Spending my first few newlywed days in one of the most romantic cities in the world was an incredibly special experience. Not to mention, this was also my very first trip to Europe. During the whirlwind adventure, I learned valuable lessons about visiting Paris and European travel in general, and rounded up my top 10 takeaways for you here.

Brush up on your French.

It’s an old saying that Paris isn’t the friendliest destination for English-speaking tourists. While we met plenty of wonderful people in bars, restaurants and landmarks, we did encounter a few (ok, kind of a lot of) grumpy locals who weren’t accommodating to language barriers. Learning how to say greetings and ask basic questions will help you communicate efficiently – just make sure you don’t overdo it to the point of sounding like you are mocking the language!

Don’t crash diet before you go.

Take it from me, a dieting bride, who had a queasy stomach during my entire trip. I had cut most carbs and sugar from my diet leading up to my wedding, and immediately indulging in irresistible pastries and desserts for several days did not end well. If you are watching your weight before your trip, be mindful of what foods you plan to eat during your vacation and incorporate those in some capacity while still at home.

Grocery shop!

This is one of my biggest pieces of advice for any destination. Visiting a local grocery store soon after you arrive to stock up on water, snacks, beer and/or wine will be a big help and a BIG money-saver. In many European cities, water is hard to come by. Having a few bottles of water on-hand in your room will ensure you stay hydrated and happy without overpaying at restaurants. Similarly, Matt and I love having a glass of wine (or two) in between sightseeing and hitting the town for dinner.

Research your photo ops.

If you have a specific view or photo op in mind, research it before you go. If you want that iconic, candid cafe shot with the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background, I promise you won’t just stumble upon it. Research the best parks, restaurants, etc., to capture your dream ‘Gram. On my next trip to Paris, building this list is my main mission!

Bring familiar snacks.

See “Don’t Crash Diet.” My stomach was completely destroyed unsettled during my trip, and I kicked myself for not packing a handful of familiar snacks like protein bars and my favorite jerky to have on hand.

Get an international cell phone plan.

I winged it during my trip to Paris, and I wish I hadn’t. It was stressful having to constantly pop in cafes, track down a WiFi password and panic about accidentally using data just to pull up a digital map or research your next destination. While it’s always important to put the phone away and enjoy the moment, having a way to quickly research a menu item, transit schedule or call an Uber will be a huge help. I highly recommend reaching out to your provider to see what’s available! Note: I have Verizon, and they offer a $10/day international travel pass. SO worth it!

Carefully plan your days.

In a city like Paris, theres always so much to do and so little time. Having a carefully planned itinerary will help you maximize your precious time and ensure you accomplish everything on your list. There’s nothing worse than visiting a landmark, returning to your hotel, then heading out to explore another spot and realizing it was just a few blocks away…

Give yourself time to just be.

This is an important follow-up to my previous point. With so much to see and do, make sure you take the time to slow down and drink it all in. By the end of our time in Paris, I was so exhausted and overwhelmed, feeling like I’d barely scratched the surface of everything I wanted to do. One night, I took a chill pill (read: shot of Jack Daniels) and wandered random French streets hand-in-hand with my new husband. We found ourselves in a tiny little bar, ordered appetizers and Stella Artois and played cards together for hours. This definitely wasn’t on the itinerary, but it remains a highlight of our trip.

Lower your expectations.

I would travel back in time and scream this to myself with a megaphone if I could. Travel is stressful. Being in a foreign country is stressful. Traveling immediately after your wedding is stressful. At some point, it’s important to trust the plans that you and I (😉) have made and just enjoy the ride. No trip will ever be perfect, so going in with the expectation that you’re going to make a million new memories through all the things planned and unplanned will help you have the best vacation possible.

Use a travel agent.

Yeah, yeah. Time for me to plug myself here. As I’ve mentioned, my honeymoon was my first trip to Europe. It was an incredible experience, but it bordered on disaster every step of the way. From what I’ve learned traveling and studying the industry, I know I can provide you tools and resources to maximize your memories and minimize your spending.

Your honeymoon will be some of the most memorable days of your life – let me help you make it perfect! Email me to get started.