Paris is known as the City of Lights for being one of the first cities to use gas street lighting and for leading the Enlightenment era as a global centre of knowledge, culture, and art. Read why Paris is called city of lights.

City of Lights: The name City of Lights dates back to the 18th century, during the Age of Enlightenment. Paris was at the center of intellectual and philosophical progress, becoming a hub for scholars, artists, and thinkers. The term “lights” symbolised knowledge, education, and the spread of ideas. Jeep reading more about city of lights.

Why is Paris called the City of Lights?

Paris was one of the first major cities in Europe to use gas streetlights. By the early 1820s, over 50,000 gas lamps illuminated its streets, making it safer and more vibrant at night.

Heart of the Enlightenment

Paris became the intellectual capital of Europe during the Enlightenment era. Thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot lived and worked in Paris, promoting reason, science, and freedom of thought. This made Paris a beacon of knowledge and progress, giving a deeper meaning to its title, “City of Lights”.

Street Lighting and Innovation in Paris

Paris was among the first cities in the world to introduce organised street lighting. The project started under King Louis XIV, who ordered thousands of lanterns to be hung along major streets. By the 19th century, gas-powered streetlights spread across the city, revolutionising urban living and setting an example for other European capitals. Today, Paris continues this tradition with modern LED lighting systems that highlight monuments and maintain the city’s luminous identity.

The Beauty of Paris at Night

Paris is one of the most photographed and admired cities in the world because of its nighttime glow. Iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Champs-Élysées light up every evening, creating one of the most romantic nightscapes on Earth.

The Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour with 20,000 golden lights, symbolizing the city’s enduring charm and elegance. The city’s lighting projects continue to attract millions of visitors, reinforcing its title as the City of Lights and Love.

Art Museums in Paris

Apart from its illumination, Paris is known for its art, museums, and culture. The Louvre Museum, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou are world-famous art institutions that reflect the creative brilliance of the city. Paris is also the home of fashion, literature, and cinema, further adding to its glow on the global stage.

Interesting facts about Paris

1. First City in Europe to Use Street Lighting

Paris got its famous nickname “City of Lights” in the 17th century when it became the first city in Europe to use street lights. Under the reign of King Louis XIV, lanterns were installed across streets to improve safety and visibility. By the 1820s, gas lamps lit up thousands of streets and bridges, turning Paris into a symbol of progress and modernity.

2. The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, Paris’s most famous landmark, lights up every night with 20,000 glittering bulbs. It sparkles for five minutes every hour after sunset, creating one of the world’s most breathtaking night views. Originally built for the 1889 World’s Fair, it was once criticized but is now one of the most visited monuments in the world.

3. Paris Has More Than 290 Illuminated Monuments

The beauty of Paris doesn’t end with the Eiffel Tower. The city glows every evening with more than 290 illuminated monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. These landmarks showcase the perfect blend of history, architecture, and artistry, making Paris a photographer’s paradise.

4. Heart of the Enlightenment Era

The nickname “City of Lights” also has a deeper meaning. During the 18th century, Paris was the center of the Age of Enlightenment, a movement that promoted knowledge, science, and creativity. Thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau lived here, making Paris the intellectual capital of Europe.

Eco-friendly travel doesn’t mean compromising on comfort or joy. Here’s how to make every trip lighter on the planet and richer in experience.

The thrill of travel often comes with an unseen cost, carbon emissions, plastic waste, and environmental strain on local communities. But what if you could explore the world responsibly and still have an unforgettable time? Sustainable travel isn’t about sacrifice; it’s about smarter choices that make your journeys more meaningful and memorable.

1. Choose Stays That Care About the Planet

When booking accommodations, look for hotels or homestays that practice sustainability, think solar panels, waste segregation, rainwater harvesting, or locally sourced food. Not only do these options reduce your footprint, but they also offer a closer connection to nature and culture.

2. Go Slow and Local

Instead of hopping between cities, spend more time in fewer destinations. Slow travel reduces transportation emissions and lets you deeply experience local traditions. Explore by train, bicycle, or foot whenever possible, these not only cut emissions but often lead to spontaneous adventures you’d miss in a car.

3. Eat Local, Seasonal, and Sustainable

A big part of travel joy is food and eating locally supports the community while reducing your carbon footprint. Skip global chains and try traditional meals from local vendors or family-run eateries. Bonus: the food is usually fresher, cheaper, and far more authentic.

4. Pack Light and Plastic-Free

Every kilogram you carry adds to an airplane’s fuel use. Travelling light saves energy and makes your journey easier. Bring reusable bottles, cloth bags, bamboo cutlery, and solid toiletries to avoid single-use plastics. Little swaps can make a big difference.

5. Respect Local Cultures and Communities

Being a responsible traveler means more than just avoiding litter. Learn a few words in the local language, dress appropriately, and understand community norms. Buy crafts directly from local artisans instead of mass-produced souvenirs, it supports livelihoods and preserves heritage.

6. Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Even with the best efforts, travel has an environmental impact. Many airlines and NGOs now offer carbon offset programs that fund tree-planting or renewable energy projects. A small contribution can help balance out your emissions and make your trip more sustainable overall.

7. Capture Memories, Not Just Photos

It’s easy to get caught up in the race for perfect Instagram shots. But sometimes, the most beautiful moments are meant to be felt, not framed. Be present, breathe in your surroundings, and engage meaningfully with people and places.

Discover which country has the most rivers in the world. Learn why Russia, with over 100,000 rivers including the Volga, Lena, Ob, Yenisei, and Amur, holds the record for the largest river network globally.

Rivers are very importance, providing essential water resources, enabling hydroelectricity generation, and sustaining the incredibly rich biodiversity. Read about the country with the highest number of rivers. The rivers in Russia are spread across Europe and Asia, making them essential for transportation, hydroelectric power, irrigation, fisheries, and trade. The waterways are a lifeline for the country’s economy, culture, and biodiversity.

Which country has the highest number of rivers?

Russia is widely known as the country with the most number of rivers in the world because it has an enormous total river network, with over 100,000 rivers flowing across its vast territory. While countries like Canada and China may have large rivers as well, Russia leads in total river count, meaning it has more rivers than any other country on Earth.

Major Rivers in Russia

1.Volga River – The Volga River is the longest river in Europe and a vital part of Russia’s economy. Flowing through central Russia, it supports agriculture, industry, and navigation. Cities like Volgograd, Kazan, and Nizhny Novgorod thrive along its banks. The river also powers several hydroelectric plants and has been historically significant for trade and transportation.

2.Lena River – Flowing across Siberia into the Arctic Ocean, the Lena is one of the longest rivers in the world. Its vast basin supports fisheries and forests while serving as an important natural route in the remote Siberian region. Seasonal ice coverage affects navigation but also sustains the ecosystem in this cold climate.

3.Ob River – The Ob River, along with its tributary the Irtysh, forms one of the largest river systems in Russia. It provides hydroelectric power, irrigation, and water transport. Its floodplains are rich in wildlife, and it is crucial for connecting remote Siberian settlements to larger trade networks.

4.Yenisei River – Originating from Mongolia and flowing into the Kara Sea, the Yenisei is one of the most powerful river systems on Earth. It supports hydroelectric energy projects and provides freshwater for Siberian forests. The river’s basin is home to unique wildlife and natural resources.

5.Amur River – The Amur forms a natural border between Russia and China. It is vital for biodiversity, fisheries, and navigation. The river basin supports both human settlements and protected wildlife areas, making it ecologically and economically significant.

Why Russia Has So Many Rivers

Russia’s unique geographical size and location allow it to have the largest total number of rivers in the world. Its mountains, plateaus, tundra, and plains, combined with melting snow and glacial runoff, create ideal conditions for river formation. The cold Siberian climate ensures permanent or seasonal rivers across vast expanses.

The rivers are not only essential for transportation, energy, and irrigation but also shape Russia’s identity, culture, and economy. They connect cities, support industries, and sustain one of the world’s richest freshwater ecosystems.

There are too many, and they’re constantly evolving. Also, some of the most valuable advice in the travel world will stem from your own experiences—not mine.

That being said, I can point to my own hard-learned lessons, along with those of my travel-centric community.

Some travel tips for first-time travelers are suggestions and straightforward pieces of advice. Others are more like allegories that you need to take in stride and adapt to your own immediate trip needs.

Without further ado, these are the most important travel tips for first-time travelers to keep in mind. Whether you’re flying across the country or the world, these tips will serve you in 2025 and beyond.

Travel tips for first-time travelers based on living decades on the road

Tip #1: It’s probably worth it to pay more for a non-stop flight

Air travel in 2025 is egregiously prone to delay. My one tried-and-true piece of advice for first-time travelers is to splurge on your plane ticket. Book directly on the airline’s website; you’ll be treated better in case of an emergency. Then book a non-stop flight, if possible. There are fewer chances for things to go wrong and for you to miss your connection.

Tip #2: Pack three times minimum to get the right balance

If you’re a first-time traveler, you’re probably struggling with a packing list. I have many pieces of advice when it comes to packing, but the most important are these: pack three times to make sure you’re not over- or under-packing, then scrap any pieces that are there wishfully.

Tip #3: Schedule downtime—a lot of downtime

Some of my most valuable travel tips for first-time travelers revolve around slowing down. You might want to plan out every second of your trip to make sure you’re maximizing on your time—which is a fair point.

If that sounds like you, then schedule downtime. That might be booking a treatment at a spa or simply leaving an afternoon open. If you don’t schedule some downtime as a first-time traveler, you might leave your vacation feeling even more exhausted than when you arrived.

Tip #4: Buy an eSIM—either locally or via an app

In 2025, first-time travelers don’t need to worry about international phone plans. You can download an app and buy an eSIM that gives your phone service in your host country. Or, alternatively, you can go to any phone store when you arrive and buy an eSIM or a physical SIM from the shop. Usually, the latter come at a much more affordable price and work better.

Tip #5: Know when to bother with insurance

Travel insurance is a big topic, along with medical insurance and emergency insurance. If you’re a nervous type, you might want to invest in insurance that covers you in case of lost bookings, medical emergencies, or even natural disasters.

Personally, I don’t really see the point of traveler’s insurance. If you don’t have enough money in your savings account or available on a credit line to cover something like a lost flight or hotel booking, then maybe it’s not the right time to travel. Again, that’s just my personal take. Do with it what you will.

Tip #6: Double-check visa requirements

Back in the day, an American passport could get you into just about any country without a visa or, if you did need one, a basic form to fill out. Today, countries and regions are rolling out new requirements for visitors at a faster rate than ever before. Always double-check visa requirements before you head out; most are fully digitized and can be approved within a few days.

Tip #7: Going too budget will ruin your trip—know when to splurge

I encourage you to spend more when booking flights because it streamlines operations in case of disaster and minimizes the chance of delays or missed flights. That type of mentality will serve you well in other travel-related topics, too. Going too budget, unfortunately, can wreak havoc on your trip.

For example, choosing to stay in a cheap hostel versus a larger hotel might mean that you lose sleep to other noisy visitors. That missed sleep can have a negative domino effect on the rest of your trip, intensifying jet lag and making you miss out on the things you were excited to see.

Tip #8: Read the reviews for hotels, tours, and more using keywords

Before you book anything, head to the review section. There’s almost always a search bar. There, type in your most pressing concerns, whether noise, customer service, value for price, and so on.

Tip #9: Language and culture matter—way more than you think

Learning a little bit about the local culture at your destination can go a long way in improving your trip. The same for learning a few phrases in the local language. These factors signal to locals that you’re interested in a meaningful exchange—and they can unlock unique experiences.

For example, I once tried out my Swedish in a rural town and was then treated to a Mad Max-style adventure on a local man’s snowmobile. (I mean that in a good way.)

Tip #10: Take out some cash when you arrive

Most travelers prep their banks before leaving home so that they can use their credit and debit cards abroad. That’s a great rule of thumb—but don’t forget to take out some cash when you land. This is a great way to tip (if it’s appropriate) anyone, along with make smaller purchases, like for waters and snacks.

Tip #11: Don’t forget about the bus and/or metro

Taxis and rideshares can be expensive. One of the most important travel tips for first-time travelers from the US to know is that many other countries have functional, affordable public transit systems.

Using an app like Google Maps, you can get from Point A to Point B with just a bus or a metro. Usually, you need to buy a transit card to use it, but you can sometimes still pay cash.

Tip #12: Avoid visiting more than two destinations per trip

The more you try to get done during your trip, the less likely you are to feel excited and rejuvenated by your vacation. That might not be an issue if you want to see many sites and really dig into local culture, especially in a city like Florence with its dozens of museums.

However, I highly recommend avoiding visiting more than two destinations in a trip. In reality, I’d vote you stick to one to really get a feel for the culture and atmosphere.

Tip #13: If you’re prone to worry, have your ducks in a row

If you’re worried about traveling for the first time, these are the topics I think will help you sleep at night. First, buy travel insurance. If you’re really prone to nerves, you might even want to pay for wider coverage, like MedJet, for example.

Aside from insurance, look into the Department of State’s recommendations. Knowing where the nearest embassy is and how it can help you when you’re in need will give you some much-needed comfort—and information on what to do in case of XYZ.

Tip #14: Carabiners, tiny totes, and latex balloons are my secret go-tos

I’m rounding off this list of travel tips for first-time travelers with my three oddest packing suggestions.

Mini-carabiners can be used for a range of purposes, from making your bag thief-proof to hanging things at your rental. Tiny totes can be added to your packing list without taking up any room; they will also give you a day bag or shopping bag at your destination. Lastly, latex balloons can be used to create a cap or seal on any liquids that are prone to leaking. They’ll contain the mess and prevent it from spreading.