Item 66: Versailles.... thanks Eurostar

Location: Versailles Palace, France

As mayhem would have it, a giant Icelandic-induced ash cloud is causing chaos to flight schedules and holiday plans throughout Europe, the same weekend as I had booked Eurostar tickets to Paris.

So Friday night, after dinner a the Champagne Bar at Kings Cross St Pancras International, I hopped on the fully booked last train to Paris, arriving at Gare du Nord at 00:15 Saturday morning.

After a breakfast and a connection from the metro to the RER station of Versailles Rive Gauche station we arrived at noon to find a crowd of people exiting the train station, think Stamford Bridge, or MCG on game day. They were all heading to the Palace of Versailles to join the queue for entrance tickets.

Again, as the Volcanic Gods and a little planning ahead would have it, an Internet pre-purchased ticket allowed us to bypass the queue and enter the extravagant abode of King Louis XIV with little hassle.

Overwhelmed by the rooms of the palace and tempted by the sunshine in the manicured gardens outside, we made way for a quick lunch and then pranced into the gardens which had music beaming out of hidden speakers as we waited for the 3.30pm Grandes Eaux musicales show. Yes, we waited for the 1.5 hour show that involved the fountains spitting out water. C'est tres impressive! Non?

Although our all-inclusive ticket involved access to the Grand and Petite Trianon, residences of Marie Antoinette, I'd recommend a tour of the palace, picnic in the gardens and then a row on the lake outside for a lovely summer afternoon. Also, catch the Eurostar if you're travelling from London.

Item 66: Versailles Palace? CHECK!