Europe

  • Île de la Cité: A Walking Guide to the Historic Heart of Paris
    France,  Paris,  Travel

    Île de la Cité: A Walking Guide to the Historic Heart of Paris

    Île de la Cité sits right in the middle of the Seine and is often called the historic heart of Paris. It’s one of the oldest parts of the city and home to some of its most iconic landmarks, including Notre-Dame Cathedral and the stunning Sainte-Chapelle. This was one of the top highlights I shared in my recent post about visiting Paris for first-timers.  This guide follows a simple walking route through Île de la Cité, highlighting the key sights and the best way to experience them in just a few hours. It’s an easy addition to any Paris itinerary, especially if you’re already exploring the nearby Latin Quarter. This…

  • Wandering Paris: A Walking Guide to the Latin Quarter | Adventures with Shelby
    France,  Paris,  Travel

    Wandering Paris: A Walking Guide to the Latin Quarter

    In my recent post on the top highlights of Paris for first-time visitors, I included the Latin Quarter as a must-see neighborhood. It’s my favorite part of the city, and one of the best places in Paris to simply wander. I’m a little biased since this is where I lived during my first study abroad in Paris, but the Latin Quarter perfectly blends historic landmarks, cozy cafés, bookshops, and lively streets that feel made for exploring on foot. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. In this walking guide, we’ll explore the 5th and 6th arrondissements and follow a route through…

  • Beyond the Louvre: Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums in Paris
    France,  Paris,  Travel

    Beyond the Louvre: Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums in Paris

    In my previous post, I shared some of the most iconic Paris museums for first-time visitors. However, Paris has so many amazing museums! If you’re looking for a quieter museum or have more time to explore the city, these are my favorite off-the-beaten-path museums. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. If you’re planning a trip, check out my hotel recommendations for best neighborhoods to stay in the City of Light! Musée Marmottan Monet Closest Metro: La Muette (Line 9) If you’ve read my other posts, it’s pretty obvious that I’m a big Claude Monet fan! I had not heard of this museum…

  • Paris for First-Timers: The Essential Museum Guide
    France,  Paris,  Travel

    Paris for First-Timers: The Essential Museums

    If you’re planning your first trip to Paris, you’ve likely already heard about the city’s iconic landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the charming streets of Montmartre. In my previous post about the top Paris highlights you can’t miss, I shared some of the city’s most essential sights and neighborhoods for first-time visitors. But no visit to Paris would be complete without experiencing its incredible museums. Home to world-famous masterpieces and stunning historic buildings, Paris offers some of the best museum experiences in the world. This guide focuses on the essential museums every first-time visitor should consider, including the legendary Louvre Museum, the Impressionist treasures of Musée d’Orsay, the peaceful…

  • Paris for First-Timers: Top Highlights You Can’t Miss
    Europe,  France,  Paris,  Travel

    Paris for First-Timers: Top Highlights You Can’t Miss

    Paris is one of those cities that feels impossible to capture or describe adequately. There’s so much to see, experience, and fall in love with! This will be the first part of a series where I’ll share some of my favorite highlights of the City of Light. Much of my early twenties was spent falling in love with Paris and trying to find any excuse I could to return! I spent a summer there for a study abroad program and immediately found an exchange program to return a few months later. While I spent more time living in the north of France working with the TAPIF program, Paris has always…

  • Day Trip from Paris: Monet's Gardens in Giverny, France | Adventures with Shelby
    Europe,  France,  Paris,  Travel

    Day Trip from Paris: Visiting Monet’s Gardens in Giverny

    Just outside of Paris, the village of Giverny feels like stepping into a painting. Home to Claude Monet’s famous gardens, this charming destination is one of the most beautiful and easiest day trips you can take from the city. It’s especially beautiful in spring, when the flowers are in full bloom. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. When my family came to visit me during my semester in Paris as an exchange student, I mapped out a whole week of sightseeing and a couple of day trips! If you’re planning your stay in Paris, check out my hotel recommendations. Giverny…

  • Kinderdijk Netherlands
    Europe,  Netherlands,  Travel

    Day Trip from Rotterdam: Discovering the Kinderdijk Windmill Village

    Kinderdijk is a village just up the river from Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  While staying in Rotterdam, I took a day to travel to Kinderdijk and explore this iconic windmill village.  The majority of Netherlands is actually below sea level and the Dutch have been successfully managing water for centuries.  You can learn about the Dutch water management systems and take in the beautiful windmills of Kinderdijk! You can walk or bike around Kinderdijk for free, which a lot of local families do on a nice day.  There is a path along the water with windmills on either side.  Even on a cloudy day,…

  • Munich, Germany | Adventures with Shelby
    Europe,  Germany,  Travel

    Beer Gardens, Churches, and Pretzels: Highlights of Munich, Germany

    While visiting Germany  with my friend, we planned a brief trip to Munich and we had an absolute blast!  Munich (München) was founded by Henry the Lion in 1158 and is the capital of Bavaria.  Most people think of Oktoberfest when they think of Munich – however, it’s a charming city worth visiting any time of year!  Here are my highlights for first time visitors to Munich: Marienplatz Marienplatz, or Mary’s Square, is the main square in Munich and one of the first things I picture when I think of the city!  Both the new town hall (Neues Rathaus) and the old town hall (Altes Rathaus) are situated in the…

  • Paris, France | Adventures with Shelby
    Europe,  France,  Paris,  Travel

    Top 5 Best Cityscape Views of Paris, France

    One of my favorite parts of visiting a city is to find that picture perfect view from a higher perspective.  Paris offers several different stunning cityscape views – from the Eiffel Tower itself to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.  Below are my top 5 favorite views of Paris, with a little bonus pick.  🙂 This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  If you’re planning a trip, check out my hotel recommendations for best neighborhoods to stay in the City of Light! View from Eiffel Tower One of the most well-known attractions in Paris is, of course, the Eiffel Tower!  This is the…

  • Strasbourg, France | Adventures with Shelby
    Europe,  France,  Travel

    What To Do in Strasbourg, France: From Canals to Cathedrals

    Strasbourg is a charming town known for its timber-framed buildings and canals.  Strasbourg sits on the German-Franco border, within the Alsace Region of France.  The city has a complex history, changing between German and French rule over several centuries.  As a result, Strasbourg offers a unique blend of both cultures.   I have visited Strasbourg several times, and it never gets old!  It’s a more laid back city, perfect for strolling along the canals and just enjoying the beautiful architecture. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re planning your first visit to Strasbourg, check out my hotel recommendations for convenient…