After a day spent walking through the gold-filled halls and endless gardens of Versailles, we were still carrying that feeling of quiet awe as we packed up and headed to our final destination—Paris. I had always heard about the City of Light, seen it in movies, on postcards, and in dreamy Instagram photos. But nothing really prepares you for the real thing until you’re there, looking up at the skyline with your own eyes.
We arrived in Paris with a mix of excitement and bittersweet emotions. Our long road trip was coming to an end, and Paris would be the last chapter before we crossed the border back to Germany. We checked into our hotel—modest, nothing fancy, but comfortable—and immediately felt the pulse of the city around us. There’s something about Paris that feels alive in every corner. Even the streets seem to hum with a rhythm of their own.
It was our first time in Paris, and even just saying that out loud felt surreal. I never imagined I’d be able to set foot in some of Europe’s most iconic cities. I used to only read about them, see them in travel books or documentaries, and dream in passing. But here we were, right in the heart of Paris.
Naturally, the very first thing we wanted to see was the Eiffel Tower.
We walked through the streets, slowly getting closer, and the moment I first saw the top of the tower peeking through the buildings, I stopped in my tracks. It was like something clicked inside me. That tall iron structure that had seemed so far away for so long was suddenly real, right there in front of me. Bigger than I imagined. More beautiful than I expected.
We got closer, and then stood beneath it, looking up in pure amazement. I couldn’t stop staring.
Of course, we went up the Eiffel Tower—a must for any first-time visitor. We took the elevator all the way to the top, and the view that greeted us was something I’ll never forget. The entire city of Paris stretched out beneath us in every direction. The Seine River, the rooftops, the bridges, the green parks, the elegant old buildings—it was like a painting. We took photos, of course, but they couldn’t capture the feeling of being up there. That mix of wonder and disbelief. It was one of those moments you want to freeze and keep in your heart forever.
Afterward, we walked around, had some snacks, and soaked in the beauty of Paris during the day. But we weren’t done yet—not even close.
Later that evening, we returned to the Eiffel Tower, this time to see it under the stars. We knew about the famous light show, but again, seeing it in person was on another level. We found a good spot with a clear view and waited as the sky darkened.
Then, as the clock hit midnight, it happened—the Eiffel Tower began to sparkle. Lights danced all over it, twinkling like a thousand stars. Everyone around us gasped and cheered. Couples held hands, people filmed, others just stood silently like us, letting the magic wash over them.
It wasn’t just a tower anymore. It was a symbol of dreams coming true, of beauty, of all the things I thought were out of reach. In that moment, I felt so small but so incredibly lucky. The kind of gratitude that warms your chest and brings a gentle smile to your face without you even noticing.
The next day, we continued exploring. We made our way to the Louvre Museum, one of the most famous museums in the world. We didn’t go inside—we were already overwhelmed by everything we’d seen—but even the outside was impressive. The glass pyramid, the classic buildings around it, the sense of art and history in the air. It felt like being in a dream you never expected to walk through.
From there, we wandered around the nearby landmarks. The Seine River, the quaint little streets, the cafes filled with people sipping coffee and watching the world go by. We didn’t have a strict plan, which turned out to be perfect. Sometimes the best way to experience a city like Paris is simply to walk and look and feel.
We stopped to admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral from the outside, walked through squares filled with music and chatter, and had some of the best pastries and coffee I’ve ever tasted. Everything felt heightened—flavors, colors, sounds. Paris has that way of making everything just a little more special.
Though we were tired from all the travel, we kept going, driven by that feeling that you don’t want to miss a single moment. You’re in Paris, after all. How many people dream of this exact thing?
Before we knew it, the day was done. Our legs were sore, our eyes were full, and our hearts were fuller. We returned to our hotel that night, quietly content, both of us knowing deep down that this final stop had been something extraordinary.
As I lay in bed, I reflected on our whole trip—Germany to France, down to Spain, and back again. It was never something I thought would happen. We weren’t always the kind of people who could travel often, and Europe always felt so far away. But somehow, we made it work. We made it happen.
We stood inside royal palaces, walked through iconic stadiums, admired architecture that has stood for centuries. We got lost in markets, laughed over mispronounced city names, shared meals in little restaurants, and drove through breathtaking mountain roads. And now, here we were in Paris, ending it all beneath the Eiffel Tower lights.
It was more than just a trip. It was a memory stitched together by all the little moments in between—the early mornings, the late-night walks, the roadside stops, the quiet conversations in the car, the first glances at cities we had only dreamed of.
I never imagined I would tour some of the most beautiful cities in Europe. But it happened. And for that, I am beyond grateful.
