A special destination wedding prompted this week-long trip to London, Paris, and Provence.
Traveling with Matthew is one of my favorite pastimes. We've both got a bit of a Curious George in us and when introduced to a new place, we come up with a million ways to make the most of our time exploring. Here's a rundown of our trip with recs linked!
MONDAY 〰️
KNIGHTSBRIDGE, LONDON ⌇
The first destination of the trip was London! I was SO happy to be back and to experience the city with Matthew for the first time.
We stayed with one of my mom’s close friends, Sarah, who is the founder of Unbeelievable Health, an artist, and one of the most creative women I know!
She lives in Knightsbridge, next door to Harrod’s and a few blocks from some really fun shopping and dining, as well as steps from Hyde Park.
Tip - do whatever you can to not be jet lagged the first day. We were super jet lagged - our mistake - but could barely sleep on the plane. Regardless, we zoomed through London, albeit looking a bit like zombies, and took in as much as we could during our short time there.
ACTIVITIES
- Hyde Park
- Stepped inside a beautiful church
- Visited the Jessica McCormack Boutique - love her jewels (not to mention the collection of antiques and artwork in this venue were incredible)
- Liberty London
- Assouline Bookstore - Swans Bar for a much needed espresso
- Covent Garden: Glossier
DINNER AND DESSERT
TUESDAY 〰️
A morning in London and then off to Paris!⌇
MORNING
- Enjoyed a homemade granola breakfast with Sarah
- Walked by the oligarch houses and through Hyde Park again
- Harvey Nichols (found a Creed Perfume scent I loved!) And then Harrods Food Court to pick up sandwiches for the train.
AFTERNOON
- Train to Paris > Uber > Le Metropolitan = tired travelers…glad to have a bit more time in Paris to chill. (Well, we didn’t! No time to chill! Walked close to 14 miles the next day!)
- The EIFFEL TOWER!!! More amazing than I anticipated (this is my first time to Paris!)
- Crepes under the Eiffel Tower?? Perfect day!…And the frenchman winked, twirled his fingers, and said,“tres magique”…lovely and breathtaking at all angles!
EVENING
- Dinner at a restaurant off Rue St-Dominique (*Loved a reasonably priced wine they carried - Domaine Des Gravennes Lou Pitchoun)
- Tried escargot…when in the spirit of trying and seeing new things!
- Walked back along the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night. Magic.
WEDNESDAY 〰
PARIS, FRANCE⌇
Le Metropolitan Hotel - feeling like Emily in Paris!
MORNING
- Croissants, check! Every morning at a local bakery.
- Took a long walk along the Seine to lunch - Chez Mademoiselle (a rec from my friend Lauren who found this spot with her mom while she was studying abroad: highly recommend)
AFTERNOON
- Walked by Notre-Dame
- Visited Musée d'Orsay
- Shopped at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche - thanks to Meg Harrington (Huff Harrington) for so many great recs!
- Explored Les Halles and Marais Neighborhoods - E DEHILLERIN
- BHV Marais Dept Store
- Cheese board and rose at an Al Fresco Cafe
- Bought a new bag at the A Unfille pop-up boutique
- Ran into Addie (YoungLife mentee from Charleston who is in school in Paris)
- Visited a few of the Parisian art supply stores!
EARLY EVENING
- Place Des Vosges Park
- Train to Montmartre / Sacré-Cœur for Sunset
- Dinner and a bottle of wine at the Hilltop Cafe, Au Relais
THURSDAY 〰️
A morning and early afternoon in Paris and then off to Avignon!⌇
But first, one more chocolate croissant! And a visit + some shopping in Hemingway’s favorite Parisian neighborhood: Rue Saint Dominique.
Once in Avignon, we checked into Hotel Margot - the cutest Airbnb. We were greeted by Olivier, our host, and Luna, the white lab named after the moon
Olivier made reservations for us at Restaurant au Jardin des Carmes and we were off to dinner.
There were a few fun al fresco bars with live music and dancing, so we found our way over to one and afterward walked along the cobblestone streets back to Hotel Margot. When we saw the Pope’s Palace in Avignon looking grand and imposing at night, we decided we would tour it the next day. And before I went to bed, I perused the Provence Poiriers Blog for Avignon recs!
FRIDAY 〰️
AVIGNON, PROVENCE, FRANCE⌇
- Croissants and cherries for breakfast! I love France!
- Explored Avignon!
- Friday Welcome Party (so excited to see our friends and cap this trip off - saving the best for last!)
SATURDAY 〰️
AVIGNON, PROVENCE, FRANCE⌇
- More shopping, stopping booth to booth at the local market, and stepping into art galleries.
- The Wedding! A truly special celebration for this couple - they incorporated so many Lithuanian and Filipino traditions - a merging of two families.
SUNDAY 〰️
Chilled poolside, hopped on the train back to Paris, spent the night at a Mariott hotel at the airport and flew back the next morning (definitely cut it too close even though we were in the airport - long lines at every turn….but we made it!)
An unforgettable experience!
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