Paris Most Instagrammable Places

Paris is a beautiful city filled with so many beautiful things to see! So I decided to create a list of my favorite photo locations along with a map to guide you to them. I hope you enjoy! Comment below to tell me which location you like best!

Trocadero

This legendary photo location is a must! Not only just for a photo but to see the beautiful Eiffel tower in its full glory! The Eiffel tower looks so much bigger from this spot and photos will turn out beautiful no matter what the circumstance is. This is such a tourist hot spot so I recommend going there first thing in the morning. I went to shoot at this location on a weekday morning around 8am. There were only four other people there. It was also drizzling rain but I was determined to shoot. 

Two spots to shoot at in the Trocadéro would be on the staircase and on the main platform. I have seen this photo be taken in the morning and at night, both equally beautiful. 

Map Location HERE

Pont Alexandre III Bridge

The prettiest bridge in Paris! The bridge itself if beautiful and getting photos here are a must! I recommend standing on the bridge itself, closer to the statues to make the image interesting. You can also use the staircase to your advantage and create depth.

Map Location HERE

Carousel at the base of the Eiffel Tower

After visiting the Eiffel Tower, take a little walk to the Ferris wheel on the other side of the river (farther away front the Eiffel tower). This spot is magical and brings out the little kid in every adult. 

For this location, I found the best way to shoot it was close to the Ferris wheel on the step. You can also shoot while standing on the same level as the Ferris wheel as well. Lower angles were better here because it helps capture the full length of the Eiffel tower. 

Map Location HERE

Along The Seine River

Another spot really close to the Eiffel tower and Ferris wheel is along the river on Avenue New York. You can see the Eiffel Tower perfectly! Go ahead and hop on the ledge and grab a seat. Then click the capture button and way-lah, an epic Paris shot! Anywhere along the river is a good spot to take pictures in Paris (will be honest though and say that the color of the water is not the prettiest). So take them on a lower angle.

Map Location HERE

Le Palais Royal

This location is probably my favorite location I went to visit in Paris and took photos at! I loved the architecture and all the interesting black and white pillars. I highly recommend wearing black and white while shooting here because it just elevates the images and makes it very cohesive. There are a ton of different ways you can shoot here- from standing against the pillars, along the ‘X’ mark on the floor, or under the arches. The possibilities are endless! I also loved how quiet and secluded this location was! There weren’t any tourists and the security guards did not give a hard time at all!

Map Location HERE 

Café - This exact one shot at Le Tourville

You have to capture a shot at a café in Paris! All of them have a super cute charm to them and they just photograph beautiful- day or night! I personally preferred the cafes that were on the corner- giving you a great view to people watch after shooting. I recommend using the chairs and tables to your advantage to create depth. Also, play with the lighting to give your images a moody feel! Make sure to enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine after the shoot!

Map Location HERE

Petit Palais

The mini palace across the grand palace is absolutely stunning. The golden gates and huge dome architecture are definitely a sight you must see! It is challenging to capture the whole building but I recommend getting the main gate in the shot. You will have to stand pretty far away to fit in the whole building. Stand closer to the camera than to the building!

Map Location HERE

Arc de Triomphe

This is one of the most well-known locations in Paris. This is also the location which feels like a super city to me because of the constant traffic that surrounds it. You can capture this location from across the street to get the full grand effect. It is also easier to place yourself inside the arc from across the street. If you want to get up close, take the underground staircase. Super low angle shots here are great to get the beautiful decoration under the arc.

I was doing some shopping along Avenue  des Champs-Élysées (which is a main street leading to the Arc) on a Sunday and the street was closed to cars. I don’t know if that is a weekly occurrence or if it was an out of blue thing. However, it is worth checking this street out on a Sunday to see if it is shut down. If so, you will be able to get the most epic shot.

Map Location HERE

Louvre

I love the location of the Louvre! Everything in the area is absolutely stunning! I love the juxtaposition of the old architecture that surrounds the modern pyramid. 

To capture the shot here, I recommend going during an off hour first thing in the morning. You can sit or stand on the edge around the Louvre (this will show off you and your look along with the backdrop). Lower angles work well here to capture the background. Lighting can be a bit tricky when shooting here depending on how sunny it is. I recommend trying it two ways.

1.       Let the light hit you directly and play up the shadows

2.       Find a shaded area and use one of the mini pyramids or another building as the backdrop

PS- be VERY careful in this area for pickpockets. People are very slick and you won’t even feel them coming. Also, do not sign anything or take coins/ bracelets that are for sale. This a scam and while you are using your hands, they will reach into your belongings. But don’t fear- just be aware and use common sense.

Map Location HERE

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity 

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

*I get a commission for purchases made through links in this post*

Norway Diaries- Oslo, Bergen, and Tromso

I recently came back from one of my favorite trips I have ever taken- that was my holiday trip to the beautiful country of Norway. It is a country I highly recommend visiting (even in the winter) as you will truly be blown away by it’s naturally beauty and culture.

Today, I am sharing what I did, what I recommend doing, where I recommend eating, and sharing 10 things I wish I had known prior to visiting Norway. Hopefully my experiences and tips will help you plan your trip to Norway!

I went to Norway for 7.5 days/ 7 nights and visited a total of three cities- Oslo, Bergen, and Tromso. I felt like this amount of time was perfect for Norway- you can see the cities and get both nature and adventure in.

Oslo:

Places to eat in Oslo:

1.

You have to eat at Mathallen! It is a huge food market filled with fresh vegetables, cheese, meats/ fish, and desserts. Food here is served fresh and tastes amazing! The locals eat here regularly so you should definitely make a stop here.

2.

Believe it or not, the Asian food in Oslo was great! For a cheap, hot, and tasty meal, go to Lille Saigon! For $15, you’ll get a beer and big bowl of noodles! Can’t beat that

3.

Drink at a cozy bar called Torggata Botaniske! The whole ceiling was covered with green vines/ leaves and the lights were dim and mysterious. The drinks were also really good!

Things to Do in Oslo:

1.

Walk down the cute and colorful street called Damstredet. To be honest, I thought the street was gonna be much longer but it was quite short and it was a very steep hill. However, the street is perfect to capture the perfect shot for Instagram.

2.

Check out the Spikersuppa rink! During the holidays they turn this whole area into a magical holiday market. There are tons of unique street vendors selling art to homemade jams. There was also a ferris wheel and a merry- go-round. So go drink a cup of hot mulled wine and watch the lights.

3.

Visit the Royal Palace! This is a beautiful building and the view from the garden here of the city is beautiful!

4.

Make sure take a walk down by the water and check out the Oslo Opera House. The view is absolutely amazing (especially when the water reflects on the water)! Make sure to check out the inside as well because the inside is quite modern and majestic.

5.

Visit the Vigeland Park- a large sculpture park.

6.

If you have time, take a look at the Muchmuseet, Viking Ship Museum and the Kon- tiki museum. I heard amazing things about both of these places from tons of blogs I read! Just check the hours in advance as they were quite weird when we went and the hours listed online were not updated.


Visit my Oslo map HERE to get the exact location!

TIPS:

The Oslo airport was so clean and very easy to get around. We picked up our bags and headed to the train into Oslo City Center. We decided to take the train because the Uber ride was estimated to cost was $182! The trains were so easy to use, clean, and on time. You can purchase the tickets for the train at the airport kiosk by the trains. There were plenty of people there to help purchase tickets but the machine was self explanatory. The train ticket is valid for two hours and you can transfer to other train.

We stayed about 20 minutes bus ride away from the city center in an area called Sandakar we found this place through Air B and B. The location was great! It was very close to public transportation busses, quiet, safe, and inexpensive.

We took the bus back down to the city center. We had a hard time trying to figure out how to purchase tickets for the bus. There was nobody checking tickets on the buses and no scanning machine. Later, we purchased an unlimited 24 hour bus ticket at a deli de Luca counter for 35 nok.

Tip: You can also purchase these bus tickets at a 7/11. Note that the person behind the cash register is the person who issues you the ticket. We were looking for a kiosk. I found that the tickets weren’t really necessary because we were not checked at all the entire stay and several bus rides. However, I feel it’s better to have it instead of getting a penalty fee if you don’t.

Tip: Throughout the entire time in Oslo, we used credit cards the entire time without any issues. You can also easily get charged individually so no need to worry about splitting a bill. I used a visa credit card and my friend used a MasterCard- no issues. Another friend used an American Express Amex card and had some issues having the card accepted at certain places.

BERGEN TRAIN STATION

BERGEN,

NORWAY

Bergen Train Station

Take the train to Bergen from Oslo. This is known to be one of the best train rides as the views are amazing! The train ride is about 8 hours and tickets are under $100.

BERGEN NORWAY CHURCH

Things to Do in Bergen:

1.

Take the Funicular to go to the top of Mount Floyen. The ride up is so fun- try sitting in the very front to get a great view going up. The funicular runs every 10-15 minutes till about 4-5pm depending on the day. So plan accordingly if you can’t walk back down. The view from the top of the mountain was beautiful!! The colors of the building against the water were stunning. After you take in the views, of you can, walk down and take the mini turns that take you to other areas of the mountain. The forests there are unreal- covered fulling in moss and they have the tallest pine trees!

BERGEN NORWAY LAKE

2.

Walk around the city center and along the Bryggen- where the colorful house are located. Get “lost” by exploring the tiny cobblestone streets. The streets on Bergen were so cute and lead all different directions.

3.

Eat at the fresh fish market- we had the best fish and chips at one of the restaurants there named Fjellskaal Fisketorget.

Our Christmas dinner was at Kitchen & Table- restaurant by well renown chef Marcus Cooks. They had a huge Buffett set up for the Christmas dinner. Any other night, they have a great menus to order from. The Christmas dinner consisted of fresh breads, salads, fresh sashimi and smoked salmon, an array of traditional meat dishes from beef, ribs, lamb, finished with potatoes.

4.

Check out the Magic Ice Bar- you can literally have drinks in an ice igloo! The experience was unique(very touristy but hey, why not right).

TIPS:

TIP: Take a taxi to the airport. In December the roads were covered in snow and ice so taking public transportation with luggage is a little bit tough. Our taxi ride to the airport was about 335 NOK / $34 for a 7 mile ride. If you are staying in the city center, public transportation may be easy as the bus stops directly in the center. The bus ride costs about $3 and the ticket is valid for two hours. You can purchase the tickets on the app TFT Mobillettor at a ticket kiosk.

TIP: Check the times of opening for all the sights and restaurants you are hoping to visit. Note that many restaurants open around 6pm and museums/ stores close as early as 4pm.

Krity S x Norway 2018_70.jpg

Arriving in Tromso

Things to do in Trømso:

1.

Walk around the city center. It is quite small so should be able to cover the ground in 2 hours. The building are very charming and storefronts are decorated really cute.

2.

Visit the Polaria (aquarium)- this aquarium is very small and doesn’t take more than 45 minutes to an hour to visit the entire location. The main attraction here are the cute seals. The seals were so adorable and very friendly! Make sure to catch the show/ feeding.

3.

Check out the Arctic Church- Ishavskatedralen. The architecture is very unique!

4.

Go chase the northern lights. I didn’t realize exactly how challenging this was going to be. If you have no experience in doing this, I recommend booking a tour. We took the Northern Lights Photography Tour and it was great! Some other people we talked to booked the northern lights tour several times to get a better chance of seeing the lights.

One of the main reasons I went to Trømso was to see the Aurora Northern Lights. After doing some research, people mentioned that Trømso was one of the best places to view the lights. So it great anticipation, I booked a tour. We departed the city center around 6pm and headed over to our first location Kvaløya. This was a beautiful area- a huge flat field with mountains in the distance. The tour guides were so great at helping each person get their cameras set up to get the best shot of the northern lights. We were there till about 8pm and left since the sky was too cloudy at that location. We sped off to the next location where the clouds were expected to clear up. In about 40 minutes drive, we arrived at Sommarøya- a gorgeous beach with mountains in the distance. The clouds were clearing up and the anticipation was building. We waited here for an hour and half and the skies did not clear up for us. Around midnight, we packed up and headed to the third location. In 30 minutes drive we arrived at our third and final destination, Fjordvegan. After waiting for another 30 minutes, our guide said the chances were quite low for the night and we packed back up to head back to Trømso city center. We didn’t see the northern lights in Trømso like we were expecting but I hope your chances are higher!

I went in thinking the chances of seeing the Aurora lights would be very high- almost like seeing the sunset. Well, I was quite wrong. The tour guides were really nice in telling us the updates on the weather and truly helped get us to all of the best possible locations to see the lights. The chances of seeing the northern lights depend on three factors- pure dark skies (this is why it is best to visit during the winter months when it is dark most of the time, clear skies, and high solar activity). It’s really unpredictable as the weather changes quite quickly.

5.

This was a fun filled day of adventures! We went on the Trømso Artic Reindeer sledding tour in the morning which I highly recommend doing! During the winter months (I went in December), the amount of daylight is very low so the earlier in the morning you head out, the better. You’ll have a better chance of seeing the amazing views and capture well-lit  pictures. As we were leaving the Sami Culture sight around 1:30pm, it was already getting dark outside.

The tour begins in the city center and the bus takes us on a 30 minute ride to the Sami Culture sight in the Tønsvik area in Trømso. We were welcomed by the Sami people with the biggest welcoming smiles. I automatically spotted a reindeer and my excitement level shot up! We started out by feeding breakfast to the reindeer and boy were they excited to eat! Multiple reindeer came trotting over at the sight and smell of food. The reindeer are not shy at all but very friendly. I could not get over how cute the reindeer were- I was literally the happiest girl feeding them.

I got pretty cold after 30 minutes of being outside so we went inside to warm up by the fresh wood burning fire and have a hot drink.

Trømso Arctic Reindeer tour has two options for the reindeer sledding, one is 30 minute ride and the other is a 15 minute ride. We opted for the longer ride but both times will give you the full experience. The ride was absolutely beautiful! The scenery was so gorgeous everywhere you looked. Keep in mind that the reindeer are naturally trained to carry a lot of weight and the Sami people take very good care of them.

After the sleigh ride, we had an amazing traditional Sami lunch. There are two options, a reindeer stew or vegetable stew- both were very good options. Then the Sami people told us a little about their history and traditions.

All in all, I highly recommend this tour! It was definitely an experience that I will never forget. This tour also helps the Sami people keep their traditions alive and prevents the Norwegian government from taking the land for oil mining. The tour cost 1580 NOK/ $183 and you can book the tour HERE.

TIP It was quite cold in Trømso in December, about 0 degrees Celsius/ 32 degrees Fahrenheit). I highly recommend wearing multiple layers and even carry hand and feet warmers. You should definitely wear snow boots with good grip as well.

Stop in a local pub and drink the locally brewed beer from Mask. There are several types so I am sure you’ll find something love. If you have time, just go to the brewery itself. Unfortunately, the hours did not fit my schedule so I didn’t get a chance to visit.

Check out my Tromso map HERE for all the details and locations

Krity S x Norway 2018_38.jpg

Where to eat in :

I found that Trømso food scene was actually better than both Oslo and Bergen, which I was very surprised by.

I highly recommend trying the following places

  1. Huken Pub- this is a small yet cozy feeling restaurant and bar. The vibe is very chill and you order food and drinks at the bar. People raves about the burgers at this place so I had to try it out myself. Let me just say, they were not lying. The meat was so fresh and juicy, the toppings were perfect, and that fried cheese was heaven. They also have really interesting potato dishes that were really good too.

2.

Bardus Bistro- this restaurant was a bit fancier but the food was too. The plates were garnished so beautifully that you had to take a moment to admire it before taking a bite. I ordered the lab rib and it was delicious! The meat was cooked perfect and the flavors were amazing. This dish was quite big so be hungry if you are ordering it. The restaurant was so kind to substitute and ingredients and prepare vegetarian options as well.

3.

Bar- right under the Huken Pub was a really cool bar. The place was dark and mysterious with red walls and old school posters. Order a craft cocktail here. I recommend the piper if you like tequila

4.

Solid- a bar and coffee joint in one. This was a great spot to pop in for a quick drink before some restaurants opened up.

5.

Asian healthy cuisine- this was a random fast food joint that is connected to a store. Surprisingly, the food was quite good. If you are looking for something fast and cheap, this is your spot. The bonus was that it was open when many other restaurants were not open yet.

TIPS

1.

I highly recommend booking tours in advance (at least a month ahead) to guarantee spots. unfortunately, the weather is not predictable so you cannot wait to see how the weather is to plan ahead.

2.

Pack lots of layers for Tromso! It is much colder than Oslo or Bergen. Handwarmers and feet warmers I purchased HERE and HERE were life savers!

Peru: How to Travel, What to Pack, Where to Stay, & What to do

Over the last few weeks, I have been sharing my trip to Peru city by city. Here is a full recap on Peru!

Our Route:

Lima -> Cusco then directly to Ollantaytambo -> Machu Picchu -> Ollayntaytambo then directly to Cusco -> Puno -> Arequipa -> Lima

Lima- 348 feet

Ollantaytambo- 9,160 feet

Machu Picchu- 7,972 feet

Cusco- 11,152 feet

Puno- 12,500 feet

Arequipa- 7,710 feet

1. I flew into Lima International airport

Sleep: Stay in Miraflores area. We stayed at Pucllana Lodge. It was a good hotel, not the best one we stayed at but good enough to sleep and shower. Breakfast was included and WiFi service was good. 

Eat: Tanta by Larcomar, coffee at News Cafe Coffee Shop located on the main street Avenue Larco, and drink at Nuevo Mundo Draft Bar. This bar is known for their locally crafted Peruvian brews.

Pack: A light jacket, jeans and comfortable clothes, walking shoes/ sneakers, sunglasses, sun block, and a camera.

Things to do: Walk down to the main triangle and go to alley named Calle Manuel Bonilla. It's filled with great restaurants and bars! Go to Larcomar which is a big shopping/ dining outdoor area right by the beach. Walk along the beach and go visit Park of Love. 

TIP: Schedule a taxi for pickup at the airport with your hotel. It will be cheaper and easier. 

TIP: You can see the best parts of Lima in 1-2 days. You don't need to spend more time then that.

TIP: Apply sunscreen even if it cloudy! I got burned my last day in Peru. 

Read more about Lima HERE

2. Flew from LIM to Cusco. Then took a taxi straight to Ollantaytambo

Sleep: Sleep at Hotel Samanapaq. The hotel was beautiful and the service was outstanding! The breakfast buffet is included and the WiFi worked great! The views from the hotel of the old Incan ruins were great. Our stay here was incredibly relaxing!

Eat: At the local Plaza de Armas. There are a lot of restaurants here but it is hard to find traditional Peruvian food. 

Pack: Hiking boots, comfortable clothes, sunblock, sunglasses, camera, and medication. 

Things to do: Go to the Las as Salineras in Maras, walk down old Incan streets/ alleys in Ollantaytambo,  and visit the Incan ruins.

TIP: Work your way up to high altitude to prevent getting altitude sickness and get medication to help you adjust in advance. I was prescribed Acetazolamide by my doctor and it really helped me! I didn't have any trouble adjusting to the high altitude. Since my friend and I were jumping to such a high altitude, from Lima to Cusco, we decided to travel straight to Ollantaytambo. 

TIP: Take the Peru Rail to Machu Picchu station in Aguas Calientes. Make sure you buy the ticket before hand online. You need to pick up tickets before entering the train. Only 1 carry on size luggage allowed per passenger. No big luggages!! However, they will store luggage for you free of charge. 

TIP: Drink cocoa tea!

Read more about Ollantaytambo HERE

3. Took the Peru Rail from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu/ Aguas Calientes 

Sleep: There are a lot of hotels in Machu Picchu. It is a very touristy place. We stayed at Gringo Bills. Hotel was pretty good and WiFi was okay. 

Eat: I definitely recommend trying the alpaca burger at Treehouse. Also go have a 3-course meal at El Indio Feliz. Both restaurants were AMAZING!!

Pack: Bug repellent (there are a LOT of mosquitos here), hiking boots, camera, lots of water, cocoa tea, granola bar, suncreen, sunglasses, tickets printed, passport, and wear layers. It is chilly in the morning but warms up by midday. 

Things to do: Climb Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu!!!

TIP: Buy your tickets to Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu a couple months in advance to secure a spot.

TIP: Buy your bus ticket to take you up to Machu Picchu a day in advance to save a lot of time and hassle!! If you don't, you will have to wait in an incredibly long line the next day for buses. Place to buy tickets is right by the water by the bus station. It is a little wooden booth. Cost about $25 roundtrip.

TIP: Drink cocoa tea!

Read more about Machu Picchu HERE

4. Took the Peru Rail Back to Ollantaytambo then a taxi to Cusco

Sleep: We stayed at a hotel in Cusco called Rumi Punku. It was located just 5 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. This hotel was gorgeous!! Breakfast was included!

Eat: We had dinner at Morena Peruvian Kitchen. OMG!! One of the most delicious meals I have ever had! Also try burgers at Papacho's right by the Plaza de Armas.

Pack: Walking shoes, comfortable clothes, camera, sunblock, sunglasses. If you are planning on climbing Rainbow Mountain: warm clothes, layers because it is very cold, hat, gloves, hiking boots, and medication. Cusco's elevation is very high!

Things to do: Visit the Plaza de Armas and walk around the city. Take a tour to Pisac Market to go shopping. Stop along the way to see alpacas and learn how Peruvian blankets/ yarns are made. Climb Rainbow Mountain!!

TIP: I recommend going around the Sacred Valley with a taxi driver so you can make as many stops as you would like and not be on a time schedule. 

TIP: Carry bottles of water with you because the restaurants in Cusco are on the pricier side. Or buy it from the side street where the waters only cost $1.

TIP: Drink cocoa tea! Elevation is very high here in Cusco!

TIP: When traveling from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, it is much easier to share a taxi and the cost is much lower. Sharing a taxi cost about $7 each.

TIP: Don't miss the sunset and the view of the valleys from Plaza De Armas at night! 

Read more about Cusco & Rainbow Mountain HERE

5. Took an overnight bus (Transzela) from Cusco to Puno. Then took a boat in Puno to island Isla Suasi

Sleep: On the bus. It was nice to save money on the hotel. If you are a light sleeper, I don't recommend this. It only costs $16. In Puno we stayed at the most beautiful hotel ever Isla Suasi!!! They stay at this hotel has been one of the best in my entire life! Highly recommend it. 

Eat: At the Hotel Isla Suasi. They serve a great buffet breakfast. Then for lunch and dinner, you get 3-course meals! All of it is included in the stay at the hotel. 

Pack: Warmer clothes because it is cold in Puno, heavy jacket and lots of layers!

Things to do: Take a tour of the floating islands! Our hotel provided a tour which was included in the package. 

TIP: Dress warm because the temperatures in Puno are much colder! It was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of October.

TIP: Take sunscreen if you have sensitive skin. The sun on the island is very powerful! It gets really warm during the day.

TIP: Take your passport so you can get it stamped at Taquille Island for 1 sol! 

TIP: If you are prone to sea sickness, take motion sickness medication. The waves got pretty choppy a few times.

Read more about Puno HERE

6. Took an overnight bus from Puno to Arequipa

Sleep: We stayed at an amazing hotel right by the Plaza de Armas called La Plaza Arequipa Hotel Boutique. I highly recommend staying right in the center because you get a great view at night time.

Eat: There are tons of great little restaurants off of the little streets by Plaza de Armas.

Pack: Light clothes/ spring clothing and Light jacket for the night.

Things to do: Walk around the city and Plaza de Armas. I heard the Colca canyons were amazing but we didn't have enough time to visit

TIP: Arequipa was the warmest city we visited so take lighter weight clothes!

7. Flew from Arequipa to back Lima

8. Flew from Lima to NYC

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

XOXO!