Ah, Paris…the city of love!
Even without a hot European boyfriend to stroll down its beautiful streets with, I had no trouble falling in love with the city of love!
Although I arrived with extremely high expectations, Paris did not disappoint.
Simply put, it is enchanting and inspiring.
The scenery is picture perfect. From stunning pearly white buildings and charming sidewalk cafes, to blooming gardens and beckoning boutiques, the city is definitely designed to meet the whim of almost every traveler. I now understand why the Hilton’s named their first-born daughter after this place 😉
The Arc de Triomphe is magnificent, huge, and well…triumphant. Notre Dame is truly a work of art – it’s easy to see why Walt Disney made a film about it. With its towering walls and gothic design, it was well worth visiting – even without spotting the Hunchback or Esmeralda. The Louvre is fantastic (not to mention free for students – #winning). It houses the Mona Lisa, the Winged Nike, and the Venus de Milo – and the list just goes on! You simply can’t go inside and escape uncultured.
And then of course, there’s the shopping. Rodeo Drive pales in comparison to the wonder that is Champs de Elysses. Stores like Hermes and Gucci line the streets for miles – sparkly glass windows, dazzling displays, and of course, price tags to match. There was actually a line to get into Louis Vuitton…and not a small one either. You would have thought Santa Claus was inside taking wish lists or something.
And what would a trip to Paris be without a visit to the most famous monument in the entire world: the Eiffel Tower! I have been fortunate to travel to a lot of amazing places in my life, but when I walked below the Eiffel Tower at night, and it literally lit up and sparkled under the stars, I was at a loss for words. It was truly magical. I have a hard time believing that any of my European adventures this year will top it…(with the exception of possibly marrying Prince Harry in London and becoming royalty 😉
And then there’s the food, which deserves at least one paragraph, if not its very own blog. The cuisine is absolutely scrumptious! French food, just like Paris itself, is famous for a reason. I ate more delectable food in one weekend than I was even aware existed. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that French words even make food sound more delicious…for example: escargot = snails, and crème brulee = burnt cream. I had butter crepes, chocolate crepes, caramel crepes, sugar crepes, and a bunch of other flavors I don’t even know how to translate. And guess what – every single one was like tasting pure happiness. I ate more French bread than is socially acceptable, and consumed a bare minimum of a croissant a day. As for dessert, I ate macaroons the size of my face (which are worth every single calorie by the way) and chocolate soufflés, which literally melted in my mouth. Paris definitely provides a taste of the fine life – including the opportunity to sip champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s not only delicious, but makes you feel like you’re on top of the world!
Because, after all, you are 😉
