France
Landmarks
Paris, France was everything I hoped it would be and more. The city is packed with romance and glamor. Of course, I cannot talk about Paris without mentioning their claim to fame: The Eiffel Tower. Seeing this landmark was a magical experience. I sat on a bench at the base of the tower for ages, not wanting to miss a second. I watched the beauty of the tower when its sparkling lights danced in the night sky. Another one of my favorite Paris landmarks was the Arc de Triomphe. This iconic monument is featured in the center of an enormous roundabout, leaving underground tunnels as the only method of entry (although I did see several tourists attempt to cross the hazardous 12 lanes of traffic). The arc is engraved with gorgeous art and information about historical French battles.
Food
One aspect of my visit to Paris that I wasn’t expecting to love as much as I did was the food. I had incredible crepes from a local street vendor that were filled with Nutella and bananas. There were many indulgences of delicious pastries and gelato. Of course, I couldn’t go to Paris without trying macrons. There was even a bagel sandwich from a locally owned shop that changed my life. However, the star of the show had to be the heavenly pistachio croissant that I ate every day I was in Paris (pictured left).
Excursions
After exploring the Eiffel tower up close, I took a river cruise along the Seine. It was so amazing to get a better view of all of the remarkable sites Paris has to offer. I was able to see Notre Dame under construction, Orsay, and of course, the Louvre. I also got the chance to hike around the 7th district of Paris to see some of the most picturesque views of the city. Next, I explored Petit Palais, a gorgeous palace with a full art museum inside. The palace had beautiful art, sculptures, and a stunning courtyard (pictured on the right). Lastly, I got to spend a lot of time in the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens which featured lovely nature scenes and statues.
