TOP 10 MISTAKES IN PARIS

We've been to Paris three times now, and let's just say our first visit was... a learning experience! Between Amir's overpacking tendencies and Sam's ambitious itinerary planning, we made pretty much every rookie mistake in the book. Here are the top 10 blunders we wish we could undo:

1. Only visiting the Eiffel Tower at peak hours - The crowds were absolutely insane, and we spent more time taking photos of other tourists than the actual tower.

2. Eating near major tourist attractions - That €25 sandwich by the Louvre still haunts our budget spreadsheet.

3. Not learning basic French phrases - While many Parisians speak English, making an effort with "bonjour" and "merci" goes such a long way in showing respect.

4. Overpacking our daily bag - Sam learned this the hard way after lugging around a massive purse through Montmartre's cobblestone streets.

5. Skipping the museum pass - We wasted so much time in lines that could've been spent actually enjoying the art.

6. Not validating metro tickets - Those fines add up quickly!

7. Expecting North American portion sizes - We ordered way too much food our first night.

8. Walking everywhere in brand new shoes - Blisters aren't cute, people.

9. Not making dinner reservations - Especially as a visibly diverse couple, we found that having reservations helped us avoid any awkward "fully booked" situations at popular spots.

10. Rushing through everything - Paris deserves to be savored, not sprinted through.

What mistakes have you made while traveling? We'd love to hear your stories!