Today was our last day in Paris.

The morning started early, with everyone needing to be ready for the bus by 7 a.m. I woke up around 6 a.m., taking a few quiet moments to pack my bags and double-check that I hadn’t left anything behind. It felt strange knowing we were about to leave the city that had been our home for the past few days

When the bus arrived, we loaded our bags and began the drive to the airport. As we made our way through the city, the sun started to peek through the clouds, casting a soft glow over the streets. It felt like Paris was giving us one last beautiful goodbye.

Once at the airport, we navigated our way through baggage check and customs before finally arriving at our gate. With a little time to spare, I wandered off to grab a Starbucks drink, specifically the Very Berry Refresher, which they don’t offer in the United States. It felt like a small but fun way to savor one last unique moment from the trip.

I also picked up one final souvenir: a Lego set of Paris featuring some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. It felt like the perfect keepsake to remember such an incredible experience.

Before long, it was time to board our flight back to Boston. The plane was completely full, and overhead space quickly ran out, so my bag ended up being checked at the last minute. After getting settled, the long flight home began.

The flight itself went smoothly. The airline served meals, beverages, and snacks throughout the trip, and many people took the opportunity to sleep and prepare for the time change ahead.

Saying goodbye to Paris was bittersweet. While it was sad to leave such a beautiful city, it was also comforting to reflect on the incredible memories we made during our time there. This trip was truly a lovely adventure, one I will never forget.

Monday was our first full day in Paris, France. Despite running on very little sleep after traveling, everyone was excited to begin exploring the city. It ended up being a terrific first day and the perfect introduction to Paris.

We began our morning by taking the metro into the city to meet our wonderful tour guide, Olivia. To welcome us, she greeted us with a classic French pastry: a chouquette. Light, airy, and sprinkled with pearl sugar, it was the perfect little treat to start the day.

Our first stop on the food tour was Maison Le Roux Chocolatier & Caramélier. Inside the shop were rows of beautifully crafted chocolates and caramels. We sampled several delicious treats, including pâtes de fruits, a soft, jelly-like fruit candy, and a variety of flavored caramels. Each one was unique and incredibly flavorful.

Next, we stepped into a local cheese shop filled with countless varieties of cheese. While we didn’t taste any at this stop, it was fascinating to see the wide selection and learn a bit more about French cheese culture.

We then visited a beautiful bread shop that immediately caught everyone’s attention. Fresh loaves lined the walls, and hanging above us was a spectacular chandelier made entirely out of bread. It was both creative and impressive, and it definitely made me excited for the food still to come

Our next stop was the famous Pierre Hermé, known for its incredible macarons. Macarons are delicate almond-based pastries that come in a wide variety of flavors. I chose the Ispahan macaron, which combines rose, lychee, and raspberry. The flavor combination was unique and absolutely delicious. Pierre Hermé also offers seasonal macaron flavors, which makes every visit a little different.