30th in Paris
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to stroll the streets of Paris and I was finally able to check it off my bucket list while celebrating the big 3-0. The city is absolutely amazing, from the beautiful architecture to the tasty food and fabulous shopping. Have you been? If not, trust me you have to go. Check out some of the highlights below!
Flight and Hotel
I flew to Paris on Lufthansa airlines and had no complaints. The crew was amazing and so were the unlimited drinks!
Typically, I prefer to stay at a Marriott when I travel, but for this trip I chose a nice little boutique hotel in Champs Elysees. Hotel Le A was in a great area and was very chic and clean. I will say that I was shocked at how small the room was, however I quickly learned that this was common in Europe. There were only 26 rooms at the hotel so the staff was very attentive and familiar with the guests. We even met the owner. My favorite part of the stay was tea time - each night at 6 they put out tea and macaroons for guests to enjoy by the fireplace. I would definitely stay with them again!
Food
I didn’t know what to expect from the food in Paris, because I had heard mixed reviews from friends, but it turned out to be delicious. The ingredients were really fresh and there seemed to be less sugar/salt and more flavor in the food. I had so much cheese, bread and champagne. My favorite meal was the salmon pizza at Cesar Restaurant (which I had twice). Also, the macarons at Laduree were to die for!
Activities
When in Paris, especially if it’s your first time, you have to hit all the go to spots: the Eiffel, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, etc. These sites were even more gorgeous in person than they were in photos. The Eiffel lit up at night is truly what dreams are made of!
All that being said, I must admit the best part of the trip was the Christmas Market in the Tuileries Garden. I felt like I was in the middle of a Hallmark Movie – it was like a little Christmas wonderland! There was a Ferris wheel, skating rink, crafts and so much food. I purchased bottles of cognac as souvenirs and ended the night with some delectable beignets.
Shopping
I did not expect to really shop in Paris, but I had no idea that I could get such a bargain. Luxury goods are a bit cheaper there than in the U.S. and on top of that you receive a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund on your purchases over $175 in one store. I received refunds of 10-12%.
My friend and I enjoyed shopping in Champs Elysees, Rue Saint-Honore, and Galeries Lafayette. Champs Elysees was more touristy but also came with better customer service. We agreed that we have to go back soon just for the shopping.
