France

Your perfect Paris itinerary for four days in Paris by a former resident

May 17, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

After living in Paris, I have been asked quite a few times for my Paris itinerary recommendations. I’ve put a lot of thought into what do to do in Paris and how long to spend in Paris, so I’ve assembled this itinerary for four days in Paris (with an additional day trip to Versailles) for how long I think is just right.

This itinerary is a mix of the top things to do in Paris that everyone will tell you that you must do and lesser-known things in Paris that may not be on your radar yet. I also include my favorite restaurants in Paris. Keep reading for my perfect Paris itinerary for four days in Paris.

I’ve broken this itinerary into four days to show you the different sides to Paris, including the side that not everyone sees. Obviously, not everyday may be what you want to do in Paris, however I hope that it serves as inspiration for your Paris itinerary. If you follow this itinerary, please let me know what you think!

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20 Tips for Eurorailing Around Europe for first time backpackers

April 29, 2017 by Karen 34 Comments

As an American who did my first Eurotrip after graduating college AND now a European resident, I’ve learned a lot lessons about train travel in Europe.

These are tips for traveling around Europe by train for first-timers considering buying the Eurail pass, which is available to non-European citizens.

Non-European citizens living in Europe can also buy the Eurail pass, but you cannot use it in your country of residence. (Interrail is only for EU Citizens, so interrailing does differ in some ways. However many of these tips for European train travel might still be useful!)

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Four days in Normandy road trip: The perfect Normandy itinerary

April 13, 2018 by Karen 22 Comments

Considering visiting Normandy from Paris? You definitely should! Depending on how much you want to do, you can visit Normandy as a day trip from Paris if you only visit Rouen or spend three to four days road tripping in Normandy to enjoy the tranquility of the countryside in Normandy.

If you’re thinking that Normandy will be anything like Paris, get that thought out of your mind. Expect incredibly friendly people, reasonable accommodation options, mind-blowingly good food at the same price as an average meal in Paris, stunning cities filled with history and fantastic drinks.

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10 Paris scams to avoid and 10+ tips for avoiding pickpockets in Paris

April 4, 2018 by Karen 14 Comments

Paris is a fantastic city to visit, especially for first time visitors to Europe, however you’ll need to be aware of your surroundings as there are quite a few scammers in Paris. My husband has personally been scammed in Paris and I’ve been on my best behavior while living in Paris to avoid pickpockets in Paris….

Hopefully, these tips for avoiding pickpockets in Paris and knowledge about popular scams in Paris will help you avoid being scammed in Paris. This post includes tips from other Parisian residents as well as travelers on scams in Paris that they’ve encountered.

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Covered Passages of Paris: A free self guided walking tour of Paris arcades with map

January 21, 2018 by Karen 18 Comments

If you’re visiting Paris, you might be looking for something unusual to do in Paris besides seeing the Eiffel Tower. Either way, you will not want to miss the arcades of Paris. In my time living in Paris, I loved getting lost in the covered passages in Paris, which retain an air of magic and make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

This free self-guided walking tour through Paris should give you glimpse into the secret Paris that Parisians know, love, and guard with their lives. This walk through the covered passages of Paris includes some of Paris’ most beautiful passages, including Passage Verdeau, Galerie Vivienne, and Passage des Panoramas as well as some off the beaten path attractions.

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24 hours in Paris: A local’s guide to off the beaten path Paris

November 10, 2017 by Karen 3 Comments

In a sea of blogs about Paris, Kate from MoreNativeThanTheNatives, a Parisian resident, is here to give you an insider’s guide to Paris off the beaten path and Paris on a budget. She’s crafted a plan for 24 hours in Paris with alternative things to do in Paris and some best kept secrets. Keep reading for this off the beaten path Paris on a budget guide with a map!

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The perfect day trip from Paris to Provins, a beautiful medieval town

February 26, 2018 by Karen 3 Comments

Visiting Paris and looking for the perfect day trip from Paris? Look no further than Provins, a medieval town that has been recognized as a French UNESCO world heritage site. Traveling from Paris to Provins takes about an hour and a half by train, however it’s easy to spend the day exploring the city. Keep reading for what to do in Provins in one day and where to eat in Provins. There’s a downloadable map with the best things to do in Provins at the bottom.

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