I’m finally home from my vacation in France, Amsterdam and Berlin, and as with any trip I’ve ever taken, I am experiencing some mixed emotions about being back. I try to lessen these FLUCTUATING feelings by living by my mom’s MAXIM, “It’s great to travel and it’s great to come home.” I was able to finish off the trip with a short, but oh-so-sweet stop in the city of lights. I spent one week in Paris two years ago and wasn’t as impressed as I had anticipated. During that entire trip, I RELENTLESSLY tried to convince myself that I was as obsessed with the city as most Americans are. I am proud to say that thanks to my most current trip, I am a CONFIRMED Parisian-Lover, and the half-a-day I spent in Paris was, finally, as lovely as I had hoped.
I have one tip for ASPIRING travelers: Before you depart, read a book/s about the places that you are going to visit. During this trip, I read The Sweet Life in Paris, by food-blogger, David Lebovitz. At the back of this fantastic book, Lebovitz recommends restaurants, boulangeries, fromageries, e.t.c in Paris. Coming from someone who has lived there for over a decade, I trust his advice and made a point to stop at some of his holy grail Parisian places.
First Stop: Da Rosa
Restaurant Da Rosa offers traditional and authentic French fare.
Second Stop: Poilâne
Bread offered at Poilâne bakery has gained the reputation of “best bread in the world” and is inscribed with a cursive “P.”
David Lebovitz recommends these “deceptively simple” and incredibly delicious apple tarts from Poilâne.
Third Stop: Ladurée
The rose infused macaron I had from Ladurée was the single best dessert I have tasted. They definitely live up to their reputation.
The pastries at Ladurée looked just as divine as the macarons.
Fourth Stop: G. Detou
G. Detou, which translates to “I have everything,” offers specialty foods ranging from chocolate to mustard. David Lebovitz says, “If G. Detou didn’t exist, I couldn’t live in Paris.” Please Note the E. Dehillerin bag in my Dad’s hand.
Charis
- FLUCTUATING = rise and fall irregularly
- MAXIM = a saying
- RELENTLESS = incessant
- CONFIRMED = established
- ASPIRE = hoping to achieve