Katie Nehrir, a sophomore from Newport Beach, the capital of suburbia as she described it, prefers to spend her vacations in large bustling cities. She said she appreciates the various activities and culture they have to offer tourists. The No. 1 city on her list to visit is Paris.
Nehrir said she counts herself among those who romanticize Europe.
“I like the fact that it’s kind of an escape going to Paris,” Nehrir said.
Her perfect day in Paris would begin at a local coffee shop with a coffee, before starting her self-guided walking tour, she said.
“I know in Paris, it’s more about the coffee culture and sitting down and enjoying your coffee,” Nehrir said. “So I probably wouldn’t take it in a disposable cup.”
She would continue her day by walking along the Jardin des Tuileries, a public park between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde, and pausing to listen to street musicians she stumbles upon, she said.
“I try to look for the smaller moments,” Nehrir said.
Nehrir’s most memorable trip to Paris was this past summer while studying abroad in Pepperdine’s International Program at the Chateau d’Hauteville in Switzerland. She described the solo trip as “liberating.”
“I got on a train early in the morning, and I went there completely solo,” Nehrir said. “This experience offered a lot of growth, and having that sense of accomplishment and like I could do whatever.”
A favorite space of Nehrir’s in Paris is the Musee de l’Orangerie. The museum Claude Monet created is meant to be a sort of meditative space, Nehrir said. The Musee de l’Orangerie showcases Monet’s impressionist “Water Lilies” series that gives the illusion of an endless horizon.
“The museum allowed me to take the time and pause and reflect and just be at peace for a few moments,” Nehrir said.
Nehrir studied French in high school and has continued the language in college. She said it’s been a rewarding experience to practice abroad with native speakers.
Nehrir’s top three Paris recommendations include trying to speak French, allowing oneself to get lost in new experiences and following locals on the off-beat path.
“Just try to have as authentic of an experience as possible,” Nehrir said.
A Family-Oriented Spot
Senior Sofia Hernandez said the fluid and family-oriented city of Madrid, Spain, is one of her favorite destinations to visit.
As a Mexican-American, Hernandez said she’s visited Madrid several times to see family.
Hernandez said she enjoys staying near the Parque de El Retiro in Salamanca. The park, comparable to New York’s Central Park, is known for its nature and roaming peacocks.
Manolo Bakes is one of Hernandez’s favorite morning spots to grab a croissant and a coffee. She credited the boutiques along Calle de Lagasca for building her wardrobe. Something unique about Madrid’s boutiques is that many of them don’t have names.
“Weekends are super family-oriented,” Hernandez said. “You’ll stay at the same restaurant table for like five hours at a time.”
A staple dish in Madrid is paella, a well-seasoned rice and seafood dish. Hernandez’s recommended restaurant for paella is Amparito Roca.
“I definitely want to live there [Madrid] when I’m older,” Hernandez said.
A Relaxing French-Style Holiday
Senior Marla Steel said the best day of her life and top place to travel is a combination of Eze and Cap Ferret in the South of France.
Her picturesque day would include jet skiing with her family in the French Riviera, lunching on Paloma Beach (with the unforgettable fried zucchini flowers) and the friendly people.
“The most memorable trip I’ve taken,” Steel said. “I almost feel guilty saying that being Italian because I’ve been to so many amazing places in Italy, but it was just so unforgettable.”
Her recommended places to stay in the South of France include the Hotel Chateau de La Chèvre d’Or and the Royal Riviera, Steel said.
While in Eze, Steel and her family visited a local farmers market where vendors sold fresh fruits and handmade soaps from wooden carts, Steel said.
Steel described her ideal time in the South of France as laying back with a summer beach read, swimming in the French Riviera and participating in the food culture.
“It felt like a movie,” Steel said.
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Email Rachel Flynn: rachel.flynn@pepperdine.edu
