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| Buildings in Paris |
If you are a college student that wants to travel, but doesn't think they can, you are wrong. I was living on a budget back in Flagstaff, and I still do live on a budget not having a job here in the Netherlands. Despite that, I have been able to travel to some pretty cool places. One place that I can say I am honored to have gone to, is Paris, France.
First off, Paris is only about 3 hours by train. Second, be prepared to have a full wallet, because the city is expensive. But when you think about it, this could be your only time you will visit a place like Paris! I think that being here in Europe anyways makes it easy to travel. I mean, can you imagine paying for a flight from LA to Paris? Yeah you would have to save up a lot.
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| Walking along the Champs Elysees - Paris |
We had no idea where we were going either. We packed one backpack full of clothes, knew the name and area of our hotel, and went from there. We were pretty much like lost backpackers. We got off the train and headed to the metro. When we got off the metro at one stop, we were breathless.
We had no idea where we were going, all we knew is that we needed to find the Eiffel Tower, and walk towards that. Turns out, it was a pretty good idea. We walked about an hour and half and saw so much that we didn't even know! We walked past the Institut de France, Musee d'Orsay, Musee de l'armee, and then finally saw the Eiffel Tower.
It was kind of strange to think that we were actually in Paris. I know it sounds ridiculous, but when you think of a place you have always wanted to go, and then you see that you are right there in person, it gives you this surreal feeling.
After we finally found our hotel, we set the bags down, and quickly realized that hotel rooms in Paris are not big and grand like you might expect them to be. Nope. Pretty much if you are a heavier set person, I wish you the best of luck. To explain how small the room was, think of two twin beds next to each other, and a desk on one side. Now just add walls. It was tiny!
Despite the small size of the room, we got it for a good price in the perfect location. For only $113 a night we were staying right by the Eiffel Tower. Can't beat that! So, with that being said, if the size of the room isn't a big deal, I can recommend Hotel Derby Eiffel. It was clean, the staff was nice, and it was in a great spot.
Now, since my cousin and I were only in Paris for two nights, we were rushing with everything. Unfortunately we did not have any time to go to any museums, so it was just looking at the surroundings, and moving along. Luckily, we were able to see a lot when we first arrived to Paris, but on our first night, we took a night tour that we saw in a brochure in the hotel lobby.
The night tour was pretty cool, but a bit pricy for what we got; it was €62 for 2 hours driving around Paris, looking at all the sights, and listening to some French guy talk about the history of the city and what-not. It was cool don't get me wrong, but I wish we were able to get out and take pictures of all the different places. We had to sit in the car the whole time and just drive past all these historical landmarks. Would I recommend it? Probably not. If you can search around and find a tour that lets you get out and see all the buildings and take pictures, and is cheaper...do that.
Speaking of places to recommend, if you have been to Disneyland in California, I say you skip out on
Disneyland Paris. (As wonderful as it sounds, this Disneyland was NOT the happiest place on Earth).
My cousin and I were so excited for Disneyland Paris! To see all the rides, experience how different things were and everything. We got there when the park opened at 10, and by the time it was 2pm, we were disappointed. No Mickey pretzels, not a lot of rides, it wasn't that great. For one park ticket it cost €62, which is cheaper than going to Disneyland in California, but I guess you get what you pay for. It was a bummer actually, because I was so excited to see the castle (best part by the way), and I was so excited to get a Mickey pretzel and go on the rides! By the end of the day, I had wished I spent the money to be at the real Disneyland.
We were expecting so much while we were there, but Space Mountain was closed, the Haunted Mansion was closed, Indiana Jones was an outdoor roller coaster, Pirates of the Caribbean was out of order - it was not what we were used to.
And to finish my rant of how I didn't like the Disneyland, it was cold! Raining, windy and cold. Now, my rant is over.
Despite Disneyland being a bust, it was a fun day. We ended up going to Rainforest Cafe after and spending way too much on a decent meal, and then we made our way in the rain back to the city.
The next morning, my cousin and I woke up and realized that today was the day we were headed back to the Netherlands. I recommend to anyone who wants to go to Paris, stay for at least a week. There is so much to see and do while you are in the romantic city. There are plenty of museums to go around, and so much history with every step you take.
Here are some things that I was able to do, and recommend you do for your quick (or longer stay) trip to Paris:
It was kind of strange to think that we were actually in Paris. I know it sounds ridiculous, but when you think of a place you have always wanted to go, and then you see that you are right there in person, it gives you this surreal feeling.
After we finally found our hotel, we set the bags down, and quickly realized that hotel rooms in Paris are not big and grand like you might expect them to be. Nope. Pretty much if you are a heavier set person, I wish you the best of luck. To explain how small the room was, think of two twin beds next to each other, and a desk on one side. Now just add walls. It was tiny!
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| The Eiffel Tower - Paris |
Now, since my cousin and I were only in Paris for two nights, we were rushing with everything. Unfortunately we did not have any time to go to any museums, so it was just looking at the surroundings, and moving along. Luckily, we were able to see a lot when we first arrived to Paris, but on our first night, we took a night tour that we saw in a brochure in the hotel lobby.
The night tour was pretty cool, but a bit pricy for what we got; it was €62 for 2 hours driving around Paris, looking at all the sights, and listening to some French guy talk about the history of the city and what-not. It was cool don't get me wrong, but I wish we were able to get out and take pictures of all the different places. We had to sit in the car the whole time and just drive past all these historical landmarks. Would I recommend it? Probably not. If you can search around and find a tour that lets you get out and see all the buildings and take pictures, and is cheaper...do that.
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| Disneyland Paris Castle - Paris |
Speaking of places to recommend, if you have been to Disneyland in California, I say you skip out on
Disneyland Paris. (As wonderful as it sounds, this Disneyland was NOT the happiest place on Earth).
My cousin and I were so excited for Disneyland Paris! To see all the rides, experience how different things were and everything. We got there when the park opened at 10, and by the time it was 2pm, we were disappointed. No Mickey pretzels, not a lot of rides, it wasn't that great. For one park ticket it cost €62, which is cheaper than going to Disneyland in California, but I guess you get what you pay for. It was a bummer actually, because I was so excited to see the castle (best part by the way), and I was so excited to get a Mickey pretzel and go on the rides! By the end of the day, I had wished I spent the money to be at the real Disneyland.
We were expecting so much while we were there, but Space Mountain was closed, the Haunted Mansion was closed, Indiana Jones was an outdoor roller coaster, Pirates of the Caribbean was out of order - it was not what we were used to.
And to finish my rant of how I didn't like the Disneyland, it was cold! Raining, windy and cold. Now, my rant is over.
Despite Disneyland being a bust, it was a fun day. We ended up going to Rainforest Cafe after and spending way too much on a decent meal, and then we made our way in the rain back to the city.
The next morning, my cousin and I woke up and realized that today was the day we were headed back to the Netherlands. I recommend to anyone who wants to go to Paris, stay for at least a week. There is so much to see and do while you are in the romantic city. There are plenty of museums to go around, and so much history with every step you take.
Here are some things that I was able to do, and recommend you do for your quick (or longer stay) trip to Paris:
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| Me at the 2nd level of Eiffel Tower - Paris |
- Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The view is breathtaking! If you have ever been to the top of the Space Needle in Seattle, WA, then you will be amazed at the view from atop the Eiffel Tower. For just €15,50 you get an elevator ride to the top and get to stop at the different levels. The line might be a bit long to get tickets, but the view is worth it.
- Walk along the Champs Elysees. There are so many fancy shops that you probably didn't even know existed! Walking along the street you see everything from Tiffany & Co. (guys...hint hint) to a Mercedes dealership. After you have walked the long street filled with shops and beautiful buildings, you have reached your destination - the Arc de Triumph.
- See the Eiffel Tower at night. After a long day of walking around and doing all the necessary sight seeing, there is no better way to end your day than to see the Eiffel Tower lit up. Every hour for 15 minutes or so, the Eiffel Tower will "bubble" to represent champagne. It really is a sight to see, and if you are there with your significant other, I can guarantee that it will be a romantic evening.
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| All the sweets!! - Paris |
- You are in Paris, so you have to get a baguette and macaroons! The bread in Paris always seems to be better there than anywhere else. I think it's all in our heads because when it comes to bread, it all tastes similar. Whether you get the baguette from your local grocery store, or a Patisserie in Paris, it's bound to taste the same. But you are in Paris! You have to get a baguette! They are pretty cheap, so find a Patisserie somewhere and grab it to go. Now macaroons on the other hand can be found at a bakery - usually in the window somewhere grabbing your every bit of attention. Those damn things seem to stare at you in the window with their expensive prices and say "but, I am from Paris! €6 each isn't bad!" You can find them for cheaper than that in some places, but just give into those delicious little things because you never know, you may be in Paris only once!
Bottom line, going to Paris is not cheap. You need to save up a bit, and you need to bring your best walking shoes. Paris is the city of romance! Yeah every girl's dream is to be proposed right in front of the Eiffel Tower, but hey, just being there can be a tear jerker in itself.
My advice for your trip to Paris, don't do everything last minute. My cousin's trip to visit me was very last minute, and we booked the hotel in Paris a week before she came out...even worse, we bought our train tickets the day before we left! If you are somewhere, like the Netherlands, I recommend you put a lot of thought into where your next destination will be, and make sure you buy tickets ahead of time. You don't want to be in a situation like me where your wallet is crying for help because you are the dummy that forgot to buy tickets beforehand. But if you can go, do it. Paris is waiting.
