Travel Guide :: Val D'Orcia, Tuscany

There aren't many places that have captivated me more than the Val D'Orcia region of Tuscany.  Perhaps it's the fact that the rolling hillsides dotted with dancing cypress trees, grape vines, and clear blue skies make you feel like you've just stepped into an Impressionist painting.  Maybe it's the fact that some of the best wine in the world is just steps away from nearly everywhere you are.  It could be the pasta.  Or the incredibly kind people.  But whatever it is, I absolutely fell in love with this region and dream about the day I will return.

Travel Guide :: The Cinque Terre

I have a confession to make.  I'm going through a serious case of FOMO.  My mom and stepdad just left for a three week trip to Italy, one of my best friends is currently jet-setting in the Greek Isles, and two of my other friends are hopping through Europe.  As much as I love social media sometimes it does make you feel like everyone is off on fabulous adventures but you.  

Travel :: On Being a Solo Female Traveler

As a perpetually timid person, many of my close friends and family were shocked when I decided to follow my dreams and travel through Europe solo in Fall 2012.  To be honest, there were quite a few times when I didn't think that I could do it {I planned my entire trip in less than a month!}.  However, the experience ended up being one of the most amazing of my life.  

Travel :: A Day in Positano, Italy

It has been nearly two years since our trip to Positano, but I still find myself mentally visiting and revisiting the beautiful gem of the Amalfi Coast almost every day.  The five days we spent there were some of the most memorable of my life, filled with more *pinch me* moments than I could ever explain.  If you're planning a trip to Southern Italy I could not recommend enough making time to visit the stunning Amalfi Coast.  Positano would be my recommendation of places to stay, but Capri would also be quite wonderful!  Splurge for a sea-view room at your hotel {if you're feeling very luxurious, stay at the world-famous Le Sirenuse...and while you're at it, invite me to join you!} and wake up to the sky turning pink and purple over the Mediterranean.  And for the perfect day...

Travel :: Romance in Venice

Can you think of anything more romantic than spending Valentine's Day in Venice, Italy?  Ok, well maybe Paris {lucky Melinda will be doing just that!} but I have to tell you that the most romantic night of my life was spent in the beautiful Italian lagoon city of Venetia.  Ryan and I had just spent two and a half fantastic weeks making our way from the Cinque Terre, Tuscany, and Florence and chose to spend our last two days in Italy in Venice.  To be honest, after hearing from multiple friends and fellow travelers, we were very, very hesitant about visiting due to the number of negative comments we received {"Venice is a tourist trap," "Venice is like Disneyworld for adults," "Venice is dead"}.  But, because it had always been on my bucket list we decided to give it a shot.  And can I just tell you that we were absolutely blown away by the architecture, the light, and the opulent elegance that is Venice.  It was pure magic.  For a perfect date night in Venetia...

Take a gondola ride at twilight: Yes, it is expensive.  And yes, it does feel kind of touristy.  But a trip to Venice is not complete with a ride in one of its famed gondolas, which were the chief means of transportation in the Venetian Lagoon from the 14th century until fairly recently.  We found that the canals were much more peaceful in the evening {after the cruise ship tourists left} and the light at dusk is absolutely magical. Prices are regulated across the city so pick a gondolier who you click with.  We were so lucky to have found Fabio, an old fisherman who had been a gondolier for over 25 years.  He was the perfect combination of humor, history, and grace.  Although typically you have to pay a premium to have music on your gondola {hiring a singer and/or accordion player to ride with you}, Fabio quietly sang old Italian fishing songs for us.  We cuddled under a blanket and spent forty minutes floating along the tiny canals and watching our last Italian sunset.  It was truly an experience I will remember for the rest of my life, and I couldn't recommend it more.  At the end of your ride, have your gondolier drop you off for...

Dinner at The Gritti Palace: For the utmost luxury, head to this famous five-star hotel for a decadent dinner at Club del Dodge along the Grand Canal {be sure to make reservations and request a table with a view}.  Start with Bellinis at their Bar Longhi.  Afterwards the maitre d' will take you to your table along the water with a {hopefully} unobstructed view of the iconic church of Santa Maria della Salute.  The white table cloth service is professional and inviting.  Your meal {I'd recommend the Mezze Maniche Pasta with Pecorino, Black Pepper and Lemon to start followed by the Sole Filet with Almonds and Lemon} will be accompanied by a pianist playing classic Italian music on a Grand Piano.  Linger over your food and drinks enjoying the mild Venetian climate and the stunning views while watching the gondolas float alongside your table.  After dessert {you must get the Chocolate Souffle for two}, put on your comfortable shoes for some...

Dancing under the stars in Saint Marks Square: An absolutely magical tradition, every evening {weather permitting} orchestras set-up outside the famous cafes in Saint Marks Square and take turns playing music.  Patrons can either sit at one of the outdoor cafes and enjoy food and wine or stand behind the tables and wander across the square as the different bands play {we sat a Caffe Quadri one night and the other night just meandered around the square}.  Enjoy the beautiful ambiance and when one of your favorite songs is played grab your love and slow dance together under the stars.  Amore...

More romantic travel destinations: Villa Cicolina, The Amalfi Coast, Lucerne, Paris, The Gritti Palace

Travel :: A Day in Paris

Oh Paris, how you captured my heart with your grand promenades, stunning museums, effortless elegance, winding alleyways, gorgeous rooftops, and delicious food.  I am very fortunate to have spent nearly a month in Paris {but I will be the first to tell you, it was not nearly enough}, and have become the resident expert of all things Parisian to my friends and family.  I feel like the best decision I made during my three trips to Paris has been to not try to cram it all in.  There are nearly an infinite number of sights, shops, and restaurants, and if you are like most people and only have a fixed amount of time I personally believe just going from one tourist sight to another will leave you feeling tired, irritable, and {like many people I have spoken with} underwhelmed.  I have met many travelers who said they were very disappointed with their trip to Paris and believed that it did not live up to the hype.  I can definitely see how this is possible, for to truly enjoy Paris you must wander down the less beaten path {or in this case, alleyway} and explore what the city truly has to offer.  So inspired by this week's Parisian theme, I have decided to create an itinerary for my perfect day in the City of Light {knowing well that one day isn't nearly enough}.  Enjoy!

8AM: Wake up in your cozy flat {I have rented apartments two out of my three trips in Paris and couldn't say enough good things} to the sun rising over the rooftops of Paris.  Get dressed, and head outside to your local boulangerie.  My favorite breakfast was a simple one of a pastry {one can never go wrong with Pain au Chocolat} and a Café Creme.  Two of my absolute favorite boulangeries are Du Pain et des Idées and the lesser-known but equally amazing Boulangerie des Deux Ponts {do yourself a favor and grab an eclair with raspberries for later...it will change your life}.  If you can't decide which pastry looks most enticing, go ahead and grab two.  I won't judge :)

9AM: After breakfast take a stroll along the Seine {or hop on the metro, depending on where you are} until you reach the Musée d'Orsay.  Although I am all for going off the beaten path, in my opinion this museum is just too good to miss.  It is truly one of my happy places and I often find myself daydreaming about wandering from room to room, admiring the unparalleled collection of Impressionist Art {my favorite}.  Not only does the museum house some of the world's most important works, but the building itself, housed in a restored train station, is worth the price of admission by itself.  You could spend all day here so choose the galleries wisely, I want to make sure you have time to see lots more of Paris.

11AM: Now that you have gotten your share of art & culture it's time for my favorite activity in Paris...getting lost.  There are so many beautiful and unique neighborhoods that make for a perfect stroll, but one of my absolute favorites is Le Marais.  This quaint and chic area is filled with winding medieval streets, tiny courtyards, amazing boutiques {my favorite being Claudie Pierlot}, and the adorable little neighborhood of Saint-Paul.  Stroll into shops and get to know the owners.  Even if you don't know much French, the simple "Bonjour Monsieur/Madame, parlez vous Anglais?" will make a world of difference for the way you are treated.  I remember meeting a man who only sold antique keys, some over 600 years old.  He spent thirty minutes showing me his treasures, not because he was trying to sell them to me {most were far out of my budget}, but because he took such great pride in his work.  Purposely take the wrong turn down a tiny alleyway, you never know what you will find. Make sure to visit the beautiful Place de Vosges for a quiet respite in the middle of the city.  

1:30PM: By this time you will have done quite a bit of walking and worked up a good appetite.  Resist the temptation to stop for a sit-down meal {you will have time to do that later} and instead head to the closest fromagerie to pick-up some cheese for a picnic lunch.  Let the cheesemonger be your guide and be sure to grab a few different varieties {bonus points if it is something you have never seen before}.  Grab a baguette at a boulangerie, some fruit at a market, and, if you're feeling very Parisian, a bottle of red wine.  Head south towards the Seine, and enjoy your picnic lunch along the river.  

3:00PM: Explore the islands of Paris.  Ryan and I rented a flat on Île Saint-Louis which was incredibly quaint and romantic.  There aren't many "sights" on the tiny island, but virtually every square foot is beautiful.  If you're wanting a sweet treat, stop by the famous Berthillon for a scoop of ice cream {this was across the street from our flat and I'm not kidding Ryan ate there at least once a day...love ya Ryan!}  Next, walk to the bigger island of Île de la Cité.  Head straight to the beautiful Marché aux Fleurs {flower market} which every Sunday turns into a Bird Market.  This makes for some great photos, but be careful...I was scolded by a shop owner who didn't like anyone photographing his flowers {who knew?!}  While Notre Dame is the most famous landmark on the island, I would personally skip it and instead visit the smaller but equally {if not more} stunning cathedral of Sainte-Chapelle.  This church also holds candlelight concerts - my mom and I saw an orchestra perform Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"...thinking about it still gives me the goosebumps.  Afterwards, if you're up for it, wander to the right bank to the Palais Royal to see Daniel Buren's whimsical outdoor installation of 252 black & white striped columns...so magical.

5:30PM: Assuming you are visiting during warmer months {where it stays light outside quite late}, go ahead and give your feet a rest at a café.  I love sitting outside with a glass of wine just watching the people go by.  Since I am a fan of 1920's literature I am personally partial towards the classic  cafés {Café de Flore being my favorite...the hot chocolate is delicious and you can't beat the fact that the booth you are sitting at may or may not have been frequented by Ernest Hemingway 90 years ago}.  Or, if you're looking for something a bit more upscale visit the beautiful colonial tea house of Mariage Frères {make sure to buy some loose tea to take home, it is amazing}.

7:30PM {Give or take depending on the time of year}: My favorite place to watch the sun set in Paris is from the Pont Alexandre III bridge.  Watch the sky turn pink and orange behind the Eiffel Tower, then as the sky goes dark see the Eiffel Tower light up the night {it still makes me teary-eyed thinking about it}.

8:30PM: There are an unbelievable amount of amazing restaurants in Paris, and choosing just one is nearly impossible.  However, I think I would visit one of my all-time favorites - Le Comptoir du Relais.  Recommended to me by a Parisian friend {and recently featured by Bon Appétit magazine}, this restaurant does not take reservations...but instead follows a democratic "first-come, first-served" mentality.  There is always a wait but trust me, it is worth it!  It is always packed with locals and a few in-the-know tourists {but from my experience, hardly any Americans which is always a bonus in my book}.The food is fresh, seasonal, and innovative without being pretentious.  I loved it so much that I went there twice.  Everything on the menu is spectacular, but my favorites were the Scallops from Normany {never have I ever tasted anything so fresh} and the seared tuna with root vegetables.  For dessert the Chocolate Pot de Creme and classic Apple Tart are a perfect way to finish the meal.

11:00PM: If you still are awake, simply wander the street until you find a bustling café and sit outside with a glass of wine and join in the revelry.  La vie en rose!

For more of my Parisian adventures: The Doors of Paris // Place des Vosges // Opulent Paris // A Cooking Class // Montmartre // Curiosities // The Rooftops of Paris // A Moveable Feast // My Mom in Paris

Traveling Solo

{High tea at Harrods}

I had such a great response last week to my post on fulfilling my dream of traveling through Europe alone {see post here} that I thought I would tell you a little more about my journey, and give some advice to ladies {or gentleman} who are thinking about doing it themselves!  While these recommendations are by no means foolproof, they are simply what worked for me.  I think the best rule is just to listen to your gut and follow your heart!  You know better than anyone else what is right for you.

• Sleeping: This for me was my biggest decision.  Since I never had the opportunity to study abroad in college, I also never had the experience of staying in a hostel.  Now this was something I went back and forth on.  I was interested in it because obviously it's cheaper, but also because it would have been a great way to meet people.  However on the opposite side, I am very affected by my surroundings and like to wake up somewhere that is both aesthetically pleasing and cosy.  I was worried that if I stayed in hostels the entire time I would be unhappy and not feel comfortable if I wanted to stay in for a rainy afternoon and read.  I was also worried that I was already going so far outside of my comfort zone by traveling through Europe alone that I would push myself too far and not be able to enjoy myself.  Ultimately I decided on a mixture of staying in guest houses and renting flats, which turned out to be perfect for me.  I had my own studio in Paris, and by the end of my two weeks it truly felt like home.  It was definitely more expensive than staying in hostels {but much cheaper than your traditional hotel} and thankfully I had saved up enough that I could afford to travel the way that felt most comfortable to me.

• Eating: Have you ever gone out to eat alone?  Thankfully I have before so this wasn't as uncomfortable for me as it would have been for some.  At lunch I would sit at a cafe with my favorite book and watch the people pass by--definitely one of my all time favorite activities while traveling!  Dinner was a bit different and I would be lying if I didn't say that I did feel strange at times being the only solo diner in a restaurant, so many nights I would sit at the bar and make friends with the bartender!  But ultimately you are your own best company, so just enjoy the time to relax and take it all in.

• Meeting People: The last time I was in a completely new city and forced to meet all new people was when I was a freshman in college.  That was nearly 8 years ago {even though it seems like only yesterday}, so I was definitely a bit rusty in this area.  But I'm happy to say I met some amazing people along my trip.  How did I do it?  Signing up for free walking tours was a great way to get oriented in a new city as well as meet fellow travelers.  I also took a cooking class in Paris where I learned how to make croissants and pain au chocolat {photos here} and met an absolutely darling girl from the UK who I ended up spending quite a lot of time with over my two weeks there.  Again, if this is your number one concern then I think the best way to meet people is staying in a hostel.  However, I was lucky in the fact that I had friends in both London and Switzerland, and my mom decided to come visit me for a few days in Paris!

• Safety: As I mentioned in my post last week, I was definitely concerned about my safety while traveling abroad.  I did some research, and to appease my fears purchased a few "personal safety" items to bring along with me.  I can't tell you if these would actually help keep you safe {thankfully I didn't have to use them} but they did make me feel more confident which is half the battle!  I brought a door stop alarm {to alert you if someone is opening your front door}, neck stash to keep my important documents during travel days, personal alarm, and a self defense keychain {not sure if this actually would do anything, but Amazon recommended I add it to my cart so I just went with it}.  Paranoid a little?  Probably.  But I always believe that it's better safe than sorry!

• Staying in Touch: For me, this was simple!  I started my blog as a way for friends and family to follow my adventures.  I didn't get any kind of data plan, as I simply didn't use my phone {except for those few times I was absurdly lost and had to turn on my Google Maps, which unfortunately cost me an arm and a leg in roaming fees}.  And Skype really is a modern miracle!

• Averting Pickpockets: Europe has a reputation of being full of thieves and pickpockets, and while in most areas this isn't true it does have quite a few more folks that are praying on unsuspecting tourists.  The best way to protect yourself from this?  Don't be a "tourist."  It is always important to be cognisant of your surroundings and your belongings, especially while on public transportation or at any popular tourist destination {i.e. the Eiffel Tower}.  Nose behind a map?  Wearing a fanny pack?  Yelling in English {in non-English speaking countries}?  Yeah, most likely a thief will be able to pick you out of a crowd.  My best recommendation is to simply act confident and try to blend in.  Do as the locals do.  And just be aware.  If you do that, I believe you can prevent nearly 90% of robberies...as most likely there is a "tourist" ripe for the picking next to you.

• Documenting Your Travels: Bring the best camera you can afford and be sure not to forget a charger, extra batteries, memory cards, etc.  I love to sit down and look through old photos of my travels, and know that the older I get the more I will cherish them.  Also, I brought along a journal for me to write down memories, save mementos, sketch, etc.  I didn't use it to simply document my day to day activities, but rather wrote down small moments throughout the trip.  I believe it's the little things that are the most important, so it is critical to find some way to remember your special moments and feelings.  And if you like blogging, that is a great way to document your journey as well!  

• Other Pieces of Advice: Have fun!  Go outside of your comfort zone and strike up a conversation with a stranger, you never know where it may lead.  Take mental photographs.  Eat {and drink} local specialities.  Go off the beaten path.  Notice the big things and the little things.  Remember, it is not always the destination but how you get there that is the most important part of the journey.  Push yourself to try something new every day!  Live life with no regrets!

PS - Follow Dreams in HD on bloglovin' here!

Making a Dream Come True

{Taking it all in, in Paris}

I started this blog ten months ago as a way to document my life-changing experience of traveling through Europe solo.  I didn't get the chance to do a study-abroad in college {I was busy with four marketing internships} and had hoped to take a year off between graduation and starting a full-time job to travel.  However, I received a great job-offer, and that coupled with the fact that the recession had severely affected the job market {many of my friends were either jobless or had to take low-paying, thinkless jobs since they were not able to find anything in their field} pushed me to jump into the working world right after graduation. 

Slowly but surely the travel bug began to consume me, and I became filled with regret that I didn't get the opportunity to spend time abroad as a student.  I am a firm believer that it is better to have tried and failed than to live with regret, so I decided to follow my dreams and travel through Europe alone.  

Now for those of you who don't know me, this decision was quite out of character.  I have always been very timid, and honestly didn't think I was brave enough to travel in a foreign country alone.  I remember laying in bed at night thinking, "You can't do this.  You will be miserable.  You won't meet anyone.  You will be homesick.  You will miss Ryan too much to be able to enjoy yourself."  Those nights continued, but over the next few weeks my thoughts started to change.  One night I was in bed and thought to myself "Why can't I do this?"  And that was that.  I had made up my mind, and the next day bought a round-trip flight from Cincinnati, Ohio to Paris.

My parents and Ryan were both extremely supportive and excited about my decision, however I would be lying if I didn't tell you they weren't incredibly nervous for me.  They worried that I would be lonely.  That I would be homesick.  And mostly, they worried about my safety.  I would also be lying if I said that I too wasn't concerned about my safety.  Movies like "Taken" {thank you Hollywood!} lurked in the back of my mind, and I worried about walking home late at night on unknown streets, getting lost, getting my beloved camera stolen, and worse.  To appease my fears I purchased a few safety supplies such as a personal alarm which I kept in my hand at all times while walking alone at night {I didn't have to use it, thank goodness!}  It may or may not have made me safer, but it did make me feel more confident which I think is half the battle.

The day Ryan took me to the airport I cried.  I wished that he was able to come with me.  I worried about eating dinners alone.  I worried again about my safety.  I worried that this was a huge mistake and I would be lonely and miserable.  We kissed goodbye and I was off.  Honestly, having to say goodbye to Ryan was the hardest part of the entire journey.  But from there, it was all uphill.  I couldn't believe I was about to spend two weeks in my favorite city in the world - Paris - then travel to countries I had never seen before.  A quick nine-hour plane ride later and I was in the City of Light, and well, the rest is history!  

Looking back, I know this was a huge turning point in my life.  The experience was absolutely wonderful, but even more than that, I feel like doing it has made me a stronger, more empowered, and courageous woman.  I wanted to travel, but didn't have anyone to do it with me.  So instead of pushing that dream aside and always looking back and wondering "what if...?" I made it happen.  And that itself was a life-lesson that was worth every penny I spent on the trip. 

I will leave you with a favorite quote, which has been a huge inspiration for my life.  “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

Care to see more?  Detailed posts from my trip are below:

Paris: {1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6} {7} {8} {9} {10} {11} {12} {13}

Switzerland: {1} {2} {3} {4}

Austria: {1} {2} {3}

England: {1} {2} 

PS - Follow Dreams in HD on bloglovin' here!

Indianapolis City Guide: Eateries

Happy Tuesday friends!  In an effort to explore my new city, I am going to be doing a few posts over the next weeks which list my favorite eateries, shops, experiences, etc.  I recently relocated to Indianapolis, but until my boyfriend had moved here a year and a half ago hadn't really spent any time in the city.  I'm still learning new things about Indianapolis every day, but one of my favorite aspects thus far has most certainly been the food.  Indy is filled with small, funky, independent restaurants, many of which feature local and organic ingredients.  There are so many eateries I'm still looking to try, but here are five of my favorites thus far:

Taste Cafe & Marketplace: Taste was one of the first restaurants my boyfriend and I tried when he moved to Indianapolis {partially because it is just a ten minute walk from his apartment} but honestly I can say it is one of the best casual eateries I have ever dined in!  They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Sunday, and dinner on Wednesday and Thursday.  For breakfast and lunch they serve dishes such as truffled egg and asparagus toast, pear & Roquefort salad, delicious sandwiches on baguette, and plenty of amazing pastries and baked goods.  On Wednesday and Thursday nights when they are open as "After-Taste," and they have an incredibly inventive and varied menu which includes small plates, salads, tartines, mains, and absolutely fabulous cocktails.  Plus their ever changing list of specials always includes at least fifteen delicious options.  Whenever we have a visitor in town we always make sure to take them to Taste.  Note: If you go, you MUST order the truffle frites.  They are large enough to share and are positively life changing.

R Bistro: Until recently, we hadn't yet visited R Bistro, which has been voted the best restaurant in Indianapolis.  One Friday night we decided to give it a try, and all I can say is WOW!  R Bistro is an upscale casual eatery in downtown Indianapolis which serves fresh local ingredients on a menu that changes every week.  They serve items such as chicken, turkey, and pork terrine, crab salad with Meyer lemon, and pan-seared duck breast with pomegranate sauce & a sweet potato cake.  Yum!  Reservations highly recommended. 

Oakley's Bistro: Another restaurant that has been voted best restaurant in Indianapolis multiple times, Oakley's Bistro is the brainchild of Chef Steven Oakley {who in his previous life worked at haute cuisine restaurants such as Charlie Trotter’s}.  Oakley took his learnings and applied them to create an unpretentious, American bistro.  Oakley's is about 10 miles north of downtown Indianapolis but is most certainly worth the commute.  We visited it last year for my boyfriend's birthday and were absolutely blown away by the entire meal.  Favorites were the "Toad in a Hole" salad - an upscale twist on the classic "egg in a hole" with brioche, egg, asparagus, prosciutto, roasted peppers, pickled grapes, artichokes, brie, and truffle vinaigrette and the Lobster Waffle   which featured a basil roasted garlic waffle, lobster, zucchini sauté, mustard cream, and crispy leeks.  The entire meal kept us surprised and delighted, and I cannot wait to go back and try more of Chef Oakley's masterpieces!  

St. Elmo Steak House: St. Elmo's is an Indianapolis institution.  Located in the center of downtown Indy, St. Elmo's has been an Indiana landmark since 1902.  It has earned a national reputation for its fabulous steak and legendary shrimp cocktail {watch out, the sauce is spicy}.  We recently visited St. Elmo's when my family was in town, and our meal was absolute perfection.  The gorgeous restaurant features multiple different dining areas, each with its own unique decor.  We ate in what appeared to be a huge library with floor to ceiling bookshelves, beautiful crown molding, and hundreds of old books.  My family all ordered the filet mignon {which they said was impeccable} and as the non-meat eater in the group I ordered a delicious tuna steak. St. Elmo's is the perfect place for a special occasion, and again reservations HIGHLY recommended.

The Flying Cupcake: Last but certainly not least, to satisfy your sweet-tooth you absolutely must stop by one of four Flying Cupcake locations throughout Indianapolis.  The interior of the stores is an absolute shabby-chic heaven, and the cupcakes are even more delicious!  Some of my favorite flavors are Cinnamon Sugar {tastes JUST like a Cinnabon}, Strawberry Lemonade, and Champagne.  Plus, I heard that the Hungry Lumberjack {which features a french toast cupcake with maple-syrup infused cream cheese frosting, syrup drizzle, and bacon} is amazing, if that's your sort of thing.  And to burn off the calories from your sugar overload I'd recommend visiting White River State Park if you're at the downtown location or taking a walk, run, or bike ride down the Monon Bike Trail.

Have you ever been to Indianapolis?  What was your favorite restaurant?

Dining in Paris

One of my absolute favorite aspects of Paris is the food.  I have always been a lover of French cuisine {in particular the cheese, pastries, and wine}.  I dined on some of the best meals of my life during my three weeks in Paris, but not every meal was outstanding.  Initially when I traveled to Paris with my boyfriend we were hesitant to use any of the guidebook recommendations as we were worried they would be "tourist traps."  We planned on getting lost in tiny alleyways and stumbling across the perfect Parisian bistro {where preferably we were the only English speakers}.  However, this plan didn't work so well for us, so after a few overpriced and overrated meals we decided to use the list of restaurants I had made from my earlier research that included guidebooks, blogs, Bon Appetit, Tripadvisor, and a Parisian friend's recommendations.  I have to say this was the best idea ever, and once we did a little research we were hitting the French food jackpot.  There are a few reasons why I think it is crucial to do a bit of restaurant research prior to arriving in Paris:

Everyone who goes to Paris comes back raving about the food.  This gives you the expectation that every meal will be truly top-notch, so when this isn't the case it is much more disappointing than if you were served an average meal at a restaurant back home.  Because so much of what makes Paris special is the food, it is just that much more important to make sure you choose the places you will be eating carefully.

Initially when we arrived in Paris I following my rule of thumb of picking the restaurant that was the busiest...but many times once we were seated we realized most of our fellow diners were tourists.  A better rule of thumb is to pick places where the majority of patrons there speak French, and to steer clear of restaurants that are in close proximity to famous monuments {however this is easier said than done because you seem to stumble across one every few blocks in central Paris}!

Paris is HUGE and is littered with restaurants.  On many blocks you will find five or six restaurants side by side, all with very similar menus.  In a city with literally thousands upon thousands of restaurants the probability is that there will be good ones {LOTS of them} but there will also be bad ones.  There were nights where we were completely overwhelmed with the plethora of options and kept saying "this place looks good, but let's keep walking and see what else there is" until it was 10:30PM and due to our insatiable hunger we finally succumbed into picking the next bistro we came upon.  It can also be a bit overwhelming looking on Tripadvisor and seeing over 5,000 restaurants, so that's why doing some research prior to your trip can save you stress {and precious vacation time} while you are in Paris.  

Going to a highly acclaimed restaurant does not have to break the bank.  I noticed that some of my favorite restaurants were less expensive {and infinitely more special} than many of the places that we stumbled upon.  I would highly recommend before your trip to Paris doing a bit of research about restaurants - I can almost guarantee it will reward you with some of the most delicious food {and memories} you have ever experienced!

PS - Because I'm just not ready to stop thinking about Paris, tomorrow I will be telling you some of my favorite eateries in the City of Light!

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