Nearly two years ago today, I boarded a flight from Seattle to Paris, on a trip that would upend life as I knew it. This was more than a family vacation. It was a pilgrimage, to see the place where my mother grew up and where my grandparents still live today. It was on this trip that I finally bridged the gap between fantasy and reality, and found myself in the place I’ve known I belonged in my entire life.
Shortly after returning from France, and going back to not one, but two boring desk jobs, I felt that urge to get up and go. Something had always been missing from my life, and now that I’d up and gone to France, I knew what the missing piece was. It was travel. It was Europe. It was realizing that I could in fact pursue my travel dreams despite my low wages, limited vacation time, and general fear of getting out there. So I started this blog, made some travel plans, and the rest is history.
I couldn’t stay away from France for long, and with the generous assistance of my grandparents, soon I was planning a return trip with my boyfriend Dan. As we researched our destination, checked dates and saved our pennies, the trip of a lifetime grew to include time with my grandparents in Chaumont, a few days in romantic Paris, and a brief stint in Rome before returning Stateside.
After building it up for so long, I worried that the trip might somehow be disappointing. Maybe my grandparents wouldn’t like Dan. Maybe Paris wouldn’t be as beautiful as I remembered. Maybe Rome would be too hot, too touristy, too romanticized to be real. I was partially right on that last point (scammers and tourists galore), but overall, the trip was everything we wanted and much more.
All I want right now is to go back, but I suppose I can settle for re-living the trip here, with photos, with stories, and with memories of all the delicious food.
Here is what you have to look forward to.
Chaumont
We spent three full days with my grandparents in their hometown, as well as a couple of half days on either end. My grandparents were very gracious hosts, and thanks to them, we visited the city center, took a trip to Langres, and got a proper introduction to the wonders of French food. Champagne, anyone? While I regretted not learning more of the French language before our arrival, we made a good effort to communicate across language barriers. I learned a few new things about my grandparents, shared lots of laughs, and by the end of the trip, neither Dan nor I wanted to leave.
Chaumont is a lovely little slice of France, but hanging out with my grandparents and building up a relationship long obstructed by distance and language was probably the best part of our trip.
Paris
Ah, Paris. I love this city. Thanks to a very generous parting gift from my grandparents, the money we saved took us further than we could have dreamed. We planned on eating street food, picnicking in parks and buying groceries to eat in our little Airbnb walkup, but thanks to the generosity of Mamie and Papy, we dined in mid-range restaurants, shared bottles of wine, and didn’t think twice about purchasing a 7 Euro pastry from Angelina.
Paris was even more beautiful than I remembered, and wandering the city with Dan took the trip beyond a cliche and into the vacation of my dreams. Sure, there were bad moments mingled with the good, but overall, I felt lucky and grateful to be in the right place at the right time, with just the right company.
We ascended the Eiffel Tower in a lightning storm, rode a tandem bike in Versailles (an experience I am not likely to forget), and took a romantic sunset dinner cruise on the Seine. We climbed Notre Dame, mastered the Metro, and came face to face with Van Gogh’s self-portrait at the Musee D’Orsay. We did all this and so much more. Suffice it to say that I almost wished we could skip Rome and just stay in Paris a while longer. Almost.
Rome
We did go to Rome, and stayed in the perfect location near Piazza Navona. After an underwhelming first evening, we spent three full days falling for Rome. Those dark cobbled streets and sun-worn buildings, bold shutters thrown open to reveal delicate curtains and an abundance of greenery were a photographer’s dream come true. On our first day alone, we visited the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Villa Borghese gardens.
We drank plenty of espresso, tasted real Italian pasta, and had our first (and second, and third) gelato. We rolled our eyes at the scammers, were overwhelmed by the mess of tour operators outside the Vatican City, and spent plenty of time people-watching in Piazza Navona. And of course, we visited the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to truly immerse ourselves in Rome’s history. Plus, I finally got to wear all the cute skirts I packed for our two-week European adventure!
We were ready to come home by the end of it all. Living in a continent stuffed full of history, culture, fantastic food and beautiful people was exhilarating and exhausting all at once. By the time we checked into our airport hotel at Charles de Gaulle, we were looking forward to sleeping in and snuggling with the cat; cooking in our own kitchen and catching up on Game of Thrones. A little relaxation was in order after our nonstop tour of Europe. Two months later, I’m finally ready to sort through my almost 3,000 photo and share some of our favorite moments and top travel tips here on the blog. Stay tuned, my friends! The best is yet to come.
blissmersion says
It sounds so lovely! What a treat to get to know your grandparents better, too!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
It really was! It kind of elevated the trip into something more.
anna says
Your photos of Paris are beautiful! I loved Paris and enjoyed our time there. Your european itinerary looked incredible.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you! Paris is such a gorgeous and wonderful city. I’ll never quite understand how people can hate it.
Adelina // PackMeTo says
What a fantastic looking time you had! That photo of the gelato had me drooling. It looks so good.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Oh, it was. My only regret is not having more, ha!
Alison Abbott says
Traveling with or to visit family is always a game changer in terms of overall experience and I have found it connects you in so many different ways. Your photos illustrate your trip so beautifully.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you Alison! Seeing Paris and Rome alone was enough to thrill me, but having family there definitely made the trip more about connection than sightseeing. I agree with you there 100%.
Elaine J. Masters says
Wonderful to see Europe from the perspective of having relatives who live there. We visited Brazil with relatives and I laways wished that language weren’t so much of a barrier.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Right!? It makes things a bit tricky, doesn’t it? Well worth the effort.
whisperwanderlust says
What a great trip you had! The pictures are so gorgeous!
a wanderphile says
Great post! I am not sure I’d be brave enough to go up the Eiffel Tower in a lightning storm! 🙂
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you! Probably not the best idea in hindsight, but we were there and we were doing it, damn it! 😀
akmommy2013 says
I love how you wrote this blog it is easy to follow and your pictures are gorgeous. I’m subscribing so I can read about your upcoming adventures.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you so much! What a sweet comment. <3
Michele says
Lovely. The clock photo is fabulous.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you!
Jeanelly says
It looks so wonderful! Can’t wait for my own Eurotrip!
Xo
Jeanie
http://www.thefashionlotus.com
rachel lavern says
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I loved the photos.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you Rachel! It’s so far the best trip I’ve ever taken!
CJ | Thirty30Courtney.com says
That’s such a blessing that you have living grandparents in another country. Amazing! I miss Europe so much and have literally been having dreams about returning to Paris for NYE. I’m determined to make it happen. I absolutely loved Angelina as well. Did you all get the hot chocolate?
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
That’s when you know the wanderlust is real! Sometimes I wish I could just stay in those dreams a little longer, ha! And we did get the hot chocolate. It was so rich and thick, we probably could have just shared one drink between the two of us. I can’t wait to return and actually visit one of their tea rooms in the city!
Austin says
WOW! You captured your trip beautifully! i am in the midst of creating a 2018 trip to Europe, and have made notes from your blog post! Thank you!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Woohoo, I’m happy to have helped! What countries are topping your list so far?
mrskimberlyhan says
I love your photos! Your grandparents’ town looks so charming.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you! It’s clear from walking around town that the residents take a lot of pride in their homes. I think that’s what made it so charming. 🙂
jcolgrove says
This is gorgeous!! Every scene is amazing!
Jenna from http://www.visionsofvogue.com
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thanks Jenna! It’s hard to get a bad photo in such lovely places. 😀
Paige says
These pictures are so pretty!
Paige
http://thehappyflamily.com
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you Paige!
Annabella I zkbuzybuzz says
I’ve always wanted to tour Europe. It’s been my bucket list! Looking at your pretty Euro pictures makes me so anxious. Thanks for the photos! <3
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
I’m so glad you like them! Hopefully you make it to Europe soon!
Roy Miller says
Your photos are amazing. Rome has always been on my bucket list, but after seeing your photos of France, I am adding it to my bucket list. It is awesome that you sent with your grandparents! What a memory to have.
Abby says
I wish I could visit Europe someday. They have a lot of photogenic buildings and sights!
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
I’ve only dipped my toes myself. Europe in general is a bit of a dream destination!
havediaperswilltravelblog says
The trip sounds amazing! We’re heading to Europe next year with our two little boys, trying to decide between Paris and Rome right now! Your photos are making it hard to choose!
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Ahhhh it is a tough choice! The weather was much warmer in Rome, and we found it to be way more packed with tourists. I guess it just depends on what you guys are looking to do once you arrive. 🙂
Clarissa says
These pictures are so stunning!! I’ve never been to Europe, but I want to so badly! Looks amazing 🙂 And how nice that you got to spend so much time with family! <3
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you Clarissa. I always say the only problem I have with Europe is that I want to visit every country! How am I supposed to find time to visit any other continent when Europe so fully has my heart!? 😛
karyld2016 says
I’ve never been to Europe but it is SO on my bucket list. Your pictures are stunning! I’m not sure I would have had the guts to quit my job and travel the world, but I have such a high level of respect for people who do.
Adventuring The Great Wide Somewhere says
Thank you! I’d love to make blogging my full time job and travel the world, but I don’t think I could ever live on the road. I love the comforts of home too much to ever give them up!