Hello fellow readers,
I previously posted about traveling and how educational/life changing the
experience could be; well, today I have decided to share my trip to Europe! (Part
of it, at least) Please note, this may get a little long, but bare with me!
This trip was actually the first time I ever got to go to Europe! I got to see Scotland,
England, and Ireland in two weeks! I did so using a tour group made for young
adults; it’s called EF Ultimate Break and it was the most amazing experience. EF
made it extremely affordable by including flights, transportation, tours and stays. I
only had to worry about food, tips, souvenirs, and extracurricular activities. There
were 19 of us on the trip from all over the U.S. so I made a ton of friends! I feel
extremely lucky to have gotten the group that I did because we got along so well. My
best friend - who was the one that convinced me to take the trip - talked me into
extending our trip by three days to go to Paris, France and EF adjusted our flights
home; therefore, we only worried about flights from Ireland to France (which came
out of pocket). If you’ve wanted to take a trip but are afraid to explore on your own,
I highly recommend checking out EF especially when they have holiday deals (I
purchased my trip during black Friday time)! I hope to go on another one of their
trips soon.
If you’re not a young adult, don’t fret! EF offers so many programs including youth,
students, businesses, the list goes on and on! Check them out.
Enough of the advertisements, I’m sure you want to read about how marvelous my
trip was, so here we go! Since the trip included 4 different places, I plan to break it
up into separate posts because one post to talk about it all would drag on way too
long and there’s so much to talk about for each location. So, today I will start with
the last part of my trip which was 3 wonderful days in Paris, France!
Photo credit: Best Friend
Location: Eiffel Tower
My best friend, her boyfriend, and I reserved an airbnb in the perfect spot where we
were a short walking distance to the metro. This particular metro had the main
train we would take to get around. My friend’s boyfriend did thorough research on
where we were staying, where we wanted to visit, and how we would get there. He
truly went above and beyond, which made this experience so much better! I could
not, and cannot, thank him enough.
In two whole days we were able to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Fontaine
Saint-Michel, the Louvre (including the Mona Lisa, of course), the Basilica of the
Sacred Heart of Paris, Père Lachaise Cemetery, the Catacombs of Paris, Disney Paris,
the Arc de Triomphe, the Palais Garnier, and we ate some delicious croissants,
baguettes, and madeleines. Every place was beautiful in its own way and each holds a
new memory for me now. For instance, while at the Arc de Triomphe a bus of tourists
pulled up and these tourists flooded the streets, and I mean flooded! They were
standing in the middle of the street taking photos to the point where cars would honk
and swerve dangerously, but they didn’t move!
Photo credit: Best Friend's Boyfriend's selfie skills
Location: Palais Garnier
To be in Paris was like being transported to a different era. The buildings are
beautifully crafted with intricate molding, which is completely different than the
edifices in Los Angeles. I enjoyed walking the streets, seeing all the people and going
into small shops. I was so close to purchasing a painting from a street artists because
I thought it would feel more authentic than the replicated ones, alas, I did not
purchase it (money reasons). The weather in June was perfect because it was cool
and a little windy, but perfect to walk for hours, and walk for hours we surely did. My
ankles, knees, and hips would hurt at the end of the day, but it was worth it in the end.
Photo credit: Best Friend Photo credit: Best Friend
Location: The Louvre Location: Disney Paris
If you’ve always dreamt of going to Paris, it’s definitely worth the trip. I highly
recommend planning a trip out there, but keep in mind that everything starts to
build up in price so definitely save more than enough money. I heard somewhere
recently, “There are always a million reasons not to do something,” so stop making
excuses and start planning! You will not regret it! Play Ballad du Paris by Francois
Parisi from the Midnight in Paris album - which inspired my title - while you plan
your trip, it really sets the mood.
Live every day to the fullest.
Love, Damaris
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