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Paris in Pieces is about my Rick Steves experience in the city of lights. Welcome to Paris in Pieces Experience the City of Light Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Tour Begins Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Departure Bonjour! Welcome to my scrapbook of our unforgettable tour of France! I’m so grateful to my best friend Mikaela and her mom Brandi for making this adventure possible. Celebrating Mikaela's Sweet 16 together in the enchanting city of Paris was a dream come true. Join me as I share the highlights of our amazing 10-day journey, showcasing the beauty of Paris through our eyes! How It All Started Since I met Mikaela in third grade, our lives have been intertwined in the most beautiful way. From the very beginning, we clicked effortlessly, sharing a mutual love for theater, art, and countless other passions. As the years passed, our bond grew stronger, evolving into a sisterly connection that I know will last a lifetime. Mikaela isn't just my best friend; she's my chosen sister. Her family has embraced me as one of their own, just as mine has done for her. We've celebrated milestones, supported each other through challenges, and created memories that will forever warm my heart. Our friendship is a testament to the power of connection and the beauty of shared passions. I am endlessly grateful for Mikaela and the unbreakable bond we share, a treasure I will cherish forever. This extends to her mom, Brandi, as well. Having people who always support you is a gift you don't take for granted. When running for student body, Mikaela was the one who went out of her way to campaign for me. When discovering the beauty of theater and art, Brandi was the one who took me with Mikaela to my first Broadway musical. The point is, she’s my constant, my confidante, and my forever friend; the kind of person who turns life’s uncertainties into shared adventures and unshakable support. " European history is like a big puzzle. At first it's all a jumble to keep track of, but the more you bring the pieces together it actually gets easier." - Rolinka Bloeming Why Rick Steves? If you want a vacation that goes beyond tourist traps and into the heart of a destination, Rick Steves is the way to go. His approach is all about traveling like a temporary local, finding hidden gems, embracing different cultures, and coming home with a new perspective. Whether you're joining one of his expertly crafted tours or using his guidebooks to explore on your own, you’ll get an experience that’s rich, immersive, and stress-free. With a focus on meaningful connections and independent adventure, Rick Steves makes travel feel personal, exciting, and unforgettable. One of the best parts of his tours? The incredible guides. Rick Steves handpicks experts who bring history and culture to life with passion and insight. We absolutely loved our guide, Rolinka; she made every moment engaging and unforgettable.

Day 2 of Rick Steves We got up early and got some breakfast in the breakfast nook; my go-to was always cheese, yogurt, and a hard-boil egg. After, we set off to meet everyone outside the hotel and to do our buddy check before exploring the the world's most significant medieval Gothic churches; Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. Church #1: Notre-Dame Heading to our next spot I really loved checking out Notre-Dame, even though we couldn't actually go inside. I had been looking forward to this spot, and I can't wait to see it all finished when I come back one day. Notre-Dame is famous for its rose windows, which are such a cool part of gothic architecture. There are three of these awesome circular stained glass windows, and they're all still sporting their original stained glass from the 13th century! On our way to the next church, we took a visit to the renowned Shakespeare and Company. This iconic bookstore in Paris has been a beloved meeting spot for writers and readers since the 1920s. Church #2: Sainte-Chapelle Sainte-Chapelle is simply breathtaking! It's a beautiful piece of history from the royal palace in the city. Built in the 13th century by Louis IX, who later became Saint Louis, it was made to hold important relics: the Crown of Thorns and a bit of the True Cross. After checking out Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, and grabbing a quick bite, we headed over to the Arc de Triomphe on our own. Once we got the top, we were blown away by the amazing views of the city! This iconic monument honors everyone who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all the victories and generals carved into the walls. And right underneath it is Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Dinner Tonight, Brandi took us to get soufflé at Récamier Sté le for the first time. The texture threw me off, but not too bad. We also got cheese ravioli in a white butter sauce with vegetables, which was a taste of pure heaven. Next Page

Oh boy, do I miss Paris! Here are some of my highlights of the trip: #1: I loved having a picnic with our friend Gene underneath the Eiffel Tower. It was so nice and refreshing to just sit there and eat really good food! #2: Moving into my second highlight, I loved the food, in particular the bread. Every single day, fresh bread is made at the boulangeries. A boulangerie is a French bakery, as opposed to a pastry shop. Bakeries must bake their bread on-premises to hold the title of 'boulangerie' in France. #1 #2 #3 #3: My third highlight was the Opera House, a personal favorite for Mikaela and me. I honestly was in awe for every single cherub, painting, and ceiling. Journaling

Journaling The whole trip, I journaled every single day. As someone who does this regularly, it is something I suggest doing. While making this scrapbook, I definitely kept looking back to ensure every detail was in chronological order. Additionally, I saved every single euro I got, and put it within a compartment of my journal. I also did this with guide pamphlets, paper coasters, french labels, etc. Journaling might not be for everyone, but I can ensure you it is worth trying. This is the journal I ended up using, which has tons of pages and a few file bags. I used this compartment for tickets, labels, and euros.

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

Morning Before Tour Starts Before the tour starts, Brandi took Mikaela and I on an audio tour to the Rodin Museum. Another one of my favorite tours we have done so far. There was a lot of well-know pieces from Carriere, Thaulow, Van Gogh, Munch, etc. Gallery Walk We got a bit carried away... After our tour, we noticed a Dior Pop-up and had to check it out. It was really nice, I haven't really seen anything like this before, so this was definitely a new experience. After the Rodin Museum, we walked to the Pont Alexandre III and enjoyed the view. We got lucky because it was soon closed due to the Olympics being hosted. Before heading back to the hotel to finally start the tour, we got a quick lunch; a cheese board and crepes with Nutella and honey! (I still dream about that cheese board!!) Next Page