I seriously Googled "map of Europe" to see exactly where we're traveling next month.
I always get nervous before our trips, I'm not sure why. There's butterflies in my stomach as I think about traveling to a new place completely foreign to my own little world. Thankfully, I have the best travel buddy a girl could ask for and it always puts me to ease knowing he's leading the way. I think I'm actually more nervous for this trip, if you can believe it. We've traveled all over the world, stayed in places where we took a hallowed out boat to get to our destination and it's Europe I'm scared about! Maybe it's because I'll actually have to bring real clothes and look cute on this trip. Usually it's hot and we're at the beach and I don't even use a blow-dryer! This time I'll have to plan and prepare ... or bring lots of hats.
We bought a few travel books and listened to an audio book in the car last weekend. It's going to be a lot of fun! Here's my list of things I'd like to see and do:
London
- Visit all the neighborhoods like Notting Hill, Camdentown and Hyde Park. This is the stuff Andi and I love to do - walk around and people watch, stop into cafes for a cup of coffee, buy yummy food, just hang out.
- Visit the Tower of London. It was mentioned by both my sister-in-law who used to live in London and in a few guide books as a must-see. So, we must see!
- Shop at TopShop. My sister-in-law raves about it and I always read about stars shopping there.
- Visit Big Ben and Westminster
- Ride the Tube ... "Mind the Gap"
- Walk around and take in all the holiday decor
- See the Eiffel Tower, of course. I don't really need to go up in it though. I'll be fine to see it, say I did and move on. Maybe grab lunch and find somewhere to sit nearby to take in the sights.
- ... and visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe and the Louve (if we can handle the crowds)
- The Pointe of Île de la Cité is a city park where I'd love to grab lunch and people watch.The Canal St-Martin sounds like another cool place to sit and chill
- Wonder if there will be any ice skating rinks? I've never been ... what better place to learn that Paris?
- Try to speak French (even a little bit) to a local
- And Christmas shopping! I might do a little of that in both cities!
What else should we do while we're in London and Paris?
I'm so excited for you. I studied abroad for a few weeks in France and then a full semester in London in college. Love both London & Paris. I think your list of to-dos looks good - especially just soaking it in. Why not take the tube & the metro to random stops & walk around? I always meant to do the Eye of London (big ferris wheel) but never got around to it. Walk across the London Bridge - good pics (I think it's near the Tower of London? Can't remember). Yes, Top Shop is good. I loved H&M there, but of course now that's not a novelty in the US. In Paris make sure to get an authentic crepe from a creperie and just sit at a cafe with an espresso. I liked the Montmarte area for pics in Paris (I think it's featured in Amelie?)
ReplyDeleteYou'll have a great time no matter what you do. Can't WAIT for your blog posts. When do you leave?
You are going to have an amazing time! I can't wait to hear all about it : )
ReplyDeleteOh and don't worry so much about the hair, if it is anything like Ireland (I am not good at geography) it rained most of the nine days we were there, just because that is what it does. If it wasn't raining it was damp and humid.
You are going to have a blast!