London & Paris
My time in London and Paris went by like the blink of an eye. I definitely surpassed my step goal within the 48 hours spent between these two luxurious cities. We were able to fully encompass ourselves in the bustling lifestyle.
If you plan on visiting Europe and taking shorter day trips to several countries, I highly recommend booking through easyJet or Ryanair. Both of these airlines offer awesome deals on international flights. We paid only $50 per person flying between London and Paris on easyJet.
The one thing to consider is that you are only allowed ONE carry-on. If you’re not able to fit everything in one bag then you do have additional charges. But, if you are a light packer like myself, these two airlines are the way to go to get the most bang for your buck!
Another traveling tip to consider is staying in hostels instead of hotels. They are a wonderful option for saving money as well, so you are able to indulge in tours and other adventures.
In my experience, the staff has always been super welcoming and informative. They usually have a ton of resources like maps and brochures filled with recommendations of things to do and see. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other travelers and get advice from them as well. They do have options for private rooms if a shared dorm environment is not for you. I personally have not had an issue with cleanliness or theft as most places have staff working round the clock to keep common areas sanitary, and have lockers or locked drawers for your belongings.
London:
Our flight to London arrived late in the evening so instead of perusing the city, we decided to rest up for the next day. We only had one full day to explore before moving onto Paris and wanted to make the most of it! We spent our night in a dorm-style hostel called Palmer’s Lodge. Our room housed up to 12 females and consisted of 6 bunk beds. There were drawers underneath the bottom beds where we stored our belongings overnight and during our day out. Locks were provided so we didn’t have to worry about our possessions being taken.
{I do recommend carrying your passport and other important documentation wherever you go as precautionary measure. I also recommend bringing your own lock if you know you will be sharing a space with so many other travelers. (Flip-flops are a must as well if the bathrooms are shared!)}
Our first morning, we were provided with a breakfast buffet at the hostel before heading out for the day. Another travel tip is to grab a piece of fruit or a granola bar from any included breakfast to have as a snack later on. (Technically you already paid for it.) This makes it easier to keep going throughout the day and saves you some money as well!
The first mission was to conquer Harry Potter’s famous Platform 9 ¾. I didn’t realize how big King’s Cross Station was in person! We walked around the entire building just to realize that there was no actual platform 9 ¾, rather just the Harry Potter shop where you could take a photo with a trolly and a sign.
We then decided to tackle the Harry Potter shop. They sell everything from wands and books, to clothes and stuffed owls. Although we didn’t make any purchases, it was still a nostalgic experience overall.
Our next venture, was to make our way towards Buckingham Palace. We knew it would be a bit of a trek to walk there and wanted to get an earlier start before the crowds. As we made our way up towards Regent Street, we came across a darling tea shop and had to stop in.
The shelves were filled with pastel dishes, saucers, and teacups. At the back of the shop was where they brewed their tea. I ordered a cup of the classic English Breakfast. They made their tea pour-over style and instead of using a bag, had a mesh sieve where the leaves and other spices were captured. The process was slower, but I have never had a fresher tea indulgence.
We finally made it across The Green Park to Buckingham Palace Garden. The Green Park was wonderfully peaceful and a nice break after being on the busy London streets. The park was relatively small, but full of beautiful trees and lush green grass. We took the popular Constitution Hill walking path to the garden. Being that we went to London in March, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. It was a beautiful forefront view that contrasted perfectly with the presence of Buckingham Palace just beyond.
The Queen Victoria Memorial was what first caught my eye. The fountain and Golden angel were ornately designed and the gold punched through the cloudy sky. The circle around the memorial was quite busy even though we arrived early. There was more traffic from taxis and other vehicles than anything. Every time the gates to the palace opened up to let someone pass through, I had such high hopes I would catch a glimpse of a Royal Family member.
I think what brought me the most butterflies was seeing the balcony where Prince William and Princess Kate shared their first kiss. To have seen such a historical event on TV and then to be there in person was absolutely magical.
We spent a decent amount of time taking in the whole view and atmosphere of the property, and to watch the King’s Guard march. It was a bit chilly out, and having run out of tea, we decided to head back towards Regent Street for lunch. My friend Eileen had done some research and knew that London had a great selection of Indian food. Dishoom Carnaby on Kingly Street in Soho district was close by and had wonderful reviews. It was my first time eating Indian food, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I ordered a simple spinach salad and some spiced potatoes. The seasonings were delicious and comforting, and the portion sizes were perfect.
Kingly Street is a cute and quaint cobblestone street with lots of cafes and eateries to sit outside in the spring and summer. The businesses are right side-by-side, making this route a cozy venture. They also have Kingly Court, with multilevel businesses and shops overlooking the food court below.
We spent the remainder of our time stopping in the local shops and listening to buskers on the street. It was a needed break in our trip from the constant rush of things. I honestly cannot remember what we did for dinner, but I do remember eating the most delicious chocolate scone and yogurt parfait for breakfast the next morning.
We were in a bit of a hurry the next day, and had a train to catch to make it to the airport on time. I remember a lot of our walk being uphill and on cobblestone streets. The bakery we stopped in was quite busy, but everyone was extremely friendly. I was able to say hi to every dog that was patiently waiting out front. The morning rush energized me for what would be a longer than expected route to the train. Nonetheless, we were on time for our next departure.
I loved the charm and coziness of London. For it being a bigger city, the sense of community made it feel familiar and like home away from home.
Paris:
Paris was just as comforting and brought me so much joy to visit. Just like London, it had always been on my list of places to go. The Eiffel Tower was a huge draw to me, but also the lifestyle and French culture. I was excited to get the chance to spend some time there, even if it was only for a day.
We booked our Airbnb outside of Paris since it was a lot less expensive and we could easily transport by train to the city. The Airbnb was located in Argenteuil, France and was a charming townhouse owned by a very kind and welcoming family. The owners’ children love to travel and when they are away for holiday or school, the parents rent out their rooms. The room we stayed in had two beds side-by-side and a map on one of the walls. The daughters’ request was that all guests who stayed in their room put a pin on the map marking where they are from.
Our first morning in Argenteuil we took the advice of our host, Stéphane and made the trek 20 minutes to a local lookout point called Butte d'Orgemont. On our way, we passed a wonderful bakery and indulged in beignets and raisin croissants. These were perfect fuel for the inclined hike to our destination. There are several bakeries near the route to Butte d’Orgemont; Le Pain d’Or, Boulangerie la baguette magique, and Boulangerie Patisserie, all with freshly baked goods and French pastry.
Upon arrival to Butte d’Orgemont, there were many stairs to reach the top. We could see the entire town and even the Eiffel Tower in the distance. There was no shortage of panoramic pictures to be taken. The park was relaxing and quiet for a weekday morning, so we took our time walking along the paths and taking in the 360 views. It was hard to leave, but we had Paris to tackle and a long list of sites to see!
We made our way back down the steps and towards our Airbnb. Gare d’Argenteuil Station was only a minute walk from where we were staying, and made transportation to Paris a breeze.
Upon arrival to the city, our first destination was of course, the Eiffel Tower. Even though it was still relatively early, there was a bit of a crowd. Being so up-close to such an infamous landmark felt unreal. I was jittering with excitement and anticipation for what the rest of the day would bring. We decided not to go up into the tower because the crowds, and we failed to pre-book tickets. Nonetheless, I hear the views from the top are amazing and worth the wait!
After spending some time at the Eiffel Tower, we made our way to another popular spot, Pont des Arts- the Love Lock Bridge. Unfortunately, due to the number of locks that had been placed here, and the weight it was bearing on the bridge, most of the locks had been removed. They had plastic shields on the chain links of the bridge so no more locks could be placed. Some visitors had found a way around this though, and we were able to spot a handful of love locks at the top of a few lampposts and below the plastic barriers.
Because this particular bridge was quite busy, we decided to walk along La Seine River and a few bridges down to find a place to sit. We passed several street artists on our way and I purchased a watercolor painting of the Eiffel Tower. All of the art was beautifully done and the artists were very pleasant.
We eventually spotted an open place to sit along one of the bridges. Although there were no benches or seating, we set our things along the railing and took our place on the ground. The air was so warm, and the sun was invigorating. Everything looked so vibrant from the water to the trees and buildings. It was cool to people-watch and see all of the different street-style fashion as well. A local artist even set up his easel across from us so we spent some time just watching him paint on canvas. His style reminded me of Picasso paintings I had seen in museums.
We spent an hour or two enjoying our time by the water before heading out into the city to find lunch. Eileen had dreamed of sitting at an outdoor café in Paris, and was able to find the perfect spot in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. I ordered the most delicious French onion soup of course, and was not disappointed. The melted cheese and saltiness went perfectly with the soaked bread and sautéed onions.
Side Note: If you’re a macaron lover, there is no shortage of these delicate desserts in Paris. There are a ton of patisseries here, one being Ladurée. They are known for their macarons and petite pastries.
After our leisurely lunch at the cafe, we checked out Google Maps and routed our way to the Luxembourg Gardens. It was a beautiful day in March and there were a lot of locals and visitors seated at the tables and benches along the ponds and green lawns. The gardens had neatly planted flowers in rows, and beautifully maintained grasses. It reminded me of an upgraded version of Central Park; the plot design was impeccably done. We didn’t stay for too long since Eileen had a Pharmacie she wanted to check out, and we still needed to make it to the Arc de Triomphe.
In Paris there is no shortage of Pharmacies. I’m not huge into skincare or makeup products but it was a nice break to peruse and browse the aisles. The staff was so friendly and helpful. They were very knowledgeable about their skincare products and pharmaceutical medications as well.
The walk from the Luxembourg Gardens to the Arc de Triomphe was going to take us about an hour and we wanted to make it before dark so we could get a good view of the Eiffel Tower lights twinkling at night. (They start at dusk and end at 11:45pm every evening.)
One of the best views of the Eiffel Tower is from an open plaza called Place du Trocadéro. It is a popular plaza for tourists to enjoy sites of the city. We stayed for a few but then decided to make our way back towards the train since it was so late. We actually ended up viewing the lights on a nearby overpass, which turned out to be even better.
The night ended with us taking the train back to Argenteuil and resting up before an early flight again the next morning. We clocked out at 33,500 steps and roughly 14.5 miles that day.
If you are a fan of big cities, I would make sure to put London and Paris on your bucket list! It was a whirlwind 48 hours for sure, but definitely doable and I have no regrets!