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Departure I don’t even have the right words to thank Brandi and Mikaela for bringing me on this trip. Without them, none of this would have been possible. They gave me the chance to experience something so special, something that has changed me in ways I never expected. Without them, I wouldn’t have even had the chance to enter the scrapbook contest. Now seeing something so special, I hope to bring my mom, the person who has always been there for me, my best friend. She has given me everything, and I want nothing more than to share this magic with her. Paris is a place that should be experienced with someone you love, and if I get the chance to bring her here, it would mean the world to me. Post-Paris

This Paris tour involves extensive walking. Our tour (June 26-July 6) averaged 16,000 steps daily. In Paris, streets are uneven and stairs are very narrow. Consider this and what you can physically do before booking to ensure an enjoyable experience. The demands during your trip include: Carrying your luggage up several flights of stairs to reach your hotel room (Depends what type of floor you're on. We were on the second floor to start, and then switched to the first floor. Stairs were bearable, just a bit narrow as pictured). Being on your feet, walking and standing, for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions (Depends on the season. We went in June-July and it was perfect cool weather). Sleep with street noise and weak air conditioning (Depends on hotel, ours was perfectly fine.) Able to navigate around the city on your own. (We loved walking everywhere, and it was one of my favorite benefits of the trip.) Physical Demands

Flight ➡ Arrival Get the app for miles! We took a Delta Flight out of JFK airport. I was so excited, since it was not just my first flight, but first time going to Europe! We experienced few lines, and TSA was a breeze. Included in the tour is a pouch for important documents. This came in handy when in the airport. Got My Wings! Getting on was pretty smooth. Mikaela was kind enough to let me sit near the window. One thing on my bingo card with this trip was getting my wings! The stewardess was so kind, and even gave us a snack bag for the trip. For our 7 1/2 hour flight, I ended up watching Friends, Mean Girls: The Musical , and read my favorite book. Mikaela crocheted, read, and watched Titanic (she has watched this 5 times). To ensure my comfort, I used this awesome neck pillow , 10/10 recommend for people with neck/back problems. Next Page

Day 5 of Rick Steves Today we are headed to the Palace of Versailles...and wow, I am a bit overwhelmed. There was so much here, and out of the days we had been there in Paris, it was probably the hottest. When going on the tour, make sure to look at the temperature in advance to plan attire accordingly. Everywhere I looked, there was gold, marble, or some insanely detailed decoration. It’s wild to think this was once just a hunting lodge before Louis XIV turned it into the ultimate royal palace. I visited the King’s and Queen’s Apartments, where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette lived. Marie Antoinette’s bedroom was especially extravagant, with a ridiculously fancy bed, floral wallpaper, and golden details everywhere. Check it out! Palace of Versailles The Gardens After, we headed out to the gardens which were beautiful! We wanted to check out Marie Antoinette's Hamlet, but it was closed. It was built for Marie Antoinette so she could escape the rigid royal life and pretend to be a simple farm girl. Before heading out, we got a quick bite from this cute little cafe in the gardens (there are lots of shops within the actual gardens). Following our stroll in the gardens, we rented a boat on the water. It was cool, but I was way too confident when rowing. You definitely need someone strong to row, or take turns like we did. Definitely a funny and memorable moment for us. Next Page

A Day in Giverny June 29th On this day, we went on a tour with BlueFox Travel. Our tour included venturing to Monet's Gardens in Giverny. We experienced the famous water lilies, Monet's house and gardens, an intro course on Monet's life, paintings and impressionism, and Monet's gravesite. Click the link to book now! We started the tour in Giverny by walking through Monet's gardens. We were able to see the various inspiration for his work, such as the water lilies. These photos don't do this garden justice. After exploring Monet's garden, we took a tour of his house. Honestly, it was an incredible experience that’s hard to put into words. My favorite part was definitely his kitchen, where art wasn’t just confined to canvases, but was also an integral part of the home’s decor. 1/5 1/3 During the tour, we visited Monet's grave site, which is situated behind the church just a 10 minute walk from his home. The large family tomb is adorned with flowers, reflecting his passion for gardening. Monet is laid to rest alongside his second wife, as well as his two sons, Jean and Michel, and their wives. I found these prints for just 5 euros! The gift shop offered a wide variety of souvenir options. Although I couldn't find a pin, Mikaela discovered some great gifts for her family. It's truly a shopping paradise for tourists! We ended our night by seeing the Eiffel Tower light up. Quick tip: If you want to see the Eiffel tower light up, during the Summer season, it glistens from from dusk until 2 a.m. (1 a.m. during winter). It will shine for 5 minutes, so get those pictures while you can! Next Page

June 28th We began our day with a delightful breakfast. The freshly squeezed juice was amazing, and everything tasted fresh. I experienced this freshness throughout the trip, especially compared to the food in the States. The breakfast area was cozy, providing a wonderful atmosphere for dining; we definitely took advantage of the breakfast every morning. 2 Tours in 1 Day Book Now! The Palais Garnier After a delicious breakfast, we couldn’t wait for our audio tour of the Opera House! The breathtaking ceilings and cherubs left me in awe. The intricate artistry and grandeur of the space created such a magical atmosphere - it's a must-see for anyone who loves beauty, culture, and art. We even got to see the Phantom of the Opera Booth and original costumes worn in the theater. Totally recommend checking this out during your spare time, it's a must. Personally, this was Mikaela's and my favorite. (I started my collection of pins! My first one was of the Opera House.) After coming from the Opera House, we grabbed some gelato and wandered around before heading to our tour at the Eiffel Tower. Made a perfect detour to the Lafayette Galleria; I couldn't resist a photo op at Tiffany & Co., which definitely gave me flashbacks from my Sweet 16. Going up the Eiffel Tower was so surreal. We saw beautiful views between each tier. When going to the first level, we experienced the floor being see-through, which was unexpected, and even saw a restaurant (yes, a full on restaurant) as well! As we continued going up, we ended at the summit (the highest point of the tower), which is limited capacity. At the top, we saw awesome sites of the city, including some of the Olympic sites, such as the beach volleyball court set in front of the tower. Next Page