A few years ago, I was stationed in the United Kingdom, and I told myself the one thing I would do before coming back to the U.S was to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Well, I did just that and it was absolutely amazing. Paris is one of those cities that everybody knows by sight, and I highly recommend you visit. If you are stationed overseas, you’d be surprised how easy it is to travel. I found that airline tickets were significantly cheaper than what we are used to in the states and the installation’s Information, Tickets and Travel (ITT) office makes exploring so easy.

My Paris trip was a quick weekend getaway, but it was just enough time to take in the sights. The city was so diverse and had so much to offer. We enjoyed dining out at bistros and cafes and while my ability to speak French was limited to a few lessons from high school, I was able to navigate the menus, which made me so happy. We decided to try some Parisian cuisine such as escargot, croissants, macarons and crepes. Très bien!

We had a full day of exploring, which included a stop at the Eiffel Tower. We decided to take the journey to the top and surprisingly, we agreed to take the stairs. Needless to say, on the way back down we opted to wait for the elevator. It was such a great experience! We also took a boat ride, a bus tour where we explored the city, many parks, and had a stopover at the famous Moulin Rouge and the Arc De Triomphe. We took so many pictures and really made it a point to soak up everything Paris had to offer.

I highly recommend you plan a trip to Paris or any other destination that’s on your bucket list. I always say “You only live once,” so why not make the best of it while you can. Living the military lifestyle can be challenging, but we are afforded the opportunity to see different places and travel the world. Take advantage of the discounts offered by your base’s ITT office or plan a trip on your own.

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