I feel like my philosophy on the way to visit cities has been proved again and again. Just wander. Have points you want to see, yes. But don't be one of those tourists that schedules out various stops and then hurries through them or takes the metro to get to the next stop. My way is to set 2 stops or so for the day, know what sights might be along your way in between them, and then wander!
And the great thing is that while you wander without pressure to be in any one place you notice so many of the small details of the city in its everyday state. You can watch in amazement as the cars swerve and navigate around the crazy roundabout round the arc de triumph. The grey brick slated rooftops of every building, or the intricate cast-iron trellises with their swirling patterns that so beautifully decorate every balcony. Everything here is just so beautiful.
And yes, many people come and admire the intricacies at places like Notre Dam, but honestly I feel that so many simply look at it as a place to say they've been. have you ever seen a picture of the cathedral from one of the sides?
So I ask you when you travel no matter the city. Just wander. Do you want to glance at it all or really see and get experiences at a few places and all the randoms in between. I obviously prefer the latter!
So look at the streets you walk on and see the way they're worn, sit in a garden and be present to the things you see, feel, and hear around you.
Writing on Amsterdam and Paris soon to come!
That's the way to go. I usually head to a place with a "list" (more like an idea in my head) of what I'd like to see. On the train or in the hotel the night before I kind or orient myself and learn where things are, then I just go for it: wander and see as much as possible. If I get through all the stuff I want to see, then awesome. If I don't, then that's okay too. Substitutions are allowed and encouraged. Having a "schedule" makes things hectic and you miss great opportunities...but having an idea let's you see the things you don't want to miss while giving flexibility to do awesome things you stumble upon. The fact that I can read a map and have a good sense of direction also helps...
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