Following the 'To-dos' of Paris

Before I travel to a new destination I like to do some research and get an idea of what kinds of things I can see, do, and eat there. But when it came time to planning my very quick trip to Paris, a place I had visited a few times before, I knew my Googleing would have to go a bit deeper.

I have done the Louver, walked along the Seine, went up the Eiffel Tower (insert any tourist trap here and I had done it in the past), this time around I was free to hit up the non-traditional 'To-dos' of Paris.

1. Eat street falafel

I do love falafels--I make them all the time. So when I saw this was on various lists of 'Things To Do in Paris', it wasn't a sacrifice. I didn't know this was a thing for Paris, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

2. Maille Boutique

When I read about the mustard on tap and the cute little ceramic pots, I knew I would be making my group take a detour to find this store. I'm pleased with my White Wine Dijon mustard purchase from France.

3. Walked by macaroons

Now we could have gone in and sampled and nibbled and bought some very expensive macaroons but instead we drooled from the window and decided our short amount of time in Paris was better used elsewhere. But still I count this as a check!

4. Printemps Haussmann

I specifically Google'd, 'Best views of Paris' knowing full well the Eiffel Tower and Arch de Triomphe would come up on the top of the list, but "been there, done that" so when Printemps Haussmann followed closely behind I was most intrigued, but what sold me was the word FREE! Located 9 stories up at the top of the large department store was a rooftop terrace and cafe. Enjoy the views with a light snack and hot drink. 

I enjoyed getting to see a different side to this familiar city, I was still a complete tourist but unwilling to wait in long queues and take the same old photos. Had I had long time available I would have popped into a smaller museum to really round off the trip.

Do you avoid actively tourist traps or seek them out first thing in a new place, if only to check them off the travel list?

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My Favourite Parisian Church

Sainte Chapelle is one of my favourite places to visit in Paris. Without fail it takes my breath away when I enter the large second story chapel. There is so much colour and glass and its just amazing to think such a strong stone structure can look so delicate inside. This place will always be top of my list of places to visit in Paris, each and every time I'm there. 

You should book a trip to Paris for this church alone. Seriously.

Is there a tourist attraction you will always visit no matter how many times you've been before?

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Best Views of Paris

Iconic cities usually have iconic skylines. That means if you view the city of let's say Paris from the Eiffel Tower, you are missing the best bit of the skyline by being in the very structure the city is known for. Don't get me wrong, taking the diagonal lift up (or stairs if you are adventurous) to the viewing decks of the Eiffel Tower is something spectacular and a must do at least once in your lifetime, however seeing the city for what it's famous for is also a must do in my books.

Eiffel Tower in the distance

To the Google machine! I discovered a place called Printemps Haussmann, a great big department store which fellow bloggers were calling "The Best Views of Paris".  I might just have to agree. We happened to arrive around sunset and took the 9 flights of escalators up to the rooftop terrace and after admiring the cityscape views we decided to actually sit down and enjoy a hot drink while the sun sank into the horizon behind my treasured Eiffel Tower.

Paris Opera House

L'église de la Madeleine

La Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre

Printemps

Well worth the free admission and accidentally perfectly timed arrival. I couldn't have imagined a better view.

Have you visited Printemps for the views? Do you have a better spot to scope out this iconic skyline?

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Maille Boutique

Before heading to Paris, I did my research. I knew I was only going to be in the city for 24 hours, I needed to economize my schedule and make a plan. Thankfully, this wasn't my first trip to Paris and had seen many of the major tourist things before. This trip I wanted to be fun with off the beaten track activities. The Maille Boutique came top of the list and I couldn't wait.

Don't know Maille? Think Dijon Mustard, they are the originators of it and have been around since 1747. This boutique is a fancy mustard shop (as you'd imagine) where you can buy many varieties of the lovely French mustard. More than that, you can sample select varieties and purchase a small filled ceramic pot with mustard on tap. ON TAP!

Dijon with mustard seeds

White Wine Dijon

I went with the White Wine Dijon. And I know I'm not kidding anyone here, we all know I clearly I only bought it to have the jar. It's so darned cute!

The mustard is rather good too.

I would highly recommend a visit to the Maille Mustard Boutique next time you find yourself in Paris. It's something different AND delicious. But do be warned, it will be the most expensive mustard you ever buy at 17 Euros for the small 100 ml pot!

PS There is also a Maille Mustard Boutique in London on Piccadilly, if Paris is just to extravagant a trip to make. 

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How to Survive a City Break in the Winter

As the weather warms up (but not here, helloooo polar vortex!), it's clear that spring is close and nothing can stop it. But it was only a few short weeks ago (okay a few more than a few) I found myself in Paris in winter. It was cold. Very cold! Obviously the warmer months are more popular times to travel, but that means crowds and more expensive accommodation. So there are benefits to travelling some amazing European cities in the off-season if you can just brave the cold. Here I am to help you survive your winter city break.

1. bundle up

Pack appropriately and remember layers are your friend. And blanket scarfs are my favourite cold weather accessory. As a Canadian, I know, when dressed appropriately any cold weather  condition can be enjoyable.

Take group selfies and share body heat

2. get street hand warmers 

 I mean you could wear mittens or you could find a street vendor and get a crepe or falafel and eat, walk, AND have toasty warm hands. Multitasking at it's most delicious.

3. take public transit

Walking about in the very cold weather can make even the most prepared person miserable without a break. Walking is great way to experience the neighbourhoods, but sometimes it's just so much more satisfying (and pleasant) to master the public transportation system of a foreign city. 

4. dot the day with going in places

There will be churches, shops, and cafes. If your plan for the day is just to explore with no set agenda than I suggest you wander and go in all the things! What better way to warm up and see some cool things. In Paris, we came across many incredible small churches which we might have just passed by on a warmer weather day.
The best part of a city break (okay, maybe one of the best things) is that you are on holiday and have all the time in the world to slow down and enjoy hot drinks in cute cafes whenever you need a warm up.

pre-pre-pre dinner drinks

hot chocolate with a view

beautiful nativity scene found in one of the churches we stopped in

Do you like visiting places during the winter? What are your cold weather survival tips?

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Holiday Highs Followed by Returning Ruts

329,679 total steps
average 25,359 steps a day
13 short days
5 European cities
a handful of nomadic Canadians
a couple fabulous Englishman
and 1 Irish soul sister
All amounts to the best English Holiday. Ever.

After the 'holiday highs' comes the fall of returning back to everyday life. The responsibilities, chores, alarm clocks and worst of all, daily routine. 

The way I best combat the 'returning ruts' is looking through the numerous (and I mean really, super numerous) photos I took and relive the foods, sights, and activities from the good old days (aka the holiday).

This instagram screenshot summarizes my trip pretty completely; lights, foods, and views.

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Wednesday Wanderings

Eiffel Tower, Paris ca 2004

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My Birthday Room with a View: Travel Link Up

Today I'm linking up with the monthly travel link up hosted by Emma, Kelly, Rebecca, and special guest Angie. When I saw that this month's travel link ups theme was "Room with a View" the below image immediately came to mind. 

The Location: Paris

The Year: 2005

The Occasion: my 23rd birthday

The story (which I might have mentioned before): My friends and I had taken a week's trip to Paris which happened to fall over my birthday. It was agreed that we would go to a museum in the morning and to the Eiffel Tower for sunset followed by nice meal at a French restaurant. I opened my eyes that morning ready for the day ahead. I jumped out of bed to gaze upon what the day had brought me. As I leaned out the window and looked up to the sky expectantly , I was greeted with sunshine and blue skies. As I was coming back into the room something odd caught my eye. It was large and fleshy, then I realized it was a Frenchman sitting down to breakfast in HIS birthday suit! I of course woke up my friend to show her my birthday surprise. Then took this cheeky (haha) photo. Obvi!

Runners up for my favourite Room with a View

1. My International Student Home during my semester abroad looked out onto Regent's park. I was spoiled.

2. The view from our Florence flat last summer. It was a bustling street below with all the Tuscan charm.

3. My friends' balcony from the 26th floor over looking the city from Shadwell. Not only do I love this view, but I aspire to return to it again one day...hopefully in the near future.

  

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Fatherly Advice

Back when I did a semester abroad in England, my parents came for a visit and we spent the month of December traveling London, Tuscany and Paris. My dad was a bit nervous about going to countries of which he didn't know the local language, until he figured out one magical phrase. (even using in their travels to Vietnam)

Italian: non capisco

French: Je ne comprends pas

Vietnamese: tôi không hiểu

English: I don't understand

Followed by a fun game of charades with a stranger as you try to figure out how to communicate without a common language. 

Leave Behind the Ordinary

I came across this great article on HelloGiggles called 'The Art of Reinventing Yourself Through Travel' by Stephanie Spitler.

It's about discovering things about yourself that you might not have know before starting your journey.

"One of the best things about travelling is embracing and exploring different parts of your personality."

I agree, travelling allows you to be a different person, possibly someone more adventurous that talks to strangers just because they are also Canadian or jumping on that train you think might be heading where you want to go.

I've been a few places and have learned some along the way. In Paris, I discovered that I'm not so much scared of heights as I am getting up there ie. the elevator ride up the Eiffel Tower was more terrifying than actually being at the top looking down.

In Slovakia at a train luggage storage, I confirmed that charades is a universal language and you can really count on the kindness of strangers.

In London, I had one of the best sandwiches of my life in a dodgy, off the high street cafe, I would never consider stepping foot into at home.

So get out there! Even if it's just a weekend road trip; "Travel is an occasion that calls for leaving behind the ordinary, in every facet of your life."

Fun travels!

Quotes from "The Art of Reinventing Yourself Through Travel"

*Since publishing this post the article I link to has disappeared.*