My good friend and fellow travel blogger TravelGal scored a coup last week when her request for advice on Paris made the blog of Conde Nast consumer guru Wendy Perrin. TravelGal, also known as Cindy Carlsson, is going to Paris for the second time, after a 25 year interlude. Perrin obliged with two days of vigorous blogging and enough tips to keep TravelGal on the run for the entire week.

I think there are some cities where a carefully thought out strategy is a good idea, and some where serendipity should rule. Paris is one of those cities. I’ve been there three times now, and I’ve checked off most of the big must-sees. But my favorite experiences have been the result of letting go of the plan and letting the action on the street dictate my next move. When I was there two years ago, I fell in love with the Luxembourg Gardens, which is the outdoor livingroom of the city. Just watching people sail boats in the fountain, strolling along the paths, and pulling up a chair in the sun (as in the photo above); That was enough.

Any Paris-ophiles out there care to weigh in with their advice for TravelGal? Best street-side cafe? Hidden wonders?