I had been dreaming about traveling to Paris since I was 6 years old, and the time had finally come. We boarded a plane in Athens, Greece, and I spent the whole 3 hours or so practically shaking with excitement. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do first, Eiffel Tower, croissant, or maybe window shop on the Champs-Elysees. When we touched down, my friend turned to me and asked why baguettes were not served to us upon arrival. This a question I would still like answered, to be honest. Luckily, everyone’s bags made it (a fear I will never not have), and we were on our way to the city of love! As soon as we entered the Paris city zone, I knew I would adore this city. The architecture is absolutely stunning and unlike anything I had ever seen in all my travels, both within the States and abroad. The rounded roofs, ornate wrought iron balconies, and marble-looking designs carved into buildings are something out of a movie. Every side street you look down looks like a screensaver because of how picturesque and charming it is. Flower-covered cafes and bistros with locals and tourists spilling out onto the cobblestone sidewalks line the streets. The sweet and savory aromas flowing out of every boulangerie and patisserie make your mouth water and your feet magically transport you inside. Window shopping on the Champs-Elysees leads to the most beautiful view of the Arc de Triomphe, and if you catch it at sunset, a lovely soft pink glow illuminates it perfectly. Finally, the most quintessential Paris activity that I cannot recommend enough is the Eiffel Tower experience. Taking the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower will run you about 28 euros, but the view from the top is truly priceless. The platform allows you to see a 360-degree view of the whole city, and it’s breathtaking. If you time it right, you can reach the ground around the same time the Tower starts twinkling, which is worth a special trip every evening. Paris, you have stolen my heart, and I’m already planning a trip to come back, J’t’aime!
