Paris

Paris should be on everyone's travel bucket list. One of the most romantic destinations in Europe, the city's tree-lined boulevards, limestone buildings, and curling Seine river has summoned travelers across the ages. You have to see Paris at least once. Especially at dusk, when legendary landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre-Coeur, and the Arc de Triomphe light up its skyline, the entire city seems to glow. No wonder Paris is nicknamed 'the City of Lights'. 

Exploring the nooks and crannies of this city will leave you in awe. There's something for everyone here. Art lover? Once you're done with the Louvre, make a start on the Musée d'Orsay or Musée de l'Orangerie. For many Impressionist artists, Paris was home and the subject of their work. After you look at their paintings, as you step outside, you'll almost expect the streets to be made of brushstrokes. If you like retail therapy, look no further than the Galeries Lafayette, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, or the Marais. In Paris, fashion is less about clothes and more a way of life. History buffs won't be able to walk a block without uncovering a monument to Napoleon, the revolution, or Louis XIV. For foodies, Paris is heaven itself. Known for bread, wine, and cheese, you'll have to tear your eyes and stomach away from the patisserie windows and market stands. 

However, whatever your interest, Paris is made for walking and looking. Each neighborhood, or arrondissement, has a unique personality and atmosphere, so be sure to immerse yourself in as many of them as possible. Hilly Montmartre is not to be missed, capped by the Sacre-Coeur, and lined with ivy-clad buildings. Also worth a visit is trendy St-Germain and the historically significant Bastille. After your exploring, shopping, eating, and art-admiring is done for the day, you'll want to grab a bottle of that exquisite French wine and head back to the Eiffel Tower or the banks of the Seine. The glittering lights and rhythm of the city around you make you feel like you're at the center of the universe. The real reason they say Paris is the 'City of Love' is that you'll be guaranteed to fall for it. 

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