Eiffel in love with Paris/ I AMsterDAMNED/ Barcelona was just a little Gaudi

I don't think I can easily express in words how amazing the last week and a half has been. From France to the Netherlands to Spain, I really made my rounds of Europe. I have been so fortunate to travel and do SO many things that rather than try to commemorate each day, I'll give you some travel tips from my experiences.

Paris, France

• When you forget which day your flight is on and need to change hotel reservations, make sure the hotel knows.
• If you want to fit in with the Parisians, wear black, a scarf, and your hair in a bun (if you are lacking in hair length, rock a bob).
• On the Love Lock Bridge, take pictures of random couples and let them know you can email it to them!
• Don't assume the metro will be the most convenient way to get around- there is typically A LOT of walking above and below ground after the train lets out.
• Paris is all about climbing! Prepare for stairs, but the views from Sacre Cour and the Arc de Triomphe are worth their difficult ascends. The Eiffel Tower is beautiful but don't waste your time climbing it! There are plenty of other views that don't involve that four hour wait time.
• While at the Eiffel Tower, make sure attractive French people are available to take your picture; it makes for a great story (what do you say, Alexandra?).
• The Louvre and the Museu d'Orsay are must sees! However, after museums like that, you'll be exhausted (but at least cultured!). I recommend sitting at a sidewalk cafe with a baguette, Orangina, and some good friends.
• If you haven't eaten avocado in 8 months, you should eat it in Paris.  
• Make sure whatever shoes you decide to wear they can handle A LOT of dust found in places such as The Tivoli Gardens and the Eiffel Tower. The dust is out to destroy your new black heels and your precious feet...just a warning.
• Go to tea at Laduree and make sure to order the Rose flavored ice cream even if it "tastes like face cream" (not really - it's delicious).

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• Don't assume that everyone around you doesn't speak English, because they do and they speak it PERFECTLY (not the slightlest accent)!
• According to our cab driver, no matter how tempting, don't rent a bike. Apparently, tourists don't really know how to ride them...they like to ride too much on the wild side.
• Reserve all your tickets for the Rijks Museum, Van Gogh Museum, and the team BEFOREHAND. They make life a lot easier, but the wait for all those things is worth it. So is the Anne Frank House, but you can't reserve those tickets - but don't fret! They have free Wi-Fi outside!
• Go on a canal cruise dinner! It's an amazing experience - just make sure to go on an empty stomach. It's five courses of amazingness through the most beautiful canals in the world. Just try and grab a window seat before the French couple grabs in, whom consistently reach over to the waiter saying "red wine please".
• If Paris wasn't enough walking for you,  just wait until Amsterdam! Don't bother missing out on the incredible views of the water, houseboats, and lopsided 17th century buildings by grabbing a tram! 
• I recommend getting a little lost (as my mom's and my own sense of direction are very very bad) and stumbling upon some cannabis scented backstreets and enjoy a nice soda while you witness people napping in the windows of Coffee Shops. It's an experience.
• When offered the Breakfast Buffet, ALWAYS ACCEPT.
• Eat a stroopwafel (or 2 or 3...6 or 7... no one is judging) because they are AMAZING! Preferably at Amsterdam's version of Seaside Heights (i.e. the loud boardwalk carnival in the middle of the city).
• When you make a reservation for a 2 Millenium Star restaurant, read the menu first. You might not actually be able to eat there...I mean 110 euro steak for 2 vegetarians? No thank you!
• When offered a grapefruit from a sushi chef, accept it with gratitude (after all, he brought all the way from Japan!)
• Audio guides are always a good idea! They are particularly spectacular when you help someone make the decision and they call you "an amazing girl" and a "spectacular person" upon a five second encounter.
• When you come across somebody sleeping with their foot sticking out the window, photograph it. Even though there will be several Amsterdamians(?) napping across the city (in various Coffee Shops and front stoops), you really never know when else you'll get the opportunity.
• Smuggling flower bulbs back home is encouraged in Amsterdam, so don't leave without some! Let me tell you, their flowers are amazing and so worth seeing. Why not try to recreate the look at home?
• You should definitely try to take pictures of people's houseboats...even though they might be trying to have a relaxing afternoon at home and glare at you to inform you that they are not pleased.

Barcelona, Spain

• BEFORE YOU GO: make sure you watch The Cheetah Girls 2. The Soundtrack will keep you in love with the city your entire stay and feeling nostalgic about old DCOMs.
• Don't assume just because you check-in late on a cheap flight you won't get priority seats! It happens, and it's wonderful.
• Book your tickets for La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell in advance! If you don't you'll be waiting allll day with several people assuming they have rights to go ahead of you. Oh, tourists... (plus they don't have Wi-Fi! ugh!)
• Make sure while in a Parc Güell to take advantage of the photo shoot worthy scenery for a new Facebook Photo! It'll get at least 50 likes, guaranteed.
• Listen to the bands and guitarists surrounding Parc Güell and tip them well! Their music makes the park truly amazing so they deserve some attention (even if their mottos go something like "High everyday!" and are called the Mananers).
• Never assume you look too young to get invited to a club, so try and stay away from people who come up and say, "You have 18? Wanna come party tonight?"
• Make sure to buy metro passes that last for days because you will certainly be using the labyrinth that is the metro of Barcelona SEVERAL times a day. It's much better than that in Paris because it's very reliable...but no less walking. **Special note! The metro closes at midnight!
• Make sure to see the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, just don't be fooled when they turn the water off when the show is said to start....and you have to wait two hours.
• The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boquería is where you have to eat lunch everyday! (Well, if not that, at least eat a decent amount of their fruit and rices...and maybe three or four of the fresh fruit juices...)
• While on La Rambla, shop 'til you drop! Just watch your wallet because it's full of pick-pockets. Oh! Also, always walk into stores claiming they speak Italian when they really don't. With this advice, you'll still have your money AND get a 10 euro discount at the store because the staff realizes you've caught them red handed!
• When you want to meet up with your friends really late at night when none of you have working cell phones and are reliant on Wi-Fi and Facebook Messenger, try your best to be organized so it doesn't take you an hour to find them.

I hope I helped! 

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.