I am still on a complete high from my recent trip overseas to London and Paris! Both cities have been on my travel bucket list for quite some time now so making the trip was really like a dream come true.
As you may learn, traveling is basically one of my hobbies. I am literally always on the go, my frequent flyer miles are pretty impressive! LOL. . But at the least I make it a mission to travel to at least one place where I have never been, every year.
This trip started out as me just wanting to take myself to Paris for my 25th birthday. After working with a travel agent and being advised that unfortunately January wasn't the ideal time to explore Paris since it's the middle of winter, we set our sites on an early spring time trip. . Because, what's better than Paris in the Spring time!? . . In the the midst of planning London was placed on the itinerary! Why not just take advantage of their close proximity and visit both! Sooo....
First stop was London, United Kingdom!
In a nutshell, I absolutely LOVED London! Our hotel was located literally right in the middle of Central London. The London Eye was right behind our hotel, no exaggeration. We stepped out the back door of our hotel and we were on the pier of the London Eye. While Big Ben and the House of Parliament was right across the street. We stayed at the London Marriott County Hall Hotel.
Getting around London was super easy. Riding the big double- decker red city buses and the "Underground Tube" was simple. I feel like once you master the NYC subway, you can navigate any subway system in the world. In all honesty London felt so much like New York it was unreal.
After 4 days in London it was time to make our way to Paris, France!
London and Paris are only a train ride away from one another. We took the EuroStar when is pretty much the easiest way to get from London, United Kingdom to France in about 2 hours.
Paris is just as gorgeous I have always imagined it to be! Absolutely breathtaking. The entire time being there I just truly couldn't believe I was actually there. The first day we literally dropped our bags at the hotel and hit the ground running. We purchased the Paris Pass which was a 3 day pass that allotted us unlimited rides for transportation, free entry and skip line privileges to tons of museums as well as access to different attractions in the city.
I will say as much prepping as I did for the trip, the one thing I should have focused on was learning a bit more French. The only words I really did know were the basic terms of please, thank you, water and restroom. That was the one thing about Paris that was a bit difficult; the language barrier. I now know what it feels like to try and say or explain something to someone and they look at you completely confused and not able to understand you.
Simple things like ordering food (more specifically breakfast) was a bit of a challenge most mornings. However, that's what traveling is all about. Learning and being submerged in different cultures.
We ate croissants every day we were in Paris and I have no complaints. They were AH-MAZING!
First stop was London, United Kingdom!
In a nutshell, I absolutely LOVED London! Our hotel was located literally right in the middle of Central London. The London Eye was right behind our hotel, no exaggeration. We stepped out the back door of our hotel and we were on the pier of the London Eye. While Big Ben and the House of Parliament was right across the street. We stayed at the London Marriott County Hall Hotel.
Getting around London was super easy. Riding the big double- decker red city buses and the "Underground Tube" was simple. I feel like once you master the NYC subway, you can navigate any subway system in the world. In all honesty London felt so much like New York it was unreal.
One particular area of London, called Brixton was literally a clone of Harlem.
While in London we made sure to visit all of the main tourist attractions such as of course the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben as well as popular areas like Covent Garden, Borough Market. We also absolutely had to try out the London Ice Bar. Yes, a bar made of completely ice!
Icebar London was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. . . Ever!
London and Paris are only a train ride away from one another. We took the EuroStar when is pretty much the easiest way to get from London, United Kingdom to France in about 2 hours.
Paris is just as gorgeous I have always imagined it to be! Absolutely breathtaking. The entire time being there I just truly couldn't believe I was actually there. The first day we literally dropped our bags at the hotel and hit the ground running. We purchased the Paris Pass which was a 3 day pass that allotted us unlimited rides for transportation, free entry and skip line privileges to tons of museums as well as access to different attractions in the city.
Simple things like ordering food (more specifically breakfast) was a bit of a challenge most mornings. However, that's what traveling is all about. Learning and being submerged in different cultures.
We ate croissants every day we were in Paris and I have no complaints. They were AH-MAZING!
Paris is definitely a sight-seeing city so every day was filled with lots of walking and just enjoying the scenery. The entire city is literally VIEWS.
We stopped by the famous Louvre Museum to one, take pics with the pyramids, but to also see the world famous Monna Lisa painting in person! Which in reality is A LOT smaller than I imagined it to be.
Palace of Versailles
Of course I had to make a stop at the original Louboutin store and add a new pair to the collection :)
While in Paris we had to experience a true burlesque show at the one and only Moulin Rouge! What's being in Paris without experiencing this. It was such a great experience! We weren't allowed to take any photos or video of the actual show seeing as during some of the performance the women are topless; in a tasteful and theatrical way (it is France).
Another place we absolutely had to visit while in Paris was of course, DISNEYLAND! . . . It doesn't get much better than Disneyland in Paris! On our last full day in Paris we decided to have a fun day at Disneyland. The park is about a 45 minute train ride outside of the actual city and it contains a lot of the same attractions as the other Disney Parks, such as the infamous Tea Cups and "Its a Small World".
All in all this trip was one absolutely one for the books! I couldn't have had a better time in both London & Paris. This was truly a trip of a lifetime.
I am forever grateful to be able to travel and experience everything this world has to offer. Visiting these two countries where the culture and lifestyle is completely different from that of American culture was truly a learning experience. These are definitely two cities I will for sure visit again!
Where to next!?!. . . .
As always thanks so much for stopping by, as well as all of the love and support! Xoxo, Z!
