The City of Light is every bit as romantic as people say, but the big surprise is that Paris can be just as wonderful without a sweetheart—or even a date. Its ambience is fashionable, beautiful, yet still oddly quaint when you stumble upon a sidewalk café or small neighborhood grocer selling fresh baguettes and pate. And the poster-worthy landmarks never lose their luster.

The Eiffel Tower is magnificent in real life, especially since with modern technology, it now sparkles every hour on the hour. The Louvre is more than a mere museum—it's a treasure trove that can instill art appreciation in even the most casual visitor. The Musée d'Orsay is also recommended, as is Tuileries Gardens and L'Orangerie Museum tucked away within it. For big brand names and see-and-be-seen restaurants, hit the Champs-Elysees; for top couturiers, it's Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. If you have time for a day trip out of the city, take the train to Palace of Versailles... or, for family fun, opt for Disneyland Paris and outlet shopping on the way.