The mark of a great city is the many different impressions it can leave on any one person. When I say Paris, what do you think of first? The Eiffel Tower? The Louvre? The Arc de Triomphe? Notre Dame? Do you think fashion, romance, food, or fun? It is this diversity that elevates Paris to the top of any list that tries to compare the world's best cities.

Paris is a city that simply cannot be fully appreciated on a limited time budget. To hurry through Paris is to miss the city's entire point. This is a place for strolling, for enjoying life, for smelling the flowers and tasting the wine. Ten million people call Paris home, and they get to enjoy these simple pleasures every single day.

Of course, for tourists, it is not that easy, as you have to fit centuries of history and culture into a few short hours or days. This leaves many people frustrated, as they hustle past the Mona Lisa in the hopes that they can enjoy Notre Dame for a little longer. By the time they see the cathedral, they're already calculating how long it will take them to get to the Eiffel Tower. And at the top of Eiffel Tower, they are trying to figure out how to fit in dinner and shopping on the Champs-Elysees before departing, always departing too soon.

If this is to be your itinerary, the best thing to do is pare it down. The above-mentioned attractions are pretty much automatic for every Parisian visitor. You will have to be extremely picky beyond that if you want to see anything else. Get the most out of your stay by planning it in advance. Start early and leave late. But whatever you do, don't rush, or you'll miss what the city is all about. There's a reason that the phrase joie de vivre is in French. One visit to Paris, and you'll understand.