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Paris is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and for good reason! Its romantic atmosphere, stunning architecture, delicious food and rich cultural history make it the perfect place for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. Paris is depicted as a center of history and romance in several different films and series, the latest of which is the highly popular Emily in Paris. I have dreamed of Paris my whole life, but I have never ended up traveling there. I can’t think of a single reason for this. Fortunately, this mistake was finally fixed when in January we flew for the first time to the glow of the Eiffel Tower lights for a romantic and wine-filled mini-vacation to the Paris of our dreams.

PARIS OF OUR DREAMS

Our flight arrived late at night at the remote and small Beauvais airport, from where we jumped on a shuttle to the city center. The shuttle dropped us off after more than an hour at Saint-Denis station, from where we caught the metro to our accommodation. Our accommodation was located in a central location near the Eiffel Tower. It was already late and it was raining heavily on a cool January evening. This didn’t bother us, because we were in Paris after all.

Our accommodation was located on a street with the Eiffel Tower shining beautifully at the end. I couldn’t believe my eyes when we arrived. I had always dreamed of this moment. We left our backpacks at the accommodation and ran in the pouring rain in the dark to see the tower, as if there was no other option. It had to be done. And it was worth it. From that moment on, our first Paris adventure began.

Le Recrutement Paris — *Our accommodation was on this street*

Eiffel Tower by night — *Rainy first meetup with the Eiffel Tower*

BEST ATTRACTIONS AND AMAZING EXPERIENCES

The next two days we woke up really early and toured the sights and the city. The first morning we had booked a trip to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower (the top was closed during our trip), after which we stopped for a crepe and walked to the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. From here we headed to explore the historic and iconic Montmartre, where we had booked a walking tour with a local guide. Every now and then I like to take advantage of guided tours, because some places are worth the extra bit of information. Montmartre was worth it and it was great to hear things about the history of the area that I would never have known otherwise. Find out more about guided tours in Montmartre here.

Eiffel Tower view — *View from the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower*

Arc de Triomphe Paris — *Arc de Triomphe*

The second morning we had booked entry to the Paris Catacombs, which I can definitely recommend to anyone interested. I would have preferred an evening tour for the vibe, but only morning times were available. The catacombs were beautiful and the history itself is interesting, which you can learn more about with the audio guide included in the tour. There are also guided tours available, which allow you to explore the forbidden corridors in addition to the normal tour, see more here.

From the Catacombs we headed to see the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is finally open to the public after a terrible fire and the reconstruction project. The cathedral is still partially under renovation, but the interior is finished and open to visitors. As a child, I watched a movie called The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, which takes place right here. This is why I couldn’t miss this attraction.

Notre-Dame is located in the Île de la Cité area, which is really cozy. From here we also went to the Latin Quarter and finally walked along the Seine River to see the Louvre Museum. Unfortunately, the Louvre grounds were partially closed due to the president’s visit, so we didn’t get to explore the glass pyramid up close.

Pretty good for only two days, right?

Notre-Dame Paris — *Notre-Dame Cathedral still under reconstruction (January 2025)*

FALL IN LOVE WITH PARIS WITHOUT RUSHING

Believe it or not, we also managed to enjoy our trip in peace and without a sense of rush, even though time was limited and there was a lot to experience. With good planning and scheduling the attractions with entrance tickets, we made it possible for the rest of the day to be relaxed and we were able to see the city in peace. We even managed to stop by the metro to visit our friend a little further from the center. We were in motion from the early morning until late at night, walking around and admiring, enjoying delicious lunches and dinners in wonderful French bistros and managing to do everything we had hoped for. And we weren’t even in a hurry.

There are still many more wonderful attractions and places to look forward to next time, wonderful cafes and beautiful parks. The next time is already booked, so we’ll see you again soon, Paris!

CHECK OUT THE BEST TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS IN PARIS HERE:

HAVE YOU BEEN TO PARIS? SHARE YOUR TIPS AND EXPERIENCES IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! 🙂

<3: Tiina Johanna

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Sóller is one of the most beautiful villages in Mallorca, offering tourists the perfect combination of stunning nature, history and local atmosphere. This charming village is a must-see for anyone traveling to the island of Mallorca. For us, this was also one of the highlights of our vacation last autumn in all its charming simplicity.

Sóller – An idyllic mountain village

Located in the heart of Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountain, Sóller is known for its orchards, lemon trees and beautiful scenery. Its appeal lies not only in its natural beauty but also in the village’s historical atmosphere and architecture. It’s no wonder that Sóller is one of Mallorca’s most popular day trip destinations.

Travel to Sóller – An exciting train journey or an affordable local bus

There are two ways to get to Sóller from Palma: either by the old, traditional wooden train or by local bus. The wooden train, called Ferrocarril de Sóller, is an experience in itself. This 1912 train slowly travels through beautiful landscapes, offering passengers the opportunity to admire olive groves, citrus groves and mountain views. The train costs 35 euros for a return trip and is very popular with tourists, so be prepared to queue.

If you want to travel cheaply, the local bus is a good option. It runs regularly from both Palma and other cities in Mallorca, such as Alcudia. The bus is less touristy and follows pretty much the same route as the wooden train. So the scenery is just as beautiful, although the experience itself may be different. Mallorcan buses also have a great discount system, meaning that if you pay with a contactless payment card you get up to 40% off the price of the trip and the trip from Palma to Sóller is around 4-6 euros depending on the payment method. We preferred the bus this time, as this option seemed more interesting and the cheap price with a contactless payment card won out.

It is worth remembering that on buses your card is always stamped both at the beginning of the journey and when you get off. The buses depart from the bus station, which is located in Palma right next to the wooden train departure platform.

Sóller Mallorca — *Views during the journey to Sóller from Palma*

Charming alleys, boutiques and restaurants

When you arrive in Sóller, you quickly realize why it is such a popular destination. The narrow cobblestone streets of the village are full of small boutiques, art galleries and cafes where you can sample local delicacies. The restaurant offerings range from traditional Mallorcan cuisine to international flavors, so there are options for every traveler. At lunchtime, several restaurants offer a menu of the day (in Spanish, menu del dia), which is an affordable and good option to fill your stomach.

We spent the day wandering the alleys, admiring the beautiful buildings and stopping to enjoy the sun and good food. There is plenty to do and see in the village, but at the same time the village offers the opportunity for a peaceful holiday atmosphere. However, in the summer, it is worth remembering that there are indeed others here. During the peak season, the small village can feel quite full, so it is worth scheduling your trip a little out of season or at least setting off early.

Soller Mallorca street — *Charming streets and decor*

Picturesque Puerto de Sóller

If you have time, you should definitely also head to Puerto de Sóller, which is just a short tram ride from the village. Puerto de Sóller is a small but lively port area with a beach, beautiful boat docks and more great restaurants. The sea view crowns the day, and the relaxed atmosphere of the port is sure to be memorable. For me, this reminded me a bit of some of the most photographed beach towns and cute villages in Italy. It is also a great place to take a dip to refresh yourself after a day of sightseeing.

Puerto de Sóller can be reached from the village of Sóller by a wooden tram or a local bus. There was such a long queue for the tram that we ended up taking the bus again. The downside to our choice was unfortunately the heavy traffic, meaning that the normally short journey took more than double what it usually does.

Puerto de Soller — *Puerto de Sóller views*

A day trip full of sun and good vibes

Our visit to Sóller was full of sunshine and relaxing walks. During the day we enjoyed the beauty of the village and the experiences it offers. Although it is full of tourists in the summer, Sóller fortunately retains its unique charm. Despite the crowds, this day trip was one of the highlights of our trip to Mallorca.

CHECK OUT THE BEST TOURS AND ACTIVITIES OF MALLORCA:

HAVE YOU BEEN TO MALLORCA AND EXPLORED THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE OF SÓLLER? WHAT DID YOU LIKE? SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS! 🙂

<3: Tiina Johanna

Remember to follow me on Social media!
Instagram:@tiinaunderthecoconut
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*Photos: Tiina Johanna, blogger

First time in Paris – Love at first sight