My Dream Vacation Exploring the Sights of Paris
I’ve always dreamed of going on a European vacation, and Paris was at the top of my wanderlust bucket list. As soon as my feet hit the ground after the long but comfortable eight hour flight aboard my preferred airline, I felt like I had stepped into an Edith Piaf song.
Wandering the postcard-perfect streets, gazing at the cafés, bakeries and fashionable boutiques, was like walking through an Impressionist painting come to life. My first mission was to fulfill my teenage goal of snapping a selfie with the towering Eiffel Tower in the background.
Riding the old-timey elevator up to the observation deck took my breath away – the 360 degree panoramic views of the city were bien magnifique!After that quintessential Parisian experience, I headed straight for the vast Louvre museum, anxious to see the Mona Lisa up close and personal.
Her coy smile was surprisingly small, but seeing such a famous masterpiece in person gave me goosebumps. I got lost in the seemingly endless galleries filled with priceless works of art and artifacts from centuries past.
If only the Louvre wasn’t so enormous – I could have happily wandered its corridors for days on end!One of my favorite travel moments was sitting canal-side at a tiny cafe, savoring a café au lait and flaky croissant while watching the world go by.
The relaxing Parisian coffee culture is so inviting and charming. Later, I enjoyed even more of the local flavors at a buzzy sidewalk brasserie, pairing French wines with dishes like coq au vin that I’ve only dreamed of tasting.
I had to pinch myself when visiting magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. Gazing up at the Gothic arches and stained glass rose windows, I was awestruck by its ancient beauty. Though damaged from the recent devastating fire, its elegance and history still left me speechless.
To end my night, I took an enchanting twilight stroll down the Champs-Élysées to admire the Arc de Triomphe illuminated against the dusky sky. With its joyful vibrancy, world-class art and culture, and postcard-worthy sights, Paris truly lives up to its reputation as the City of Light! This trip went above and beyond my Francophile dreams.
