Go big or go home! That was the motto when planning our 2023 Summer Vacations. We wanted to go international but we wanted everyone’s input. As the girls and I watched Emily in Paris, the girls voted for Paris. So we started in Paris!
Bonjour! We took the overnight flight from Orlando to Paris. I booked an Air b n b in the 7th Arrondissement. A quaint little place on the 5th floor. No elevator so we hoofed it up the small spiral staircase strapped with our backpacks. The apartment was small – much like you’d expect for city living. But we were living in Paris for the next three days.
The first day was tough. Little to no sleep on the flight over and a six hour time difference made all of us zombie-like by 8 pm. We pushed through the day having only a tour of the Eiffel Tower on our agenda. There is a lot of construction happening in the city due to the hosting of the 2024 Summer Olympics. We had to follow the detour to the Champ de Mars garden but eventually made it. Walking up on the Eiffel Tower is as breathtaking the second time. It’s magnificent! It’s a wonder! When Jonah said “This is amazing!” I knew it wasn’t just me. (I may be more easily impressed than him)
Dad writes:
Revisiting Paris with Jonah, Julia and Lily was everything I hoped it would be. By accident and savvy planning, I feel like our three days in Paris was the perfect taste of what makes it such a memorable city. We struck a balance between sightseeing, strolling neighborhoods, and enjoying beautiful green spaces.
Our family could not help but appreciate Paris’s unique architecture, centuries old buildings, and café lined streets. We’ve never been anywhere like this on our family travels.
While I truly enjoyed taking a tour to the second level of the Eiffel Tower, seeing the Winged Victory statue and the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, and cruising along La Seine on a river cruise, my fondest memories will be strolling through the 5th, 6th and 7th Arrondissements, the winding hilly streets of Montmartre, enjoying time relaxing in the parks, our many meals at street side cafés, afternoon double espressos and pastries and our 5th floor walk-up apartment that made us feel like true Parisians for our stay.
I’ll never forget…
Seeing thousands of Parisians lining the Seine on the evening of our riverboat cruise (This was a Tuesday at 10pm, mind you) enjoying a summer night amongst friends over beer or a bottle of wine, and waving at the boats as we went by. It captured the true essence of Paris life.
Smithie Adventures 