Earlier this month, a good friend called to ask me what I was doing over the holiday weekend. I told her nothing much. She asked if I would consider taking the red-eye with her and a few other girls to Paris. Next thing you know, my bags were packed and I was feasting on foie gras and sipping champagne in the City of Lights!

There’s nothing like throwing caution to the wind and living in the moment. I think that’s what made my trip to Paris so unforgettable. Of course, the sights were breathtaking, the food was intoxicating, and the shopping got me in trouble, but stealing away from the monotony of my daily routine to take an unexpected girl’s trip made it even more thrilling.

Sure, January’s the coldest month in Paris, and it’s true we only had three days to take it all in, but sometimes when you don’t have the luxury of time, you manage to accomplish more. And let’s not forget, off-season travel costs a lot less. Imagine, for just under $1200 I booked a round-trip flight, a hotel in the heart of the city, and an experience of a lifetime.

Here’s a look at my whirlwind weekend in Paris:

DAY 1

We flew out of Newark International Airport at 11 PM on Friday and landed in Paris around noon the following day. The weather was rainy and overcast, but the temps were unseasonably mild. Upon arriving at our hotel, the Chateau Frontenac, we were greeted by the bellhop and in no time flat checked into our lovely rooms where a Juliet balcony graced us with a distant view of the Eiffel Tower.

After unpacking our bags, we freshened up and headed across the street for a bite to eat at La Belle Ferronnière, a bustling Parisian café with cozy red leather banquettes and black and white tiled floors. The menu featured an array of classic French cuisine and aperitifs. Not surprisingly, their French onion soup was out of this world, along with their grilled chicken Caesar salad with freshly made croutons and parmesan cheese. Although I’ve eaten French onion soup countless times, nothing compares to the real deal.

After lunch, we headed straight to the Champs-Elysées where the sun made a momentary appearance. Known as the most beautiful avenue in the world, it lived up to all I had imagined and more. From its ornate theatres to its landmark monuments to the exquisite cafes and high-end shops, we spent most of our time doing what most girls from New York would do, you guessed it—we shopped until we dropped.

One of our first stops was the Louis Vuitton flagship store, an impressive art deco building designed by Georges Vuitton back in 1912. The moment we stepped inside, we were met with smiles, a glass of champagne, and a fabulous shopping experience. From there we visited Christian Dior, Chanel and the famed Galeries Lafayette, an upscale shopping mall with everything from perfumes to cosmetics to home décor. 

And while it was nice pretending to be richer than we actually are, more budget-friendly stores like Zara and Sephora offered equally enjoyable shopping experiences.

Fortunately, many of the stores had our shopping bags delivered to our hotel so we could enjoy the rest of our time on les Champs, as the Parisians say, without them. And what better way to end our shopping spree than to capture the majesty of the Arc de Triomphe at nightfall? Located at the higher end of the Champs-Elysées, this historical landmark is one of the most famous and breathtaking monuments in Paris.

Later that evening, we happened upon an amazing restaurant not far from our hotel. The Renoma Café Gallery not only featured avant-garde artwork and cozy seating, but the atmosphere there was electric, the music was pumping, and the food and drinks were simply divine. I could not resist the perfectly cooked ribeye with crispy haricot verts. The other ladies feasted on spaghetti with lobster and freshly grilled salmon in lemon sauce.

Not wanting our picture-perfect evening to end, after dinner we strolled through the cobblestone streets of Paris, many of which were still adorned with holiday lights. Despite the rain, we took in the nightlife, admired the incredible façades typical of Parisian architecture, and eventually found our way back to our hotel where we had a nightcap at the bar and a toast to our first day in the City of Lights.

DAY 2

The following morning it was all about touring the city and learning more about its rich history. First up, the Musée d’Orsay. Built at the turn of the century, this expansive museum mainly holds French sculptures, paintings, and furniture dating from 1848 to 1914. When you walk into the museum, you’re immediately awestruck by its giant clock and vaulted ceilings.

Originally a railway station, the Musée d’Orsay was converted in 1977 to what can only be described as a mecca for impressionist art. While everyone’s heard of such famous artists as Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and Gauguin, seeing their masterpieces in person, as well as other well-known works of art, felt surreal.

Next on our list was the Eiffel Tower. When we couldn’t find a taxi big enough to take us all there, we set out on foot—and a good thing we did! Our trek across the city allowed us to see more landmarks than we would have otherwise. Without realizing it, we walked straight toward the beautiful Seine, France’s third-longest river which extends all the way to the English Channel.

Soon we found ourselves walking through the Tuileries Gardens, a large public park with one of the oldest gardens in the capital dating back to the 17th century. Said to be especially beautiful during the spring and summer months, the garden features tranquil ponds, outdoor dining, standing sculptures, and even a 200-foot Ferris wheel.

Leaving the garden led us to the Rue de Rivoli, one of the city’s main shopping strips where we made sure to buy some souvenirs. It’s also where you’ll find the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum and home to the Mona Lisa. While we had hoped to circle back to the Louvre, with only so many hours in a day, we had just enough time to catch the iconic Eiffel Tower before sundown.

After a full day of sightseeing, we returned to our hotel rooms and glammed up for a night on the town. We decided to dine near the Eiffel Tower in order to watch the light show everyone seemed to rave about. Luckily we found Le Grand Corona, a lavish restaurant with an eclectic menu within walking distance of the tower. Not quite the foodies we thought we were, we chickened out on the snails but thoroughly enjoyed the truffled foie gras, shrimp dim sum, and a delectable filet de legine, a buttery fish similar to Chilean sea bass prepared in a broth of ginger, yuzu, lemongrass, and coconut mousse. Another bon appétit moment, for sure! 

Stuffed and a bit tipsy, we quickly abandoned our idea of walking to the Eiffel Tower. As luck would have it, we grabbed an uber that dropped us on the opposite side of where we visited earlier that day. Not only was it less crowded, but this time we were so close it felt as if we could touch it. I still can’t find the words to adequately describe the majesty of the Eiffel Tower amidst the moon and the stars, not to mention the light show that lit up the night sky and sent chills down my spine.

Our last stop that evening was at the Gran Caffe Con Vivium, an Italian café with an impeccable wait staff and a bevy of decadent desserts. Even now, I find myself dreaming about their creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, along with their melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu and warm brownie sundae. It was the perfect way to end a perfect day, or should I say, C’était très bon!

DAY 3

Our last morning in Paris started with another scrumptious brunch. What a treat to have a feast included in our hotel stay each day. Aside from an array of freshly baked pastries, quiches, muffins, and croissants, they had a daily assortment of cheeses, fruits, nuts, and berries and, of course, a made-to-order omelet that was truly perfection.

The rain’s return on our last day didn’t keep us from one last outing on the Champs-Elysées. With our flight departing at 7 PM, we had plenty of time to catch the Arc de Triomphe in daylight and pick up some double-decker macaroons from Ladurée, the world-famous pastry shop next door to Le Deauville, another well-known Paris eatery.

On our way back to our hotel, we veered off the Champs-Elysées towards Avenue Montaigne and Avenue Georges V, which together form the Triangle d’Or. This picture-perfect district is no less elegant and is renowned for its haute couture and ready-to-wear fashions, such as Gucci, Prada, and Hermes. Strolling through these ancient streets felt as if we were in a fairy-tale as we soaked up the beauty and romance of Paris one last time.

But, alas, the time had come for us to head to the airport, and while I secretly wished we could have stayed even one day longer, I was grateful for the time we had in this amazing city. As I settled into our long flight home, a sense of pride rose within me, knowing as I do that the last time I dared to drop what I was doing to fly across the world, I was single, childless, and a whole lot younger. Since then, midlife has taught me many lessons, and seizing the opportunity to take a well-deserved “me time” trip to Paris is one of them.