As Greg and I approached year 10 in our marriage we started to think about how we would celebrate. I think from the very beginning we knew it would be a trip of some sort. We didn’t have a big wedding so we figured why not take a trip, bring our family and friends along and renew our vows. Originally I was dead set on going to Greece. I told everyone, “Get your passports, we are going to Greece in a few years to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.”
I made a list of our close friends and family and checked it twice. I started looking up resorts and activities to do while we were there. All was good with our plans to explore Greece with our people. However, as time went on I started to feel that maybe Greg and I should do something just for us. This is our 10 year anniversary and we always include people to come along on our journey. This is the time we should be enjoying each other, a much needed opportunity to reconnect.
Greece was still the location but now we were planning to go, just the two of us. It wasn’t until I started pricing this trip that I realized that getting married in July would mean spending twice as much to go places for our anniversary. Guys! Greece in July is crazy expensive! I immediately got into Chelle B. mode and started thinking how I could decrease the cost of this trip. Looking at different months became the best option so that’s what I did.
During my research I ran across an international travel agency who was advertising a trip to not one but 3 different countries for the price it would cost us to go to Greece! Say what?! This trip would allow us to visit London, Amsterdam and Paris! This was a no brainer. We were going to Europe! At this time I had no idea this trip would become one of the best moments in my marriage! I mean what an experience!! As I stated, Greg and I are used to sharing experiences with our kids, family or friends so to have this moment for just us was magical.
Our first stop was London. If you know me you know I had a notebook full of places I wanted to go. I already made a few reservations and I was ready to hit the ground running. Instead I didn’t, lol. We decided we were going to travel like locals. We grabbed a map and jumped on the train, then a bus then walked the rest of the way to our hotel. Needless to say we had to get use to the transit system and the delay in getting to the hotel cost us our first reservation at the Skyy Garden. If you can make sure to make reservations as soon as possible because these tickets are free and run out quick. We did, however, get to visit the Instagram famous Peggy Porschens! The desserts were delicious and the place was charming. We walked around the neighborhoods, grabbed food and drinks from Big Easy BBQ & Crab shack and went to the cinema to catch a show.
The next day was full of exploration. We went to the Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards(make sure to look up the schedule before your trip), visited Westminster Abbey, grabbed a delicious treat from BubbleWrap Waffle in Chinatown and took a photo in the infamous phone booths. Before we headed back to the room to catch our breath we took a walk through Green Park. Later that evening we went to the Tower of London to have dinner in the cutest igloos at Coppa Club. London was beautiful, fun and quick- literally, everyone was moving so fast! If you have been thinking about visiting, do it!
One of Amsterdam’s many coffee shops
Amsterdam was our next stop and boy was I in for a surprise. I honestly had no idea what to expect when my flight landed here. When we got into Central Amsterdam the first words I uttered was… wow, this place is gorgeous. I mean seriously beautiful. We used public transportation in all 3 places so it allowed us to explore and get the most out of each city. We found our way to our hotel then rushed back to Central Amsterdam. The streets were packed with people and bikes, sooo many bikes. Every street we turned down was live! There were so many stores, cute little shops and food spots. It was like a thousand bourbon streets without the smell and liter. I was in love. We visited a cool coffee shop. I got my much anticipated photoshoot in front of a canal. Of course we made sure to go by the red light district because did you really visit Amsterdam if you don’t?
The next few days were packed with sightseeing and cruising the different neighborhoods. If you want to visit Anne Frank Huis make sure you get tickets in advance. We took a stroll through Von Del park. My intentions was to do a picnic here, however, the rain from earlier had the ground nasty. It was still a cool and pretty place to explore. I’m sure we gained 10 lbs indulging in all of the churros and holland fries- yummy! We wrapped up Amsterdam so wowed and already looking to go back.
Our last stop was Paris. Not going to lie, this was the hardest city to maneuver around by public transportation but we did it. Lol When we landed it was cold and rainy. Thankfully by the time we arrived to the hotel and settled in the rain stopped. We mapped out the route to get to the Eiffel Tower and made our way. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person was a dream. You know how you always see these places on tv or in the media, but I was actually here, in the flesh. Surreal. We grabbed something to eat and met up with a friend from the states. To set the tone for our first night here we went bar hoping in the most beautiful hotels, so much fun!
The days in Paris were short. We were constantly on the move. We didn’t have enough time in any of the places we visited. But we surely filled these days with adventure. We went and got lost in the Louvre Museum. When they say the Mona Lisa is small they mean that! It was still so cool to see in person. Even though the Notre Dame was damaged by the fire it was still standing and beautiful. After traveling a hour from the hotel we made it to Disneyland Paris. How cool is that?! I honestly didn’t want my kids to see those pictures. lol
We had the greatest time on this trip. We laughed, ate everything in sight, explored, met some nice people and crossed several things off of our bucket list. I couldn’t have celebrated my first decade of marriage in a more perfect way! I hope this has convinced you to do a European tour. I promise you it will be A-MAZING!
XOXO CHELLE B✨