Europe – MLE Travel Diary

Unique Things to Do in Paris: 10 Fun + Unexpected Experiences

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Having been to Paris 3 times now, I still wouldn’t call myself a “local” or anything of that sort. However, I definitely feel like more of a seasoned visitor who actually has some hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path suggestions to share.

And I’ll let you in on a little secret: I actually hated Paris the first time I visited.🙊 Ah! I know! The horror!

Soo I wanted to share 10 unique things to do in Paris that you may not have heard of, or may have missed on your first trip to Paris! These are all things I wish I did the first time I visited that definitely would have made my experience better.

Make sure to also get my FREE Google Maps List of all the best Paris recommendations! Drop your email below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox 💌

This post may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you. I make sure to only link products and retailers that I use myself and recommend. Thank you for your support! Learn more.

1. Learn how to make a classic French pastry

What better way to immerse yourself in French culture than to bake a scrumptious French croissant or macaron? I took a macaron-making class with mom on my most recent trip to Paris, and it was so fun.

We learned the proper technique, got to taste test as we went, and got to take the recipe home with us!

This is a great activity to do with others, or go solo and make new friends with the other people in your class! The classes at Maison Fleuret are small, so you will get that quality interaction with the chef.

You can take a look at all their class options on Get Your Guide starting at $120 / person:

2. Take a photo at the secret photobooth in Montmartre

One of my favorite things to do, in general but especially when I travel, is get photobooth pictures! So you can imagine how stoked I was when I found one tucked away on a little street in Montmartre called Fotoautomat.

Look how cute and old-fashioned this photo strip is:

It’s definitely a unique thing to do in Paris and will give you a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take back home with you. The exact location is saved in my Google Maps list, so make sure you download that before you go!

3. Take a Seine river cruise

Taking a river cruise along the Seine is a great way to see all of the sights in Paris and learn more about the city! You’ll be able to get up close to the Eiffel Tower and find new spots of the city to explore.

You could also do a more romantic evening cruise with music and a glass of champagne. Depending on what time your boat is at, you may even get to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle…keep reading to #10 for more information on this!

Make sure you book your tickets in advance and arrive early so you can snag a seat on the top deck!

4. Explore La Galerie Dior

This one is for all of my fashion girlies or someone looking to explore Paris’ underrated museums. La Galerie Dior walks you through the history of Christian Dior, the masterpieces he created and has this insanely cool display wall organized by color when you first walk in.

I definitely recommend getting your tickets in advance; this can sell out quickly and the line to wait in person gets quite long. With tickets, you will have an assigned time slot and can walk right in when it’s your reservation time.

5. Snack on a GIANT croissant

Stop by one of Philippe Conticini’s bakeries in Paris to get your hands on the largest croissant you will ever see. They have an XL butter croissant, as well as an XL pain au chocolat (my personal favorite), and of course “regular” pastries too.

If you are really wanting to try one of the XL croissants, I would recommend placing your order online at least 2 days in advance. They do usually have one or two in stores, but it’s not always guaranteed.

6. Get dressed up and have tea at the Ritz

Instead of walking around and tiring out your feet, why don’t you enjoy tea at the Ritz Paris and feel like royalty for an afternoon?

We chose L’Impérial experience at Salon Proust and enjoyed a glass of champagne, selected a tea, and got a platter of all their pastries to try. This was such a fun, unique experience and I wish I had done it sooner!

7. Ditch the crowds and find the Louvre's secret entrance

Did you know that there are multiple entrances to the Louvre Museum? Almost everyone waits outside in this massive line to enter through the Pyramid – this is a BIG mistake!

First, make sure that you reserve your timed entry tickets online in advance, as you cannot purchase tickets at the ~secret~ entrance.

Then, you’ll want to head into the Carrousel du Louvre, a shopping mall right outside and down a level from the street. Here is a map so you can visualize how to access the entrance to save time by not waiting in line!

8. Dine at Pink Mamma

If you have not seen Pink Mamma yet all over your social media, then you are in for a treat! This is an Italian restaurant with an amazing glass rooftop that reminded me a bit of dining in a greenhouse.

Make sure to book your reservation ASAP when they open up 2 weeks in advance. I would also recommend booking for the first time slot, and showing up 15-20 minutes before they open so you can snag a table on this rooftop.

The seating is first-come, first-serve. Regardless of where you’re sat though, the food is all so delicious and vibes are immaculate.

9. Day trip to Palace of Versailles

While this might not be one of the most unique things to do in Paris, taking a day trip out to the Palace of Versailles should absolutely be on your list.

It’s located about an hour from Paris, so plan to spend at least a half day on this excursion.

Make sure you book your ticket in advance. Tickets for the earliest time slots tend to sell out quickly, but if you prefer to keep your plans more flexible you should be able to snag a later entry time closer to the date you want to go.

I recommend getting a Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access Ticket so that you can really explore everything the palace has to offer. The Gardens alone could take you 3-4 hours just to really walk all the way through!

To visit Versailles when it’s the least busy (AKA to get the most epic pics of the Hall of Mirrors), try to go at either the earliest time slot or the latest time slot.

10. Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night

Okay, okay, okay I know this one is a little more “basic” and maybe doesn’t fit in with the other unique things to do in Paris. However, the first time I visited, I had NO idea that the Eiffel Tower sparkled at night!

So, in case you’re like me, let me be the first to tell you the exciting news. After the sun sets, the Eiffel Tower will sparkle for 5 minutes every hour at the top of the hour!

Also, in case you didn’t realize this either – you can take an elevator up to the top of the Eiffel Tower for some amazinggg views.

Get my FREE Paris travel guide! Drop your email below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox 💌

If you’re currently planning your trip to Paris, make sure to check out my full Paris Travel Guide which has even more things to do, and accommodation, dining, and transport tips. And be sure to follow me on Instagram for more Paris + travel content.

mariss

The post Unique Things to Do in Paris: 10 Fun + Unexpected Experiences first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Amsterdam Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 29 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Amsterdam is so stunning, and a must-see for any European travel bucket list! It was built on a marsh, which is why they built the iconic canals all throughout the city.

I visited in the spring, which is the perfect time to see the tulip fields in full bloom. Tulip season runs from mid-March through early May.

This Amsterdam Travel Guide will help you plan your trip to Amsterdam, with recommendations for the best things to do, where to stay, where to eat, and how to get around.

Get my FREE Google Maps List of all the best Amsterdam recommendations! Drop our email below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox 💌

Things to do and see in Amsterdam

1. Canal Cruise

I would highly recommend starting your trip with a boat cruise around the canals! This way you’ll get to see the city from the water, and also learn more about the history of Amsterdam.

We booked an Open Boat Cruise with Flagship Amsterdam so that we could really see all around us. If the weather is nice out, I would 100% recommend doing an open boat tour – otherwise your view will be blocked by the top of the boat.

2. Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is a must-see when you are in Amsterdam. There’s a free audio tour that does a great job explaining everything, the original bookcase is still there, and you can actually walk through the secret annex which is wild.

It’s very moving experience and really puts things into perspective.

And make sure to book your tickets in advance on the official website. Ticket sales open 6 weeks in advance, on Tuesday at 10 AM Amsterdam time.

What do I do if all of the Anne Frank House tickets are sold out?

Do not panic!! This actually happened to me, but I was able to get tickets still on the exact day and time I wanted to go. There are two ways to get tickets to the Anne Frank House, even if they are all sold out:

Download Ticketswap. This is only legitimate place where people resell tickets for the Anne Frank House. I recommend setting an alert for the days/times you want to go, so that you will be notified right away if tickets are available.

I had this app downloaded for 4 weeks and unfortunately was always too late to jumping on available tickets. They will literally get scooped up in less than half a second!
Set your alarm for Tuesday at 10 AM Amsterdam time THE WEEK before your visit. The museum releases additional tickets the week before, for all days and times.

This is how i scored my tickets! When I went on the website, there was a bit of a queue to get in, so I recommend entering the site ~10-15 minutes before 10 AM CET. However, I had zero issues getting tickets and there were tons available.

3. Keukenhof

The Keukenhof Tulip Garden is open from mid-March to early May, depending on tulip season. It is so stunning and you can see hundreds of different types of tulips, it’s truly amazing.

Make sure to reserve your tickets online in advance.

We purchased the combined Keukenhof ticket + KeukenhofBuzz bus ride, which made getting to Keukenhof really easy. We hopped on the shuttle bus in downtown Amsterdam, which brought us straight to Keukenhof.

The busses were running back and forth constantly, and we had no issues getting back to our hotel at night.

Can I see the rows of tulip fields here, like you see on Instagram?

This is the biggest mistake I made on my trip to Amsterdam. I thought that you’d be able to see the tulip fields at the Keukenhof Botanical Garden, but this is incorrect.

Photo for reference of what I was envisioning at Keukenhof:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tulipfarm De Tulperij (@de_tulperij)

If you want to get your Instagram-worthy photos, you’ll need to also book an entry ticket at the Tulip Barn or at the Tulipfarm De Tulperij.

This is just 5 minutes away from the botanical garden, and absolutely worth the visit. If I could go back and do it over again, I wish I had known to book a ticket here!

Don’t get me wrong, the botanical garden is still worth the visit, but wanted to share my mistake so you can learn from it!

4. Vondelpark

I recommend ending your night with people watching and the sunset at Vondelpark. It’s so pretty and peaceful, and THE place to be on a sunny day.

Alternatively, you should absolutely walk or bike through here during the day. When I was here in May, the weather was perfect, and it felt like everyone was at this park, it was so lively and fun!

5. De 9 Straatjes (the 9 Streets)

This is a popular area with tons of designer boutique shops, vintage stores, cafes and more. It spans across a couple canals and is worth wandering for a few hours, especially if you love to shop!

I didn’t realize that Amsterdam would have so much good shopping, and I actually ended up buying a ton more here than I did in Paris!

6. Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is a must for all history and art lovers! You’ll find world-famous artwork by iconic Dutch artists like Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Vermeer on display in the museum.

I recommend booking your tickets online in advance so that you don’t have to wait in a line when you arrive. The museum itself is huge – you could easily spend all day here.

7. Albert Cuypstraat (Market)

Albert Cuypstraat is a daily outdoor market with tons of food, clothing, souvenir, accessory and other stalls. It’s open every day from 9:30 AM – 5 PM except Sundays.

I recommend coming here hungry and trying popular Dutch delicacies, like stroopwafel and herring. You can get the famous Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels here!

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a relatively small city, compared to other European cities. I think this makes it easy to get around the whole city, regardless of where you’re staying.

However, I’ll share my two favorite neighborhoods to help narrow down your choices for your trip to Amsterdam.

Museum Quarter

The Museum Quarter is, you guessed it, where all of the popular museums are located, like the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Van Gogh Museum.

It’s also located right next to Vondelpark, which is a great place for your morning jog or sunset at night!

We stayed at the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel, which was incredible and truly made our stay. Check out this sunrise view from our room!

I would recommend staying here if hitting all of the museums is high on your list, and also being more centrally located to everything in the city.

I felt like we were right in the middle, and everything was a short (under 20 minutes) walk away.

Jordaan

The Jordaan is a really cute neighborhood in the canals with lots of shopping and restaurants. This is where the 9 Streets and the Anne Frank House Museum are located as well.

I would recommend staying here if you want to be able to walk right out of your hotel and be on the canal! There’s a ton of great restaurants around here as well.

Where to eat in Amsterdam

Bakeries

1. Melly’s Cookies Bar and StroopWafels

This is two separate shops – one dedicated to StroopWafels, and the other serving delicious cookies, cakes, pies and more.

This is a must if you have a sweet tooth!

2. Sea Salt & Chocolate

Sea Salt & Chocolate is an amazing little cake shop right around the corner from the Albert Cuyp Market. I had a slice of their vegan chocolate cake and it was SO good!

3. Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels

Rudi’s is a must. Stop by their old-fashioned stall at the Albert Cuyp Market for the full experience.

4. NU koffie & delicatessen

Disclaimer because this was recommended to me but I wasn’t able to stop by, but it has amazing reviews on Google and is known for their coffee!

5. Louren’s

Louren’s is the spot to get a crookie – a cross between of a croissant and a gooey chocolate chip cookie.

6. Madame Croissant

Madame Croissant is another spot to get a crookie, or another one of their delicious sweet & savory croissants!

7. Van Stapele Koekmakerij

You will likely have to wait in line for one of Van Stapele’s cookies, but they are 100% worth the wait.

Get my FREE Google Maps List with all of these spots, restaurants and more! Drop your email below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox 💌

Restaurants

1. Foodhallen

The Foodhallen is an upscale food court with tons of great restaurant options! I recommend coming here especially if you’re in a group and no one can decide on what they want for dinner – this has everything!

I got a poke bowl from Meneer Temaki, which was amazing, but you really can’t go wrong.

2. ABC Clubsandwich

ABC Clubsandwich is a small lunch restaurant serving sandwiches and salads! I recommend stopping here for a quick, yummy lunch while you’re shopping the 9 Streets.

3. Casa di Sergio

Casa di Sergio is an Italian restaurant located by the Rijksmuseum. You can sit outdoors on the little patio and people watch, and enjoy an amazing Italian meal.

4. Moeders

Moeders is a traditional Dutch restaurant that was recommended to us by the staff at Melly’s Cookies Bar! They serve large portions of traditional Dutch food, so it’s the perfect spot if you’re looking to try the local cuisine.

It’s a small and cozy restaurant, so make sure you make your reservation in advance, otherwise you will probably be waiting for at least an hour.

How to get around Amsterdam

By Biking

Had to start off with the quintessential mode of transportation for the Dutch! You will see bikes everywhere all over Amsterdam – this is the most popular way to get around the city.

There are dedicated bike lanes on every street, and cyclists are always given the right of way.

Renting a bike can cost anywhere from around €10 to €20 for a day, depending on the rental company and the type of bike. I suggest looking up bike rental companies near your hotel, or asking your concierge for their recommendation.

By Walking / Running

Like I said earlier, Amsterdam is a smaller city so it’s really easy to get around by walking.

However, you will really need to pay attention to your surroundings while you’re walking around though, and especially when you’re crossing the street. Cyclists have the right of way, and are often going by quickly.

I felt like trying to cross the street was like playing a game of real-life Frogger; there are 2 bike lanes, 2 car lanes, and 1 metro lane, making it a challenge to cross.

To stay active, I would definitely suggest going for a run in the morning to explore and see more of the city! Especially through Vondelpark; there were so many people out and about in the park.

By Metro / Bus

The public transit in Amsterdam is a fast and efficient way to travel around the city, especially for longer distances.

Each ride is €3.20, which is pretty expensive in my opinion, so I would recommend reserving Metro use for when you want to leave the city center.

If you want to hit a lot of major attractions and take the metro, I recommend looking into an I amsterdam City Card. This will give you access to all major highlights and more than 70 museums, city-wide public transport, a canal cruise and bicycle rent for one flat fee.

By Car

I found that Ubers and Taxis were available in Amsterdam, but I often had to wait at least 5 minutes for one to arrive. They were also pretty expensive, compared to other European cities I’ve visited.

I would not recommend renting a car in Amsterdam. There are hardly any places to park a car, the streets are really narrow, and many are alongside canals.

If you plan to road trip around the Netherlands, I would definitely rent a car for that, but pick it up when you are leaving Amsterdam or drop it off before you get to Amsterdam.

If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, feel free to send me an email or DM on Instagram with any questions or for personalized travel tips!

mariss

The post Amsterdam Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Paris Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 08 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Paris is one of the most iconic cities in the world, and should absolutely be on your bucket list! There are so many different neighborhoods to explore; you can never get bored here.

This Paris Travel Guide will help you plan your trip to Paris, with recommendations for the best things to do, where to stay, where to eat, and how to get around.

Ironically, I kind of hated it the first time I visited. So I want to share all of my tips and tricks to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes!

I’ve been three times now – once solo, once with my boyfriend, and once with my mom, so I feel like I’ve gotten to experience it in a bunch of different ways.

I personally did not enjoy my time solo traveling – Paris can be pretty expensive, and I feel like so many of the spots I love experiencing with someone else. HOWEVER you can absolutely solo travel here – I’ve never felt unsafe and there are endless things to do.

Get my FREE Google Maps List of all the best Paris recommendations! Drop your email below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox 💌

Things to do and see

1. Eiffel Tower

Okay, duh! Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person is always so special for me, and an absolute must! Once the sun sets, it sparkles every hour for 5 minutes at the top of the hour.

You can also eat dinner in the Eiffel Tower! There are two restaurants: Le Jules Verne on the second floor and Madame Brasserie on the first floor.

2. Palace of Versailles

Versailles is about an hour away from the Paris city center, and is worthy of a day trip. I recommend planning to spend about 4 hours to really explore the palace and gardens.

And make sure to book your tickets in advance on the official website. Ticket sales open 3 months in advance, on the first business day of the month.

3. Montmartre

Montmartre is the 18th arrondissement of Paris, and the best place to watch the sunset over the city! Head to the steps of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur for the best view.

During the warmer months, there are local musicians who come out to play live on the steps, making it a really fun and lively place to hang out all night!

Make sure to stop by the Fotoautomat on your way up – an old-fashioned photobooth in the streets of Montmartre! For the exact location, save my Google Maps list with all of these spots and more.

4. Louvre Museum

Another iconic landmark in Paris, the Louvre is the most-visited museum in the entire world and should definitely be on your itinerary.

I do not even think it’s possible to everything the museum has to offer in one day, but you can see pieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People, and so much more.

Make sure to book your tickets in advance on the Louvre website. They become available 60 days in advance, and are likely to sell out.

Pro-tip: There are FOUR entrances to the Louvre! Most people wait outside in a huge line to go into the glass pyramid. You can avoid the large crowds by entering at Le Carrousel du Louvre, which you’ll access underground in the mall.

5. Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées is a street lined with shops and cafés. At the end of the street you’ll find the Arc de Triomphe, where you can actually climb all the way up to the top and look out over the whole city.

Personally, I think it is a little overpriced, but if you are really wanting to go I recommend going on a Wednesday when it is a little cheaper! Here is the link to check out your options and buy tickets.

6. La Galerie Dior

While you’re near the Champs-Élysées, I also recommend checking out the La Galerie Dior. This is a stunning art museum that gives you the full fashion history of Dior with really engaging exhibits.

Plus, there is this insanely cool wall that is organized by color and has Dior handbags, shoes, dresses and every other fashion accessory you could imagine.

7. Notre Dame

The Notre Dame has finally reopened since the devastating fire in 2019, and is absolutely worth seeing in person. The stained glass art is spectacular and the architecture is unreal.

You are able to book a timeslot in advance, however I do not think this is necessary. We waited on a line to get in to the church and it only took us about 20 minutes.

8. Cooking Class

Doing a cooking class is a great way to immerse yourself in French culture. We did the macaron making class with Maison Fleuret, and it was so much fun!

Plus you get the most delicious souvenir to take back home with you!

They also have classes where you can learn to bake croissants, baguettes, and more. You can take a look at all of their classes here, or we actually booked this experience through Airbnb.

9. Afternoon Tea

Going for afternoon tea is another great way to experience French culture! There are a ton of tea rooms around Paris where you can go to get dressed up and spend a couple hours sipping tea and snacking on French pastries.

We went to Salon Proust at the Ritz Paris, and indulged in L’Impérial tea experience. It was amazing; the service was top-notch, the tea was delicious and the pastries were amazing.

Plus, they even gave us loose leaf tea to take back home with us!

Where to stay

Paris is divided into 20 neighborhoods called arrondissements. I’ll share my top 3 favorite arrondissements to stay, and hotel recommendations

Louvre (1st Arrondissement)

The 1st Arrondissement is on the right bank of the Seine and centrally located close to all of Paris’ main attractions. I stayed here in 2025 and loved being so close to the Tuileries Garden!

It was a great spot to walk around and sightsee, and I never felt unsafe here. I went for a long run early one morning starting at the Louvre, and along the Seine.

If you want to splurge, I highly recommend staying at the Ritz Paris. The service and amenities here are unmatched, and you will truly feel like French royalty during your stay.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement)

The 6th Arrondissement is on the left bank of the Seine and is known for its upscale shops, cafes and picturesque streets. I stayed here in 2023 and this totally changed my opinion of Paris!

I would compare it to being like the Beverly Hills of Los Angeles. Everything was really nice, and I felt very fancy and safe here.

We stayed at the Hôtel de l’Abbaye Saint Germain and I would definitely recommend it! The rooms are small, but really nice and the location is everything.

Élysée (8th Arrondissement)

The 8th Arrondissement is right where you want to be if you love shopping. This is right on the Champs-Élysées, so the second you step out of your hotel you’ll be surrounded by shops and cafés.

This is also very centrally located to the majority of the Parisian hot spots, plus tons of amazing restaurants.

Where to eat

Bakeries

1. Philippe Conticini

You may have seen the GIANT croissants on social media, but if not then let me be the first to share! Philippe Conticini has these XL Pain au chocolat and XL butter croissants available for pre-order and for sale in their shops.

If you are serious about buying one, I recommend placing your order online at least 2-3 days in advance.

Aside from the XL pastries, their regular-sized pastries are also very delicious.

2. Maison Fleuret

Outside of the cooking school, Maison Fleuret also has their own coffee shop with pastries. It also doubles as a little library, so you can come here and read or just enjoy the atmosphere!

3. Tout Autour du Pain

This is a family-owned bakery known for its croissants! Highly recommend stopping by here if you want to try (one of the) best croissants in Paris.

4. Ladurée

You might recognize this spot if you’ve visited one of their locations in the US! Ladurée is a pastry shop that is well-known for their macarons, and is definitely worth stopping by the original location while you’re in Paris.

Restaurants

1. Pink Mamma

Pink Mamma is an iconic Italian restaurant located in the 9th arrondissement, well-known for their glass rooftop view of Paris!

Remember to make your reservation when it becomes available online ASAP – bookings open 2 weeks before! If there are no reservations available, I recommend checking out another one of the Big Mamma Group’s restaurants. I’ve heard great things about all of them!

Pro-tip: Book the earliest time slot (usually 6 PM) AND show up at least 15 minutes before the restaurant opens! Seating is first-come, first-serve, so if you want a table on the top floor you’ll need to get there early.

2. Melagodo

Another Italian restaurant, but this one is a hidden gem located near the Eiffel Tower! It’s slightly off the main tourist paths, so you’ll get great prices and delicious food here.

You can make a reservation online in advance, or show up in person!

3. Miss Ko

Miss Ko is an Asian-Fusion restaurant right off of the Champs-Élysées. I got sushi here and it was phenomenal!

The atmosphere is really trendy and fun – I would highly recommend this spot for a lunch or dinner.

4. Pret A Manger

This is my favorite sandwich chain in Europe! It stands for “ready to eat” and offers a ton of different sandwiches that are pre-made and ready to go.

This is the perfect spot if you need to grab a quick bite to eat, or a sandwich to take on the go!

5. Café Cassette

Café Cassette is a great spot to grab brunch to fuel up for a big day of walking around! The flowers all over the café are so cute and make for the perfect Instagram.

I feel like a lot of these floral cafés in Paris don’t actually have great food or good service, but Café Cassette is the exception and worth visiting.

6. Beefbar Paris

If you’re in the mood for a steak, Beefbar is the place to go! There’s a big selection of beef, side dishes and wine selections so you will definitely not leave this restaurant hungry.

The ambiance makes it perfect for a date night, or fancy dinner to celebrate a special occassion!

Get my FREE Google Maps List with all of these spots, restaurants and more! Drop your email below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox 💌

How to get around Paris

By Walking / Running

This is my personal favorite way to explore a new city! Compared to other big cities, I feel that Paris is more spread out than other places so you will definitely need to wear comfortable shoes.

It’s really pedestrian-friendly and easy to walk everywhere. Be careful not to cross the street to get to the Arc de Triomphe – there is an underground tunnel that will take you straight to the middle of the roundabout!

To stay active, I would definitely suggest going for a run in the morning to explore and see more of the city! There were so many people out and about going for runs and bike rides along the Seine.

By Metro / Bus

The public transit in Paris is incredible and covers every part of the city. I’ve found the Metro to be pretty clean and easy to navigate.

Each ride is €2.50, which is comparable to NYC Metro prices. You can also get a Paris Visite Pass for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days if you plan on taking the Metro a ton to get around.

I felt that the Metro was safe to take, even at night, but would be careful not to venture into areas you’re unfamiliar with at night. Particularly the 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements are known to be less suitable for tourists.

By Car

Both Ubers and Taxis are readily available in Paris. I found both options to be reasonably priced, and always nearby whenever I needed one.

I would not recommend renting a car in Paris. There are hardly any places to park a car, the streets are really narrow and a lot of them are one-way only.

If you plan to road trip around more of France, I would definitely rent a car for that, but pick it up when you are leaving Paris or drop it off before you get to Paris.

Best views of the Eiffel Tower

1. Pont d’Iéna

The bridge in front of the Eiffel Tower is closed off for pedestrians and makes for the most iconic photos. Just watch out for pickpocketers or other tourist scams here, since this is one of the most touristy spots in the entire city.

2. Jardin de la Tour Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower Gardens make for an excellent photo of the Eiffel Tower! They are sometimes closed off for maintenance, renovations or other reasons, but you can still go around the edges to get a great pic.

3. Passerelle Debilly

Passerelle Debilly is a pedestrian-only bridge that has amazing views of the Eiffel Tower plus the sunset! It is also a bridge where tons of people leave love locks, if you are interested in doing the same.

4. Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a popular bridge with a great view of the Eiffel Tower. You can also see La France Renaissante here – a bronze sculpture depicting Jeanne d’Arc.

5. Port de Debilly

This is hardly ever busy, and is a great secluded spot for a photo with the Eiffel Tower and the Seine in the background. You can also come down here to walk along the Seine and drink a glass of wine!

6. Rue de l’Université

I first came across this secret spot on Instagram – you’ll find this photo opportunity at the end of Rue de l’Université as you’re walking over to the Eiffel Tower!

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, feel free to send me an email or DM on Instagram with any questions or for personalized travel tips!

mariss

The post Paris Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

9 Popular Sights To See In Rome This Summer

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:00:00 +0000

When in Rome…make sure to hit these popular sights to see in Rome! Also known as the “Eternal City,” given modern day Rome is literally built on top of old Rome. There is so much to see and do!

In the spirit of keeping my blog 100% real with you; I did not absolutely love Rome. I had a fun time, but I’m not sure I would go back to Rome. That being said, there are a ton of people who love the city and its unique history so don’t let my personal opinion discourage you from visiting!

Keep reading for 9 sights I enjoyed getting to see in the city. And don’t forget to drop your email below and I’ll send you the link to all of these places and more!

1. Colosseum

Starting off with perhaps the most iconic spot in Rome, the Colosseo. Fun fact: the Colosseum is half its original mass as a result of Rome’s 16th century construction. As they began to construct new churches and other buildings, they were allowed to take the marble, stones and other materials right out of the Colosseum!

I actually did not end up going into the Colosseum. I forgot to book tickets online in advance, so definitely make sure you do this early enough if you want to go inside! I don’t feel like I really missed out on anything not going inside, but I understand this is a huge attraction coming to Rome!

I later learned that a lot of the ticket resellers will buy a ton of online tickets beforehand, basically selling it out so they can resell at a higher price. So, if you’re like me and forget to book but want to go inside, you can wait in line outside the Colosseum and buy your ticket in person. They only let you buy one ticket per person, so make sure your whole group is there to buy their own ticket.

2. Pantheon

Another iconic spot, the Pantheon! This is free to enter, until 2024, so no need to reserve tickets if you go this year! You will need to cover your knees and shoulders though to enter, so make sure to pack appropriately.

3. Trastavere

Trastavere is a super cute area with a lot of good restaurants, bars and shopping. We spent a good amount of time here! I also recommend checking out Piazza di Santa Maria and the church in the plaza. It was really pretty. I also visited a thrift store here and bought a long skirt to be able to go into the churches!

The view of Rome when walking back over the bridge was really pretty too. We didn’t time this on purpose, but being here at sunset was really nice!

4. Trevi Fountain

If you want to visit the Trevi Fountain before the crowds, get there by 7:30 AM! We got there around 9 AM and it was still pretty open, which was nice. We also came by at night, when it was all lit up with different colors!

5. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are a must when you go to Rome, Italy. Fun fact that I did not realize beforehand: Vatican City is actually its own country, also know as the Holy See! For more information and tips for visiting the Vatican, check out my blog post on uncommon advice for visiting the Holy See!

6. St. Peter's Basilica and Square

While you are in Vatican City, be sure to enter St Peter’s Basilica! It is absolutely stunning inside. And be sure to check out my Vatican City tips beforehand so you know how to get on top of the Basilica! You can see here too the famous Pietà sculpture by Michelangelo.

7. Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola

So, I actually saw this spot on Instagram before I came to Rome and am so glad I did! They have a huge mirror when you walk in so that you are able to see the ceiling better. And yes, you can take a super cool selfie here! But it was also a really nice switch up from constantly staring up at all the ceilings.😂

8. Spanish Steps

Have you ever seen The Talented Mr. Ripley? These are the same steps in the movie, where Tom and Meredith walk across Rome and down the steps! They are so stunning. Also, if you go up to the top, the stairs are in the shape of a butterfly.

Leading up to the Spanish Steps is Via dei Condotti, a famous shopping ave with all of the high-end, luxury brands. It is really fun to walk down this street and window shop!

9. Piazza Navona

Can you see the shape of the track? Centuries ago, this used to be the Stadium of Domitian. You can also tour the remains of the old stadium underground. This is a great way to see more of Ancient Rome and escape the heat for a bit!

Any spots I missed? Comment below! If you’re planning to go to Rome soon and want more recs, feel free to DM or email me!

mariss

The post 9 Popular Sights To See In Rome This Summer first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

The Best 10 Things To Do In Vienna

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Looking for the best things to do in Vienna? Vienna is an amazing city, and I highly recommend you add it to your bucket list ASAP.

I had gotten a lot of recommendations myself before getting to Vienna, and also stumbled across some gems while I was there.

You know how sometimes you get to a new city and you just immediately fall in love with it? That’s what happened to me in Vienna.

It more than exceeded my expectations; I genuinely loved Vienna and cannot wait to go back! The city was vibrant, the public transit was efficient and easy to use, and the architecture was stunning.

Keep reading for the 10 best things I enjoyed doing in the city. And don’t forget to drop your email below to get all of these spots and more sent straight to your inbox!

1. Belvedere Palace and Gardens

There are a ton of palaces in Vienna (you will soon realize that if you weren’t already aware)! If you only have a couple days in Vienna, it will be hard to visit them all to their full extent, touring the inside of each. Belvedere was one of the spots we did not have time to tour.

However, we came here at sunset to see the grounds and gardens, and I am so happy we did not miss it! It is so pretty! Fun fact about Vienna: the gardens of all these palaces are public parks. There were were a lot of people going for runs throughout the gardens, which I thought was really cool!

2. Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens

Schönbrunn Palace is about 30 minutes outside of the city center, so you’ll want to wake up early and get here right away one morning. Also, make sure you buy tickets and reserve your time slot ahead of time! We did not do this, and then there was a 4 hour wait by the time we got there!

The gardens, again, are a public park so you can explore these for free! You could honestly explore the gardens for hours. There were a ton of park benches and people just roaming around. Check out the rose bushes in full bloom when I went in late May!

3. Das LOFT

OMG can you believe this view?! As the only restaurant on this list, I highly highly recommend grabbing a reservation at Das LOFT for sunset dinner. It is a bit pricier, but the absolute best date night spot or special dinner. Plus, the food was delicious! You can see the full view in my Instagram video below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MARISSA | Luxury Travel • Wellness • Itineraries (@mletraveldiary)

You’ll want to make a “Dinner @ Window Table” reservation to get a table right next to the window. There is a small fee to hold the reservation, but you only get charged if you don’t show up or cancel in advance!

4. Rathausplatz

This was the first place we went after we landed in Vienna! The energy was THROUGH the roof, as the FIBA 3×3 tournament was taking place in the plaza from May 30 through June 4. We didn’t go into the tournament, but it was free entry and the area was so much fun!

5. Hofburg Palace

Another palace! This one we actually did get tickets to; we purchased the Sisi Museum day tickets. It was really cool to hear the history of Empress Elisabeth and tour the Emperor and Empress’ apartments. You can’t take any photos inside of the exhibit, so please just enjoy the stunning exterior for now. The inside will be a surprise for when you visit.🤗

6. Maria-Theresien-Platz

On the way to Hofburg Palace, we passed through the Maria-Theresien-Platz. It’s in the Museum Quarter, between the Natural History Museum and Kunsthistorisches Museum. Check out these perfectly manicured hedges! It’s really pretty, and definitely worth passing through. I did not get the chance (this time) to go in either museum, but definitely want to come back to check them out.

7. St. Stephen’s Cathedral

This is an absolute must-do! It is free to enter as it is a church! We went at night, and there was no line; I don’t think there was ever even really a line during the day either. It’s centrally located in the city center and there’s a ton of great restaurants, bars and shops all around.

There are a few different rooftop bars / restaurants close to the Cathedral that give you a great view. I didn’t go to them, so I haven’t included them in this post, but they are in my Vienna Travel Guide, if you are looking for recs!

The exterior architecture of the cathedral is so cool; it reminded me of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, if you have ever been! If you look close, you can see the Austrian coat of arms on the roof of the church in the first photo. Super cool.

8. Stadtpark

Ugh I seriously cannot get over all these open, public spaces in nature. I wish we had something (anything) similar in Los Angeles. It was a beautiful day, and soo many people were out in the park! I think this was the first European city I could actually see myself living in and loving, primarily because of parks like this.

9. Vienna Ferris Wheel

For another incredible view of the city, be sure to stop by the Vienna Ferris Wheel. I didn’t realize there was actually an entire amusement park; I wish I had had more time to go on more rides! All lit up at night, it’s sort of giving me Vegas vibes, but like, for children.😂

We walked along the Henriette-Fahrbach Promenade after dinner at Das LOFT to the Ferris Wheel. As a result, we got a view of the city at night. It was so pretty to see all of the lights, but I sort of wish we had done it during the day so I could see everything better.

10. Eis Greissler

I hope you’re a big dessert person, because there are a TON of ice cream and chocolate shops all around the city! My personal favorite was Eis Greissler; we stumbled upon this one and it was incredible. I cannot have dairy, and they had a ton of vegan flavors that were delicious. I got dark chocolate and caramel; I wish I could have taken pints home with me.

It’s the perfect treat for the warm summer nights! Especially around St. Stephen’s Cathedral, you’ll see so many different ice cream shops. But this one is the best.😉 Don’t miss it!!

Aaand bonus sight (and possibly my favorite) are these cute crossing lights!!🥹The little people holding hands with the little heart, are they not the cutest!? I’ve never seen this anywhere else in the world. So cool.

If Vienna was not already on your bucket list, definitely add it! And if it is, or if you’re planning to go soon, please let me know if you have any questions or want more information on any of the above!

mariss

The post The Best 10 Things To Do In Vienna first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Vatican City: Uncommon Advice For Visiting The Holy See

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:00:00 +0000

If you’re planning on visiting the Vatican City soon, or anytime in the future, keep reading! Also known as the Holy See, Vatican City is a country in the middle of Rome, Italy. It is where the Roman Catholic Church is headquartered, and where the Pope lives!

I just visited for the first time this spring, and it was incredible. Truly everything within the Vatican walls is a work of art. I feel like there are also many hidden gems within these walls…some of which I realized after I had left. I will be sharing the insider tips I learned, and what I wish I knew before I visited!

1. Book the Breakfast at the Museums - Admission Ticket

So this one actually was a complete accident; I discovered this hack when I went to book Vatican Museums tickets. I was (admittedly) a little too late to booking tickets; there were no regular admission tickets left, and just a few other options remaining. One of which was the ‘Breakfast at the Museums’ admission ticket at 7:45 AM.

This ended up being the best decision! The Vatican Museums officially open at 8:30 AM, so we got to skip the entire queue waiting at the entrance and were first in line inside. With our 7:45 AM tickets, we entered the Museums right away and sat at this little cafe in the courtyard.

It costs a little extra, but if you eat a full breakfast like me, it is so worth it. The breakfast was surprisingly delicious, and they also gave us water bottles we were able to take throughout our visit.

2. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill up in the courtyard

This one is super random, but there is this cool water fountain where you can refill your water bottle in the courtyard. Note, this is not my photo as I forgot to take a pic when I was there! But I am that person who is always trying to stay (extra) hydrated, so this was huge for me. Plus, then you can say you drank the Vatican City water!

3. Go to St. Peter's Basilica when it opens at 7 AM

Another one we learned the hard way! There was absolutely no line when we arrived in Vatican City at 7 AM for our Museums entry. However, after we exited the Museums around 10 AM, the line was already wrapping around the entire Plaza!

I definitely recommend going into St. Peter’s Basilica right when it opens at 7 AM. Entry is free, so all you need to do is line up before it opens.

Fun fact: you are able to get married here! We saw a couple getting married, like right when they were pronouncing them husband and wife.🥹 We looked it up after, and it only costs $1,200!! There are more rules, of course, but I thought that was so, so cool and have never seen that before.

4. You can climb St. Peter's Dome (the Cupola)

So, I did actually know about this before visiting, but forgot after waiting for an hour to get into the Basilica. LOL! When you enter the basilica, there is a line on the left. That is where you’ll want to go to get tickets and then make your ascent to the top!

It only costs 8 Euros and you can get the best views of the basilica, Saint Peter’s Square, and Rome itself. I am actually so bummed I missed out on doing this. Again, another good reason to go early; it was pretty hot by the time we waited in line, and we were hungry and ready for lunch.

5. You cannot take photos or videos when inside the Sistine Chapel

I probably should have known this, but did not come across this fact when doing my Rome research. The Sistine Chapel opens at 9 AM and is pretty much always crowded! When you are inside the Chapel, there is a lot of security who continuously remind visitors that no photos or videos are allowed.

However…most people end up sneaking photos, usually by using your front-facing camera. I actually did not haha I am too much of a rule-follower, but my good friend Danny was able to take these pics:

Michelangelo’s work is truly incredible! If you’re planning a trip to Rome soon and have any questions, let me know! You can comment here, or email or DM me directly.

For more Rome content, make sure to follow along on my Instagram! I’ll be posting more travel tips and tricks!

mariss

The post Vatican City: Uncommon Advice For Visiting The Holy See first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

You Need To Add the Algarve To Your Bucket List

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 04 May 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Ever heard of the Algarve in Portugal? It’s the southern coastline of Portugal and a stunning hidden gem in Europe. I’m going to give you 5 reasons why you need to add the Algarve to your bucket list.

Hint: they’re all beaches. You can easily walk around the entire coast and check out all the beaches in the same day. My friend Izzy and I had a blast exploring out all of these beaches!

I had so much fun during my time in Lagos, Portugal and cannot wait to go back! These beaches honestly rival Greece and are so worth visiting.

Save all of my Portugal recommendations by dropping your email below, and I’ll send them straight to your inbox!

Praia de Benagil

Starting off strong with the Benagil Cave! I highly recommend renting a kayak on the beach, and kayaking into the cave. As you can sort of see, the boats are not allowed to park on the shore in the cave. Definitely want to get the full experience! There were also some people who swam from the beach to the cave, but unless you are a very strong swimmer, this is not recommended.

Also make sure to check the tide levels; you want to go on a day with low tide so that you can enter and exit the cave safely!

Praia do Carvalho

Next up is Carvalho Beach! We also kayaked into this one after exploring the Benagil Cave. This is pretty common, or you are also able to walk down using a set of stairs from the top. This is such a beautiful beach surrounded by the cliffs. There is a little section on the cliff on the right where you can walk up and really soak in the views.

Praia do Pinhão

Thirdly, presenting Pinhão Beach! These beautiful rock formations extend out into the water which looks so cool. This is a bit of a smaller beach, which makes it a great destination if you’re looking for a quieter place to relax.

Praia da Dona Ana

Dona Ana Beach is AMAZING. There’s so much to explore here. My friends and I hung out on this beach for a few hours one day, and it was a lot of fun! You can get a little bit of shade here because of the large rocks, which is nice if you’re planning to be at the beach all day.

Praia do Camilo

Last but not least, Camilo Beach! This is another tiny, super popular beach with a cave you can walk through! Make sure to get here early to snag a spot! Also featured below is the Ponta da Piedade, a well-photographed point in Lagos. All the rock formations are so stunning and I’ve never seen anything like them.

Comment below your favorite beach! Planning a trip to Portugal? Feel free to email me or DM me on Instagram directly for any recommendations or tips!

mariss

The post You Need To Add the Algarve To Your Bucket List first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

The Best 9 Things to Do in Croatia This Summer

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Croatia was the first country I ever traveled abroad to (without my parents). My sister and I got to spend 3 incredible weeks in this beautiful country in the summer of 2019. I would not trade my experience for the world. Looking back, we always joke “should we have gone to any other countries while we were there??” But having the time to fully experience one country and its culture is incomparable to hopping around and just hitting the major sights in multiple countries.

If you are looking for major sights to see in Croatia, look no further. I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorite 9 things to do in Croatia.

Make sure to drop your email below to get all of these spots and more sent straight to your inbox!

1. Walk the City Walls of Dubrovnik

This is just so cool. I have never seen anything else like this in another city. Make sure you buy your tickets online in advance and get there right when they open at 9 AM! We were able to avoid all the crowds by doing this, and really take our time walking all the way around and getting incredible photos here.

If you’re traveling in the warmer months, make sure to wear sunscreen, and bring a hat or sunglasses! There is pretty much no shade for the entire walk. Another reason to get here early before the sun gets crazy hot! When we were there, this was the Caffe on the Wall, which was selling drinks, so we stopped here for a bit to enjoy the view of the water!

2. Tour the Blue Grotto

I feel like I am going to say this about everything we saw in Croatia, but the Blue Cave Grotto was AMAZING. Such a unique experience. We actually went on a full day boat excursion that made 5 different stops from the Split Port, the Blue Cave being one of them. This was really nice because someone else was organizing the itinerary and you can only get here by boat.

3. Visit Krka National Park

Again, WOW. The photos do not even do this place justice. The water is this incredible blue-green color, and you walk down this really cool wooden path to get to the waterfalls. If you can, try to plan your visit on a sunny day so that the water color is the most vibrant! But as you can see, when we went it was a little cloudy and it is STILL gorgeous.

When we visited Krka waterfalls, you were allowed to swim in the waterfall, which I don’t believe is allowed anymore. We honestly did not personally go in anyway though, as the water is pretty chilly!!

I also want to give an honorable mention to Plitvice Lakes National Park. I personally did not go, but have a lot of friends who have gone and said it was absolutely unreal. So if you have time to check out both, definitely add them both to your list!

4. Relax at Banje Beach

This beach was just down the road from our Airbnb, and we actually ended up spending a fair amount of time here! We would come here to journal, tan, and hang out with new friends! It was the perfect chill spot. One interesting thing that I hadn’t experienced before in the US was that the beach was not actually made of sand, but rather small pebbles. This was actually pretty painful in terms of laying out, or walking into the water, so we ending up wearing our sneakers to the beach haha. And by the end of the trip we were just sort of used to it, but definitely a surprise when we first arrived!

The Banje Beach Restaurant and Night Club is also right on the beach; we came here for drinks the first day we arrived. There is something about being RIGHT on the beach with a drink in hand that just really kickstarts vacations for me.

5. Visit Lokrum Island

Lokrum Island is just a quick 15-minute ferry away from Dubrovnik! There is a dedicated Lokrum Island Ferry that costs about 5 Euros one way and is constantly running throughout the day. While on the island, we ran into tons of wild peacocks and hung out by the watering hole!

This is also where the Iron Throne is located, for all of my Game of Thrones fans out there. I had watched the first 3 seasons before coming to Croatia, but we did not do much other Game of Thrones sightseeing.

6. Boat to Hvar

During our time in Split, we also took a day trip out to Hvar! This was part of the same boat tour that stopped at the Blue Cave. We had a couple hours in Hvar, and explored the local market. I would also highly recommend hiking up to Napoleon, where you can get these unreal 360° views of the entire island. It isn’t a very long hike (20-25 minutes) but is pretty steep. We weren’t sure how long it would take so we were sort of running up the hill haha it was so worth it!

7. Party at Culture Club Revelin

Culture Club Revelin might be the best club I have ever been to. It was so much fun. They have incredible DJs playing every night, and some nights they even had a fire show it was crazy. It starts getting busy around midnight, and there was also free general admission before midnight!

8. Explore Fort Lovrijenac

Fort Lovrijenac was really cool; if you climb up to the top you get a really great view of Dubrovnik and the city walls. Admission is pretty cheap and it was a cool way to spend an hour in the morning! We combined this with walking all around the city and exploring, after walking the city walls first thing in the morning.

9. Day Trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina

I think this day trip was possibly the most random thing we did. In our first few days here we signed up for a day tour to go to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and, if you have the time I would highly recommend it. We didn’t tell our parents we were doing this at first, because we thought they might be nervous, but we felt very safe with the tour guide and our group. Definitely check the Travel Advisory board before going in case the situation has changed, but again, we never felt unsafe.

Also, our tour guide was hilarious; we sat up in the front row with him and were cracking up the whole time. He took us to Kravica Waterfalls, which were so pretty, especially since it was unexpected. The food in Bosnia & Herzegovina was delicious; we had a Mediterranean-style lunch with pita!

Having spent 3 weeks here, I definitely have a lot more recommendations if you are planning a trip! Drop a comment below or send me a message, I would love to share my knowledge! And don’t forget to subscribe for more.

mariss

The post The Best 9 Things to Do in Croatia This Summer first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

10 Stunning Sights to See in Paris This Summer

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 15:00:00 +0000

I went to Paris for the first time in the summer of 2021. I was so amazed by all of the architecture, buildings and delicious food. Crêpes & croissants galore! Seriously, I had a chocolate croissant every single morning I was there haha. They are my favorite pastry.

If you are looking to stay in a hostel, I stayed at The People – Paris Belleville and highly recommend it. Some of the neighborhoods in Paris can be less safe, and we felt very safe here. It was clean, quiet, and we made friends within 2 minutes of arriving. It also had a cute outdoor area, and was a 5 minute walk away from the Metro, which was perfect for us!

1. Eiffel Tower

I mean….obviously this has to be on the list so we’re just gonna stick it right on top! My biggest regret from this trip is not seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. Definitely would recommend doing that as well; I plan on coming back just to see it sparkling at night!✨✨

2. Luxembourg Gardens

We spent some time walking around these beautiful gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg in French). It was so fun – they are so so pretty and there are so many great spots to stop and snap a cute pic! There were also a lot of people having picnics or just hanging out on this huge grassy area in front of the Luxembourg Palace.

3. Maisons colorées de la rue Cremieux

If you’ve ever seen these colorful houses on instagram and wondered “huh where are those,” well here they are! This entire street is lined with colorfully painted homes. It is a definite must-add to your bucket list for your next trip to Paris.

4. The Louvre

Another classic! And also another slight regret of mine is not actually checking out the Louvre Museum. This is where the Mona Lisa resides! I plan on going back and going through the museum next time I come to Paris.

It is also definitely worth walking around and seeing the surrounding attractions, Colonnade de Perrault and Tuileries Garden while you are here!

5. Hôtel de Ville

This hotel is stunning! The neighborhood it is located in, Le Marais, is so fun to walk around. There are tons of shops and restaurants. You can also catch the sunset on the Seine!

6. Arc de Triomphe

Now actually, while I was in Paris, they were doing construction on the Arc so I wasn’t too stoked about the pics I took. As you can see, there is a large red crane in the very front. That being said, traveling is not JUST about the pics you can take.

So I still went up to the panoramic viewpoint on top of the Arc to check out a 360 view of the city. Definitely worth it if you want to see the entire city. There was also a super cool spiral staircase on the descent.

7. Sacré-Cœur

We did an excursion to Montmartre towards the end of my time in Paris. It was SO fun. Walking up and down the steps to the Sacre-Cœur was great exercise haha. You can also watch the beautiful sunset over all of Paris here😍.

8. Panthéon

We happened to walk past this monument in the 5th arrondissement while meandering about. I really love the little French flag on top too!

9. Champs-Élysées

Definitely definitely would recommend walking down the Champs-Élysées. There are so many nice stores and cafés! The shopping in Paris is unparalleled. This street made me feel like French royalty.

10. Gucci Store

Last but certainly not least, a favorite hidden gem of mine – the Gucci store along the Champs-Élysées. This one might just be a personal favorite – but I LOVE the color pink and this store was incredible. Perfect for a mirror selfie!!

In summary, there are so many great spots in Paris to take photos and explore! Feel free to drop a comment if I missed any of your favorite spots. I plan on coming back to Paris this Spring…subscribe below or follow me on Instagram to follow along!

mariss

The post 10 Stunning Sights to See in Paris This Summer first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona This Summer

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Let me start off by saying that Barcelona is an incredible city and there are WAY more than 10 sights worth seeing and things to do. You definitely need to add Barcelona to your list! If you are looking to stay in a hostel, I stayed at the Rodamon Barcelona (now called the Central House) and highly recommend it. It was clean, quiet, and I made friends easily there. It also had a cute outdoor patio, and was within walking distance to all of the sights and so much shopping.

That being said, these were my personal top 10 favorite stops during my week long trip in the city.

And don’t forget to drop your email below to get all of these spots and more sent straight to your inbox!

1. Sagrada Familia

This one is really just a no-brainer and tops all the lists of best things to see in Barcelona. The architecture is unreal and you can learn so much about the history of the temple, the architect Antoni Gaudi himself, and his impact on Barcelona architecture.

2) Park Güell

Another Gaudi classic! I took about 2 hours to really explore the grounds and everything to see here and it was so worth it. His architecture is nothing like I’ve ever seen anywhere else!

3) Casa Milà

Okay I think over half of these will be Gaudi classics…but this one was right next to my hostel so I passed it almost every day. You can also take a tour to see the inside, although I did not choose to spend my money touring each of these, I have heard it is definitely worth it if you are interested and have the time!

4) Casa Battló

Gaudi again…..this one is SO cool at night, I took a lot of great photos here and it looks so so pretty all lit up!!

5) Arc de Triomf

Yes! There is one here too! So many people thought this was a photo from Paris haha. It really is the perfect backdrop for an artsy photo.

6) Passeig de Lluís

Riiiight behind the arc de triomf (or I guess..leading up to it depending where you’re coming from!) is this incredibly photogenic avenue.

7) Palau Nacional

I mean come on look at this ceiling!!! The drive up to the palace was absolutely stunning as well, and walking all around and inside was so cool!

8) Catedral de Barcelona

Located right in the Gothic Quarter, don’t miss out on exploring this stunning church. This is also a great area in general to explore – so many shops, restaurants, bars & clubs.

9) Jardins del Laberint d’Horta

These gardens are located a bit further outside of the city but SO worth the drive out. It was so fun to explore, get some fresh air and see the greenery. This photo was a fun little maze with a beautiful fountain in the middle – honestly it took me longer than I’d like to admit to find the middle…

10) Sitges

Last but not least….day trip to Sitges is a must-do. This little beach town was so cute and was so nice to get out of the city and explore. So many great spots to take photos and enjoy the beach!

You really can’t go wrong when exploring Barcelona. Feel free to drop a comment if I missed any of your favorite spots, and add your email below to follow along!

mariss

The post 10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona This Summer first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.