France has a lot of ground to cover in a week exploration, but Courtney Dyer would not trade her experience for anything. In March, Dyer traveled through Paris and Barcelona as her break from school.

After a rigorous eight-hour plane ride, she arrived in Paris, where she stayed for the first three days of her trip. Excited about her trip, she explained that the touring began as soon as she checked into the hotel.

"We figured out the metro system in Paris very well because we used it daily," Dyer said.

In only three days in Paris, she was able to explore many famous and interesting sites.

"We were able to take a bus tour of Paris, so we saw the Arc de Triomphe, the Military Hospital, Notre Dame, and the Opera House," Dyer said. She also took a night cruise on the Seine, where she was able to see the Eiffel Tower and other buildings at night sparkle in their natural beauty.

The journey also took her to the Louvre where she was able to see the Mona Lisa, Napoleon III apartments, and the Venus de Milo.

"What surprised me was the size of the Mona Lisa, it's just a portrait that is genuinely incredible," Dyer said. What surprised me was the size of the Mona Lisa, it's just a portrait that is genuinely incredible Courtney Dyer

In her slight disappointment, the day she was to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, it was too rainy and windy. Nevertheless, she describes the view from her visit to the world-renowned site as simply wonderful.

Dyer also spent an afternoon and evening in a small town on the Mediterranean.

"The train ride to the South of France was something I enjoyed because I had never been on a train ride, so the countryside was picturesque," Dyer said.

Traveling to Barcelona, Spain as well was worth the time away from France, according to Dyer. She explained that her favorite part of Barcelona was walking up and down the Las Ramblas, which was the main street. It was in that area where performers dressed in full costume and make-up and stood like statues. 

"When a person puts a euro in their bucket, they perform and do a movement.  The characters were hilarious!" Dyer exclaimed.

Another unique aspect of Dyer's trip to Barcelona was she was able to see a Spanish village that was built for the World's Fair, the Sagrada da Familia, and even where the Olympics were held.

"The most beautiful sight to me was where the pool was located for the Olympics, when the swimmers/divers began the platforms faced the city; therefore, they could see all of Barcelona, this was breathtaking," Dyer said.