Sunday, October 19, 2014

Travel log: Paris in September '14



One fine day, out of the blue, me and my husband, decided to go to Paris (for a week). It was something we both decided so randomly and everything fell into place one after the other. We just booked the tickets and the Hotel and got the Visa almost in a flash.
With less than a week for us to leave for Paris, we both were in a fix as to what to pack.
We weren't going for  camping/trekking or just any other trip where we could fare well with a couple of jeans and sneakers. We did not want to look "touristy" even though we were and we were worried about dress-codes especially in restaurants.

So finally we decided to play safe and kept loads of black -had heard Parisians love black, grey, taupe with little pops of color in the form of scarves. If you are in Paris, you must add a scarf either around your neck or your bag to look chic. Probably the only city in the world (after the middle- east, of course) where scarves are loved! You do not need to buy a Hermes scarf, any simple chiffon, silk or Pashmina will do.

We were also worried about the weather, anything could be cold for us since our innate thermostats are in tune with the Middle-eastern weather! However, the weather in Paris in September was really pleasant, mornings were warm yet breezy and the evenings got a little cooler. It never rained there throughout our trip (yayyy! )

So what did I pack?

-Jeans obviously, black slacks, semi-casual tops, maxi-dresses (can never get enough of those)
-blazer, lightweight sweater for the cool evenings
-LOADS of scarves ;)
-Clarks shoes,Cozy knee length boots, neutral Fit Flops (did not take my sneakers)
-Aldo Black Handbag (large, light, completely zippered and strong with double straps- had heard pickpocketing is very common in Paris as in all the large cities! )
-Basic toiletteries- I usually take the cheap ones and leave it in the hotel on the way back.
- Givenchy Perfume, moisturizing Cream, My favorite Bvlgari sunglasses.
- Cosmetics - Something I never compromise on ;)
(Clean &Clear Moisturizer, Loreal UV perfect, Elvive Loreal Hair serum, Sephora Primer, Clinique Anti-blemish Foundation, NARS concealer stick, Maybelline Fit me under eye concealer, Maybelline anti- shine Powder, Borjouis Bronzer, MAC prep+prime illuminator, Bobbi Brown blusher, Bobbi Brown Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette, Mikyajy Eyebrow kit, Maybelline Gel liner, Essence eyeliner, Benefit They're Real Mascara, Mikyajy lip liner, 3 basic makeup brushes- one for powder, foundation and blush.)




Mikyaji Coral Eclairs, MAC girl about town, Bobbi Brown True pink, MAC Russian Red




Where did we stay?

Hotel Ibis, 2, Rue Cambronne
Very close to the Eiffel tower and the Rue de Commerce
Choose the rooms with a view of the Eiffel Tower!

 

Must- see Places:

- Eiffel Tower Tour (1st floor plus summit views)
-Louvre Museum housing the famous Mona Lisa
- Orsay Museum
- Notre Dame
- Pantheon
- Avenue des Champs Elysees
- Arc de triomphe
- Place-de- la- Concorde
-Pont Neuf
-Les Invalides
- Grand and petit palais
-Center Pompidou
- River Seine sunset cruise
- Disneyland resort, Paris
- Chateau Versailles
- French Riviera (Monaco, Cannes, Nice)- South of France

What did we eat?

  • Lots of restaurants, cafes, bistros on every street. Enjoy a cup of warm coffee and a Croissant and watch the Parisians swarm by! 
  • The world's best ice-cream "Bertillon Icecream " Is located on the Île Saint-Louis, small island in the middle of the River Seine. Absolutely Delicious and rich!
  • Paris is also famous for their Macaroons- Stop by Laduree on Champs Elysees and get yourself and your loved ones, boxes of these heavenly macaroons!
Must say that the desserts are hands- down the best I have ever eaten!

Enjoying Gelatos atop the Eiffel Tower!

At Laduree, Champs Elysees

The best Molten Chocolate Cake I had

Macaroons @ Laduree

Yummy triple cheese Pizza

Transport:

- Big Bus Tours: We took the Big Bus Tours on the first day to get oriented to the  place and also to cover the major -tourist sites.
- We used the Paris Metro for the rest of the week. Very fast, efficient and cheap means of travel.
We bought the Paris Passport online before we left. It included the Paris Visite Metro card (zone1-3), the big bus tour for one day, and passes to almost all important museums. (For more information, check the website for Paris passport)

Paris Passports

Places for shopping:

- Rue du Commerce (Lots of shops on this street- local as well as international)
- Galleries Lafayette
- Printemps
- Champs Elysees- one of the most expensive streets in the world, But it has a Sephora! :)
- Monoprix- like your local Hypermarket- we grabbed quick meals/drinks/water from here. Good selection of locally manufactured clothes, shoes, cosmetics, bags, toiletteries etc.

Buy loads of souvenirs for yourself and your family at the local small souvenir shops you can see everywhere as the larger souvenir shops at the Tourist sites can be a bit pricey.

Must-buy stuff from Paris:
-Cheese, Dijon Mustard
- Argan Oil
- Cosmetics
-Souvenirs


At the end, I totally fell in love with Paris. With Love in the air, Fashion on the streets, historical stories etched on each and every brick and delicious authentic desserts, who wouldn't fall in LOVE with this magnificent city?

A few snapshots of our stay in Paris:


Morning coffee at starbucks
Delightful flower shop
River seine view from the top

Champ De Mars

Eiffel Tower

On the Big Bus

The Louvre

Lock your love ;)

Notre Dame from the Big Bus
Place de la Concorde
Champs Elysees

Chateau de Versailles

Chateau De Versailles



Disneyland Resort

Disneyland

Center Pompidou

Monaco

Monaco

Monaco

Until Next time , Take care Ladies
- Zara

2 comments:

  1. beautiful pictures!! love macarons and mac lipsticks :)
    http://docdivatraveller.blogspot.in/

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