Paris (Dec 31, 2025 - Jan 3, 2026):
A brief history of Paris:
Origins:
Paris originated as a Celtic settlement of the Parisii tribe on the island of Cité around the 3rd century BC. With the Roman conquest it became known as Lutetia, developing into an important urban center in Gaul.
Middle Ages:
During the Middle Ages, Paris consolidated its position as the capital of the French kingdom and as a political, religious, and commercial center. Key monuments such as Notre-Dame were built during this period, and the Sorbonne University, one of the oldest in Europe, was founded.
19th Century:
In the 19th century, under Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann, the city was profoundly transformed: grand boulevards, squares, parks, and iconic buildings shaped modern Paris. Universal Expositions were also held, boosting its international renown, including the one that bequeathed the Eiffel Tower (1889).
Present:
Today, Paris is one of the world's most influential cities, a benchmark for culture, art, fashion, gastronomy, and tourism. Its historical heritage coexists with a dynamic urban life that makes it one of the most visited destinations on the planet.
The subway surprised us in a very good way; it works great, it's clean, and you haven't even missed one train before another one arrives.
You need to download the app Bonjour RATP. From there you buy your tickets before entering and use your mobile phone to enter as if you were paying. It's for individual use, and you can't validate another entry without having validated your exit. You also have access to guides, similar to Google Maps, which work very well. This app is valid for buses, trains, and the metro for two hours.
On New Year's Eve, from 5pm onwards, it is free until 12pm on January 1st.
From the airport it's expensive because there's an extra charge, it cost us €13/person.
Looking at the map, the distances didn't seem so great, but yes, we did a lot of walking all three days. On the day we arrived alone, it was 23 km. Day 1 was another 22 km, and on the third day, since we were leaving, we didn't check the distance, but we still had another long walk. I think, well, I can confirm, that you can't really see all of Paris properly in less time than that.
As for the hotel, it was very nice, but for a person with reduced mobility or even someone who is overweight, it could be very inconvenient since the bathroom was on the ground floor and accessed via a rather long spiral staircase. Closed. EIt's a 2-minute walk from the Line 1 metro station, in a quiet area with plenty of restaurants. It's nice and clean. We liked it quite a bit, although the room we were given wasn't suitable for larger people or those with mobility issues. One of the reception staff speaks Spanish, which is another plus.
Paris goes very well with Marseilles, especially if you're looking for a route that connects the capital with the Mediterranean coast using high-speed trains.
Flight+hotel package with Destinia: 1.370€ total.
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Madrid – Paris: with Transavia France
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Paris – Amsterdam: with Transavia France
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Tourist taxes payable at the hotel: €22.76 total.
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Amsterdam – Madrid: with Air Europa
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Hotel Paris: Best Western Saint Louis (2 nights)
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Hotel Amsterdam: NH Amsterdam Noord (3 nights)
Information obtained from the web https://www.exteriores.gob.es
Passport/ID: Both are valid.
Visa: It is not required.
Vaccines: There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry.
European Health Insurance Card: It's necessary, it's free and very easy to request online and they send it to your home. Request.
Travel insurance: We always stick to these three; it depends on the location, one might be better than others in terms of price and conditions.ions: Iati, Heymondo or Globalfine.
Badge: Euro (EUR).
Payment card/currency exchange: We always travel with Revolut.
Roaming: Yeah there is.
GPS: The one you usually use.
International driving permit: No It is necessary.
Where to eat: If you want to eat at a restaurant, there's also the app. TheFork which has many discounts. If you book with the code 7C1B79A3 When you are finishing the booking, you will get 1000 Yums = €10 discount at your next meal. In addition to other special offers they often have, or simply to accumulate points and use them for discounts on your next payments.
