To celebrate my 10-year anniversary with WestCMR, I planned an extended trip to Europe around a special destination wedding: my youngest brother Matt’s wedding to his wife, Casey, in Paris, France. We arrived in Paris on September 7th, which began an unforgettable journey. I attended the wedding in style with my family and stayed at a charming boutique hotel, Hotel Louvre Piemont.
On the first day, I visited the Louvre Museum and the Musée d’Orsay, where I saw iconic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Liberty Leading the People, and Winged Victory of Samothrace, along with incredible works from Impressionist painters Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet.
That evening, our family explored Montmartre, known for its stunning white-domed Sacré-Cœur Basilica, vibrant artistic history, and lively nightlife.
The next evening was highlighted by a fantastic rehearsal dinner at Les Bougresses, where I enjoyed cheese ravioli and homemade vanilla ice cream with chocolate cake. It was a memorable evening, sharing a meal with my future in-laws in one of the best districts in Paris.
My brother Matt’s wedding took place on my third day at Château de Sceaux. Light rain fell, creating a scene straight out of a fairytale.
The following day, I flew to Barcelona with my other brother, Joe, so we could experience all that the city has to offer. We stayed at the W Hotel, a stunning beachfront spot that came highly recommended by WestCMR’s Director of Business Operations, Elvis Mrsic. We began by taking a tour to get oriented, visiting famous Antoni Gaudí works like Basílica de la Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló. That night, we enjoyed a unique tapas experience where we cooked steak to our liking, followed by a night out on the town.
The final leg of my trip was to Madrid. We took a three and a half hour train ride and arrived around lunchtime, starting with a visit to Mercado de San Miguel, a local market near our hotel. In Madrid, highlights included exploring Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which houses nearly 1,000 paintings by European and American artists. We also visited several local bars, including 1862 Dry Bar, Madrid’s oldest, and Sala Equis, a converted adult theater turned silent picture bar.
This week-long trip was filled with incredible moments, from celebrating my brother’s wedding with family to exploring museums, sampling regional foods, and immersing myself in the rich histories of both countries. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and I’m so grateful to WestCMR for making it possible.
