12 years ago, my husband took a job on the east coast, so I had to leave my beloved San Diego. I have several good friends who are still there; therefore, I relish the times that we get together and create new memories. Shortly after I moved, my friends and I decided that we’d try to get together every other year for a girls’ trip to parts unknown.”
DESTINATION
Deciding where to go for our first international getaway was pretty easy. We all agreed it would be Paris.
DAILY ADVENTURES
One thing for sure is, Paris is not short on things to do! I’ve narrowed it down to our top 10 favorites:
1. Palace of Versailles – The palace, Mary Antoinette’s hamlet, and the beautiful garden and estate are truly a sight to behold. It is absolutely beautiful and a must do for anyone visiting Paris. Be sure to schedule a tour, as hearing the history really brings the palace to life. Also, don’t make the same mistake we did and try to go on a Monday, as they are only open Tuesday thru Sunday.
2. Eiffel Tower – This is a no brainer!
3. Seine River Dinner Cruise – While this might seem like a gimmicky tourist attraction, I absolutely loved it. We paid extra for window seating, so it was quite expensive ($190 USD per person), but it was so stunning to see Paris lit up at night from the water. Dinner was good and the live music was great. In my opinion, the high price tag is worth it for this one-of-a-kind experience.
4. Electric Bike Tour – Riding electric bikes around Paris is really a lot of fun. In this tour, you’ll get an overview of all of the sights on or nearby the Seine.
5. Notre Dame – You can’t visit Paris without seeing the Mona Lisa.
6. Wander the Neighborhoods – Much of the charm of Paris comes with just wandering the streets. Stop off for coffee and croissant and people watch for a while. My favorite neighborhoods are Le Marais, Saint Germain, and Montmartre.
7. Champagne Day Trip – We had a fabulous day sipping bubbly at Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger.
8. Arc de Triomphe and Champ-Elysees – The Champ-Elysees is a lovely tree-lined avenue dotted with the city’s most stylish restaurants and boutiques. Located on the West end of Champ-Elysees and where 12 streets merge together lies the Arc de Triomphe, a memorial to those heroes who fought and died for France. Take in 360-degree views of the city from this historical monument.
9. Take a Food Tour – Discover the hidden foodie gems from a local and try out some French favorites like fresh macaroons, gougère, croque monsieur, crepes, or warm croissants.
10. Picnic at Luxembourg Gardens – Indeed, with miles of beautifully manicured gardens, it’s the perfect location to sit back and enjoy some French wine, a fresh baguette, and some Parisian cheese.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Odeon Saint Germain is a great little boutique hotel. Granted, the rooms are small, but that is to be expected in Paris. We loved that there was a large lounging area just off of the lobby where we could gather each evening, drink wine, laugh, and plan that night’s events. They have a very friendly staff; furthermore, the location is fabulous, and I would definitely stay here again.
AMAZING LOCATION
Whether you’re planning your first girlfriends’ trip, or you’re looking for a fabulous new location to holiday with friends, Paris should really be at the tippy top of your list. Notably, it has everything….culture, food, amazing sights, history, and beauty. We loved our time in ‘the city of lights’ and I promise you will too.
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