WEEK 20 - 22: European Adventures - Part One - Paris to Switzerland

Well it's safe to say it's been a big few weeks I hardly know where to begin! So I guess the best place to start would be the beginning? Well here goes...

*Disclaimer* Most of you already know my phone and major source of photography was stolen in the latter part of my trip. Unfortunately this means a lot of my photos are now gone forever,  I've had to rely on tour mates for a lot of my blog pictures. Not what I was hoping for, but you'll get the general idea.

Thursday the 13th of August I rose bright an early brimming with excitement for my first European holiday. Part of a Top Deck tour, our first port of call was Paris. After arriving at our meeting point, a hostel in central London, checking in and introducing myself to fellow travellers it was time to hit the road. Paris here we come!!!

The journey to Paris was a long one to say the least; A coach ride to Dover Harbour, A ferry accross the English channel and onto another coach for the remainder of the drive to Paris. We arrived into Paris around dusk. On first impressions alone I must admit I was a little disappointed in the city of love. It seemed dirty and rough, but I was still optimistic. We offloaded our luggage at the hostel, freshened up and headed out for our Topdeck Parisian provided meal - French onion soup, chicken and vegetables and of course snails!! The snails were really delicious, a garlic buttery goodness.

Following dinner we boarded the bus for a night tour of the city and this was when it hit me - I'm in Paris!!! The city is so beautiful all lit up at night, despite the drizzle. We all jumped at the opportunity to get off the bus and take a selfie or two in front of the dazzling Eiffel Tower. I'll never forget that surreal moment I had driving through the city of Paris - a city I've always dreamed of visiting, I felt like the luckiest girl alive.

The next day was a free day, myself and a few of my new-found topdeck friends went along to brave the queues at the Louvre, mainly to visit the lady herself - The Mona Lisa.  Following this we took a river cruise, learning about the history of the beautiful city champagne in tow.

After tearing down the former love lock bridge, tourists have started locking up a nearby bridge

Inside the Louvre

The beauty that is Paris city

We finished out the day with a quick whip around the Notre Dame and over to the eiffel tower to meet the rest of our tour buddies for a picnic below the tower. The rain held off for a brief moment to allow us to do so, a picnic at the base of the Eiffel Tower - what more cold a girl ask for?

Notre Dame

What better way to end my short stay in Paris than with a visit to the Moulin Rouge? A sold out show, with incredible energy and the origin of my favourite movie, the show was everything I hoped for. My jaw was on the floor for the majority of the show, a night I will never forget. I was so sad to leave Paris but know I'll be back soon enough.

Up bright and early we're off to Switzerland today!! This being the longest day of travel - 10 hours to our destination. Nothing overly exciting happening along the way, a few ice breaker games to get to know more of our massive tour group and lots and lots of napping.

The view from the coach as we enter Switzerland

The temperature dropped significantly when we arrived in Switzerland but it wasn't unbearably cold. We were staying in the small quaint town of Lauterbrunnen, right amongst the mountains the site around us was incredible. That evening it was dinner, a few drinks at the bar and bed ready for an early start to visit the top of Europe the following day.

The main street of Lauterbrunnen

The next morning following breakfast we caught a bunch of trains to begin the journey to the top of Europe. The incline was steep and my ears popped continuously, did I mention by this point of the trip a cold had well and truly taken over my body? Yeah that made it fun. The higher we rose the more spectacular the view and we hadn't even met the snow yet.

Upon arrival to the starting point to find the top of Europe we grabbed some last minute essentials at the gift shop - gloves, beanies, etc. From here we walked through an Ice Palace, where you guessed it everything was made of ice. Needless to say it was fairly slippery and we all took extra care balancing our bodies and our cameras. I did see some pretty hilarious falls though.

Yep thats carved out of ice

After freezing our butts off in the ice palace we finally made it to the highest point in Europe, surprisingly not as cold as the ice palace but every bit as beautiful. When we arrived the fog was moving throughout the mountains and eventually cleared throughout the afternoon to get a different view altogether.

Highest point in Europe!!

Switzerland blew my mind with its beauty and I once again had those thoughts about how lucky I am to be able to see such beautiful places throughout the world.

Next up Avignon, Barcelona & Vienna. Hope you've enjoyed my adventures so far!
Part two coming soon.

xo