1. Flea Market 

I decided to start an early day by going to the most famous flea market in Paris; Les Puces de Saint Ouen so I could have watched as the stores and stalls open up for the day and without much crowd. When I reached the flea market, I didn’t find anyone and all I could see was colorful shutters and graffitis on the walls. Turns out it only opens on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

I still continued walking through the many colorful streets in the flea market.

2. Montmartre 

Although many have warned me of pick-pockets and sly thieves, fortunately, I haven’t had a negative experience as I strolled down the cobblestoned streets fenced by gardens of vineyards and flowers, the village of Montmartre is one not to be missed. An atmosphere that is home to Artists, and why shouldn’t it be? Van Gogh and Picasso once found peace during their stay in the area. Their influence is evident by a single walk through the neighborhoods that stayed true to its roots in terms of design and layout, Bistros, Cafes, and Mini-markets lined up the pathway, distracting me from seeing the giant windmill, stashed behind a row of short buildings but when I finally saw it up close, it struck me feeling like I just walked into a painting, a real state of the artwork. At the top of the village sits one of Paris’ most prominent structures, the Sacre-Coeur where you can see the largest Mosaic in the world or the best view over the city of Paris.

Suggested from AGODA Things to Do:

Bohemian Montmartre Exclusive Walking Tour

3. Rue Cremieux 

Probably one of the most iconic-Instagrammable places in the world. A row of colorful houses line up the Rue Cremieux, I was told not to linger in the place too long as residents of the area has grown weary of Tourists flocking in the place and that they don’t like to be disturbed by people who loiter (there was once a lot of fashion shoots, music video filming, and Instagram selfie sessions,) I tip-toed my way through, hopefully, unnoticed.

4. Arc de Triomphe 

An Architectural wonder, how could such a gigantic structure have no columns? The Arc de Triomphe is an iconic landmark in the heart of Paris. On the Hop-on-and-hop-off Tour bus you can get to see the highlights of Paris including Arc de Triomphe, I caught a glimpse of it and jumped off in a hurry, it was truly a sight and definitely worth stopping for. There would be a line waiting to get in, however. The way up is through a spiral staircase that goes all the way to the top of the structure where a gift-shop is patiently sitting to turn you into a proper tourist. Up another flight of stairs and you’ll find yourself staring at the entire city. At every corner of the rooftop is a view of the city symmetrically aligned, almost as though the rest of Paris was built in consideration of how it’s going to look like from the top of Arc de Triomphe.

Suggested from AGODA Things to Do:

Hop on Hop Off Sightseeing Tours

Paris Pass Including Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Entry to Over 60 Attractions

5. Louvre 

Again, I was quite lucky to have the AGODA app on my mobile, through a package they offer many different options with Skip-the-line feature which allows me to cut the long queue of people waiting to get in. The Louvre is currently the largest Art Museum in the world, exhibiting an endless collection of paintings. It’s a very tourist-ish environment but it’s worth a stop.

Suggested from AGODA Things to Do:

Skip the Line Louvre Museum Independent Audio Guided Tour

Skip the Line Louvre Museum Must-See Guided Tour

6. Luxembourg Gardens 

Have I told you how much Parisians love gardens? Well, Luxembourg is their largest one. I found myself walking around in a peaceful state, watching everyone do the same. There’s a large pond-like pool right in front of the Palace where birds soar aimlessly above. The greenery stretches all around providing a nice breeze to contrast the warm air. If you’re a runner or need to put in some steps to your day, this is definitely a place to head over to. There’s also a tennis court, restaurant, a lot of benches and seating setups.

7. Versailles Palace 

Amidst all the everyday technology that represents a modern progression, here lies a courtyard that seemed to blast through from the past, something like 300 years ago. A once home to Louis the fourteenth, a walk through the Palace is a quick reminder to myself that excessive wealth is never going to be part of my life goals. Every edge and corner of the Palace represented Royalty and this may be a sight of awe to most, but as a person who grew up in Saudi Arabia, monarchy and wealth were an everyday occurrence. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait in the long line, again, Skip-the-line from AGODA. Download it.

Suggested from AGODA Things to Do:

Palace of Versailles with Skip the Line Audio Guided Tour

8. Belleville 

Ah, they call it the neighborhood for the middle-class (borderline poor) but this is something more of what I was hoping to see in Paris. I was informed by AGODA that the Street Art in the neighborhood would be a tour that’d definitely make my day and as I walked through the vibrant sea of colors in works of graffiti and painting exhibitions, I couldn’t help but feel inspired, I suddenly got the urge to create something, motivated by the brilliance that surrounded me. If only I could do better than drawings of stick figures.

There’s a really cool cafe which is not to be missed where you could get info of different artists from the owner herself; Le Barbouquin Cafe.

Suggested from AGODA Things to Do:

Belleville street art walking tour

Street Art Tour in Paris – Discover Paris 13th in Segway

9. Le Marais 

Diversity is a word that is said more often now than before. In Paris, it doesn’t get more diverse than this neighborhood covered with people from all over the world, boutique shops and cafes for all kinds of groups that our society has, it is also home to the LGBTQ community in Paris so you’ll find the rainbow flag in a lot of the area. This is also the place where people come to buy things in bulk.

10. Old Houses 

After seeing many Hussmann architecture, I wanted to see something different so I looked for old half-timbered houses in Paris. There is only a handful of these lefts and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Rue Volta 3 – The second oldest house in Paris from 1644.

Rue Francois Miron –  These two half-timbered houses dates back to the 15th Century

11. River Seine 

Of course, this list included this. Straight out of a scene from a Rom-Com or an overly cheesy romantic film, this place will still leave you floating with butterflies in your stomach no matter how much you despise love. You can people-watch, chill out with a friend or go solo in your headphones and lost in your world.

12. Covered Passages

The remaining covered passages in Paris are not to be missed. They go back to the 19th Century but only 25 of them still exist after the renovation of Haussmann. It felt like a step back in time walking through the narrow alleyways covered with glass ceiling and watching locals go by their day among the small boutique shops, restaurants, cafes and gift shops.

These passages are not to be missed:

Passage des Panoramas

Passage Joufffroy

Passage Verdeu

Galeri Vivienne

13. Sunset Cruise with AGODA 

Finally, I leave you with a blessing of one of AGODA’s packages, the sunset cruise where they let you off near the Eiffel tower. The calming short trip grants you the opportunity to see Paris during the Golden hour when the skies turn over into a burst of blue and red, mixing seamlessly while you watch your surroundings. I had my headphones off and just enjoyed the light chatter and the water slapping against the boat, the serenity of it all gave me a sense of a day’s accomplishment. When I got off, I got on the infamous Carousel that sits smack in the sake of randomness by the Eiffel Tower. Paris has its ways, I can tell you that.

Suggested from AGODA Things to Do:

Seine River Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise in Paris

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Sightseeing Cruise

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I want to travel the countries and keep Europe and the West probably at the bottom of my check-list but on the way to Ecuador and Peru in South America, I found out my flight was going to stop-over in Paris for a couple of days – I paused for a moment, I’ve never even thought of visiting France, I knew it was expensive and I am not that kind of traveler, also what was there to do in Paris? 

Luckily, I knew French people who were aware of my lifestyle, they gave me destinations to visit to fully experience and enjoy my short stay. I was also introduced to an app called AGODA, where they have all sorts of packages that serves the purpose of experiencing a country and their offers aren’t relatively expensive. I took a deep breath, none of my trips were ever planned anyway, with the resources I had, I was pretty sure I’d do just fine in Europe.

Once the plane landed, I went along and did my usual, I visited the Airport bathroom and freshened up for the day before I was shuttled to JO&JOE’s, the hostel that I found on AGODA app. I had a heavy breakfast that was included in the package and went to the common area filled with vibrant colors and interior designs that made the start of the day a lot brighter, literally. A round bar indoors and greenery outside made travelers like me settle in their unconventional but comfortable seatings. And while I tried to document the moment with my phone, I ran into @baderkhanamerbadran and I knew my first day in Paris was going to be a lot of fun.

First things first, a photoshoot with the Eiffel Tower. We headed towards there but was met with heavy rain in an attempt to shut down my mission. Seeing the Eiffel tower over my little self was overwhelming, as a girl who grew up in Saudi Arabia and only seen it in films, I was unfazed and tried my level best to make the photoshoot work, even bothered a lady to lend me her umbrella. But you can never defeat nature and my loss was evident in the results of the photos. 

We continued walking and I caught a glimpse of Notre Dame and was told it will be opened in 2024. It was tragic what happened to such a beautifully carved cathedral.

Drenched in rain and need to quench a thirst that had been building up, Bader and I rested at a local restaurant where I changed and casually left my wet clothes and shoes to dry. Then we went people watching at the Seine River, it was crowded, there were people everywhere, just chilling, reading books, playing the guitar, some were strolling, others rested their heads on the ground while their feet hanging on the edge of the walkway, the river that is historically known to have given birth to Paris a few meters below their feet, and we laid on a giant hammock to let everything sink in. 

I glanced at my watch and it reads 9:00 pm but the sky was still a mixture of bursting red, orange and blue. My yawn was a signal that it was probably time to make my way back to the hostel, I glanced at the Eiffel Tower, towering over the city as if to call for me, so I walked towards Quai Branly where a crowd of people was excitedly floating around kiosks. It was called the Paris Summer Market where an abundance of Creole, Greek, Spanish and Indian food was served. I didn’t eat anything though, I just floated about, watching everyone’s joyful expressions as they approach different stands.

The sun had finally settled and almost disappeared into the horizon, I was spent but as though the city hadn’t had enough of the extensive day, the lights ignited, Eiffel tower especially flashed a bright color of tungsten sparks from thousands of light bulbs and the city is alive once again as if rejuvenated. I could hear Spanish Music and found myself walking in the middle of a dance floor where people were dancing, Latin, swiftly, at the same time, gently swinging the bodies of their partners while the Eiffel towered overhead, it was as romantic as a romance scene and what’s Paris without it.

Check out things you could do while on a budget in Paris from here

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Visit Casa Anselma to experience an underground and authentic flamenco. The performance will leave you with shivers.

Casa Anselma does not have any signage but the building is on the corner of the street with beautiful ceramic. It opens the door at 12:00 midnight. You should try to reserve a seat during busy days.

Casa Anselma does not charge for watching the show, feel free to come and order drinks which is slightly higher than the usual rate which I did not mind at all considering that the show is free of charge.

The performers are Anselma herself and other local Sevillans. It’s informal, spontaneous and full of excitement.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/RqWUmAHDLxu

Opening  Hours: 12 midnight

Fee: Free

After spending 8 days between Barcelona and Mallorca, it was nice to go to apart of Spain that has a personality and character.

The old town, narrow pedestrian lanes, hot weather, flamenco, Moorish architecture and to actually observe locals; something I was not able to do in Barcelona, Madrid and Mallorca.

Sevilla is the heart and largest city of Andalusia.  It has historical layers which can be seen from the UNESCO heritage site; Sevilla Cathedral.

I couldn’t stop looking up at the balconies, windows and terraces. The contrast of architecture, vibrant colors, and style simply made me want to take a snap of every little thing.

The Triana bridge over the Guadalquivir River separates the Triana neighborhood from the main city of Sevilla. The locals considers this separation to date. Over at the Triana’s side they believe to have more character, culture and it is also the birthplace of Flamenco!

Plaza Espana

Where Lawrence of Arabia & Star Wars Collide 😀

This gigantic square of Moorish architecture will blow you away. It’s definitely a must visit.

Check out the free entry days/discounts below!

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The ancient history and culture from medieval period remains pristine in the secret quarter; Mouraria.

I kept falling in love with Lisbon as I walk through the colorful neighborhoods, narrow cobbled streets  and pretty black and white marbled pavements.

I love how everything is centered and you can reach almost anywhere on foot.

The only time I took the train was to go to Belem; not to go to the tower but to have the original and most delicious Pasteis de Nata. 😛

It is believed that only 5 monks know the original recipe of the delicious Pasteis De Nata.

So, because I had only 24 hours in Lisbon, (initially planned for 3 days) I decided to just walk around the streets and skip other places for another day.

Mouraria

Mouraria is Lisbon’s off the beaten neighborhood that is a must visit especially if you want to get away from the crowded Al Fama. I saw only a handful of tourists walking through Mouraria.

Mouraria was a Moorish district and one out of two quarter that was not destroyed by the great Lisbon earthquake and tsunami which affected Spain and other countries in 1755.

This is because Mouraria is located on a hill and it also leads to the highest point in Lisbon that gives you a nice overview of the city; at the Mount of Our Lady.

Mouraria is believed to be the birthplace of Fado as well as the birthplace of the famous fado performer; Amalia  Rodrigues. You will find colorful street arts of many Fado musicians as you walk through the narrow alleys.

What struck me most is that the Moorish architecture and are still evident and intact after centuries; not only in Mouraria, all around Lisbon. It’s a beautiful contrast of architecture.

Currently, it is home to many immigrants from China, Mozambique, India and others. These immigrants run hush hush restaurant businesses to avoid tax.

They open up their home as a business and it is quite discreet as there isn’t any signboard or advertising that promotes the restaurant. It mainly goes by word of mouth or if you can spot people eating on a table through the window which may seem like a restaurant arrangement.

How to get around:

Lisbon is very centered so you can get almost anywhere on foot. If you do need to take public transport, avoid the bus. Lisbon’s infrastructure has many narrow alleyways and streets that are used for cars, tram, and buses. The traffic is quite heavy in Lisbon so it is always best to take the train/metro.

Also, due to heavy traffic, there isn’t any set bus schedules and delays are very common.

I definitely owe Portugal another visit. I am yet to visit Sintra, Algarve, Porto, Douro River Valley, Azores and a lot more!

Is there any particular neighborhood you loved most in Lisbon?! Comment below 🙂

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Mallorca is surrounded by mountains and if you drive out of the highway, you could see many fields of watermelon and other plantations.

How to get there:

If you book in advance, flying is the cheapest and fastest way. In case the flight fare peaks up, you could go by Ferry that runs overnight regularly. Please check the link below for the departure points and schedule.

The ferry was very comfortable and equipped with a bar, restaurant, clean toilets and big seats.

I slept comfortably throughout the journey.

Link: https://www.balearia.com/en

What to  expect:

There are many beaches around the island and each of them offers something different.

Cala Morlanda

Cala Morlanda is located on the east of Mallorca. I highly recommend to visit the secluded rugged beach along the cliffs.

What I enjoyed most was that it was not invaded by tourists and there are many beautifully shaped sea caves with surprisingly warm water! The water in the other beaches were quiet too cold to dip in.

Note that you would need to wear your shoes to walk along the cliffs and to get into the water. It is very sharp, rough and some are slippery.

Because it is not a tourist destination, the area does not have the usual food stall or shops. Those are available within 15 minutes walk from the cliff.

As you walk along the cliff towards the food stalls/ bus stop, you will find a gravel field where the elderly gather to play Petanca. Stick around and watch the game.

Magaluf

Magaluf is located only 30 minutes away from Palma; the capital city. It’s primary attraction is towards British. Skip it at all cost unless if you are looking to end up in Britain/Ireland. The bars, restaurants, beaches, shops, you name it; all run by foreigners – British in particular.

The beach is also invaded by mostly young generations. It is not common to find elderly or families in Magaluf. And if you do find them, you can sense the awkwardness from their face; they probably feel completely out of place with binge drinking youngsters walking around.

I wouldn’t recommend Magaluf for a family or relaxing destination.

Playa del Muro

Playa del Muro is located on the north of Mallorca; close to Alcudia Port. It is one of the most stunning beaches that is away from modern tall buildings surrounding the beach.

Porto Cristo

Porto Cristo is a harbour town on the east coast of Mallorca. Surprisingly, it was not packed with tourists in comparison to other beaches I had visited.

I visited Porto Cristo on a Sunday and they have a small Sunday market which was quite nice with reasonable prices too.

Cala Millor

Cala Millor is a tourist destination since the 50’s. I personally did not spend much time there and took the bus to Cala Morlanda. I was looking for more local areas to visit.

Formentera

It is said to have beautiful landscape that is different to the other parts of Mallorca. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to drive up the mountain. Many locals recommended it, so consider this on your trip!

How to get around:

Rent a car or else you’d be waiting for an hour or two at the bus station and waste time through all the stops. The weekends are even worse with reduced buses running.

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I have to say that the Giant’s Causeway is one of my favorite spot in Northern/Southern Ireland.

If you visit Northern Ireland or Southern Ireland (if the border is still open), please give a day to visit the beautifully interlocked rock formation.

Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO heritage site for it’s natural beauty. It is located on the north coast of Northern Ireland.

The mystical perfectly interlocked polygonal rocks was a result of volcanic eruption that happened 60 million years ago!

Here are some photos of my trip to Northern Ireland.

There are several trails in the area and you will find beautiful landscape around you.

Carrick A Rede Rope Bridge is a lot of fun! Don’t miss out on walking on the rope between the mainland to the island. Remember to get the ticket at the entrance in order to cross the rope!

It might be in the UK but it surely has Irish weather. The wind was blowing hard and at some point it rained and other time it was sunny. Be prepared for many seasons at once!

Classic me when it rains without an umbrella in hand 😛

How beautiful is the interlocked rocks?!

You could also visit Bushmills Distillery, and several sites where Game of Thrones scenes were filmed upon your visit.

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Here were my experiences in Turkey during winter which is considered a low season for tourism.

1. Hierapolis Theater all to yourself! – Feel free to sing and test sound effects without being embarrassed because the place is all yours!

2. An empty Hagia Sophia mosque – Marvelling at a beauty without a swarm of tourists to distract is always a plus!

3. Rustic town of Nevsehir – The emptiness of Nevsehir gives off a nostalgic feel, especially with naked trees, white snow, and mountains all around.

4. Observing Locals – We travel to learn by observing a different culture, going during off season easily allow you to do so.

5.Taksim Square – Taksim square is always bustling all year round whether it is low or high season, the difference is that, there’s much less tourists during off season!

6. Getting fully attended in restaurants – Don’t worry about table reservations or quick service. The waiters will be at your service every minute.

7. Perfect photos of sceneries – Doesn’t it bother you when you want to take an empty photo of sceneries but it is almost impossible with the number of tourists? Well, off season in Turkey will offer almost everything to yourself.

8. Enjoy a relaxing thermal hot spring – Hot springs are always best when it’s peaceful. The thermal springs in a spa, Cleopatra’s Pool, Pamukkale or Karahayit have very few number of tourists or empty which makes it perfect!

9. Snow Capped Fairy Chimneys adds beauty to the magnificent after effect of an earthquake that bred beauty.

10. Over the clouds during a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia – Well, not literally but it surely feels like it!

I’d love to know your travel experience during off season. Let me know by commenting below 😀

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I visited Ireland in June 2016 and it’s a country that I would love to visit every year.

Here are 10 out of the many reasons to visit Ireland.

1. The People – Everyone in Ireland is extremely friendly, welcoming and easygoing. I made many friends during my visit whom I am still in touch with and even met some of them in other countries during my travels.

Go to a pub alone and come out with at least 5 new friends.

2. Country Size – Ireland is relatively small in size and it is so easy to go around the country. The public transportation is extensively networked across the country.

From Dublin to far north, south or east takes about 3 to 4 hours and only 2 hours to Belfast in Northern Ireland!

3. Breathtaking Sceneries – Ireland is surrounded by many lush green hills across the country. 

4. The Irish Weather – I went to Ireland during summer expecting beautiful sunny days. Turned out, the Irish summer does not come with the promising sunny days.  The weather is so unpredictable that you start to doubt every weather forecast 😀

Here’s my failed attempt to see Cliffs of Moher due to unexpected weather change. BEAUTIFUL ISN’T IT!? 😀

5. Food – Hands down to the best chips I have ever tasted! Curry chips in Ireland is something I really miss! Don’t forget to try Irish Stew and soda bread!

6. Castles – Ireland has so many picturesque medieval and rustic castles.

7. Nightlife – The nightlife in the city is so lively that every night felt like a weekend. 

8. Hikes – With many lush green hills, rugged countryside and long stretch of coastline, Ireland offers many perfect hiking spots.

9. Phoenix Park – Visit the biggest indoor park in Europe with loads of deers to feed.

10. Festivals – As I landed in Dublin, it was LGBTQ Pride Day. The city was filled with parades and lots of fun. Ireland has a lot of festivals such as the famous St. Patricks Day. Check out the list of festivals in this link.

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