Paris is calling||Seeing in the New Year

So you may remember in my October monthly round up post I mentioned that myself and my boyfriend were spending New Years in Paris this year. Well I am happy to announce that the planning is now in full swing! Flights have officially been booked and now its down to the fun parts. Deciding what Hotel to stay in and sorting out our itinerary for our 4 day visit. 

 This year is even more special for us as not only will we be celebrating New Years together but it is also our first year anniversary in December. We wanted to do something festive and romantic and I have a feeling our trip to Paris is going to be just that. 


Photo Credit: 99 Travel Tips
Living in London we have both visited Paris numerous times (as it is so easy to get to) but not had the chance to go as a couple- until now. So with that in mind here are few things I have put together for us both to enjoy while we are there. I think we can all agree travelling as a couple is a completely different experience than travelling with friends.. 

Here's some fun things to try if you too are travelling with your loved one this Christmas. 



#1 Visit Love Lock Bridge

This is the number 1 thing on my list of things to do when we visit this year. I think it is such a sweet and romantic idea. I just hope there will be enough room on the bridge to put our padlock. 

Love Lock Bridge can be found near the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Bridge itself is called 'Pont de 'Archeveche'  it is easily accessible by the Metro the nearest stop from it is La Cite. It shouldn't be too hard to find as you will see the thousands of locks on the bridge.  **tip- bring your own lock as the locks sold by the bridge can be pricey**.

Photo Credit: Etsy.com

#2 Visit the main sites

You haven't come all the way to Paris to not visit the main sites! Eiffel Tower, Champs- Elysees, The Arc du Triumph and the Notre Dame Cathedral will surely be on your list of top tourist attractions.  If you take the metro to these places you will see lots more on your travels without a doubt. 


Photo Credit: Guiddoo
The Eiffel Tower


Photo Credit: 500px
Champs-Elysees


Photo Credit: blog.thisisnotnew
Arc du Triomphe
Photo Credit: everintransit
Notre Dame Cathedral
Photo Credit: amazing-snaps


#3 Go Ice Skating at an Outdoor Rink


One Place I know we will end up visiting is the Hotel De Ville outdoor Ice Rink. We love skating during the winter months in London and often do. This is one of our favourite date nights. So I know we can't wait to try it in Paris. 

The rink is open from December 2015 until March 2016 and admission is free if you bring your own skates. (You can hire skates for a fee). During this time there will be plenty of shows, demonstrations and even some beginners lessons too. Something I am sure we will be giving a go. 



Photo Credit: demotix


#4 Have dinner at the Eiffel Tower

This is something I have always wanted to do on New Years Eve.  It is the perfect romantic setting for a candle lit dinner opposite your loved one, and one of the best most glamorous ways to see in the new year in my opinion. 

To book your place at the 58 Tour Eiffel Tower restaurant for New Years Eve click here. Or visit the official website for more info.


Photo Credit: flickr
Photo Credit: nosnomundo

#5 Go for a walk by the River Seine

If you know me,you know I'm not usually one for walking (anywhere) but there is definitely something romantic about putting on your warm snug clothes, taking your partners hand and going for a stroll by one of the most famous rivers in Europe. It all sounds lovely and cosy (as long as no one ends up in it!)  


Photo Credit: Artquid

#6 Soak up some Culture

This is a great little idea for a day trip or if you have a few hours to kill between lunch and dinner, why not check out some of the cities amazing culture? 

The city is full to the brim with Museums and and galleries you need to see for yourself! Here is my guide and a pick of the best....

#1 Musee du Louvre

Or The Louvre Museum to you and me. This has got to be one of my most favourite buildings in Paris. I love how stylishly chic and minimalistic the architecture is and cannot wait to get a few snaps outside of it. 

You can book a tour of the Louvre through tour website Viator.. At the moment they are offering 14 different tours for this Museum. The one I particularly like the look of is the 'Skip the line Louvre Museum small-group tour with Champagne and Gourmet Lunch' it is around $76.49 per person. 

For a full list of the tours on offer and more details click here.


Photo Credit: amazing-snaps

#2 Musee d'Orsay 

This museum is considered THE top museum to visit to experience some real French artistry. It is home to the largest collection of impressionist French Art masterpieces. Be prepared to queue to get in this place is extremely popular with tourists.

The best thing about this place is that it is very close to The Louvre as well so if you fancied checking both out on the same day it is definitely do able. 

Photo Credit: flickr
This museum can be found on the Rue de la Legion d'Honneur street and if coming via the Metro get off at line 12,  Solferino. 

#3 Notre Dame Cathedral 

You must also go and visit the Notre Dame Cathedral. I don't think any cultural trip to Paris is complete without doing so. Again be prepared for it to be busy and popular with tourists. 


Photo Credit: flickr

#7 Shopping in the Designer District

Or Window shopping depending on your budget...  This might not be on everyone's list as a lot of men can't stand the thought of trailing round endless shops, but trust me ladies when I say it is always handy to have your man around when you fancy partaking in a bit of shopping. Not only will he give you honest opinions on that dress you have been eyeing up since you arrived- men also make very good  shopping bag holders! 

If you like designer clothing make sure you go to the 'Avenue Montaigne'  on the 8th arrondissement, which is know for its designer stores such as Chloe, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent etc. 


Photo Credit: fififlowers



Photo Credit: plumprettysugar
Photo Credit: flickr



#8 Stay in your hotel, order room service and watch films in bed. 

This is something we usually do if we have hit the town a bit too hard the night before.. To me there is no better cure than staying in bed ordering some yummy room service and watching films together. 

Photo Credit: bellacor



Seeing in the New Year.....

As you all know this isn't a regular City break for us, It's 'kinda a big deal!' Our main goal is to get glammed up, find an amazing Club, Party, Have fun with each other  and indulge in lots of great Food and Drinks with each other. Exactly what Christmas/New Year should be, spent with the people you love in one of the most glam places in Europe. 


Photo Credit: Tripatini

Photo Credit: news.com


Hotels...

Paris is home to lots of hotels, just like an City really. You have the 5 * hotels in the City centre and also the more budget friendly hotels which tend to be further a field. Choosing one for New Years is a pretty big deal! Here are a few I have come across and quite like the look of....


'Hotel Vice Versa'- 

This 4 star hotel situated in the 15th arr on rue de la Croix Nivert caught my eye the other day not for its exterior (as you will see) but for its uniqueness. This is one of the only hotels I have come across that has a seven deadly sins theme to it. Designed by Chantal Thomass, there are 37 rooms in total spread out over 7 floors. Each room is decked out in a different theme of the Seven deadly sins, and depending what floor you are on will depend on what theme of room you stay in. I love all of them and want a stay a night in each one! 


Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

 So here we have first up The Lobby which represents a heavenly theme. 




Next up you can see the kitchen, which is meant to represent Greed. I love how cute the decor is I think it really suits the theme as well. 

Now for the bedrooms... 

Gluttony

Greed

Laziness

Wrath

Pride

Lust

Envy


So there we have the rooms! I would love to stay in all of the rooms (the greed definitely coming out in me) how about you? They are all so unique and quirky in their own ways by my absolutely favourite has to be the Lust room. I love how girly it is! This room is definitely one for the couples out there. 

You have a choice of the 'Classic' room which is the cheapest of the two and these types of rooms come with a phone, free wi-fi in all rooms,a mini bar, a safe, Flat screen cable TV, Hair dryer and home products. 

The more expensive option called 'Deluxe' is the bigger of the two and comes with all of the same aminities as the Classic. The only difference in these rooms are that they have baths in the bathroom. So depending on what your budget is this hotel offers something for everyone. 

Prices start from around £112 per night (booked on Trip Advisor)  
Or you can visit their official website and book from there. 



-Radisson Blu Le Dokhan's Hotel- 

Located in the trendy Trocadero neighbourhood on Paris's 16th Arr lies the grand 5 star Radisson Blu Le Dokhan Hotel. This is the hotel we have decided to stay in on our trip. It looks fantastic from the outside and the inside looks even better! 

We have chosen to stay in a Deluxe Room for 3 nights. The room comes with a choice of 1 Queen bed or 2 Twins. You also get free wi-fi in all rooms, an LCD TV with cable channels, a fully stocked mini bar, free bath robes and slippers, free toiletries as well as all of the usual amenities you find in most hotels. Being a respected 5 star hotel Radisson Blu also go the extra mile and offer a turn down service. 

Here's some photos of the rooms... 


Photo Credit: en.hrs
Photo Credit: Trip Advisor
Photo Credit: Trip Advisor 
So there we have a few examples of the different rooms you can expect to find in the hotel. As you can see striped bedding is a theme in this hotel, as well as rich coloured carpets and thick dark heavy furniture. The rooms definitely have an air of traditional grace and elegance about them. 

One place in the hotel I think I am going to love visiting is the Dokhan bar. The Dokhan bar is home to the first Champagne bar in Paris and you can find around 70 different Champagne's on the menu currently.  I will certainly enjoy having a nice glass up here once evening. 


Photo Credit: Hotels.com
So there we have a bit about the hotel we are staying at. We booked our hotel on hotels.com and managed to get one of the best deals for the time we are visiting. We booked it a month in advance and noticed that a lot of the hotels in the city are selling out fast during the Christmas/ New Year period. So make sure you book yours now to avoid disappointment! 


I am now at the end of my Paris post, hope it has been insightful for you all. We can't wait to celebrate the end of the year in this amazing City now. If anyone has any other suggestions of where to go and what to do please let me know. 

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