Paris - Stop one on our honeymoon!

We are officially on vacation! I know it's crazy but the paperwork for J's leave FINALLY came back (which is a good thing since I already booked all the trips) and the next two weeks we are traveling around Europe for our honeymoon. Better late than never, right?! First stop on our trip was Paris.

We left early Saturday morning on what had to be the most uncomfortable bus ever invented and 6 very long hours later we arrived in a rainy Paris. Since we only had ten hours to see everything we opted for the over priced open top bus tour. It was a hop on/hop off tour which was perfect for us because we were able to customize our trip. Our first stop was the Arch de Triumph. It is in the middle of a huge traffic circle and you actually walk underground in order to get there. Under the Arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier where a flame is constantly burning. We wanted to go up to the top but the line was ridiculously long so instead we hopped back on our bus and headed to the Eiffel Tower!

Tomb of the unknown soldier

The Eiffel Tower was incredible but my favorite part had to be the delicious pistachio ice cream we bought at a stand underneath it! For some reason the military was on high terror alert and cops/soldiers with big guns were everywhere, we think it had something to do with it being fashion week but who knows. We took a ride the carousel across the street from the Tower because apparently Justin and I are little kids... and while taking all of our cheesy touristy pictures we were approached by a couple of university students in costumes and I busted out with my limited french. After they laughed at my terrible language skills they told us in perfect english that they needed us to smash a plate of whip cream into their face for something to do with school, so of course we complied. Crazy french college kids!

whip cream to the face!

Afterwards we jumped back on the bus with a couple of sandwiches and soaked in the sights. It wasn't long before we drove by a giant gold dome, it immediately peaked our interest and we hopped off the bus. It turns out that the building was the Dome des Invalides and houses the tomb of Napoleon. The Dome is surrounded by an army museum, which J found very interesting.

Next we wandered around the city on foot eventually heading to the other side of the city to see the Louve. By this time the weather had finally cleared up and it turned into a beautiful sunny day. The outside of the Louve was incredible and if it wasn't for the hour+ line to get in we definitely would have spent the rest of the day wandering through, enjoying the all of the famous artwork.

The good news about the long line meant that we could jump back on the bus and head towards the Notre Dame where apparently everyone that was not standing in line at the Louve was standing in line there! It was absolutely incredible. On the way to the Notre Dame we passed by the famous love lock bridge, I had completely forgot about this tourist attraction and was super bummed out that we forgot our lock. Luckily many of the shops sell cheap locks and I was able to etch our initials on it with a pen. Not the fanciest lock but it was so fun attaching the lock onto the bridge and throwing the keys into the Seine River.

We finished up our tour with drinks at the Hard Rock Cafe, so touristy I know BUT I really wanted one of their souvenir glasses. Also Jimmy Buffett was playing a concert in Paris the same day we were there and the Hard Rock Cafe was hosting a pre concert party with only his music playing! How many chances do you get to go to a Jimmy Buffett party in Paris?! We slowly made our way back to the bus making sure to stop and buy a bottle of french wine and champagne to take home with us, along with a couple of small eiffel tower replicas.

Paris is an amazing city and we are definitely going to have to go back because there is still so much we want to do! Surprisingly everyone we met was super friendly and helpful, they didn't mind my terrible french at all... Until next time Paris, we can't wait to come back.

Cleopatra's needle and Eiffel Tower lit up 

Next stop, horseback riding through Italy!