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Durango, Colorado Family-Friendly Travel Guide

My parents bought a house in Durango, Colorado in 2012, and it quickly became one of our favorite places to visit. After Isla was born, we spent six weeks in Durango to escape Houston’s summer weather, and we’ve tried to keep the tradition up after our other two girls were born. Durango is a beautiful, walkable city that is perfect for traveling with children. In the past two weeks, I’ve had a handful of people reach out to me for recommendations, so I thought it would be helpful to share a post with our favorite kid-friendly activities and restaurants/cafes. I hope you find this guide helpful! Please email me at ailee@snapshotsbyaileepetrovic.com if you have any additional questions. I’m happy to help be a tour guide for this city we adore!

The Ultimate Paris Travel Guide: Six Detailed Neighborhood Maps

If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” ― Ernest Hemingway

This Hemingway quote resonates with me, as I lived in Paris during the summer before my senior year of college. The three months I spent working overseas definitely marks the greatest growth in my life. I became much more independent during that summer, and I loved throwing myself into a new culture in a city where I only knew a handful of people. Paris is the most special city in the world to me – the cafe culture, the historical significance around every corner, the chic clothing, the hustle-and-bustle of the metro. Every aspect of this city excites me, and I truly feel so energized every time I go back. I can’t begin to accurately describe the joy I felt as I showed some of our closest friends around my favorite city (none of them had been before!). I want to go with every single one of you, telling you about the experiences I had on that corner, at that cafe, in that museum, etc. I want you to taste the amazing food, drink the delicious wine, speak the gorgeous language. Unfortunately, I know I can’t do that! Therefore, I have created the most detailed travel guide I could dream up. I want it to be as easy as possible for you to experience Paris as a tourist and as a local.

So below you will find six detailed maps of key areas in the city: the Louvre, St. Germain-des-Prés, Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, the Marais and Canal St. Martin. The best restaurants, shops, cafes, and sights are marked on the map, then described below each neighborhood’s section.

Destiny and I are both sharing this guide, with slight personal variations throughout, so make sure to check out hers on TrulyDestiny.com as well (here) – her outfits on the trip were all absolutely incredible, and she linked many of the things she wore!

You can view all of the spots referenced below on an interactive Google Map here.

If you have any questions on something I don’t cover in the guide below, please email me. So, without further ado!


KEY INFORMATION

Culture: Parisians typically don’t love loud Americans who don’t even attempt to speak the language. But you can win over most by endearingly attempting to speak French – even the smallest phrases show you are willing to try!

  • “Je voudrais” (jeh voo dray) is I would like – as in “Je voudrais la salade chevre” – “I would like goat cheese salad.”
  • “L’addition, s’il vous plait” (“lad-ee-see-on, see voo play) is “I would like the bill, please”
  • “Un verre d’eau” (un vehr doh) is “a glass of water”
  • “Merci” (mer-see) is “thank you”
  • “Bonjour” (bon-joor) is “hello” (literally good day, but used as a greeting during the day)
  • “Bonsoir” (bon-swohr) is “good evening”
  • “Bonne journée” (bon-joor-nay) is “have a good day!”
  • “Bonne soirée” (bon-swohr-ay) is “have a good night!”
  • “Au revoir” (aw-reh-vohr) is “goodbye”

French people are in no rush. Don’t expect to stop in at a cafe for a quick 30 minute breakfast. It won’t happen. So instead of impatiently waiting for the waiter to come by with the bill, plan your day accordingly. Also, you are not expected to tip, but a little bit of a tip is always a nice gesture.


Getting around: I am a huge fan of the metro! Uber wasn’t around when I lived there, so it’s easy for me. I recommend going to the ticket counter and asking for a book of 10 tickets (“Dix billets, s’il vous plait” – “deez bee-lay, see voo play”). We also used Uber during the trip, and it was very convenient, just more costly (and sometimes took longer due to traffic).


Where to stay: I always look for places to stay in St. Germain des Pres. I’ve stayed in multiple Airbnbs in the area and also at the Hotel Bel Ami, which is perfectly located near the best restaurants and is a very short walk to the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay. Another good area to look for apartments in is the Marais. Look for apartments located near places on this Google Map. You can also reference Nessy’s (who wrote “Don’t Be a Tourist in Paris”) Airbnb wishlist here: https://www.airbnb.com/wishlists/112104048.


Paris with kids: We traveled to Paris with Isla when she was 11 months old, and despite the hassle of carrying the stroller up and down the metro stairs (few have elevators!), it was a great trip. Restaurants aren’t full of kids in Paris like they are here, but for the most part, they will happily give you a high chair for your kids to sit in. Isla rode around in the stroller while we did most of our sightseeing, but here are a few good ideas of things to do with kids in Paris:

  • Fete des Tuileries: Every June through August, over 80 attractions come to the Jardins des Tuileries – most are family friendly (and it’s free!). Bumper cars, ghost train, etc. – perfect entertainment for kids.
  • La Cite des Enfants: An  interactive science  exhibition space for kids within the La Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie.
  • Jardin du Luxembourg: Isla took some of her first steps in this gorgeous garden. It’s full of kids running around. You can sail toy boats or go on the antique wooden carousel too.
  • Parc Zoologique de Paris: The zoo sits in the Bois de Vincennes in eastern Paris. There are over 1,000 animals inhabiting the zoo.
  • Aire de Jeux Park in Nelson Mandela Park: This colorful park is full of activities for kids old and young. Although it doesn’t appear on the map, it is in the southern park of Nelson Mandela Park, near Les Halles.

GERMAIN-DES-PRES

Neighborhood summary: My favorite place in Paris to stay is St. Germain des Pres, due to its proximity to everything! I am also a big Hemingway buff, so I love that all of the artists in the 1930s hung out in this area (you’ll find me a Les Deux Magots – their favorite coffee shop – multiple times during a view to Paris). The Latin Quarter (slightly to the east) is historically where all of the universities were in Paris – less so now, but still houses the Sorbonne.

Four Perfect Days in St. Petersburg: Travel Guide

fourperfectdaysstpetersburgIn May, we went to St. Petersburg, Russia after visiting Paris for the French Open (travel posts here and here). Lots of people asked why we chose St. Petersburg, as most Americans don’t travel to Russia, and the answer was simple: it was cheaper than other options. We knew that we were going to France and that we had to fly through Frankfurt (because United is the worst), and we thought we should tackle another city while we’re halfway around the world already. After looking up flights to Munich, Vienna, etc., we decided on St. Petersburg, and I’m glad we did.

I did not know a whole lot about St. Petersburg before booking the trip, but had a good image in my mind of what it would be like. For the most part, I was right, but the one thing I did not expect about this beautiful city was how good the food is. And I should clarify: I don’t think I ate anything Russian in Russia. The food scene in St. Petersburg is world class. The restaurants are trendy, the cocktails are delicious, the dishes are eclectic… and we loved every bite and sip. 

We soaked up so much history and culture in just four days in the city. We bought Faberge eggs (ahem, eggs from the Faberge Museum), walked until we could walk no more, toured this canal filled city by boat, used more audio guides at museums than I would like to admit, and frolicked in at least five parks.

Long story short: You need to go to St. Petersburg at some point in your life. And when you go, I’ve outlined four perfect days in the city. You can also use this custom Google map I created which plots all of the places named below. 

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Durango City Guide

DurangoTravelCityGuide

In 2012, my parents bought a home in Durango, much to our dismay, as we were rooting for a lake house in Austin. We are now so glad they ignored our pleas, as this old-timey city has definitely won over our hearts (and the lack of Texas humidity is a huge bonus). Durango has everything you could possibly need in a getaway city – great food and drinks, amazing views, fun activities, good shopping (well, not high fashion), and perfect weather (ahem, except perhaps the freezing cold winters). We’re fortunate enough to live just two streets over from Main Avenue, which is where most of the restaurants and shops are found. Given that most things in Texas are driving distance, it’s nice to be able to walk to dinner. We also take advantage of the proximity to the mountains and Animas river, and spend the days outside hiking, biking, rafting, running, etc.

If you’re looking for a fun Colorado vacation spot, I highly recommend making a trip to Durango. And if you come, I suggest trying some of the following restaurants, juice bars, ice cream shops, parks and adventure centers. If you have already been to Durango, am I missing anything?


 Food and Drinks

Carver’s Brewing Co.: This brewery is a favorite in our family, as it’s just two streets over from my parent’s house and the food is delicious. I typically order the Sesame Seared Ahi Stir Fry (substitute tofu for Ahi) or the veggie burger without the bun and a salad versus fries. Both options are delicious. Sasha normally gets the Tatanka (buffalo) burger and also loves it. They have big to-go beers called “Growlers” (discounted refills), so naturally Sasha and Dad have to drink one or two of those to prove their Colorado manliness.

Paris City Guide

4PerfectDaysinParisFour perfect days in Paris. Ahh, is it even possible to accomplish all you want to see in such a short period of time? Ideally, anyone going to the City of Lights would have weeks on end to stroll through this gorgeous city, but knowing that isn’t the case for many, I’ve decided to write a four day itinerary (longer than most of my other City Guides). During these 96 hours, I’ve included nearly all of the must see places you’ve seen in movies and heard about since you were little, like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, etc. I also added smaller gems, like L’Orangerie and the Place des Vosges. You can see everything on a map here – I’ve also embedded it at the bottom of this post.

If you’ve been to Paris and think I’m missing some wonderful restaurants or sites, please let me know! I’d love to try new places when we visit next. Also, if you have any specific questions about this itinerary, please email me!

Bon voyage!


ParisGuide1Photo (1 of 1)-62Photo (1 of 1)-53Day 1

  • Start your morning off early with breakfast and coffee at Les Deux Magots in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres area.
  • Walk by La Duree and stop in for a few famous macaroons on your way to the Louvre (cross over Pont du Carrousel) – the line may be long, but it’s worth it in order to see some of the most famous pieces of art in the world (the Mona Lisa may be underwhelming, but it’s still cool to see!).
  • If you’re hungry after walking around the massive halls of the Louvre, walk to lunch at nearby Cafe Marly or Claus (recommended by a friend who lives in Paris).
  • Stroll through the Jardins des Tuileries, and stop in at L’Orangerie for the most awe-inspiring Monets you’ve ever seen – this is one of my favorite museums in the world.