🇫🇷 FRANCE (Paris)

Ending the Year Somewhere New

Paris was the ninth and final country of our European journey. We arrived in the heart of the city in the early evening under a light rain, navigating heavy traffic while a mix of excitement and nostalgia started to wash over me. After checking into our last hotel, most of our tour group decided to rest for the night. But after dinner, my brother, two friends from the group, and I couldn't resist going out to explore. We took the Paris Metro to Trocadéro, and as we walked around the building, my anticipation built with every step. When the full view of the Eiffel Tower finally opened up in front of me, I shed a small tear and felt goosebumps all over. I couldn't believe I was actually standing in front of such a world-famous landmark. It was sparkling with twinkling lights like a massive Christmas tree in the cold, drizzly night air. We paused there to take it all in and chat, and I stopped by a small stall to buy a refrigerator magnet for my collection and a miniature Eiffel Tower as a gift for a close colleague back home. Seeing it for the first time was satisfying, overwhelming, and a true dream come true.

The next morning, our first official stop was returning to the Eiffel Tower and visiting the Arc de Triomphe. We spent time taking photos from the best angles—with each other, with our new friends, and with family. Everyone dressed up in their best outfits for those iconic shots, which made me realize I only had two full winter coats for the entire trip, another small regret from not buying one when my parents were looking in Germany. From there, we headed to the Louvre Museum. On the way, our guide jokingly brought up The Da Vinci Code, clarifying that the film's plot points—including Mary Magdalene's tomb beneath the glass pyramid—were entirely fictional. Inside, I was amazed by the detailed sculptures, which reminded me of the artwork in the Vatican Museum. Seeing the Mona Lisa in person was a highlight, and I was lucky enough to squeeze through the dense crowd to get a photo in front of it. Afterward, I walked around outside looking for the Arago medallions mentioned in the movie. We ended our visit with a full group photo in front of the Louvre Pyramid—a moment that captured the camaraderie of people I would always remember. On one of our bus rides as we headed toward our next destination, our tour group managers handed out official Travel Certificates to each of us, marking our completion of the Christmas and New Year tour in Europe—a small piece of paper that made the whole journey feel officially complete.

With the rest of the afternoon free, we picked up a few snacks for New Year’s Eve before having dinner at a restaurant in the center of Paris. Back at the hotel, a group of us—my brother, our two companions from the night before, and four women from our tour group—decided to head out again to celebrate the midnight countdown. That year, the community fireworks were being held at the Arc de Triomphe instead of the Eiffel Tower. Getting there was a challenge because several Metro stations were closed for security, forcing us to walk a long distance without fully knowing the way. We simply followed the crowds of locals heading toward the Champs-Élysées. Passing through security was intense, with imposing French police officers inspecting bags, confiscating alcohol, and turning away unruly crowds. We joked among ourselves that if we ever got on their bad side, we would stand zero chance. Once inside, we secured a view right in the middle of the avenue. Projections of the French Constitution lit up the arch before the final countdown began, and shouting those last ten seconds with thousands of strangers before the fireworks erupted was an unforgettable experience. On our walk back to the hotel, we even passed a hotel balcony where some completely naked tourists were leaning out, shouting "Happy New Year!" to everyone on the street. Back at our hotel, my brother, one of our closest friends from the group, and I stayed up in the garden, drinking wine and reflecting on the journey.

On our last full day, our tour manager gave us two options: visit Disneyland Paris or go shopping at La Vallée Village, a famous designer outlet. Two members of our group chose Disneyland, while the rest of us went to the outlet. We spent most of the day shopping for last-minute gifts for family and friends, and I managed to convince my parents to buy me a Lacoste shirt. That evening, we had our final group dinner at the hotel and packed our bags for the long flight home. Before calling it a night, we had a few farewell drinks with our tour managers and close friends. As a funny personal keepsake, I even managed to pocket one of the hotel’s ice tongs to take home as a secret souvenir.

Departure day arrived, and we made our way to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Before heading through security, my father got a little annoyed with my brother and me because we weren't hurrying inside. We just wanted to sit on an airport bench for a few extra minutes, taking in the cold European winter air one last time. Once checked in, my excitement built again when I realized we were boarding an Airbus A380—the massive double-decker aircraft—for our flight to Thailand before connecting home to the Philippines. Instead of being overcome by nostalgia during the flight, I spent the time sleeping and watching movies. When we finally landed in Manila and cleared immigration, saying goodbye to our new friends was the hardest part. The group gradually dispersed as drivers and families picked them up, and I said goodbye to my own family as they headed back to the province while I waited for my ride to my apartment.

Paris was a fitting conclusion to an incredible Christmas and New Year in Europe. Alongside my trip to the United States, it set a high benchmark for all my future travels. Even months after returning home, a strong sense of nostalgia stayed with me. To this day, I can still feel the exact progression of that trip—the excitement of starting in Italy and the bittersweet sadness of ending in France. I deeply miss the journey, my family, and the friends we shared it with, and I always hold onto the hope of repeating a holiday trip like that again someday.