London, Paris, & Barcelona in the Spring- My First Time Traveling Internationally & Solo (Part Two)

Welcome back my fellow adventure seekers, 

Have you been inspired to Go Moore Abroad as the Spring Season approaches? 

Let me provide you with some inspiration for your next trip to London, Paris, or Barcelona! In part two of this blog, I will cover my adventures through Paris. (Helpful reminder: custom brochures for each of these locations are available in the “travel toolbox” for free ☺️.)

Ten Days to cover three countries, sounds easy right? Well looking back at it, this was one wild adventure! Now I cannot take all of the credit because EF Ultimate Break planned the entire trip from flights & transfers to tours, making my first solo trip seamless. So, what do Ten days through a few of Europe’s most visited locations? Let me take you through each day, buckle up, it's going to be an adventurous ride!

Part Two: Paris, France

Day Four: Travel Day/ First Day in Paris!

Bonjour, it’s time to start practicing my French, we are heading to Paris! A new stamp on my passport means another traveling experience through Europe checked off! Departing from Kings Cross, everyone wanted to visit Platform 9 ¾ though I was not sure what to expect, I sadly was underwhelmed when arriving at just the brick wall. The great news, it was finally time to board my Harry Potter-like adventure anyway. Heading across the border via train was so unique to me as we of course went through TSA, and border patrol all at once. 

This was the most peaceful train ride, where my journaling was often interrupted by the breathtaking landscapes as we rode by. Under these conditions taking some time to rest was essential. Before I knew it, it was time for us to prepare to disembark, the shortest four hours ever! It is known that the French are very passionate about their language and culture, so the best way to enjoy your time is to put in the effort when speaking, and understand that their responses are not always intentionally ‘rude.’ With that being said, we have a city to explore, so immediately after checking in, we wash up, change, and head out again.

Our director showed us around a few key areas to shop, eat, etc., then we rushed to a surprise boat tour along La Seine. This is the best way to see Le Louvre, Pont Alexandre III, then what we all have been waiting for… the EIFFEL TOWER! Just as astonishing in person as you would imagine. Depending on the direction you approach the tower and the sun’s point in the sky you are able to see the Eiffel Tower in two different colors! Winding down the evening with a trip outside the St. Michel Norte Dame and dinner, day one in Paris was a definite success.

Day Five: Let’s Explore All Over Paris

My bourree, scarf, and trench coat are ready for the day’s adventures. Today we are touring all over Paris but in a unique way this time, via bus and a guide. With my boot heels on, my feet are so thankful! We gain insight on the history of Paris, and various landmarks we have passed before taking our first stop at the Dôme des Invalides, where we stumble across the cutest place for a coffee and a croissant. I don’t drink coffee often, however in between the time difference and lost hours of sleep, the coffee helped me through the day.

Now, onto the main attractions: first, we stopped at the Eiffel Tower, where we can quickly snap a few pictures in front of the beauty. Then on to the Arc de Triomphe, a massive and intricate monument, but at one of the busiest and most dangerous intersections! We then pass through sights like the Moulin Rouge and the Wall of Love before heading up the hill to Square Louise Michel. The view of the city, along with the various locks of love, was just breathtaking. With more stairs to conquer, we reached the top of Sacré Coeur Church, which was definitely worth every second.

Crepes and steak, in that order, were the ultimate refuel to keep me going. On to Le Louvre, one of the most famous museums in France where you can find the Mona Lisa. For this next gem, all thanks have to go to the power of social media. My friend found this tip out on TikTok, and it did not disappoint. The Galeries Lafayette, I would call the Harrods of Paris, with a beautiful touch of glimmer and glam. If you navigate through the various flights up to the rooftop, you will get another amazing birds-eye view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower as well! 

To cap off the night, we journey to the Eiffel Tower after 9 pm to catch it sparkling. Be sure to be prompt, because the next time to catch this phenomenon will be the following hour! Now, late in the night we desperately searched for places to eat and were able to find an amazing restaurant. A hot chocolate with a calzone, ice cream, and an unexpected opera show, this day was nothing short of spectacular!

Day Six: Versailles Palace & Gardens

Time to feel like royalty as we arrive at the Versailles Palace & Gardens. The gardens in themselves are a masterpiece. The landscaping and designs tell a story like a work of art, and I took in every acre of it. From the paths to the ponds, the lines of sculptures, to the decoration of the trees, it is clear that the Royal Gardens must match the Royal Palace.

A Palace this massive blows my mind. I mean each and every room, from the ceiling to the floor has a special design clearly handled with such care. You can get lost just by staring at the masterpieces. With endless mirrors and chandeliers, I could only imagine how enchanting the balls would be here. Way beyond what we’ve seen in Bridgerton, but equally exquisite.

After countless points of falling asleep in the midst of taking pictures on the journey back to the center, it was clear that a good meal and taking the evening slow were necessary. Staples of Paris: Onion soup and cheese fondue, along with various pairings, were essential for me to try. The last stop of the day was the Musée d’Orsay, a lovely museum across the pond from the Louvre. One last tip for visiting landmarks or museums: be sure to plan your tours as far in advance as you can and know the closing times- missing out on these gems would be a bummer.

This was only day six out of ten… We are heading to Barcelona next, catch the journey in the next blog!

Xoxo, Ms. Moore Abroad ♡