OT - Trip to Paris and Rome

[star72232]

Way off topic, but I am a Canadian planning a trip, so maybe it can fit in here.

My DD and I are going to Paris and Rome in May/June. We leave on her 12th birthday! We are very excited. We have our tickets and apartments booked (booked housing through AirBnB).

Now I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for off the beaten path things to do. We will obviously be hitting a lot of the standard tourist stuff, since it's our first visit. However, I'd love to see something different, or eat a great (not not crazy-expensive) meal a bit out of the way.

Thanks!

 

[starvenger]

As someone who likes booking airbnb and the like, I think one of the best things you can do is just see what's around your rental apartment and try to live like a local. Have a croissant at a nearby cafe, buy stuff from the local market and cook dinner "at home" etc. It's not flashy, but it would provide a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle of going to the usual sites.

 

[Daniela Rose]

Go for hot chocoloates and desserts at Angelina's. Wouldn't call it off the between path, but it's a def must for us in Paris.

Also touristy, but take the tram up to Montmartre. Views are incredible. Just walk around and take in the shops, cafes, etc.

 

[Disney_Mama]

In Paris do https://www.parispicnic.com/
We did it and it was one of the best days we had. Food was delish and what a view.

 

[AngelDisney]

In Paris do https://www.parispicnic.com/
We did it and it was one of the best days we had. Food was delish and what a view.

Thanks for sharing! I would definitely try this when I visit Paris again. DD19 would love it!

 

[cslittle999]

My wife and I did a bike tour at Versailles. https://www.fattiretours.com/paris/tours/Versailles-Bike-Tour You purchase a picnic lunch at the market and stop on the grounds midway through the tour to eat.

I've heard great things about http://www.paris-walks.com/summer-walks_m.html but I haven't done one myself. The Chocolate Walk sounds divine. I've heard of people doing macaroon tastings. https://www.parisianist.com/en/eat-and-drink/top-ten/top-10-best-macarons-in-paris

We had a great dinner at Le Basilic http://lebasilic.fr/en based on the recommendation of our guide from the Champagne river cruise with Eiffel Tower reservation. Funnily enough she grew up about two hours from where we live.

I listened to quite a few of the https://joinusinfrance.com podcast episodes to get ideas. Paris is super easy to get around. Highly recommend the RATP iPhone app. It really helped us get from place to place on the subway and train.

In Rome we enjoyed some amazing Gelato. Visiting Piazza Navona during the day and again at night provided two very different views of the same neighbourhood. Artists and craft people during the day and street performers at night.

 

[AngelDisney]

We did a Segway tour in Paris. It was a good rest for our tired feet and was so much fun! We took another Segway tour in Barcelona. Segway is a great way to go see many places with a limited time. The tour guide was knowledgeable and we learned some interesting historical facts about both cities.
https://www.fattiretours.com/paris/segway-tours

We also took a Seine River Dinner cruise. The night scene was beautiful with all the buildings along the river being all lit up. We got to see the twinkling Eiffel Tower. The food was fresh and yummy (not Michelin starred). We opted for the less expensive dinner and really enjoyed the evening.
http://www.calife.com/english/Croisiere/Diner_croisiere.html