The Dream Trip
Paris is
better!
NO, Venice is
better!
Both of you are
so stupid, Florence is the way to go!
All of you,
shut up. Rome is the best!
The crowds go
wild as they try to find the answer to which of these places is better and
defend their favourite. And as the Mother Teresa I am (self-proclaimed, of
course), I’m here to solve that.
I just came
back from a 13-day trip where I visited Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome and
I’ll truthfully and honestly tell you what’s worth it and what’s not.
PARIS.
Ahhh, Pah-ree!
(said in a French accent) — the Eiffel Tower, the hot chocolate, the fancy
people, the biggest art museum, and the red lips all in one remarkable city.
I can’t believe
I’m say— I mean, writing this — I’ve been to Paris!!
Enough about my time in Paris—here’s what we did that was
truly worthwhile.
First, a quick message:
BEWARE OF
PICKPOCKETS AND PEOPLE TRYING TO SELL YOU STUFF!!!!!
If you’ve ever researched travelling to Paris or any European country, you probably know that theft and scams are pretty common. So here are some things you can buy or do to keep your belongings safe:
- Anti-theft backpack – Get yourself a cute but functional anti-theft backpack with hidden zippers. Style and safety? Yes, please
- Money belt or neck pouch – Not the most fashionable thing ever, but trust me, having your cash and passport safely tucked under your clothes is better than losing them to a sneaky thief.
- Leave flashy stuff at home – That expensive watch? Maybe skip it. The goal is to look chic, not rich and robbable.
- Keep your bag in front – Cross-body bags are your best friend. Always keep them in front of you, especially in crowded places or metros.
- Watch out for distractions – Someone asking for signatures, handing you a bracelet, or “accidentally” bumping into you? Classic scams. Smile, walk away.
- Use hotel safes – Don’t carry all your valuables around. Keep your passport, extra cash, and other important stuff locked up when you don’t need them.
- Trackers – Throw an Air Tag or other tracker into
your bag or suitcase, just in case.
Trust me, being a little paranoid = being a lot more relaxed on your trip. Now that we’ve got the safety PSA out of the way, let’s talk about the magic of Paris
Eiffel
Tower
The Eiffel Tower, the 9th tallest man made
structure in the world, standing proudly at 330 meters high. If we hadn’t
visited, I think there would’ve been tomatoes thrown at us... which makes
sense, not gonna lie. But if you do plan to visit, here are some good
tips:
1. If you happen to run a couple of minutes late
(because life happens),
Surprisingly, they’ll still let you in probably because the line is very
alive and well. This actually applies to a lot of places across Europe!
2. The view is much better from the bottom.
My parents and I had tickets to go all the way to the top of the tower.
Shockingly, I made it up there after just two mini heart attacks, a couple of
falling hallucinations, and some very wobbly knees. So, all good!
To be honest, the top wasn’t that bad. It’s
covered by a wide, see-through net and offers a decent view of the city. Though
the cityscape was stunning, there wasn’t really a big WOW factor.
If you’re dying to see the view from the top like
it’s your life’s mission, go ahead and spend the extra buck. But if not, and
you're just looking for great photos of the Eiffel Tower itself, then
honestly, the ground is the best place to be. From there, you get a full,
uninterrupted view of the tower. Pro tip: go as far back as you can to capture
the full essence of this iconic structure.
Also, if you’re visiting after 8 PM, keep an eye out for the dazzling lights that sparkle for 10 minutes every hour until 11:45 PM. The lights completely elevate the vibe I’d literally describe it as magical. You just can’t take your eyes off it!
Louvre
Museum
The crowns, the jewels, the sculptures, the
paintings, the art, the history all in one building!
Fun fact: It could take you 36 days
to see every single piece in the Louvre Museum if you spent just 30 seconds at
each one. That’s over 35,000 works of art!
Here are some actual tips that won’t take
you 36 days:
1. Don’t try to do it all in one day.
While I’m not saying you should move into the Louvre for over a month, I do
recommend spending 2 to 3 days there if you want a solid experience.
That way, you can explore different sections of the gallery at a comfortable
pace without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
For opening hours, tickets, and map downloads,
check the official site:
Louvre Museum Official Website
2. Must-see highlights!
From what I experienced, these are some of the top must-visit spots:
- Mona Lisa (of course!) Yes, she’s smaller than expected and always surrounded by a crowd, but worth it.
- Galerie d’Apollon A breathtaking room filled with royal crowns and dazzling decoration.
- The Venus de Milo – One of the most
iconic sculptures from Ancient Greece.
- The Winged Victory of Samothrace – A dramatic, stunning
sculpture that’s hard to miss.
- Egyptian Antiquities – If you love ancient
history, this section is absolutely fascinating.
Tip: Download the Louvre App
or use the digital visitor’s guide to help you navigate!
Louvre App – Apple Store | Google Play
3. Surprise! There’s a mall underneath.
When you exit the museum through the Carrousel du Louvre, you'll find an
underground shopping mall. It's got everything from bakeries, clothing
stores, souvenir shops, to even Casetify (yes, I spotted one
and had to check it out Canadian instincts, right?).
Learn more here: Carrousel du Louvre – Shopping
4. Plan your route ahead of time.
The Louvre is huge, and it’s very easy to get lost or miss things you
actually care about. Take time to research which wings or art periods
interest you most (e.g., Ancient Egypt, Renaissance, French Paintings, Greek
Statues) and mark them on the map.
Also, don’t just snap a pic and move on.
Take a moment to really look at the painting or sculpture in front of
you. Read the descriptions, feel the story, and immerse yourself in the layers
of history.
Disneyland
Paris
Mickey, Buzz, Scarlet Witch — and your entire
childhood — all in one magical amusement park!
This is the day you wear your comfiest sneakers
and, arguably, bring a pillow, because the lines are going to be longer
than your mom’s weekend chore list. Add noise-cancelling headphones too because there will be a ton of crying kids. And maybe even bring your life
savings (not kidding), because… well, let’s just say the magic comes with a
price.
Here are some very needed tips to survive
and thrive at Disneyland Paris:
1. Plan your rides and parks in advance. Before you even get there, check out the rides you absolutely want to go
on. Disneyland Paris is split into two separate parks:
- Disneyland Park – Home to the iconic
Sleeping Beauty Castle, classic Disney characters, and fairy tale vibes.
Best for families and younger kids.
- Walt Disney Studios Park – Features Marvel
Avengers Campus, Toy Story Play land, Ratatouille, and more thrill-heavy
rides. More suited for older kids, teens, and adults.
Book tickets and check maps here: Disneyland Paris Official Site
Pro tip: Download the Disneyland Paris app
to check real-time wait times, show schedules, and make ride plans.
App on iOS | App on Android
2. The souvenirs are magical… and mildly expensive.
So remember when I said to bring your life savings? Yeah, I wasn’t kidding.
That tiny teddy bear you just fell in love with? It might cost you the price
of your soul or at least your lunch budget for the next week.
That said, souvenirs are part of the experience.
People fly in from all over the world to visit, and let’s be real the Euro is
stronger than many currencies. Just keep an open mind, set a budget, and maybe
choose one meaningful item to bring home. There’s everything from plush
toys to personalized mouse ears to exclusive Marvel merch.
Explore Disney merchandise in advance: Disneyland Paris Shop
3. You don’t have to be a ride junkie to enjoy it.
I’m not much of a rides person either, so I didn’t experience every thrill. But
Disney magic isn’t just about roller coasters it’s about living the movies
you grew up with.
The park has real-life recreations of iconic
scenes and locations from your favourite films. Walking through the Marvel
Avengers Campus, seeing Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, or exploring Ratatouille’s
Parisian street feels like stepping into your childhood dreams but this
time, in real life. It’s genuinely surreal.
Also, don’t miss the evening light and fireworks
show in front of the castle it’s unforgettable.
Honourable visits in Paris
The Christmas markets: This so worth it because if you do
end up travelling to Paris in the wintertime (bad choice) there are some hefty
perks like the Christmas markets but the one that I def recommend is the one
near the Eiffel tower. There is so many good foods and it has the literal
perfect view of the tower and just ends up creating a magical moment!
The Caratte – Yes the tiktok viral hot chocolate
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