Tips and Logistics:
- If you’re staying more than 3 or 4 days, buy a Navigo pass at the airport or any metro station. This card gives you unlimited rides from Sunday to Sunday.
- If you decide to purchase a Navigo pass, bring a passport id pic so you don’t have to wait in line to take one at a photo kiosk.
- Purchase a Navigo pass if you are staying a little further out than walking distance of city center, don’t want to be confined to certain sections of the city, or tend to run late. It’s so easy and paid for itself in just two days.
- Don’t forget your adapter converter for Europe (it’s different than the one they use in the UK).
- Some metro cars have latches or buttons that you have to press or lift to open the train doors.
- Don’t stress about the metro. Just use Google Maps or City Mapper and it’s a breeze.
- Get Euros at a Currency Exchange and make sure to have some individual one and two coins for public bathrooms.
- If you get nothing else out of this post, please get this: Reservations for activities are key.
- Be able to carry your luggage because many metro stations do not have elevators.
- The following words are useful: Bonjour (hello), Merci (thank you) Sil vous plait (please ), Ou est (where is) and Sortie (exit).
- Always greet the employees of any establishment first with ‘Bonjour’.
- For the Love of God–wear comfy shoes
Day 1
Morning
Land and give yourself plenty of time to collect your bags, get train tickets (see my recs on the Navigo pass above), and get to your hotel. If you can push through the jet lag, have a tour planned ahead of time so you can keep moving and get on Paris time. I stayed on the edge of the 8th arrondisment (neighborhood or zone) which is closer to the Montmarte area than the city center. But honestly, the metro was so quick and easy to use that I never felt inconvenienced by my location–which was also completely affordable and adorable. I stayed at New Orient Hotel. It is cute, quaint, with friendly staff, plenty of cafes, restaurants, and boulangeries (bakeries) nearby. It’s also walking distance to the Opera district and less than a ten minute walk to three train stations. Check out the area around your hotel and maybe grab an espresso at a cafe to get you started.
Afternoon
I love starting every trip in a new city with a walking tour so I can get acclimated to my surroundings. I took a free tour of the Latin Quarter and the Left Bank with Discover Walks Paris. Make sure to book things way in advance. There were other tours I was more interested in, but there was limited availability on a Monday. I paid about $2.50 just to reserve my spot, and then you are asked to tip whatever you like at the end (between 10 and 20 Euros). I enjoyed hearing the history of how the city of Paris came to be, information about the academic and music scene, and passing by several tourist spots like the Museum Orsay, the Pantheon and Shakespeare and Co. I enjoyed the tour, but unless you are into history this may be a tour you could pass on. My tour guide; however, was awesome. He walked me to the train afterwards and I learned all about his nomadic writer lifestyle. He moves around and leads tours (Australia, Russia, Spain, parts of Asia) so he can write in his spare time. Make sure to always get to know your guide and fellow travelers on a tour. Many times their stories are as interesting and informative as the tour!
Evening
Celebrate your arrival to Paris with a champagne cruise at night along the Seine. I booked mine here with Get Your Guide. There are multiple river cruise options to choose from, but I enjoyed this one because I was looking for more of a relaxing moment to take it all in versus a tour. This ticket included a nighttime cruise set against the sparkling city, no audio-just music, and a glass of champagne. As I was hurrying out of the metro to get to the cruise, I looked up and Bam! There was the Eiffel Tower sparkling above me. It sparkles after dark on the hour. I wondered if it would feel cheesy, but it absolutely did not. It felt spectacular and I broke out into a smile staring up at the iconic structure. The docks for the river cruises are pretty easy to find, but make note that there are cruise departures on both sides of the bridge. I sat back all bundled up and sipped champagne as I listened to music and cruised past the glittering monuments along the Seine. As I mentioned, there are several other types of cruises to pick from like dinner cruises and some that provide informational commentary. I enjoyed the moment to myself to soak it all in, but I bet this would also be such a fun welcome activity for a girls trip or a romantic night cap with your boo.
Day 2
Morning
Sleep in a bit if you need it, but do your best to make an effort to get to get an early start to avoid long waits. Set out first for St. Chappelle. Tip-Get your tickets ahead of time for the first time slot of the day (9:00 am). There are typically two lines at every attraction–one for those who have tickets and one for those who still need to purchase them. You can purchase a combo ticket for timed entry to St. Chappelle as well as a river cruise here with Get Your Guide. I purchased the majority of my tickets through them to keep things organized in my app. Once you enter, follow the signs to the entrance of the chapel. Also, don’t be oblivious like me and get caught up thinking that the first floor is the main attraction, when the room with the stained glass is to the right and up the stairs when you enter. Prepare to be in awe. Grab a picture of course, but just know that no picture will do this place justice. Take time to just stand or sit and take it all in. It’s a pretty incredible sight. The stories of the Bible are built into thousands of small panes of glass that blend together to create a wall of sheer, grand, inspiring beauty. The colors change at every flicker of light and it’s no wonder everyone stays pretty quiet.
Next, head over to Notre Dam. As of now, you still can’t go in due the reconstruction from the fire. The reopening is set for summer 2024 when the Olympics come to Paris. As you are pretty much in the city center, this is a great area to just wander around or maybe book a guided tour. I used Rick Steve’s Paris Historic City Center audio guide to navigate the area at my own pace. The Rick Steve’s Audio Tour podcast has six different tours you can use though parts of Paris, and his city center tour starts at Notre Dam. You get the app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Make sure to stop by Shakespeare and Co. Enjoy the picturesque facade of the building, but definitely take the time to go inside. I’m a rule follower, so I didn’t take any pictures inside, but you need to see it! The collection of books is great of course, but it’s the tiny winding hallways, the staircase stenciled in book quotes, the piano in the corner where people wait to take their turn at filling the little bookshop with tunes, and the reading nook upstairs that really give you all the feels. There’s also the Shakespeare and Co. cafe next door. Pick up one of your favorite books (they have all the classics as well as contemporaries) and make sure to get it stamped at check-out!
Afternoon
Give yourself the entire morning just to wander. I popped into a few churches and I think I am developing a new fascination with gargoyles. For lunch, I recommend La Jacobine which you can find on Tripadvisor here. If you watch the vlogers, Les Frenchies (which I highly recommend you do) they recommend the place. Either make a reservation or get there before 12:00 PM. La Jacobine is a small establishment with traditional french food and prices range from 9-12 Euros for entrees–which are appetizers, 20-30 for plats–main courses, and 7-12 for desserts. I got the formulae which is an entree and plat for 27 Euros. I ordered the french onion soup, coco vin, and a glass of white wine. When my spoon hit the top layer of the piping hot soup, it released the perfect crackle before bringing up loads of stringy mozzarella. It was divine and the best french onion soup I had on the whole trip. It was also a huge serving so I barely got through half. Honestly, I could have just ordered soup and wine. You don’t have to order the formulae (traditionally an app and entree or an entree and desert), but it is typically a slight money saver it you want more than one course. The coco vin came out sizzling. I took a video and you can hear it. It was good, but turns out rooster cooked in a red wine and a gravy-like sauce just isn’t my fave. That soup however–I can’t stop thinking about.
Don’t skip out on the Catacombs. Book your tickets in advance and pay for a specific time slot. You can book in advance through a more expensive ticket on Get Your Guide (my rec if you are going during high seasons), or you can book week of for a cheaper ticket directly through the official website. My time was for 2:00 PM and they had sold out way earlier. I don’t think the audio tour is needed if you read about the site ahead of time. The underground tunnels started as mining tunnels whose erosion eventually led to the need for major city renovations that Louis XVI procrastinated on…oh that guy. They were kind of forgotten about for a while until they were turned into additional burial ground space for the remains from serious cemetery overcrowding. Eventually, the tunnels lined with bones and skulls became the macabre museum it is today. Visitors can wander parts of the tunnels (there are over 200 miles of them), and in the past there were even concerts held there. I couldn’t decide how I felt about it. On the one hand, it is macabre and gives a spooky unreal vibe. I mean, you are literally walking through arrangements of other people’s remains just laying out in the open. This thought then made me feel a little bad about walking around gawking at them. No matter how you look at it, it was definitely unusual but also worth a visit.
Evening
Late that afternoon I headed over to the Champs Elysee. I’m not a big shopper, but I did peek in a few stores as I walked towards the Arch de Triumph. This famous commercial strip has the vibe of 5th Ave in New York but without the skyscrapers. I typically would just “window lick” as the French call it (window shop), and I’ve never even walked into a Gucci or Louis Vuitton (you’re singing that TikTok song now aren’t you?). But since I also planned to go to the Dior Museum later in the week, I decided what the heck, I should probably go into the actual store. I had to wait in line for about 5 minutes (if you want to go to LV be prepared that the line was wrapped around the building) and spent less than 10 minutes looking around, but the colors and display designs were delightful. As for shopping, the Galeries la Fayette is another fun stop. The whole bottom floor is dedicated to beauty products and the upper floors are upscale department stores. Even if you’re not into buying anything, the displays are fun to check out.
After that, I stopped at another location I’m sure some would say is a tourist trap, but it’s not a trap if you actually want to be there. I stopped by Laudree for macaroons. I didn’t wait in the line to go in and eat, but went to their smaller covered and beautifully decorated kiosk to buy eight macaroons for 27 Euros–totally worth it. Sure, there are lots of other places to get macaroons–the McDonalds on Champs actually sells them too–but the atmosphere of Laudree is so precious. The mint green colors with accented golds and pinks somehow makes these tiny squishy cookies even better! Pistachio and rose continue to be my favorite flavors, but the Maria Antoinette came in second partly because of the cute, blue, speckled color.
I continued my walk to the Arc de Triumph. If you want to get one of those iconic pics with the arc right behind you, you need to stand in line on a slim walkway between traffic. If you need that pic, do it, but please be careful. Use the stairway to go under the traffic circle and proceed to the entrance. You can buy tickets ahead of time (I purchased mine HERE) but note that while this will help you avoid the ticket line, the line to get through security and up the arc will still be pretty long. I thought the line looked insane, but it took less than an hour, and this was right before sunset. Plus, I had some macaroons to munch on while I waited. Be prepared to climb the almost 300 steps to the top and then enjoy! I personally didn’t wait for it to get dark enough for the Eiffel Tower to light up, because I thought the views of the tower from the Seine cruise were so much more spectacular. I took a few moments to awkwardly grab some pics among the crowd and get the full 360 view of Paris before making the climb back down.
I was getting pretty tired so I decided to head back to the hotel. But before I headed back, I did what one must do after having binged two seasons of Emily in Paris; I stopped at McDonalds on my walk back down the Champs. Yes, that McDonaldas–the Emily and Paris one. I wasn’t crazy hungry, and I decided if I went to the golden arches in Paris I had to get something different from what is on the typical American menu. I had a burger wrap and the actual French fries which are thicker and shorter. They had most of what we have on our menu plus a few other items like a wrap with goat cheese and an order of two macaroons!
Day 3
Morning
While you don’t necessarily need to the spend the entire day at the Palace of Versailles, I wouldn’t plan any other major activity unless you go to Versailles in the morning and then make evening plans. It’s an easy metro ride to Versailles but two Tips: there are two metro stations for Versailles. Most people suggest going to the Versailles Gauche one, but either will work. Wherever you exit, there are signs pointing you along the 15 min max walk to the castle. The lines to get in were not long due to it being the off season, but the inside felt pretty packed even in February. I booked this specific tour linked here with Get Your Guide, and I’m so glad I did. We wore headsets that allowed us to hear the guide even when we weren’t walking near him. He provided so much historical context and colorful stories as we shuffled through the Kings and Queen’s main quarters, connecting chambers, and the room of Mirrors, which is as stunning as it is in pictures. I learned so many incredible things along the way like how at the time, mirrors were a new thing in France (the first ones came from Italy but the ones in Versailles were produced in France), and each individual mirror pane (there are several in each mirror) was worth as much as a small castle. You get the feeling why the people of France were disgruntled with the disparity of wealth. The guide shared so much amazing history with a dose of humor. Without some the guided commentary along the way, I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed shuffling with the crowd though each room. Through the tour, I really got a sense of the experience of Versailles. Even though we only walked through a small portion of the estate (all though the words small and Versailles don’t really go together), I didn’t feel the need to spend too much more time there after the tour. I did take some time to walk out in the gardens. The gardens are probably spectacular in the spring or summer and I can definitely see taking the time to wander around the almost obscene amount of property. Definitely make sure to at least walk out to the end of the fountain and look around. It really gives you a clearer understanding of just how grand the palace really is.
Afternoon
When I returned, I took the metro to the Marais area and went to a pharmacy called City Pharma, known for their major discounts on skin care. I did some reading on the Caudalie brand and decided I wanted to see if it could do any thing for this dull skin of mine. And since it’s half the price in Paris than in the states I went for it. Pharmacists in Paris are very knowledgeable and despite the crowds (this place is def not a well kept secret) I was given individual attention and guidance on the right products for me. The line was less than ten minutes and totally worth the wait.
Evening
Like I said, factor in spending a significant amount of time in Versailles especially with crowds. Since I was on the 10 am tour and it was the off season, I knew I would be able to see Versailles and still get back with time to do another activity in the evening. I bought tickets for the Eiffel Tower that night at 5:30 PM. The Eiffel Tower itself was wonderful, but I made a rookie mistake with purchasing the guided tour. Don’t bother booking with an outside tour company for this. Everyone has to stand in the security line anyway, it’s very difficult to hear the tour guide, and the “tour” doesn’t include anything you couldn’t read on a plaque. Many people say the Eiffel tower isn’t worth the hype or it’s a tourist trap, but I respectfully disagree. I loved it! I thought the view was better than the Arc de Triumph, and I loved being close enough to grasp the scale of the tower. Did you know it was originally painted red? And now the brown paint that covers it is protected and not produced for anything else but the Eiffel Tower. Tip: If you can, squeeze towards the window of the elevator that takes you up. It really helped me appreciate the design and size of the monument. You can stop at the first floor where there is a restaurant and mini museum, and then proceed to the second floor. There is also the option to take a smaller elevator from the second floor to the summit. Another blunder of my tour experience was thinking my ticket was for the summit only to find out it wasn’t. Even though I didn’t get to the very top, I enjoyed walking around the second floor and underneath the tower at ground level. I could have waited for it to sparkle while I was up there, but honestly I preferred looking up at the twinkling lights from the ground. So many travel commentaries call going to the Eiffel Tower cheesy, but this travel blogger gives it a ten outta ten. Tip: After a long day like today, it was nice to have a reservation booked for dinner, so I didn’t have to stress about where to eat or let hangriness ruin my evening. IYKYK. After my 5:30 Eiffel Tower reservation, I had an 8:30 dinner reservation at L’Incontrono which is an Italian restaurant. It was tasty, but there are tons of great options for any type of cuisine within the city. It’s definitely possible to stop and eat at places you find along your way, but I personally find having a scheduled time and place to be more relaxing.
Day 4
Morning
Plan at least half a day to tour Montmarte. Today I gave myself a little extra sleep and booked an 11:00 AM food tour of Montmarte. It was a Secret Food Tour that I booked through Viator. While this was one of the pricier activities I booked, it was also one of the best experiences of the trip and worth every penny. Before the tour, take some time to stroll down Rue des Martyrs which is lined with bright and colorful shops full of produce, flowers, formageries (cheese shops), and other unique shops full of clothes and trinkets. Tip: If you go when the weather is good, a street like this or Rue Cler is a great location to browse and pick up picnic items. And even though you will be sampling food on the tour, make sure to grab a croissant and coffee as you head to the tour, because there is a good bit of wine served at the end. The tour itself walked around the base of the hill. We went to a chocolate shop, formagerie, butcher, and crepery. We got a sample of chocolates, macaroons, cheese, and a crepe (the lemon and sugar is delish). Along the way, the guide gave us information about the area and we stopped at several picturesque locations like the Wall of Love (why yes, this is another Emily in Paris reference). The tour part was lovely, but the best part was at the end. We were led into a small basement, that felt like a whitewashed cave, where we all sat together at a table. The guide proceeded to alternate serving us five meats and five cheeses all while giving us historical and culinary information about each sample. During the tour, he stopped at a bakery and bought baguettes which we tore off pieces of to go with our meats and cheeses. Tip: Parisians put their bread either on a bread plate or on the table next to them and avoid putting it on their main plate. France is known for their cheese and wine, and I don’t know if it’s just a mental thing, but I feel like the food tastes even better when you have some knowledge about it. In addition to the tour, it was so much fun getting to know the other travelers. We started out as strangers and felt like longtime friends at the end. I even met a family who knew one of my former coworkers. We ended up walking to a few stores together after the tour. Montmarte is a lovely and easy area to navigate, but a tour like this amplifies the whole experience!
Afternoon
After the tour, take some time to climb the stairs up to Sacre Couer, the famous cathedral at the top of the hill. If you have mobility issues, there is also a funicular (kind of like a mini cable car) next to the stairs (to your left if you are facing the hill) that you can pay a small fee to use. Yes, it’s a good bit of steps but really not a big deal. At the top, you are greeted with a view of the city from another angle and free access to the cathedral. Take the time to walk around inside and outside the cathedral. It definitely has presence. After spending some time at the top of the hill, wander around the streets below. Like all of Paris there are lots of cafes, boulangeries (bakeries), souvenir stops, and unique stores galore. I had to stop at the Paris Duck Store for a Parisian rubber duckie for my nephew. They are adorable and make a unique souvenir or gift. There are a lot of small shops selling all your typical souvenirs here. I thought it was worth it to go ahead and get my traditional souvenirs like postcards and a magnet. And I couldn’t help but buy my coworkers an Eiffel Tower Key chain–who cares if Pierre Cadot said it was basic 😉
Evening
Make a reservation for Le’Procope, the oldest cafe in Paris. Located in what I thought was the cutest neighborhood in Paris, Saint-Germain, it was started in 1686 and was a hang out spot for several famous writers and philosophers. The food is traditional French the historic decor creates an ambiance of old-world charm. Make sure to walk around and look at some of the displays. I was there for an hour and a half enjoying my beef cheek and sipping red wine. It was the quintessential French dining experience.
Day 5
Morning
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at any nearby cafe and then check out the Palais Garnier Opera House. Once again, book tickets early. This was way more crowded than I anticipated, but with good reason. The inside feels decadent. I could imagine putting on a beautiful black dress and making my way up the steps to see a show. It’s a place that doesn’t take a ton of time to visit, but it’s worth checking out this iconic building. And if opera or ballet is your thing, definitely check out the schedule and ticket availability. I especially loved seeing some of the ballet outfits on display from Swan Lake.
Fragonard Perfume Museum is right next door. It’s a small museum with information and displays about the perfume industry. Afterwards, sample a few of the smells and enjoy the shop. Unless you’re like me, and in that case, smell one sample, burst into a sneezing fit, and then watch the disgruntled looks as you exit the store.
Afternoon
Whether you’re into fashion or not, the colorful wall of design at the Dior Museum is worth a look. I’m no fashionista, that’s for sure, but I have always admired the silhouette of Dior fashion. That cinched in waist and flare, the sharp angles, and the bold colors are pretty bad ass. Dior is the only big name store I walked into on Champs Elysee, and while couture is not my passion, it is nonetheless beautiful to enjoy. The museum itself is small and gives a lot of background and personal information on Chris titan Dior. But let’s be real, its the colorful wall of mini Dior pieces in a stunning hombre effect that has us all lining up. You can get tickets online for a specific time slot for about 12 Euros. Just be prepared to take your time coming down the stairway that wraps around the impressive display. Take time to put the camera down and look at all the amazing individual pieces. And if you are feeling it, go for that mini Instagramable photo shoot, but try not to hold up the line too much.
Make sure to schedule some down time while in Paris so you can walk between activities and don’t have to rush. You can definitely hit all the spots you want to see in a few days, but Paris has the kind of atmosphere you also want to slow down and enjoy. I made my way over to Angelinas for some of their famous hot chocolate. The line to eat there is long, but the line for the shop is short. I popped in, grabbed a hot chocolate, and made my way over to the Tuileries Garden to sit by the fountain, read, and enjoy the most decadent cup of chocolate I’ve ever had…seriously, it is thiiicccc.
Take plenty of time to just wander the streets. The subway system is so efficient. You can just jump on and get to your destinations quickly, and then spend time wandering around, stopping for a coffee or treat at the boulangeries, or just getting lost (well you’re never really lost with maps just a reach away in your pocket). I stopped for a late lunch at Paradis cafe and had a croque misure (like a fancy grilled ham and cheese sandwich) and a couple of glasses of wine. I sat outside enjoying the vibe of the lively neighborhood before heading over to the Louvre.
Evening
So here’s my personal take on the Louvre (I’m sure there’s some art history majors who want to backhand me). For art lovers, I’m sure this must be a highlight. Although, I’ve heard from several other people and blog posts that the plethora of other museums in Paris are just as wonderful to explore. But I get that the Louvre is special with it being so iconic. I wanted to check it out for two main pieces. But here’s the thing, it’s huge. Actually, massive is probably the better adjective. And it’s crowded and a little warm. You really do need a game plan if there are certain items you want to see. You literally can’t look at everything so don’t try to. I knew the Winged Victory was my big ticket item. I also planned to drop by the famous lady (you know who), and spend a little time in the sculpture area (human sculptures along with gargoyles have really peaked my interest this trip). Then, if I wanted to stay longer I could, but I put no pressure on myself to “make the most” of this outing. The Winged Victory was everything I wanted and more. I seriously sat there for 20 minutes just taking it in. After that, I made a beeline for the Mona Lisa. I still think it’s cool even if hundreds of people are bumped up against you trying to snap pictures. The line to see her wasn’t too bad, so I zipped by and then started to head out. I stopped by one more painting that grabbed my attention. It was a painting of a woman who was either the wife of the man of the house or his mistress. The look in her eye changes depending on whether or not you believe her to be his old lady or his side piece. Then, I walked around a few statues (the Child strangling the Duck was my fave). And then I left. I was there maybe an hour and that was enough for me. But if art is your passion, plan, plan, plan ahead to get the most out of your visit. The Rick Steve’s Walking Tour also has an episode for the Louvre if you’re looking for some free guidance from a fellow art lover. There are several options for purchasing tickets including Get Your Guide and Viator.
Day 6
Morning
Leave the last day open to enjoy and tackle any items you weren’t sure you would have time for or didn’t get to. Start with brunch at a cafe. I had breakfast at several cafes during my trip, but today I wanted to go to one with all the beautiful flowers on top–you know how it is. Cafe Maison Sauvage is as instagramable as it gets. You need a reservation to eat inside but the cafe terrace is walk in. Just note that breakfast ends around 10 and full service brunch starts at 11, so get there early and wait. You can still order coffees between breakfast and brunch. So sit back and watch the crowds go by while sipping a latte or espresso before the terrace fills up. Parisians seem to love to linger at meals, so if you’ve been on the go, do as the Parisans do today and just relax.
Afternoon
Take a leisurely walk through Père Lachaise Cemetery . It might sound funny to call a cemetery beautiful, but it is. The ornate graves and mausoleums covered in moss and sprinkled with flowers are truly a beautiful and tranquil site. I didn’t think a tour was necessary for this although plenty of options exist. As you continue your afternoon stroll, go to any neighborhoods you have yet to explore or go back to your faves (I returned to Saint-Germain again and again). Find another cafe spot and read, write, post, chat, people watch–basically do whatever you want. Gather any last minute gift items like macaroons, post cards, etc. I also grabbed some food for the hotel that evening since I didn’t feel like sitting down for a full dinner. Boulangeries are a great option. You can pick up sandwiches, baguettes, and/or pastries to go. In order for a business to be called a boulangerie, they must make their products on site. I stopped at several throughout the week for a bite for lunch or if I wanted to pick up food on the nights I didn’t feel like eating out. I really feel like you can’t go wrong with any place you stop. You can also book a bakery tour to learn more about this staple of French life.
Evening
I decided last minute to book a wine tasting, because I was in France after all. Also, I needed some group activity since yesterday didn’t have a ton of social interaction. I love solo trips, but part of the joy of traveling solo is meeting new people. This was the most perfect way to end my trip–a small group wine tasting with a sommelier. I booked this specific tour last minute through Get Your Guide and I’m so glad I did. The great thing about sites like this is that although you definitely need to think about making plans ahead of time, there are often slots for several activities available day of. The class took place in a private room at the back of the wine bar with a large table surrounded by hundreds of different bottles. If you love wine, there are tons of tours and day trips to include in your trip. We started with champagne, and after six samples, we ended with Malbec. The sommelier was knowledgeable and the perfect host allowing us to talk to our fellow travelers, sip slowly, and learn about the different wine regions. I sat with people from Scotland, Copenhagen, and New Jersey. The New Jersey couple was secretly in Paris waiting to surprise their daughter who was getting engaged that night! The man I met from Copenhagen was originally from Sicily and gave me an entire itinerary for a future trip! My great-grandfather was from Sicily and my sisters and I would love to go there together. As an introvert, who also thrives off being an extrovert, this was the perfect ending to the trip reminding me that travel isn’t just about the place, but it’s the people too.
Tip: Depending on when your flight leaves, I suggest spending your last night at an airport hotel so you can take your time packing, relaxing, and prepping for your flight home.
Paris was definitely one of my favorite trips, and for sure my absolute favorite solo trip. Like Audrey Hepburn said, “Paris is always a good idea.” I loved visiting in February (which is the off season) for the typical reasons of cost effectiveness and less crowds. However, I’m sure this city is stunning in the Spring. If you go at another time of year (or any time actually) drop me a message and let me know your tips for navigating this beautiful city during different seasons!