Passport to Paris

This spring I traveled to Paris with my mom and my two daughters. It was my daughters’ first trip outside the United States. For my mom, it was the trip she had always dreamed of but never managed to make happen.

If you want to find out how we surprised my mom with this amazing trip for her 70th birthday and how I planned this epic adventure, check out Planning for Paris.

Having already been to Paris once myself, this trip was about creating memories across 3 generations of women in my family. For my mom, I knew this would likely be the only time she’d ever make it to Paris. For my girls, I hoped it would be the first of many international trips and that this trip would give them the travel bug.

Our trip was in late March during my daughters’ spring break. This is not peak tourist season, so the good news was that crowds were minimal and lines were fairly short. The bad news was that the weather was definitely on the cold side.

Not too many people can say they have seen it snow in Paris, but we can!

In 10 Must-See Sites on Your First Trip to Paris, I share details of all the iconic sites we saw in Paris. But I also wanted to share perspectives straight from each of the 4 travelers on our Parisian adventure.

It can be a challenge to travel with several people in different ages and stages of life. They generally have different energy levels and interests, but that can also open everyone up to new and unique experiences. With a bit of patience and a good deal of planning, we were able to create a vacation that everyone will be sure to remember fondly for many years to come!

From each of our unique points of view, and in our own words, these are some of the highlights of Paris…

My mom, Barb (age 70)

My Favorite Activity: Seeing and walking on the Eiffel Tower since I had read an entire book about its construction.  Also the Opera House as it was so lavish.

What I didn’t love about Paris: There isn’t anything I didn’t love, except maybe the cold weather and the long plane ride home, knowing my wonderful trip was over.

My Favorite Food: It had to be the raspberry pastry since I just had to go back and buy a second one–it was so yummy.

What surprised me the most: I was surprised that the Louvre was so gigantically big outside and inside, yet it didn’t have near as many paintings as I expected, for instance, impressionism, as those were in other buildings.

Favorite Souvenir: Hard to decide. I loved wearing my scarf over there. At home, I love wearing my apron. I enjoy looking at my little shot glass and my keychain–and even my empty picture frame!!

Next place I want to travel: If I could go overseas again I would like to see England, Scotland, and Ireland. I would like to see the regular tourist attractions, but also a lot of the countryside and moors.

Sam (age 14)

My favorite activity:  Going to the big opera house tour because it was huge and very detailed and pretty.

What I didn’t love about Paris: I didn’t love the weather. It was really cold and rainy and when we went up in the Eiffel Tower it was super windy and cold.

My favorite food: Nutella crepes. I had a few and they were all really good. The ones in the US aren’t nearly as good.

What surprised me the most: How big the city was. I could not have found my way around by myself and there are so many buildings and streets.

Favorite Souvenir: A painting I bought in Painters Square (in Montmartre) of the Eiffel Tower.

Next place I want to travel: London or somewhere in Spain.

Danni (age 11)

My favorite activity:  Walking down the Champs-Elysées. We couldn’t afford most of it, but it was still enjoyable.

What I didn’t love about Paris: It was really cold and the weather wasn’t the best. And we didn’t speak the language, but that wasn’t a big deal.

My favorite food: Macarons! I like the lemon ones the best. The first ones I tried tasted the best.

What surprised me the most: How similar it was to the United States. The buildings and the fashion are mostly the same, and the people.

Favorite Souvenir: I got a Paris sweatshirt. It’s comfortable.

Next place I want to travel: I think I would go to Mexico. I’d like to go to a huge hotel with a big swimming pool and a swim-up snack bar. And check out the sand and beaches and see where some of my friends have come from.

Tanya (age 44)

My favorite activity:  Going to the Galleries Lafayette, which is a HUGE mall that is very different from ours in the United States. Also checking out a few Passages, which are seemingly hidden and winding covered avenues lined with shops and restaurants. These were two things I hadn’t seen on my first trip to Paris.

What I didn’t love about Paris: I actually started the trip with a bad cold so I wasn’t feeling 100%, but I was determined to have a fabulous time and make the most of the short time we had. And I did!

My favorite food: I love cheese! I enjoyed a huge assortment of cheeses one night for dinner, but couldn’t possibly eat it all. And I also had fun tasting many flavors of macarons.

What surprised me the most: How easy it was for the four of us to get around. We could find a metro station pretty much anytime we needed one, and my mom and the girls figured out how to navigate the metro quickly. This was a huge help since it was cold and we did less walking than I had anticipated.

Favorite Souvenir: I bought so many cool keepsakes! At the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, I purchased a copy of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, just so I could bring home a book stamped with the store’s famous logo. I also bought a trivet of a Paris scene that I display in my kitchen so I can be reminded of our trip and the City of Light often.

Next place I want to travel: So many places I want to see!!! But Italy will always remain at the top of my travel wish list.

And there you have it…4 different perspectives, spanning 3 generations, of 1 amazing city!

We all had a fabulous time in Paris, and we each fell in love with unique aspects of the city. Learn more about our Parisian adventure in my other posts, Planning For Paris and 10 Must-See Sights on Your First Trip to Paris. Bonjour!

Have you been to the City of Light? Comment below and share your favorite things about Paris!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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