• When Victoria Lamson's son was 10 months old, she took him on a trip to Ireland, the UK, and France.
• She and her husband planned ahead, investing in a sturdy stroller and calling hotels in advance.
• For the most part, they felt Europe was more child-friendly than the US.

When my husband and I first announced that we were bringing our 10-month-old son with us on a two-week European vacation, we got very mixed reviews.

Some friends and family said our timing was perfect: Deacon wasn't walking or talking yet, so it'd be easier to travel with him. Others thought it was a big mistake. Lugging around a stroller and dealing with tantrums — all while navigating unfamiliar cities — seemed miserable to them. Plus, they told us, Deacon would be too young to remember any of it. What was the point?

But even before I became pregnant, Mike and I agreed that we didn't want to isolate ourselves like so many newborn parents do. While we didn't know what to expect with our first child, we wanted to include him in our normal travel plans rather than living a strictly child-focused lifestyle.

We started small. One of our first excursions was a road trip from our home in San Francisco to visit family in LA when Deacon was two months old. As he got a little older, we saw that Deacon is a very chill individual. He rarely fussed and easily napped in his stroller.

So in 2019, we planned a trip to Ireland, the UK, and France. While it required a little more planning and was slower-paced than vacations before parenthood, it became one of our favorite ones.

A little prep made the trip smoother

When we went on our LA road trip, we invested in a Babyzen Yoyo stroller, made by a French brand. While it cost around $450, which is on the pricey end, it was worth it: it smoothly rolls over cobblestone streets and easily fits into an overhead bin. Six years later, we still use it with our second baby.

To set us up for success, I called some services in advance. Most long-haul flights offer limited bassinets for babies in rows with extra space, but those seats usually need to be reserved ahead of time. I also reached out to our hotels to make sure they had cribs they could bring out, and a car service in Dublin — our first destination — provided us with a car seat suitable for an infant.

The only unexpected snag was using my breast pump abroad. Because Deacon was older and already eating solid foods, my milk supply was lower and I didn't really need the pump as much. Still, as a first-time mom, I brought it because it's recommended by pediatricians to continue pumping for a full year and I wanted to do everything right.

I had a European outlet adapter, but I forgot about the wattage differences. When I plugged the pump in, it got completely fried. Luckily, I had Deacon with me for those few weeks and could make more stops to breastfeed him.

Europe was more child-friendly than home

Overall, Europe was very kid-friendly. London was easy to stroll through and full of parks we could stop at with Deacon.

We also didn't feel out of place bringing a baby to an Irish pub, even on St. Patrick's Day. Culturally, it's more of a norm to bring kids to bars and other "adult" spaces in Europe than it is in the US.

Out of everywhere we went, Paris was the hardest place to navigate; due to the city's style of architecture, we had to climb spiral staircases in bistros and brasseries when changing diapers. Still, the culture made us feel welcome. Our hotel surprised us with a beautiful crib and a teddy bear for Deacon.

It was such a stark difference from San Francisco. More often than not, there isn't a changing table in the bathroom. And when you can find one, it's only in the women's restroom, as if it's not also a father's responsibility to care for his child.

In contrast, we went to a very old restaurant in a small Irish seaside town. When I walked into the tiny bathroom, I was surprised to find fold-away changing tables in all the stalls.

Europe's positive attitude toward children and families is such a big draw. Even slight accommodations make such a huge difference when we travel.

We did everything we wanted

The experience taught us that we don't have to put our lives on hold with kids. When Deacon got sleepy on the trip, we just bundled him up in his stroller and used the opportunity to relax at a cafe.

After Europe, we went to a family timeshare in Tulum, Mexico at the end of 2019 — another wonderful vacation. In 2022, we took Deacon with us on a road trip around Atlanta, Savannah, and Charleston.

While it's tougher to travel with two kids now — our 17-month-old daughter is less easygoing than Deacon was at that age — we still take staycations and go out with our children.

Looking back, going to Europe was more fun because Deacon was with us, not in spite of it. It felt so special to have him with us, and we'll always hold on to those memories of early parenthood very fondly.

• A woman managed to sneak onto a Delta Air Lines flight to Paris last Tuesday.
• CNN reported, citing law enforcement officials, that she was to be sent back to the US on Saturday.
• But she was taken off that flight after causing a disturbance, the outlet added.

A woman who flew from the US to Paris without a ticket caused another disturbance on her way back, CNN reported.

She managed to sneak onto Delta Air Lines flight 264 last Tuesday and avoid being detected until the journey was nearly over.

A Transportation Security Administration representative told Business Insider last week that an individual without a boarding pass completed a security screening and then bypassed two identity verification and boarding status stations.

JonNYC, a popular aviation insider on social media, reported she was believed to have been hiding in a restroom during takeoff.

Citing law enforcement sources, CNN reported the woman was supposed to be flown back to the US on Saturday but was removed from the flight before takeoff.

The woman had been kept in a waiting zone at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport because she did not meet the conditions for entering Europe, the outlet previously reported.

Gary Treichler, who sat across the aisle from the woman on Saturday's flight, told CNN, "She kept on saying 'I do not want to go back to the USA. Only a judge can make me go back to the USA."

"She also repeated the Geneva Convention a few times so to me that kind of showed that she was off," he added.

The stowaway is a woman between 55 and 60 years old and has a Russian passport, an airport official told CNN.

Her flight back to the US is yet to be rescheduled, the outlet reported.

"Nothing is of greater importance than matters of safety and security," a Delta spokesperson said in a statement shared with BI after the initial flight.

"That's why Delta is conducting an exhaustive investigation of what may have occurred and will work collaboratively with other aviation stakeholders and law enforcement to that end."

• Paris is great, but I prefer Bordeaux in the winter because it's less crowded and magical.
• The city is two hours south of Paris and has incredible holiday markets, shops, and food.
• Bordeaux has great wine and is a day trip away from famous spots like Saint-Émilion or Margaux.

As the oft-repeated saying goes, Paris is always a good idea. And although that's true, it can feel crowded and congested, especially during Christmastime.

That's why I now prefer to go to Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world, during the busy winter season.

This elegant city, just two hours south of Paris by train, is a real stunner filled with classic Haussmanian buildings, dramatic 18th-century neoclassical architecture, and picturesque cobblestone streets.

At less than half the size of Paris, Bordeaux gets a fraction of its millions of tourists a year, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy French esprit de Noël without feeling overwhelmed.

Bordeaux starts to get fully festive in November

In late November, Bordeaux transforms into a winter wonderland with festive lights and illuminated backdrops.

The season officially kicks off with a concert at the Opéra National de Bordeaux on Place de la Comédie, followed by the lighting of a 36-foot-high Christmas tree made of steel and glass.

For a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city, start your trip with the Les Caneles Cruise, an hour-and-15-minute ride up and down the Garonne River.

You'll learn about the city's fascinating (and troubling) history, architecture, and culture while sipping wine and munching on canelés, a famous local pastry. It's the perfect way to acclimate to Bordeaux.

The city has great seasonal shopping and eats

If holiday shopping and sampling local culinary specialties tops your list of must-dos, grab a cup of vin chaud (mulled wine) or chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and wander through over 100 petite wooden chalets at the Grand Marché de Noël in Bordeaux's city center.

At this holiday market, local purveyors sell everything from hand-poured candles to grilled chestnuts. This year, the market has several workshops where you can make your own candles, maple butter, cosmetics, and more.

Or head to Darwin, the right bank's eco-district, for an alternative Christmas market featuring handcrafted goods, art, live music, organic food, and more. It's where all the cool kids hang out.

You can also wander along Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street.

Maybe visit the posh Chartrons district north of the city center, where you'll find Rue Notre Dame, one of my favorite streets in Bordeaux.

It's filled with hip boutiques like the Do You Speak Francaise concept store, antique shops, restaurants, and my favorite place for canelés — Micheline and Paulette Bakery.

Warm up with wine, culture, and art

Bordeaux isn't called the wine capital of the world for nothing. There are wine bars are everywhere, serving the best vintages from the region.

Two of my top picks are Yarra Wine Bar and Le Bar à Vin. The latter is in a magnificent 18th-century building across from the Bordeaux Tourism office.

Here, you can order affordable regional wines by the glass and cheese plates, charcuterie, and other snacks. A top-notch glass of bubbly will only set you back about four euros.

If the weather isn't cooperating, you can always wander through the city's many museums, including the must-see Cité du Vin, an immersive wine museum, or Bassins des Lumières, the largest digital art center in the world located in a former submarine base.

Plus, it's in a prime location if you want to explore other parts of France

Another reason to spend the winter holidays in Bordeaux is you can easily visit nearby villages without having to elbow your way through hordes of tourists.

Weather and time permitting, you can take a half-day or full-day chateaux or winery tour to Saint-Émilion or Margaux, two of the world's most famous wine destinations.

I look forward to returning to Bordeaux this year to experience even more holiday joy and the city's many charms. Maybe I'll see you there?

• Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen on December 7.
• It's been more than five years since a fire devastated parts of the historic building.
• Take a look at new images of the restored cathedral below.

Notre Dame Cathedral, one of Paris' most iconic buildings, is set to reopen its doors on December 7, more than five years on from the devastating fire that ravaged its roof and toppled its spire.

Ahead of the reopening service, which will be presided over by the Archbishop of Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron took a televised walking tour of the cathedral, offering glimpses of the restoration. In a post on X, Macron shared a photo, writing alongside it: "Achieving the impossible together. That's France."

Business Insider has compiled some images of the restored building below.

A fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019.

The blaze destroyed much of the building's roof and brought down its spire. Fortunately, the cathedral's bell towers and main structure survived.

The subsequent restoration project is estimated to have cost more than $700 million.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, visited ahead of the official reopening.

Macron gave a speech to people who worked on the rebuild.

A reopening service is set to be held on December 7.

A Mass is then planned for December 8.

President-elect Donald Trump is set to attend the reopening ceremony on Saturday.

• I get monthly professional manicures and have tried everything from Russian to Japanese techniques.
• On a recent trip to Paris, I decided to spring for a $160 French manicure.
• Although the technique wasn't as unique as other manicures I've tried, I was happy with the results.

In preparation for my first trip to Paris, I did the usual itinerary prep — museums, restaurants, and boutiques. However, I also realized this would be the perfect opportunity to experience a French manicure, both in the sense of style and technique.

Unlike the Japanese gel and Russian manicures I've tried recently, French manicures (a solid-colored base with a crescent tip in a different color) aren't necessarily French. They're a US invention coined in the 1970s inspired by French fashion and beauty aesthetics.

Nevertheless, as a nail buff who gets monthly manicures, I'm always curious to see what they're like in other countries. I also personally think it's fun to say I got a French mani in France.

From finding a salon in a foreign country to the actual manicure process, here's what it was like.

I chose Nail Club Paris based on online research.

After scouring online sources, from Instagram to Vogue articles, I came across Nail Club Paris, a New York-inspired salon that offers services including Gel-X and nail art.

Of all the ones I clicked through, I thought this salon's website was the easiest to navigate, and I particularly liked the aesthetic based on the photos.

I made my appointment online two weeks ahead of time. With the help of Google Translate (my grade-school French is quite rusty), I booked a spot for gel extensions and gel polish with a tortoiseshell French-manicure design.

Unfortunately, I broke two cardinal nail rules.

Before getting into the review, I must admit to committing multiple nail offensives before and during this appointment.

I can blame my cold, the stress of traveling, or the confusion of acclimating to a new area, but I definitely should've known better.

My first sin was being about 15 minutes late. Usually, salons offer a grace period for tardiness, but I wasn't sure what timeframe applied to this salon.

I arrived with "Je suis désolé" ("I'm sorry") bubbling up my throat and explained, in English, how the traffic delayed me. Maëlle, my nail tech and the only employee in the salon when I arrived, reassured me and guided me to my seat.

The second sin was not booking a nail removal with my appointment. At the time, I was wearing professional press-on nails and assumed they would pop or fall off easily like the store-bought ones I'm used to.

Not booking the appropriate services can throw off a nail tech's entire schedule and create delays for future appointments.

Maëlle gave my press-ons a small tug and immediately reached for her nail drill. Though she was impressed by how sturdy they were, she was worried about how long the removal process would take because she had another appointment after mine.

Even with the language barrier, the anxiety was evident. I felt guilty for putting her in this position.

My mistakes aside, the salon had a comforting aesthetic.

Maëlle's English was far better than my French, so we intermittently spoke about the politics in our respective countries and our admiration for nail art.

She proudly talked about the salon's New York loft theme, and I agreed that I saw the vision. The exposed brick and funky color palette felt like a subtle love letter to my home state.

As we settled in, Maëlle put on a Kali Uchis playlist and fell into a deep focus as she sang along to the Colombian artist's lyrics. Her hypnotic trance signaled to me that she was about to lock in, and I was prepared to witness absolute magic.

We did Aprés Nail extensions, which aren't new to me.

The manicure technique felt no different than the ones I've gotten in the US. After filing and soaking off my press-on nails, Maëlle prepped my nails and cuticles.

We settled on Aprés gel as a base, a softer extension that covers the entire nail bed. Compared to acrylics, it's supposed to cause less damage to the natural nail as it grows out.

The durable gel should last anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on your nail care. I'm used to getting Aprés in the US, and the process didn't differ just because I was overseas.

After nail prep, Maëlle found the best-fitting extensions for each finger and applied an adhesive before curing them onto my natural nails. She then shaped them into pointed almonds and tested out the best base color to match my nail tone.

I was beyond impressed with my nail tech’s efficiency.

Though the manicure process wasn't unique, I was so impressed with Maëlle's prowess.

She told me she had eight years of experience under her belt — and her expertise was evident in her light touch and speed. Though my tardiness and nail removal set us back, Maëlle's ability to breeze through the manicure was borderline mind-blowing.

Instead of applying extensions and art one nail at a time and switching between hands, Maëlle did the process one hand at a time. This meant she didn't cure the gel polish until she was done with the entire hand, which can be risky as she could accidentally smudge a previous nail along the way.

Much to my surprise, no nails were smudged, nicked, or impacted by the technique.

I opted for tortoiseshell crescents on every nail. The design had to be done in layers, starting with a base of very light brown and eventually creating a pattern with darker shades of brown and black on top.

Maëlle meticulously followed the reference picture I showed her — right down to the charms that she miraculously had in stock.

I'm convinced that nail art is a universal language.

Most of the manicure was filled with Maëlle quietly singing — and me silently holding my breath, hoping I wouldn't delay the next appointment.

However, the conversations we were able to have were fun and lighthearted. We bonded over our love for certain manicure techniques and preferences for almond and stiletto shapes. Even with a limited shared language, our passion for nails bridged the gap.

At the end, I paid 150 euros, about $162. My original appointment was listed as 125 euros, but the nail removal cost an additional 25 euros.

I also left a cash tip of 30 euros because of how incredible and accommodating Maëlle was.

This appointment was in the same time and price range that I'm used to in the US, so I was interested to see how the manicure would hold up. My usual sets sometimes lift by the third week.

After four weeks, I was still receiving compliments.

In the days following my manicure, I noticed a few air bubbles under the extensions, which can be caused by a number of things. Since the bubbles were toward the center of the nail and not the sides, they were sealed in and didn't affect the set's longevity.

Over the next few weeks, I was definitely more rough than I usually am with my manicures. After Paris, I was on a quick trip to Maine, where I hiked and climbed rocky terrain at Acadia National Park.

The fact that no nails broke or even loosened was incredible, and I could only hope they'd fair just as well for the rest of the month.

After four weeks, I was still receiving compliments about how fresh the design looked.

Because of the simple and elegant French tip, I could barely see my natural nails growing under the nude base. Despite the initial bubbles, I also didn't experience any chipping or lifting.

It was beyond evident that this manicure could last both physically and aesthetically, and that's always worth the money for me.

H, the Paris startup founded by Google alums, made a big splash last summer when, out of the blue, it announced a seed round of $220 million before releasing a single product. Three months later, still without a product, that splash started to look like a catastrophic flood when three of the company’s five co-founders […]

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• My beauty routine has changed significantly since moving from Boston to Paris about six years ago.
• French women tend to wear less makeup, so I no longer use foundation or eye shadow every day.
• I've learned to embrace my natural brows and less elaborate hairstyles.

As an American who's lived in France for about six years, I've made some dramatic changes to my beauty regimen.

Though I regularly wore several makeup products back in Boston, I've since narrowed my routine down to four things: a tinted serum, a blush stick, clear brow gel, and mascara.

Here are nine ways I changed my beauty routine throughout my years in Paris.

I no longer wear full-coverage foundation

I've never been the type to wear a full face of makeup, but a mid-coverage option like a BB cream was always a staple in my makeup routine in the US.

Since moving to Paris, I've worn a tinted base (sometimes mixed with moisturizer) on my face five times a month at the most.

One of the first things I noticed in Paris was how little makeup most French women wear.

In Boston, you'd be hard-pressed to find a woman with a bare face at a bar on a Friday night. But in Paris, it's the norm.

In France, I felt I had permission to go natural for the first time. It might sound silly, but seeing so many women embrace their natural beauty motivated me to join the bare-faced party.

I've learned to embrace natural brows

Filling my thin, blonde eyebrows with a pencil was part of my makeup routine in the US.

Because my hair is so light and fine, I felt it necessary to draw on my eyebrows to fit in with the thick, defined-brow trend that's popular in the US.

Since moving to Paris, I simply use a clear Benefit gel to create a laminated look that stays in place.

I no longer use as much product on my lips

I always thought French girls wore red lipstick, but one of the first things I noticed when I moved to Paris was the lack of bright lips.

Though some women will rock a red lip, it's much less common than I expected.

I always wore lipstick or a stain on a night out in the US, but since moving to Paris, I either go bare-lipped or wear a lip oil.

I don't go for super noticeable highlighters anymore

In the US, it wasn't uncommon to see people wearing a shimmery, glowy highlight on a night out.

But now, I can't remember the last time I used a highlighter.

In France, I typically opt for a shimmery face oil, like the one from NUXE Paris, or a multipurpose balm for a subtle but natural glow.

These oils and lotions double as skincare while providing a nice shine.

Mascara is the only product I use on my eyes

Most women I meet in Paris don't wear eyeshadow or eyeliner. Instead, they typically only wear mascara on their top lashes.

Back in Boston, I would attempt heavier eye looks because I was surrounded by women with gorgeous smoky eyes.

Now, I stick to just mascara. Getting ready is much faster, and I have less makeup to remove at the end of the night.

Plus, I can finally stop pretending I know how to do eyeliner.

I prioritize skincare over makeup

Since being bare-faced is the vibe in Pairs, French women seem to prioritize skincare over makeup, and I've followed suit.

My skincare now includes a multistep morning routine and a separate nighttime regimen.

When I lived in the US, my skincare routine included an under-eye caffeine roller, a serum from whatever random brand I found at T.J. Maxx that week, moisturizer, and the occasional sheet mask.

Now, I invest in lots of products from brands I love (my favorites are Typology and La Roche-Posay), and getting ready is focused more on skincare and less on makeup.

I believe my skincare routine has completely improved my complexion, as my face seems plumper, more radiant, and brighter.

I get more high-maintenance treatments than I did before

I'm not sure if it's a direct result of moving to France or a byproduct of aging, but I started doing preventive treatments throughout the last five years.

I get Botox on my forehead twice a year, lip filler every two years or so, Hydrafacials (microdermabrasion-like treatments) every few months, and my eyebrows laminated regularly.

I've found that the French woman's approach to preventive medicine is subtle and discreet and enhances the features you already have.

The work I've had done is very minimal, to the point where most people in my life don't notice a difference.

I hardly ever wear a set of false lashes

Wearing a set of false lashes in the US seems like the most normal thing in the world, as some people wear a set each time they go out.

I'd throw on a set of lashes if I felt spicy on a Friday night and always had a few pairs stocked at home.

Since moving to Paris, I've worn false lashes a total of five times. Natural looks reign king over here, so false lashes aren't common.

I rarely style my hair

Though I've always loved self-care, I'm a big fan of how much time I save doing my hair in France.

In the US, I spent hours curling, straightening, and styling my hair. Here in France, however, a more natural, messy hair look is the go-to.

Now, doing my hair takes about one-quarter of the time it used to.

I either air-dry my hair or put waves in it with the Shark FlexStyle curling-wand attachment and brush my fingers through it.

I've embraced messy hair, and I love it.

This story was originally published on January 8, 2024, and most recently updated on November 19, 2024.