel arrangements other than changing the return flight and the airline is at the sole discretion of Passports. Specific airline/routing requests cannot be accepted.

Please let me know if you are interested and I will send you a STAR form. If you have any additional questions about an extended stay in London, then email me.