Seek and find
I love Paris! There's no other city in Europe I visit as often and where I always leave feeling inspired. That's why a comprehensive guide to celebrating Christmas in Paris was a must for Your Little Black Book. I'm practically always in Paris around the holidays (sometimes before or around Christmas, often for New Year's Eve), and it's one of the trips I enjoy most every year.
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𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟰, 𝟭𝟱, 𝟭𝟲 & 𝟭𝟳
HELLO long weekend!
With Ascension Day turning today into a little Friday kind of day ;-), this is the moment to gather your friends and do something fun.
And trust me: there is a lot happening in Amsterdam!
From Rollende Keukens taking over Westerpark to Aardbewoners Festival at @artis_amsterdam, Proef Pampus on Forteiland Pampus, CABINET Curated Curiosa & Design Market at the Centrale Markthal, Museum Market on Museumplein, Royal Palace audio tours for all ages, and Pure Markt in the Amsterdamse Bos.
Also fun to check out: you can get SALVO Miso Caramel Tiramisu Lattes at a Bike Thru in Amsterdam-Noord!
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with all 107 tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this long weekend? You can find me in ARTIS and at Rollende Keukens!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER! Are you also longing for warmer weather and secretly itching to book a weekend getaway on the Dutch coast ☀️? I certainly am! That’s why today I have a tip for 24 LOVELY BEACH HOTELS AND HOMES BY THE BETWEEN.
Save this post, or comment STRANDHOTEL and you will receive the complete list of all the gems directly via DM. Enjoy the weekend!
#beachhotels #housebythesea #netherlands #northhollandzeeland
𝟭𝟲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗼𝘀 🌮
Are you going classic with carne asada & salsa verde, or do you prefer something a little different, like birria for dipping or tempura mushroom with salsa negra!?
In this guide, you'll find my favorite taco hotspots in Amsterdam, including a must-try tip for every spot 🍴
📍 @masmais.taqueria (West)
🌮 Favorite: tuna tostada & sea bass ceviche
Perfect if you love Mexican food with a focus on seafood, great cocktails, and a laid-back cantina vibe. It feels like being in Mexico for a moment, right in Amsterdam West.
📍 @tacos.lasinaloense (Ten Katemarkt & Albert Cuypmarkt)
🌮 Favorite: create your own taco & go all in on salsa
Street-style tacos the way they're meant to be: handmade tortillas, slow-cooked steaks, and choosing your own spice level.
📍 @madre.amsterdam (Jordaan)
🌮 Favorite: birria quesatacos & tempura mushroom tacos
A plant-based Mexican restaurant that proves just how flavorful vegetarian food can be. Comfort food with a twist, and perfect for sharing.
📍 @bacalar.amsterdam (North)
🌮 Favorite: octopus taco
Still one of my favorites in Noord, with a great terrace too. Raw setting, huge on flavor. Weekend lunch here is my favorite! Definitely ask for the specials.
On 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲 you'll find the complete guide with the 16 best taco spots in Amsterdam.
Do you have a taco spot I really need to try?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb & @yourlbb.amsterdam for more Amsterdam restaurant guides, travel guides & the best things to do on the weekends.
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟴, 𝟵 & 𝟭𝟬
This weekend is packed with markets, food events and lots of good excuses to spend the entire weekend out and about in Amsterdam.
From the free @oatly Matcha Strawberry Signature Drink and limited edition bag charm launch at @binibakery to Het Hapjesfestijn in Noord and the Creative Lab Summer Pop-Up at Klaproos & Café Soleil.
Plus, there are lots of fun Mother's Day ideas in this new guide, from brunches to the @ladress summer sale and 50% discount tickets for a concert at @concertgebouw.
Also very in the mood for the North Seafood BBQ at @nikotin.restobar
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 76 hotspots, events and 19 kid-proof tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this weekend… markets, matcha, a long lunch or trying a new hotspot?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
#yourlbbcollab #oatly
Come with me to get breakfast in Taipei 🥢
Straight from the airport to this little place to taste soup dumplings and so much more! That's what I call a soft landing 😉 <3
In Taipei, you go to a Soy Milk Shop for breakfast. Warm soy milk to eat in a bowl, and steam baskets with the tastiest dumplings and baozi. You can really wake me up for this kind of breakfast. These local breakfast spots come in all shapes and sizes, from Michelin-recommended spots to hole-in-the-wall stalls.
Most soy milk shops open early (and sometimes even 24 hours a day), and these are the dishes you want to try:
🥄 Warm soy milk
🥢 Soup dumplings (you can often choose between pork and veggies)
🥢 Pork baozi
🥢 Youtiao (油條 - a kind of fried donut stick)
🥢 Youtiao (油條) w/ pork floss & rice
🥢 Turnip cake
🥢 Chives pancake
🥢 Scallion pancake
TIP: Sharing is a good idea to taste as much as possible, because the portions are (often) large.
You'll want to remember these soy milk shops for your future trip to Taipei:
📍Fuhang Soy Milk
📍Soy Milk Shop
📍Yong He Soya Milk King (Da'an)
📍Sihai Soy Milk
I am currently touring Taiwan, and you can also find all the tips in my Stories Highlight.
Have you ever been to Taiwan? I'm curious if you thought it was *that* amazing!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
#taipeifood #taipeitravel #TaiwanWavesOfWonder #ExperienceTaiwan @taiwantoerisme #presstrip
{ In this Taiwan Travel Guide video, I share my favorite breakfast spots in Taipei for an authentic Taiwanese breakfast }
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟯𝟬 + 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭, 𝟮 & 𝟯
HELLO first weekend of May!
From a brand-new rooftop beach in Oost to vintage treasure hunting at IJ-Hallen, Italian market mornings, new restaurants and lots of May holiday plans for families.
Also on my radar this weekend:
📍 East Beach
📍 Café Pigalle
📍 Sassy's
📍 HORTA
📍 Bar Copa
📍 Amour Amer
📍 Café Felix
📍 Chez Chloé
And yes, market season is fully back. Sunday Market, IJ-Hallen, NoordOogst and Zi Camì Market… where to start?
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 85 tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this weekend… markets, terraces, new hotspots or something fun with the kids?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
Just back from Catalonia and I thought: I'll share some tips right away.
During our road trip, we stayed two nights in the Ebro Delta. An incredibly fun stop for families and foodies, where there is plenty to do.
• A boat trip to the Musclarium is a must! Here you eat oysters and mussels straight from the farm, in the middle of the sea.
· Admire the flamingos and black ibises that can be found here all year round.
· Rice is grown in the Ebro Delta all year round. For paella, but Kensho also makes sake and miso from it! You can visit them during a tasting.
Cycling along the rice fields, canoeing on the Ebro River, and visiting various beaches. It was still a bit too cold right now, but there is plenty to do.
• The towns are very low-key and not that exciting, but you can find fantastic local food there. From the Michelin-awarded Les Moles* to local eateries like Vermuteria Bonmarisc and Lo Tinglado. We ate a lot of fish, but also anemone fritters (a first!).
Now back to work, and I’m going to create an extensive travel guide of this road trip through Catalonia, but you’ll want to save these tips for a future adventure.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
{ In this post, I share tips for the Ebro Delta in Spain (Delta de l'Ebre). More tips for Catalonia can be found at www.yourlittleblackbook.me }
HELLO WEEKEND!
A short note, but a very packed Amsterdam Weekend Guide online with 76 tips for Kingsday, Kingsnight, new restaurants, kidsproof May holiday activities and everything in between.
Comment WEEKEND and I'll send you the full guide in your DM.
Cheers from Spain, where I will celebrate with orange wine from Priorat ✌🏼🧡.
✖️✖️✖️
@anne_de_buck
The most important things to do are done by the community through this Nederland and in Amsterdam?
The May holidays have begun, and that means: quality time with the kids. From creative workshops and fun playgrounds to new museums, kid-friendly festivals, and adventures in nature.
On 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲, you will find two comprehensive guides with more than 50 tips! Believe me, you won't be bored anymore ;-).
Take all tips via the line in my bio. Have fun!
I'm curious: what do you have planned for this holiday?
PS: We are doing a road trip from Barcelona to Valencia this year and you can travel along via stories.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟲, 𝟭𝟳, 𝟭𝟴 & 𝟭𝟵
Your Amsterdam weekend, sorted. 🖤
Baby lambs, spring markets, new restaurant openings and more events not to miss, this week's Amsterdam Weekend Guide is packed.
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 81 tips straight to your DMs.
Have fun making plans!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
| PS: Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in the Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
PUUR YONNIE, an ode to Jonnie Boer.
Today I had the honor of being at @delibrijezwolle for the book launch of @jonnie_en_therese.
I spent the whole evening reading and flipping through the pages.
WHAT A BOOK.
What stories.
WHAT AN ODE.
Love, Nature, Pioneer, Fatherhood, Music, Jonnie's Foundation, Friendship, Suppliers, Local products, Relaxation, Entrepreneurship, Humor & The pure human being.
Everything passes by, beautifully written by @joel.broekaert.
With contributions from, among others, @nelsontanate, @rekkebus, @ronblaauwtje, @jorisbijdendijk, @sidney_schutte & @hvw043.
Thanks for the lovely afternoon @jonnie_en_therese 💚
PURE JONNIE,
From 14 April
at your local bookstore
(and online)
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
This is your ticket to Japan without taking a plane 🥢
@tewatashi.ams in De Pijp serves an authentic Edo-Mae Sushi Experience and is super consistent in their quality.
It's the place we keep going back to when we have something to celebrate <3.
In this video I'm sharing the 2 hour experience in 60 seconds.
Still dreaming about the buttery ika nigiri. 🤤
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
{ one of the best authentic Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam serving premium sushi omakase in De Pijp }
Celebrating Christmas in Paris is magical and something for your bucket list
Why do I love Paris so much? The food is good almost everywhere, even at a random bistro on the corner, you can sit on a heated terrace all winter long, and there are so many beautiful lights year-round. But Christmas in Paris is extra special for me! The department stores with their enormous Christmas trees and unique Christmas windows, the Christmas markets, and the thousands of lights. I simply can't get enough. And completely against my usual principles, for Christmas in Paris, I always want to stay in a hotel that's right in the heart of it all instead of in one of the trendier neighborhoods. Last year, I was in Paris to create this comprehensive Christmas Guide for you. I hope it's helpful if you're in Paris around the holidays! Have a wonderful time and happy holidays!
TIP: Take the Thalys to Paris. Watch Netflix or have breakfast or brunch on the train and then hop off in the heart of Paris! Find the cheapest tickets here >>
Rooftop Galeries La Fayette
Celebrating Christmas in Paris – what you want to know
- Would you like to travel to Paris by train? Then book your tickets for the train exactly three months in advance. Thalys, that is when the new tickets go on sale and the prices are often at their best.
- Many good restaurants are closed between Christmas and New Year's because their owners are on vacation. So, check their website or Facebook page beforehand for current opening hours.
- The cozy Christmas atmosphere in Paris starts from mid-November and usually lasts until mid-January.
- Going to Paris to shop? Keep in mind that the sales don't start until after New Year's Eve, usually on the first Tuesday in January. Discounts can reach as high as 70 or 80% every week, especially at the major department stores.
- Read more tips about the best places to celebrate Christmas in Paris later in this blog!
Dining out at Christmas in Paris
A visit to Paris isn't complete without a leisurely meal! A very handy app for Paris that I use a lot myself is the app from Le FoodingJust like Your Little Black Book, they write about the newest restaurants in town. The app also has a map so you can easily see what's available nearby. I also recommend making a reservation for the evening. The better restaurants often fill up weeks in advance, and there's nothing more annoying than wandering around looking for a nice place when you're hungry, right? Use websites like Open table You can easily book a restaurant abroad. Handy, because I always find it really annoying to call restaurants. I don't speak French, and they often barely speak English! Tip: FIRST search Le Fooding for the nicer and better restaurants and then see if you can book them through Open Table or another booking website.
Fun things to do at Christmas in Paris
Are you going to Paris for Christmas, or are you planning to? I can tell you from experience that it's helpful to make a plan of what you're going to do. You won't be the only one celebrating Christmas in the most romantic city in the world. Just like booking restaurants, you can also reserve other Christmas activities in Paris in advance. An added bonus: you often don't have to wait in line! If it's just the two of you, you might want to book less, but if you're spending the holidays in Paris with the whole family, it's even better to have a plan. My partner and I always visit one mega-tourist attraction when we're in Paris. Simply because sometimes cheesy can be a lot of fun! So, from experience, I can tell you about the following Paris attractions that are fun to do at Christmas. Tip: look for some nice restaurants or cafes near these highlights beforehand, because chances are you'll want to warm up with a hot chocolate or mulled wine afterward!
- Take a ride on the Ferris wheel: You can't miss it! This giant Ferris wheel is located near the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens. In good weather, you'll have a magnificent view of Paris from the top. Tip: bring a bottle of red wine ;-)!
- Climb the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe: Not something you'll do every time you're in Paris, but it's fun every so often. Be sure to book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance and choose the short-lane option. It'll be more than worth your money! Climbing the Arc de Triomphe is also fun and a nice change of pace.
- Visit one of the museums: There are so many beautiful museums in Paris. If you want, you can go somewhere different every time you're there. You simply have to see an icon like the Louvre at least once in your life! For the other museums in Paris, I recommend checking out their temporary exhibitions. I've already visited some of the most beautiful ones! My favorite museums in Paris are: Mad Paris near the Louvre, Palais de Tokyo and the fashion museums such as Louis Vuitton Foundation and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
- Spend a day at a castle: When I say castles and Paris, you probably immediately think of Versailles. But did you know that Château de Vaux-Le-Vicomte served as inspiration for this world-famous palace? If you've ever been to Versailles, this is a great alternative. Château de Vaux-Le-Vicomte It remains privately owned and run by the de Vogüé family, who still live there. At Christmas, this castle is especially special, as the rooms and coach house are filled with Christmas decorations and trees. Each one more ornate than the last, you're guaranteed to get that Christmas feeling here!
Château de Vaux-Le-Vicomte
- Enjoy hot chocolate near Montmartre: Wander through the narrow streets around Montmartre and stop at one of the brasseries for a hot chocolate with whipped cream. Then, walk down Rue des Martyrs and Rue Henry Monnier, where you'll find several great hotspots, such as Buvette.
- Take a stroll in Parc des Buttes Chaumont: In my opinion, this is the most beautiful park in Paris. It's not in the city center, but it's worth a visit if you enjoy a stroll before brunch. Be sure to visit the chapel at the highest point of the park; from there, you'll have a wonderful view of the Sacré Coeur, among other places. Also nice: have a drink afterwards at one of the park's restaurants, such as Rosa Bonheur and Le Pavillon du Lac.
- Light a candle at the Sacré Coeur: Speaking of the Sacré Coeur… The holidays might be an especially nice time to light a candle here for someone you don't want to forget.
- Brunch or enjoy a crêpe at Marché des Enfants Rouge: Check the opening hours before you go, as they may vary around the holidays. In the north of Le Marais, this food market serves the most delicious crêpes with sugar. Don't be surprised if there's a line, but it's more than worth the wait.
- Take a light tour on an open-top bus: Check the weather forecast beforehand and dress extra warmly. If it's dry, you'll have the best view of all the illuminated buildings and attractions from a touristy open-top double-decker bus at night. Bring your own drinks to stay warm and snuggle up with your lover!
- Eating and drinking at one of the Christmas markets: Yes, TOO touristy, but in my opinion, very cozy. When I'm in Paris around Christmas, I always make a point of visiting one of the Christmas markets. Enjoy raclette, sip mulled wine, and browse the stalls. There are several marchés de Noël (Christmas Markets) throughout the city. I personally find the Christmas market in the Saint-Germain-des-Près district very charming. This year, there's also the Christmas market under the Eiffel Tower, "Village de Noël," which includes an ice skating rink and stalls where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks!
- Drink champagne at The Crazy Horse: I've seen quite a few shows in Paris now, mate The Crazy Horse I think it's the best. A small theater with a tasteful burlesque show (really!) near the Seine. You can book various packages, and I would definitely go for the one with a bottle of bubbly!
- Feel like a kid again at Disneyland Paris: I just got back from the park, and honestly, I felt like a kid again! A visit to Disneyland Paris It remains magical. I don't think age matters here. Tip: bring some tasty lunch and snacks from one of the delicatessens in the city! Read my tips for Disneyland Paris during the holidays. here.
- Go eat oysters on the street: You know that feeling? Sometimes in Paris, you suddenly turn into a street and it's so lively that you hop from bar to bar. Eating something everywhere with a glass of wine! I can't get enough of the oyster stalls, especially. I always go to the little one. The Ecume Saint-Honoré on Rue du Marché Saint-Honoré.
- See Paris from the water: It can be quite cold in Paris at Christmas, and it might even snow. It's especially nice to have some indoor activities. For example, warm up with a cruise on the Seine!
- Go treasure hunting at the flea market: I never leave a city without checking out where the best flea markets are. In Paris, the Puces des Vanves and Clignancourt flea markets are definitely not to be missed.
- Admire the Christmas trees on Place Vendôme: Even if you can't afford anything in the square, the atmosphere is always special with all the Christmas trees covered in lights and the chic shops in the surrounding streets!
And of course, window shopping (and shopping) at the department stores, but more on that below!
Grand Magasins
Christmas shopping in Paris
When I walk past the windows of the grand stores on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, I feel like a little child. Every year, I can stand there for minutes in awe. Each window is more beautiful than the last! My favorite department stores, where I always stop to peek, are, of course, Galeries La Fayette and Printemps.
Galeries Lafayette
Bon Ton
This is where you want to stay for Christmas in Paris
I've mentioned it before, but when I travel to a different city during the holidays, I love to immerse myself in the Christmas spirit. I prefer to stay as close as possible to the Christmas markets and the major department stores, museums, and boutiques around the corner. If you're planning a trip to Paris for Christmas, I'd recommend a hotel in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, or 9th arrondissements. I recently stayed in the 1K Hotel in Le MaraisSuper centrally located, with hotspots like Merci, Bonton, and Mary Celeste just around the corner. Fun fact: they also have a speakeasy cocktail bar with a South American vibe, accessible through the kitchen! Which other hotels are my favorites? You can read about them below! A night at The Ritz is still on my bucket list for 2018. But maybe I need to win the lottery for New Year's Eve to do that ;-)!
1K Hotel
PARIS TRAVEL TIPS
>> HOW TO GET THERE: With the Thalys via NS International You can be in the heart of Paris in less than 4 hours. They often have offers starting from €29! Find the cheapest tickets here >> >> YOURLBB'S FAVORITE HOTELS IN PARIS: 1ST: Hotel Henriette 2E: Ritz, Edgar, The Hoxton 3E: 1K Paris, Hotel Emile, Pavillon de la Reine, Hotel Jules & Jim 4E: Bourg Tibourg 5E: Hotel Le Lapin Blanc 6E: Hotel la belle Juliet 8E: Ministere Hotel 9E: Hotel du Nell, Hotel Amour 10E: Paradise Hotel, Hotel Grand Amour 11E: Mama Shelter, Hotel Fabric 12E: Citizen M 13E: COQ Hotel Paris
Discover more tips in the
Paris Little Black Book
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