The 7 Best Places to Live in the U.S: 2016

📷 Charlie Deets — Palo Alto, United States

Even if something (or someone) looks good, it may be not really be very valuable. In other words, "You can't judge a book by its cover

Back in 2010 I had a magnificent family holiday in Europe. It was amazing. We spent a week in Dublin, then two weeks in an apartment in Paris. Happily, while in Paris I had my birthday celebration at Le Jules Verne, the iconic restaurant on the second level of the Eiffel Tower. But I've shown you that before.

It was such a wonderful meal in a wonderful setting that I planned to return this year to celebrate my Big Deal Birthday in the same way. So I did. This time though there were a few more hangers on. Ten intrepid Australians made the journey to Paris and came together for an amazing lunchtime celebration. And it was wonderful all over again.

The Eiffel Tower was unexpectedly closed this day, for a strike. Tourists were disappointed of course, and being turned away. Happily the private entrance to Le Jules Verne was open. And soon we were being whisked up to the second level of the Tour Eiffel in their private lift.