Not Paris, But an Incredible Likeness!

by KYW's Lauren Lipton
    
Want a French weekend but can't make it to Paris?  For that "joie de vivre" feeling, how about taking a trip to Philadelphia instead?

(Christine O'Toole:)  "I've always thought Philadelphia looks like Paris -- it's so charming."
   
With the Cézanne exhibit here, travel writers from around the world came to see what Donna Schorr of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation is calling "Impressionist Philadelphia" -- a slice of Paris.

Among them is Christine O'Toole from Pittsburgh Magazine:
 
"I'm going to say to people, 'Hey, it only take five hours on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to get from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.  So do it!" 

Just about everyone had good things to say.
 
"I'm Carolyne Parent, from Montreal.  Honestly, I'm really surprised at how rockin' this city is in terms of atmosphere, the layout of the city, the squares, the cafés." 

"Troy Petenbrink, Washington DC.  (Philadelphia is) just a really great city to visit.  And wonderful culture, and the food has just become wonderful!"

"Kathy Baruffi of New York State.   I'm in love with your city.  I'm turning into a real Phillyphile. So much art, there's so much to see.  The buildings are beautiful.  The tours are lovely.  It's really a pleasure."
 
"My name is Ed Wetschler.  I divide my time between Manhattan and northeastern Pennsylvania.  I love this town." 

He says we may be similar to Paris, but in one way we're better:

"Much better cheesesteaks!"

And that's Positively Philadelphia!

(Photos, top to bottom -- yes, they're all Philadelphia! -- a café on Rittenhouse Square, statuary in Fairmount Park, and an aerial view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway)