TURNIPSEED TRAVEL
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media

Souvenirs From Paris: Shopping The City of Lights

18/4/2022

 

What are the best souvenirs from Paris? We spoke with Jo Karnaghan, author of The Ultimate Paris Address Book, for her recommendations. This is what she has to say about everything from second-hand books to Chanel bags.

​​This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase. 

Souvenirs from Paris: Riverside stall with art prints for sale
Souvenirs from Paris: Perhaps start your shopping with a stroll by the Seine to look at some prints? Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash
Long time readers of TurnipseedTravel are well acquainted with my friend Jo, the voice behind FrugalFirstClassTravel.com. Her hometown expertise for Sydney, Australia, has featured prominently in early blog posts here (like this one about the best sweet treats in Australia and this one about an insider's guide to the city). Over the years, we've not only connected in Sydney but also in Ottawa and even in Athens. Jo was by my side when I almost caused a bit of a scene in the Athens meat market! But if there's one destination that I always go to her for advice about, it's Paris. And there's no better person to connect with to chat about souvenirs from Paris.

Jo first visited Paris in 1991 on a bus tour of Europe. While she didn't stick with the formulaic group tours (can't blame you there, Jo!), she DID stick with Paris and has been back to the City of Lights about 20 times - and counting. In fact, she was in Paris when she conceived the idea for her blog. As she says: "It was mid 2011 and I was sitting in a cafe on rue du Bac.  I literally wrote out my first "business plan" on the back of a paper napkin. (From memory I was eating duck confit as I did it)". Frankly, of all the possibly souvenirs in Paris, coming home with a vision for a travel empire seems like the best possible one of all! But for more every day gifts and souvenirs, I knew Jo would have amazing suggestions. After all, she packs light (so she knows a thing or two about being practical), she embraces frugality (hey, it's right there in her blog name!) and she always has an eye out for a first-class experience. 

I chatted with Jo about her new book, The Ultimate Paris Address Book, and got her expert advice on how to source memorable souvenirs from Paris. (Plus - there's a special coupon code for readers at the end!) This is what I asked her...

Read More

Adventures With Airport Sleeping Pods: YOTEL Paris

28/2/2022

 

I've been obsessed with cozy airport sleeping pods for years. I finally got my chance to try one when I stayed at YOTEL Paris. Here's what I wish I had known in before my trip.

This post contains affiliate ads and links, which means we may get paid a small commission if you make a purchase.

Airport sleeping pods: Vanessa waves in the mirror as she checks out her YOTEL Paris room, which is essentially just a double bed covered in white sheets and blankets.
I'm in! Airport sleeping pods are smaller than you might expect. Here I am at YOTEL Paris, checking things out.
For as long as I can remember, I've had one very specific, very peculiar thing on my travel bucket list: To sleep in airport sleeping pods. I bet you've heard about them before. They're teeny-tiny hotel rooms designed to offer airport based travellers a place to sleep - if only for an hour or two. Some are so tiny they really do resemble a pod, or perhaps a bunk bed-turned-bunker. They're not unlike the berths you find on overnight trains, albeit with solid walls, a door you can lock, and an external ladder that leads you to your perch. Other airport sleeping pods are a bit more generous. They're like micro-rooms, offering ensuite washrooms and a few feet of floor space. In every case, they're adorably, maddeningly tiny and cute and I'm just obsessed with the concept. They're cozy, in every sense of the word.

Maybe it has something to do with all those bargain basement overnight flights I've taken throughout the years which have been me walking around terminals like a little zombie. I've just always wanted to stay in a pod and, on a recent trip to France, I finally got my opportunity. After flying overnight into Paris, I had a suitably long layover before I had to board my plane to Bordeaux. My moment had come!

Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport is home to a branch of YOTEL, a UK based hotel chain that has airport sleeping pods around the world, as well as micro-hotels in cities like New York. After so many years of anticipation, I finally had my moment - and I learned a whole lot during the process. This post is a little bit of a review of the Paris YOTEL, but more generally it's about what I wish I had known before booking any airport accommodations. I hope it helps you have sweet dreams!

Read More

A Day In Paris: What To Do On A Paris Layover of 3 Hours Or More

22/8/2021

 

Updated in 2022! Who says a day in Paris isn't enough time to see the sights? Whether your Paris layover is 3 hours or more, you can still have an incredible trip to the City of Lights.

​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

A day in Paris: Details of the exterior walls of the Louvre
A day in Paris should always include a glimpse of the architectural details of the Louvre.
Paris, more than any other city, is a destination meant to be savored. This is a haven for the lazy and the lackadasicle, a place where sitting and doing nothing isn't just encouraged but revered as an art form. As such, when I had the opportunity to plan a day in Paris - and just one day - for travelling friends, I was initially stumped. But then I remembered how much readers love my piece on seeing London in just three hours (yes, THREE) and how my last trip to Paris was indeed so short that I actually made notes for a future three hour Paris layover guide - and naturally promptly forgot about them, until someone else was in need.

If you dream of a sleepy Paris sojurn but your reality is a lickity-split layover, I've got you covered. Who says a day in Paris (or even much less) can't be wonderful?

Read More

Farewell to Kitty, a Fine Parisian Feline. 

17/9/2015

 

In a bookstore with a humongous reputation, there once lived a small cat...

Picture
Photo courtesy: thecreativecat.net
Have you ever had a wonderful travel memory that started off on the wrong foot, literally? In the summer of 2003, I spent an extended weekend in Paris. Eager to prove my sophistication, I made my first (and, subsequently, my last) foray into the world of travelling with high heels. After all, what are $39.99 sales racks at Sears for if not for strutting across the city of love?

But camel coloured pleather kitten heels and Parisian heat waves don’t mix. By the time I arrived at my destination, the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookstore, I was a hot mess of sweat, dust, and half a dozen pulsating blisters, the smallest measuring in at an inch in diameter. My plans for a quick visit were quickly revised to spend as much time as possible perched among the cooling books.  Little did I suspect a cat would cross my path and leave paw prints on my heart.


Read More

The Bakery and The Bard: My Favourite Special Spots in Paris.

16/9/2014

 

For the first time ever, I'm sharing my favourite bakery in Paris.

Shakespeare and Company Paris bookstore budget English poetry reading TurnipseedTravel.com
Everything about this bookstore is amazing! I love spending time in Shakespeare and Company.
If you told me that I could be in Paris next month, next week, or even tomorrow, I wouldn't even have to make a list - I'd immediately know all the special places I'd want to re-visit for the umpteenth time. There's just something about Paris that makes you want to create your own special memories and discover the little places that feel like they're entirely your own - even if you're not the only person there. I once swore I would NEVER share the details of my favourite Parisian bakery but after many requests I've been convinced to do so, along with a few others gems. Please let me know if you enjoy them as much as I do!

Read More

Secrets of the Louvre for the Savvy Traveler

30/4/2014

 

No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Louvre. Learn all our travel secrets - including the entrance to the Louvre everyone forgets. Updated 2022.

​
Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase .

Entrance to the Louvre: Get to dramatic sculpture and an equally lovely ceiling at the Louvre. Paris TurnipseedTravel.com
Dramatic sculpture and an equally lovely ceiling at the Louvre.
When you think about "secrets" at the Louvre, you probably imagine some dark and mysterious tales, straight from the Da Vinci Code.  But the secrets I'm about to share - like the entrance to the Louvre that everyone forgets about -are lot more travel friendly than anything Dan Brown created! 

The Louvre is one of my favourite places in all of Paris. And I'm not alone. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's the most famous, the most spectacular art gallery in the world. But it's so much more than that! It's also a museum, a piece of royal history, and a medieval fortress. At times, it's been the most crowded place I've ever experienced and I've also been completely alone in several rooms.  

If your trip to Paris includes a visit to the Louvre - and it absolutely should - here are some insider secrets to help you get the most out of your visit. 

Read More

Hotel Review: Paris' Hotel Academie

17/4/2014

 

5 star location, 3 star room. And the bathroom? Oh my stars!

Standard room Hotel Academie Paris TurnipseedTravel.com
Welcome to our standard room. Yep, this is the ENTIRE room!
Every writer - and perhaps every single visitor - dreams of a cozy nest to call their own in Paris.  Even the most humble of Parisian hotels can't help but be romantic. All you need to do is look out the window and you'll find a reason to swoon!  I've been searching for a while for a "go-to" hotel in Paris and therefore, with a few romantic flutters in my writing soul, I was keen to try the Hotel Academie. 

Read More

The Great Crepes Coup d'Etat - Fun While Touring Paris by Bike

22/12/2013

 

Crepes, churros, and Place de la Concorde make for a perfect day in Paris.

Crepes Paris Place de la Concorde TurnipseedTravel.com Paris
Who could resist something topped with bananas and Nutella?
Crepes Paris Place de la Concorde TurnipseedTravel.com Paris
Crepes, waffles, and churros from the Christmas market booth.
What does it take to make a tour guide double back and change his plans? Apparently nothing more than 5 people who caught a glimpse of delicious Parisian crepes! As we cycled through the Place de la Concorde, the smell of crepes, waffles, and churros from the Christmas market was deliciously overwhelming and it wasn't long before the great crepe coup d’état was launched! Fortunately, tour guide Bill didn't take much persuading and promised we’d double back on our return trip to indulge in some yummy treats.

Read More

Paris! Day 2 & 3 of Our Round The World Trip.

16/12/2013

 

48 hours in Paris? Here's how to make it count.

Paris Marathon TurnipseedTravel.comOn my last trip, I ran the Paris marathon!
It’s been an unbelievable seven years since my last visit to Paris – and even longer for Ryan. When I realized that our round-the-world trip included a proper stopover in neighbouring Belgium, I lobbied for a quick jaunt to Paris. I just couldn't imagine being so close to a city I love so much and not stopping in to say hello!

The Plan:

We will arrive in Paris 11:00 am on Sunday and leave early Tuesday morning, giving us just under 48 hours in the City of Lights.

On Day 1, we’re looking forward to a guided tour of the Louvre with our partners My Parisian Tour in the afternoon. We've both been to the Louvre before, but it’s been a long time and we've never experienced it under expert guidance.  In the evening, we’re proud to be partnering with Viator to do a coach tour to see the city illuminated at night, followed by a short cruise on the Seine, and ending with a group dinner at a Champs Elysees restaurant. After being away from the city for so long, we’re looking forward to having a recap of all the major sites and getting an overview of the city.

Confession time: We’re hoping that an evening activity on Day 1 will also help us beat jet lag – no sneaking off to bed early for us!

Louvre at night TurnipseedTravel.com
I can't wait to see this again! The Louvre Courtyard at night. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

Read More
    Recent Posts
    Posts by Location
    Turnipseed Travel Category Canada
    Turnipseed Travel Category USA
    Turnipseed Travel Category Europe
    Turnipseed Travel Category Africa
    Turnipseed Travel Category Australia
    Turnipseed Travel Category Asia

    Post Categories

    All
    $200 Challenge
    200m Challenge
    Accommodation
    Africa
    Amsterdam
    Anti Adventurist
    Asia
    Australia
    Belgium
    Business Travel
    Camping
    Canada
    Central Counties
    Cozy Travel
    Destinations
    Europe
    Experiences & Activities
    Female Travel
    Food And Drink
    Gear And Packing
    Golf
    Greece
    Guest Posts & Interviews
    Health
    Inspiration
    Making Travel Memories
    Montreal
    Most Popular Posts
    National Parks
    Norfolk County
    Ontario
    Ottawa
    Paris
    Partners
    Pet Travel
    Photo Essay
    Preparation
    Press Trip Portfolio
    Reviews Accommodation
    Reviews Gear Packing
    Round The World
    Saving
    Toronto
    Transportation
    Travel Cooking
    Travel Memories Series
    UK & Ireland
    United States

    Posts by Date

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014.​
White House Study Abroad Logo 2014
Turnipseed Travel Logo 2019
DMCA.com Protection Status
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media