3 Days in Paris


Paris is a beautiful city that you can probably wander around for a lot longer than 3 days, but when you’re limited on time, 3 days in Paris are magical.

Day 1: Welcome to Paris!

Check into your accommodations and freshen up before heading out to explore the city.
We stayed at a lovely Airbnb apartment in Montmartre, right about the quaint shops.

Hop on the Big Bus Tour to get a glimpse of the city. Yes, this is super touristy but it’s one of the best ways to see all the famous landmarks around the city without killing your feet. Because of the great experience I had on the Big Bus Tours, I look for them in any major city I go to.

Take in the beauty of the Eiffel Tower, you have the option to go up and view the city but might I suggest going up the Arc de Triomphe instead? They say the view from the Eiffel Tower is beautiful but it’s missing one thing…the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Grab a sandwich or savory crepe from Happy Caffe and walk through the Jardin des Tuileries Garden until you find the Louvre Museum, you won’t have time to explore all the art but you can look into the eyes of the Mona Lisa. If you have an extra day to spare you should lend it to the Louvre so you can appreciate the beauty it has to share.

Next walk along The Seine River and the Bouquinistes, which are the green boxes where you’ll find merchants selling books, art, and souvenirs. Take a stroll along one of the bridges to Notre Dame Cathedral and take a moment to appreciate the Gothic architecture. After exploring the area make your way to Shakespeare and Company and purchase a book or two.

You are now in the Latin Quarter, wander the streets until you find the perfect location for dinner.

End your night with a good view of the Eiffel Tower on the hour to watch the lights dance around and fill you with childlike wonder.

Day 2: Paris Explorer!

Spend the morning walking around Montmartre and up the steps up to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. Follow in Amélie’s footsteps to Cafe Des 2 Moulins to take a few photos before heading to lunch at La boite aux lettres.

After lunch, it’s time to explore the famous Paris Catacombs, and spend a couple of hours walking through tunnels lined with human bones.

Now it’s time to walk like royalty through the immense grounds that is The Palace of Versailles. Or if walking is now a bore to you with your royal mindset you can rent a bike and ride through the gardens.

If you have a kitchen in your accommodation pick up some items to have a home-cooked meal. You can get fresh cheese, baguettes, meats, pasta, and sauce to make a hopefully memorable meal.

Day 3: Disneyland Paris!

Get up! We’re going to Disneyland Paris!

A bit out of the city but easy to get to, you’ll want to arrive and line up before the park opens. I suggest starting at Walt Disney Studios to knock out the big rides before heading over to Disneyland where you’ll probably spend most of your time.

Spend the day being a big kid, running around with happiness. Find your way to Disney Village (Downtown Disney) for shopping, food, and entertainment.

Disney Tip: Everyone runs to Crush’s Coaster when the gates open.

Paris Tip: Don’t let anyone hand you anything, put anything around your wrist, or ask if you speak English as they try to have you sign something. It’s all a scam! They will try to make you pay, pickpocket you, or get you to put your bags down while someone comes around and takes off with them. Unfortunately, theft is a big thing in Paris so make sure your possessions are protected and brush up on the latest scams with a simple Google search. With all that being said, don’t be afraid to explore and see new things.

Well there you have it, you just spent three days in Paris and boy are my arms tired…huh?

Reading is an Adventure

Reading is an adventure
that never ends
– Charles Shulz

One of the best ways for us to travel is with our own imagination. It may sound cliche but Charles Shulz was onto something magical, reading is an adventure! Think of the writers who brought you books that you will read over and over again, are you transported to a new place? Can you imagine the taste, smells, or emotions that the characters were feeling? That’s the power of reading!

I remember getting those Scholastic book fair catalogs in elementary school, rushing home, and circling all the books I was hoping to get. Finally, the day had come, I would walk into the school Library with the money I begged my mom for and pick my new adventure. “Magic Tree House” and “The Boxcar Children” were among my favorites, wondering where the next journey would take us. I still get excited anytime I walk into a library or book store, a library card is a mini passport waiting for stamps. What would be in your “reading passport”? Maybe Middle Earth or the Forbidden Forest?

So let’s celebrate reading and continue the adventure by simply opening a book.

Business Insider “The 21 greatest travel of all time”

 

The Ongoing List of Travel Movies

One of the best ways to inspire you to travel or go on an adventure is watching flicks where they go to amazing destinations. So here is my ongoing list of travel movies I recommend, be sure to add your favorites in the comments below!

Almost Famous

Image via DreamWorks

One of my favorites! 15 year old, William is hired by Rolling Stone Magazine to tour and write a piece about up and coming band, Stillwater.

Amelie

Image via Miramax

Amélie is a waitress at a Parisian café who wants to make those around her happy.

Away We Go

Image via Focus Features

Parents-to-be (Maya Rudolph & John Krasinski) travel across America to find the perfect place to raise their family.

Back To The Future

Image via Universal Pictures

No matter which one you watch from the trilogy you’re in for an adventure with Marty and Doc Brown.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Image via Orion

Alex Winter & Keanu Reeves play a couple of high school buddies wanting to start a band but risk the failure of their history class which means Ted would be sent to Military school. I mean, adventure is in the name. This movie gives you a history lesson and great quotes.

The Bucket List

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Two strangers (Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson) meet in a hospital where they share the same room and decide to complete their bucket lists before their time is up.

Catch Me If You Can

Image via DreamWorks

The chase is on around the world to catch Frank Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio)

Chef

Image via Open Road Films

I love Jon Favreau! I swear the DMV instructor who tested me when I was 16 is his body double. Anyways….this is about Chef Carl (Favreau) and his passion for food. With the help of his best friend and son, they fix up a food truck and travel across the country delivering Cubanos.

Eat, Pray, Love

Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment

Liz played by the beautiful Julia Roberts is on a quest for self-discovery which has her taking a trip of a lifetime.

Euro Trip

Image via Paramount

In this comedy, Scott is on a quest across Europe to find his pen pal Mieke.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Image via Universal Pictures

Jason Segel plays Peter, a musician who recently got dumped by Sarah played by Kristen Bell. He escapes to Hawaii to get over her only to find she’s there with her new beau.

Goonies

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

The ultimate adventure movie about a group of friends looking for lost treasure.

Homeward Bound

Image via Disney

In this family favorite an American bulldog, golden retriever, and cat take a thrilling journey to get back home.

Indiana Jones

Image via Paramount

Dr. Jones! An adventuring archaeologist, need I say more?

Into the Wild

Image via Paramount

This soul-searching movie is about Christopher played by Emile Hirsch, letting go of possessions and exploring the wilderness.

Just Go With It

Image via Columbia Pictures

A comedy about Danny (Adam Sandler) trying to win over young Palmer (Brooklyn Decker) by lying to her about his fake family with Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) takes them to Hawaii.

Lord of The Rings

Image via New Line Cinema

An epic journey to destroy One Ring

Lost in Translation

Image via Universal Studios

Two lonely strangers meet in Tokyo, Japan, and share an unlikely bond.

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Image via Disney

A witch in training has to move to a seaside town where she starts a courier service.

Midnight in Paris

Image via Sony Pictures

Gil played by Owen Wilson is a screenwriter and aspiring novelist vacationing in Paris when he seems to be swept back in time to the 1920s

The Muppet Movie

Image via Disney

Kermit the Frog meets some friends on his journey from Florida to California to pursue a movie career.

National Lampoon’s Vacation

Image via Warner Bros

A hilarious comedy about Clark (Chevy Chase) trying to take his family on a vacation.

National Treasure

Image via Disney

Some people really don’t like Nicolas Cage but no matter your feelings I suggest watching this movie. A take on Indiana Jones if you ask me, a journey to find treasure and unveil the truth in history.

PS I Love You

Image via Warner Brothers

A bit of a tear-jerker, Holly played by Hilary Swank is set on different tasks left by her deceased husband played by Gerard Butler.

Roman Holiday

Image via Paramount Pictures

European Princess played by Audrey Hepburn takes a night off in Rome from her goodwill tour.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Image via 20th Century Fox

Walter (Ben Stiller) is a daydreamer set to find the missing picture needed to print in Life Magazine by going on an adventure of his own

Seeking a friend for the end of the world

Image via Mandate Pictures

Two neighbors played by Steve Carell and Keira Knightley embark on a journey as the world is ending.

Stand by Me

Image via Sony Pictures

Four friends set out to find a dead body.

Trains, Planes & Automobiles

Image via Paramount

A comedy staring Steve Martin and John Candy who get stuck with each other as they try to get home for the holidays

Under the Tuscan Sun

Image via Touchstone

What starts out as a tour of Italy turns into Frances (Diane Lane) purchasing a Tuscan villa.

UP

Image via Disney Pixar

Carl is set out to fulfill his lifelong dream when he’s surprised by a tag-along named Russell.

Up in the air

Image via Paramount

Ryan played by George Clooney, fly’s around the world firing people, but he has a new co-worker traveling with him played by Anna Kendrick.

The Way

Image via Icon Entertainment

A story about a man (Martin Sheen) who travels to France to collect the remains of his son (Emilio Estevez) and ends up finishing the journey his son was on.

Wild

Image viz 20th Century Fox

Cheryl, played by Reese Witherspoon, set’s out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail alone.