Paris: Au Revoir, Forever?

 When you think of Paris, what comes to mind? Love? Romance? Pasta? Whatever it is that draws to Paris, it is a city full of mystery, twinkling lights, and the best wine on Earth. I had the great pleasure of being able to visit Paris a few years back with my family, and if it were not for Covid-19, I would be back in a heartbeat. I know it is difficult for all of us to have the internal conflict of wanting to go and explore the world, yet wanting to keep us and others safe during this pandemic. I have never felt so mystified and completely engulfed by a city before. If you are planning to head to Paris shortly, it is listed as a Level 3 by the CDC, which indicates rescheduling due to issues with Covid-19. However, if you are still determined to make the trek, you will not be disappointed. Due to the pandemic, Expedia has roundtrip flights from Minneapolis to Paris for as low as $1,000.

The Other City That Never Sleeps

Paris offers a large number of attractions to keep you busy from sunrise to sunset. Some of my recommendations for Paris include:

• The Eiffel Tower
• The Palace of Versailles
• The Champs De Elysee
• The Louvre Museum
• The Notre Dame
• The Arc De Triomphe 

  

  Eiffel Tower, Thorston Technoman 2017
  

  
  

Between the shopping on the Champs De Elysee, the beautiful sights of the city from the top of the Eiffel Tower, and the exquisite artwork displayed in the Louvre Museum, there is absolutely no shortage of attractions and activities to keep you on your feet all day. 

Things to Keep in Mind While in Paris

As is common when traveling to any new country or city, there are always things you want to be careful to keep you and your travel companions safe and experience a joyful trip. These include:

• Avoid talking to strangers selling bootleg alcohol or cigarettes
• Don't walk on the dark or less-traveled streets alone at night
• Make a note to check if the restaurant you are dining at accepts tips; in some countries, tips may be seen as disrespectful
• Do not point or stand in traffic to try to take photographs

If you follow these steps, you will have a glorious time in the city of love. I hope one day we are all able to travel safely again, and I wish nothing more but for all of you to be able to experience the magic that lies within Paris. Everyone deserves to feel like they are in a truly magical place once in their life. Hopefully, one day, we won't have to feel guilty about leaving the house and exploring the world.

The Louvre Museum, Pixabay 2015

Sources used:

U.S. State Department. (2020). France Travel Advisory. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/france-travel-advisory.html

Expedia. (2020). Cheap Flights: Airline Tickets, Airfare Deals & One Way Flights: Expedia. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.expedia.com/Flights-Search?flight-type=RoundTrip