An Unforgettable Trip to Paris: Surprising my Mom, Going to the Olympics, and Exploring the City!!
This summer, my siblings Kristen, Kyle, and I embarked on an adventure to Paris with a special mission: to surprise our mom. My parents had been vacationing in Croatia for a week and were planning to continue their European journey in Paris. Little did Mom know, we had planned a surprise that would make her Parisian experience unforgettable.
The Big Surprise at Café Carrousel
We booked a direct flight from RDU to Paris and arrived on the same morning as my parents. My dad was in on the surprise and had arranged to take my mom to a cafe. As she posed for a photo, we quietly positioned ourselves behind her. Dad then showed her the photo, saying can you edit the people out in the background. She took his phone and then realized those “people” behind her was us!!! She burst into tears of joy. She was shocked to see us! We ordered coffee and breakfast and began to tell her all the months of planning we put into this surprise! This café quickly became our favorite, and we returned there almost every morning for breakfast.
My brother made this video of the surprise!!!
Travel Tips and Highlights
Footwear and Comfort
We did a lot of walking, averaging over 20,000 steps each day. Comfortable shoes were a must. My sister and I wore Sam Edelman sneakers, my mom wore Sketchers, Kyle opted for Flux sneakers, and my dad wore Hokas. My sister, mom nor I ended up wearing the wedges we packed, so they weren’t worth bringing.
My sister and I wore this style of shoe with every outfit!! Cute and Comfortable!!
Outfits from the trip: LINKED HERE!!
Other helpful things I brought: European travel plug adapter & portable charger.
Staying Hydrated
Something I wished I had more of was electrolytes. They helped with jet lag and keeping hydrated, especially since it felt like we didn’t drink as much water in Europe. Bringing an empty water bottle, like an Owala, is a great idea for anyone traveling to Europe.
My favorite electrolytes: Flavcity Lemon Lime (tastes like gatorade) & Pique BT Fountain
NON TOXIC beauty
I made sure to pack my favorite non-toxic beauty essentials to maintain my clean living routine while on vacation. I brought the Ogee Discovery Set for skincare, which includes a selection of their best organic and clean products that keep my skin glowing and hydrated. This set is absolutely!!!
For body care, I couldn't go without my favorite body oil from OSEA! (code: CLEANLIVING for discount on OSEA site wide!)
For makeup I brought RMS. For toothpaste and mouthwash I brought Risewell, for deodorant I brought humble, and for hair products I brought innersense leave in conditioner, evolvh hair oil, and cleo and coco dry shampoo! And NON TOXIC makeup remover wipes! These are my favorite: LINKED HERE!
Dining in Paris: A Culinary Journey
Our trip to Paris was filled with delightful dining experiences. Here's a list of the amazing restaurants we visited:
Café Carrousel - Our go-to spot for breakfast and coffee. The perfect place to start each day.
Le Relais de l'Entrecôte - Famous for its steak and fries, we loved it so much we dined here twice.
Pink Mamma - An Italian gem where we enjoyed Margherita pizza, pasta, steak, and the best potatoes ever.
Pendino - A culinary delight with pastas, meatballs, steak, and an unforgettable profiterole dessert.
Flottes - Another fantastic restaurant, amazing food and the desserts were a highlight!!!
Exploring Paris: Day by Day
Day 1: Sainte-Chapelle
After the surprise, we spent our first day visiting Sainte-Chapelle, marveling at its stunning stained glass windows. The intricate designs and vibrant colors were beautiful.
Day 2: Tennis Olympics and Le Relais de l'Entrecôte
On our second day, we had the unique opportunity to attend the tennis Olympics, an event filled with excitement and high-energy matches. For dinner, we dined at Le Relais de l'Entrecôte, a restaurant famous for serving only one meal: steak and fries. There's no menu; they simply bring you a delicious steak with perfectly crispy fries. It was so good that we made sure to come back later in the trip.
Day 3: Arc de Triomphe and More Tennis
We started our day once again at Café Carrousel, where my go-to coffee drink was a cappuccino. Then we headed to the Arc de Triomphe, soaking in the historical grandeur and panoramic views of the city. That evening, we returned to the tennis Olympics, enjoying another round of thrilling matches.
Day 4: The Louvre and Culinary Delights
Our fourth day was dedicated to exploring the Louvre. The sheer size and depth of the art collections were astounding. For lunch, we went to Pink Mamma, where we shared a variety of dishes including Margherita pizza, a pasta dish, steak, and the most incredible potatoes we've ever tasted. Dinner was at Pendino, a culinary haven where we indulged in pastas, meatballs, steak, and an enormous profiterole with vanilla ice cream and chocolate drizzle.
Day 5: Versailles and Le Relais de l'Entrecôte
A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Palace of Versailles. The opulence and history of the palace were breathtaking. We lunched again at Le Relais de l'Entrecôte the amazing restaurant with steak and fries. Dinner was at Flottes, another incredible restaurant. Be sure to save room for dessert here; it was some of the best we’ve ever had.
Day 6: Farewell at Café Carrousel
On our last day, we began with one final breakfast at Café Carrousel before heading to the airport. Reflecting on our trip, incredible food, stunning architecture, rich history, and the joy of traveling with family!!!
Final Thoughts
This trip to Paris was nothing short of incredible. From surprising our mom to exploring historical sites and indulging in mouthwatering cuisine, every moment was magical. Traveling with my family made it even more special. If you're planning a trip to Europe, remember to pack comfortable shoes and stay hydrated. Paris, with its blend of history, culture, and culinary delights, is a destination that will always hold a special place in our hearts!!!
