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

How to prepare for your Paris Trip Preparing a trip to Paris can feel overwhelming with so many details to consider. But don't worry - below I break down exactly what you need to prepare, from packing lists to important tips and tricks to making the most out of your trip. Essential Packing Guide for Paris Clothing Versatile pants that coordinate with multiple shirts to maximize outfit combinations while minimizing luggage space Mix of casual and dressy shirts for layering and repeated wear Sundresses that transition from daytime sightseeing to evening dining Comfortable walking sneakers - essential for exploring Paris's cobblestone streets One pair of dressier sandals for evenings out Adequate socks and undergarments Accessories Secure, cross-body bag or anti-theft backpack for city exploration (Paris is known for pickpockets. I used my Lululemon belt bag and hooked it to me, so I was the only one to open it) Sunglasses for protection while outdoor sightseeing Travel-sized straightener for hair maintenance Neck pillow for comfortable flights Earbuds for audio tours (Bluetooth is good for walking tours. However, your guide will hand you a Vox Box , which allows you to listen to your guide through earphones due to noisy surroundings. The audio box comes with earbuds, but some don't prefer the ones they give you. On the contrary, I had no issue with it. It's all about preference.) Not much an accessory, but equally as important; a printed photo of yourself. This will be needed for your metro card given to you by your guide. This needs to be pretty small, maybe 1.5cmx1cm. Personal Care Complete toiletry kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, skincare essentials Travel-sized moisturizer and hand sanitizer Minimal makeup kit for day-to-night looks Sunscreen for sun protection while exploring Hair accessories and styling products Optional Items Body Wash (provided in hotel, so not essential) Phone Hook (Hooks on to your phone case and bag; pickpocket proof) School ID for students (can receive discounts in certain places) Travel-sized conditioner (coordinate with travel companions to avoid duplicates) Journal + Pen (Highly recommend! I journaled every single day, and I am glad I did. ) Digital Camera (Loved the quality of my photos, but a phone with a good camera will suffice. ) Tip: Paris is a fashion-conscious city, but comfort should be your priority. Pack clothes that make you feel confident while still being practical for extensive walking and variable weather conditions. Packing Cubes Packing cubes save space for souvenirs while keeping your suitcase and hotel room perfectly organized. Such a game changer! Below I provided the ones I used and loved. Check it out! Check it out! Next Page

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.