Monday Lunch
I honestly don’t put too much thought into my lunches (I just make sure to have some veggies, carbs and protein), and find that I fall into patterns. This is not to say that eating bagelwich after bagelwich is a bad thing, but sometimes a girl needs a little variety in her life!
This afternoon I enjoyed a salad with lots of toppings.
All Topped Off
In the mix:
- Lettuce
- Black beans
- Beets
- Grape tomatoes
- Carrots
- Annie’s Naturals light honey mustard vinaigrette dressing
Served on the side: A pear (for a pear!) and a stick of string cheese.
Pear
I love cramming a ton of veggies into my mid-day meal. It makes me feel like Super(health)woman!
Now for some FUN stuff! 😀
Europe, Here I Come
I have some exciting news…
In exactly one short month, I will be boarding a plane to Europe!
As you may know, my little sister is graduating from college at the end of April. As her graduation present, my parents are taking our family to Europe! We will be visiting Italy (Florence, Lucerne, Rome and Venice), Switzerland (Lugano), France (Paris) and England (London).
PBF Invades Europe!
I have only been to Europe (Paris) once when I was in sixth grade and I don’t really remember much about it. When my family began talking about taking a trip overseas several months ago, I immediately expressed my interest. I wasn’t sure whether or not the trip would actually happen, so when my parents started talking seriously about it last Sunday, I got really, really excited.
Things happened pretty quickly, and before I knew it, last week I got a text message from my mom telling me that everything was all set!
We will be traveling with a tour group which I think will be perfect since it will allow us to see a lot of different sites without feeling overly stressed about organizing transportation, hotel stays and activities.
My family and I will be traveling for 12 days (goodbye to all of my vacation days at work!) and I plan to blog as often as I can without letting it interfere with our travels. I also have some other fun ideas for the blog during this time that I’m excited to share with you guys. 😀
For now, I need some advice!
- We will each be packing only one carry-on for the entire 12-day trip. This means I will be re-wearing practically everything I pack. I seriously have no idea where to begin when it comes to planning for a trip like this, so any advice you may have for packing light for a long trip to Europe would be amazing!
- What foods do I absolutely have to try on my trip? I’m planning on gaining approximately 30 pounds, so nothing is off limits. 😉
P.S. The Fashion page was updated today!
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How exciting! I lived in France for a bit and traveled Italy with some girlfriends for 2 weeks with one backpack each. By the end of it we were praying for hot showers and clean clothes. Layers are key! And sticking to neutral colored clothing. Spice up your outfits with lightweight jewelry, scarfs and hats. Honestly, scarfs are wildly in fashion abroad. So stock up!
You have to have La Dure when you’re in Paris. The macaroons are infamous and well deserving. Paris also has some great ethnic neighborhood. The Marais not far from Notre Dome has falafel that will make you giddy.
Oh my, I’m sorry this is so long…I just feel like I have so much I want to share with you! I bought two jersey dresses from J Crew before I went and I honestly think I wore one or the other 75% of the time. They were light and airy, cute, and designed to be a short-ish empire dress or a knee length skirt with one of those folded over tops. I would wear it as a skirt with a tank and ballet flats during the day and as a dress with a cardigan and scarf when I went out for dinner or something. Those dresses were LIFE SAVERS.
I also highly recommend bringing a small notebook and pen. That way you can jot things down as you wish so you’ll remember if/when you want to blog about it later. You’ll see and experience so much that when you DO have time to blog, things can get jumbled up in your brain. I had a temporary travel blog for my friends and family and after the first few days of not being able to give a lot of details because I was so overwhelmed, I found this technique worked wonderfully.
Also, don’t forget a converter plug! We all know that our hair dryers/straighteners/curling irons/laptop cords don’t work in their outlets…but it’s an easy thing to forget when you’re actually packing. I recommend one with a surge protector as a lot of their hotels are old and have questionable electrical safety. In stores, they run around $20, but I found a very cheap one on amazon for about $5. It was great because it will convert to almost any plug outlet in the world…and not all european outlets are the same.
Ummm, I’ll probably continue to blast you with ridiculously long comments as I remember more things 🙂
I traveled through Europe for a summer and packed VERY lightly. I didn’t want to lug a bunch of crap around with me from country to country (or pay to transport it) and since I was going to be gone for nearly 3 months that presented a problem. I ended up taking a lot of things that could be easily washed in a hotel/hostel sink with Woolite – tank tops and light shirts. I packed small shoes (I think I only brought tennis shoes and a few pairs of flip flops because they don’t take up much room). I was a little nervous to find any laundromats and didn’t want to pay for hotel laundry service either…so I washed EVERYTHING I could in sinks (underwear, mostly). And re-wore a lot of things without washing. I say go with the basics that will match multiple things…plain tanks, khaki shorts, etc. You definitely want to have EXTRA room for shopping!
Honestly the best advice I can give doesn’t have to do with what to pack. I wasn’t with a group (in fact…I was 21 and traveling ALONE) so you shouldn’t have as many things to worry about. However, ALWAYS lock your luggage. Keep your passport separate from your money…a lot of people will grab a passport badge of a security conveyor belt (this happened to me) thinking money is kept with it like it’s a wallet. If your passport DOES get stolen, it’s a lot of paperwork at the embassy…but can still be fairly easily taken care of. Spread your money out among several places (pocket, wallet, locked luggage). Don’t bother with traveler’s checks…they’re so frequently counterfeited now that most places don’t accept them. Check with your bank/credit card companies to see if there’s an international transaction fee. I know Visa charges 3% on any transaction done internationally using any card with their logo on it (even if it’s one of their special travel cards). Don’t wear a backpack – people will come up behind you, cut the straps, and run away with the entire thing.
As far as good goes, I can’t recommend any one thing from certain areas, but by far the best meals I had came from small, hole in the wall types of places that were extremely authentic and not all tourist-y and Americanized. It’s worth a few blocks’ walk away from any tourist attraction, I guarantee.
AAA offers traveler’s “checks” in the form of a Visa check card. I would recommend that & cash. Also, make sure to keep copies of your passport in different places in case it does get stolen & then you have one somewhere else to show the embassy or whoever.
I just quickly scrolled through the comments and it looks like you’re getting some great advice on food, so I won’t repeat, but I did want to highly recommend getting a Rick Steves’ guidebook. I lived in Europe for 2 years, and his guidebooks were SO helpful!!
Of your destinations, I’ve been to every city except Lucerne and Lugano, so please feel free to e-mail me with any specific questions.
I’m so jealous and exited for you. I lived in Paris for 6 mo. while I studied aboad and traveled all over Europe. Here is my advice:
Clothing:
-FLATS! Heels are not made for walking for hours upon hours on brick/cobblestone streets. Don’t try to look good in wedges, or you’ll be committing foot murder. If you want to wear them to dinner, take one pair that can be used multiple times. (TOMS are comfy.)
-If you wear flip flops, your feet will be super dirty and nasty at the end of the day. We washed ours in a bidet in Italy. (gross, but so clean)
-A pair denim or white capris/bermudas/ shorts are great because you can take 5 different tops, and viola! Walking will prob. make them strech out so a cute belt is good to have on hand.
-Take a jacket, denim works well with most dresses/outfits. Cardigans don’t take up much space either.
-Speaking of jackets, it was freezing cold each time we went to the Eiffel tower, once in Feb. and once at the END of may. I had to get out my wool coat and gloves.
-Don’t let anyone in your family take a fanny pack.
-Plan outfits with your mom and sisters, you can share clothes, mix with your own, and have multiple options.
-A crossbody bag is safer than a regular purse, plus frees up your hands for taking pictures or holding Ryan’s hand. ; ) Luckily, they’re in style now. If you get one large enough, you can stowe your camera, jacket, and souvineers.
-Don’t worry about looking like a tourist. You will– you’re traveling with a tour bus.
-A cheap wine opener is good to have on hand. You never know when you’ll have an impromptu picnic, or buy a bottle for the evening.
In General:
-Many airlines don’t offer food anymore, unless it is super expensive, take enough snacks for the ride over.
-Explore the city by walking. It’s the best way to see the sights, buildings, etc. Some museums/attractions will have a looooong wait. If it isn’t a must-do, skip it, explore the town, enjoy some wine at a side walk cafe.
-One of my favorite ways to get to know a culture is to go into a grocery store. They have a lot of different products than we do. Example: milk comes in rectangular boxes that is NOT in the refrigerator. You can also get good deals on cheap souvineers- chocolate bars are easy to pack and take back.
-Most ppl speak engish, ESPECIALLY in tourist areas. When in doubt, just ask.
-The street vendors (fake oakleys, clothes, purses) often barter. Don’t buy it full price.
PARIS:
There is a grass field by the eiffel tower. Go in the evening, take a picnic with bread, cheese, wine, chocolates, and a bottle opener. Many locals hang out here, and if you’re lucky, someone will have a guitar. The ET lights up at night, and sparkles at certian times (every hour or 1/2 hour, I think).
-NUTELLA & BANANA CREPES!!!!!!!!!!! You’ll want to stay forever after this slice of Heaven. Get them from street vendors. YUM! So hot, gooey, and amazingly delicious. Ohh, throw on some strawberries for even more fun.
– The Louvre can have a long wait, plus it is HUGE. You could easily spend all day in it. Don’t- unless you love museums. The Mona Lisa is just a small 5×7 in a huge glass case with 5000 ppl standing around it. Spend your time (if limited) exploring the city, the Latin Quarter, Champs Elysee, all of the small side streets. Paris has a lot of charm, and it isn’t in a museum.
– The subway smells like pee, but is a quick way to get across town.
Florence:
-Buy somethine leather. I got a great purse (team up with your sister and get a good deal). We stumbled across a market with leather goods in the street. It was awesome.
-The churches don’t allow you to wear tanktops or anything revealing inside. We had to wear a paper-type gown inside. A cardigan is a good idea.
-The wine is delicious. So is the pizza. And the pistachio gelato. Ok, everything is delicious. make it your mission to try as many flavors as possible. Never get the same kind as Ryan, so you can share. 🙂
I really loved Florence, I was disapointed that we had to leave because we thought there was absolutely no way Venice could live up to it.
Venice:
I LOVE Venice. It is touristy, but not just the tourist trap I thought it would be. It is truely unique becaues it is a lagoon., a floating city.
-You will get lost. The streets are sidewalks (there are NO cars). They are poorly marked, plus they wind around. Just take it in. You’ll find your way eventually.
-La Pearla is a great little pizza place.
-Take in the beauty. You’ll never be in a place like Venice again.
-We didn’t take a gondola ride (can be pricey) but you can take the water taxi/ferry and see alot.
-There are a lot of nasty, nasty pigeons.
Rome: I didn’t go, but my friend said beware of little 7 year old kids that come up to you & pinch your wrist so you’ll drop your camera. Their parents teach them to steal from a young age. So sad!
-Also, locals will say, “Take your picture with a gladiator…” After you do, they try to charge you 10 euros. Don’t fall for it.
Switzerland:
I haven’t been to the city you’re going to. We went to another city, in mid-may. It was pretty cold and dreary weather. Make sure you have a variety of clothes (one pair of jeans should last you 12 days). You might want to throw in a cheap dollar store umbrealla that you won’t mind leaving behind (you’ll need room for souvineers).
London:
Ooh, I love London. Fish and chips- so fried, so delicious. Some ppl like to put vinegar on their fries.
London has a lot of gardens around buckingham palace. They’re gorgeous.
– I don’t recommend walking all around London. It seemed like we walked forever, didn’t get anywhere fast. It can wear you out.
– We wen to London at the end of May, and it was also drizzly and freezing. Jeans for sure.
-The “nice” hotels might just be a dump. Hopefully, not yours.
-You can’t help but to talk to your family (and in your head) in a British accent.
-The prices seem reasonable in London, but keep in mind the exchange rate is almost double. It can add up fast (on your credit card bill).
-Say hello to Princess Kate for me. 🙂
A few last things:
-Don’t feel like you have to go, go go! Take time at side walk cafes to rest and enjoy the scenery. You’ll feel better the next day if you’re not exhausted.
-European hotels are not american hotels. Expect them to be smaller, not as comfy, and have less amenities. There is a good chance you’ll have to pay for breakfast at them. Don’t pay 8 euros for a crossiant. Go down the street to a bakery, expecially in Paris.
-Travel sized everything. Save room for souvineers. Bring cheap versions of things like an umbrella, wine opener, or clothes you’re tired of… you can leave them there, and bring back more goodies.
-Rewear all of your clothes. You’ll bring more than you probably need.
-If you forget it, you can buy it. It’s not a 3rd world country.
-If you have a list of hotels you’ll be at, check them out. Some provide a hairdryer. If you bring a flat iron, there is a good chance that you might blow it out in European hotels, even with a converter. Bring an old one, and borrow an electrical converter from a friend who has been to europe before.
-Ask for a carafe of water, or a vase, or a pitcher in restaurants. Otherwise you’ll be paying $$$ for a bottle of sparkeling water. It’s safe to drink tap water in all of the places you’re going.
I think that should get you off to a good start. 🙂
this is SERIOUSLY amazing!!! thank you so, so much!!! i’ll be sure to tell kate you said hello. 😉
I ALWAYS read your blog, but never comment. I thought I should get the last two years worth of comments in at once. Email me if you have any additional questions.
My sister and I traveled abroad by ourselves for school and were on a major budget- look for good deals, they’re there.
Check out the vendors on the street that have fresh fruits and veggies. Don’t be afraid to ask the prices or bargain. Go off the beaten path, don’t go to the major tourist trap restaurants, prices are better a few streets over, plus it is quieter.
I just read this all again and wanted to thank you again! SO amazing!
Holy Moly, that was a long post. Oops!
I suggest wearing Toms for walking – SO comfortable and cuter than running shoes! Also – clothing that dries quickly so you can wash it (there are dry soap sheets you can take with you for washing clothes). And as a lot of people have suggested – lots of scarves & jewelry to accessorize! And the trick of wearing all of your bulk items on the plane! Plus – planes are always freezing anyways! Oh – and a cross body small purse.
As far as toiletries – Dry Shampoo so you don’t have to wash your hair as much (and it’s not a liquid – bonus!).
The food – my oh my – just go for it! Any and everything! You’ll be walking so much so you need to refuel with lots of tasty treats, right?!! The crepes in France were my fav! Nutella and banana!
MightyGirl.com has done a small series on packing light for traveling – it’s awesome, and I’ve used her list before to help me pare down for carry-on luggage.
In one month and 10 days I’ll be going to Europe as well! We’ll be there at the same time!
Eat as many tomatoes as you can in Italy. I went 19 years never putting a tomato in my mouth then FINALLY tried them in Rome. Now I can’t stop.
Get classic fish and chips in London!
Update with the info from my sister:
Old Bridge Gelato: Viale dei Bastioni di Michelangelo, 5, Rome
Dae Poeta (pizza): Vicolo del Bologna, 45
00153 Rome, Italy
Grappolo d’oro: Piazza della Cancelleria 80
Ristoante la Scala: 60, piazza della Scala
Est! Est! Est! Via Genova, 32
Insalata Ricca: ( all over the city, great for lunch)
thank you!!
For the packing, go with the easy to match staples: solid colors. Black pants or skirts are easy to rewear and not show dirt if you don’t have a washing machine. And I would say sundresses are a good choice. One piece, no matching required, and they take up the space of one pair of pants. 🙂
Good luck…you’ll have to do a post on how you packed. I’m interested!
When I went to Paris & London 7 years ago I ate what ever I wanted, (esp in Paris, sooo good!) and I actually lost some weight. Their portion sizes are smaller then here and we did a LOT of walking. You MUST get a crepe in Paris. I got the lemon sugar at a little shop on the Isle de Citie and it was AMAZING!!! I still dream about it and it’s been 7 yrs. Also the fruit tartes are awesome!! I thought the food in London was terrible, the only good meal we had was at an Indian restaurant.
As for clothes I would pick one color theme, have everything match, take a jacket that you can tie around your waist. We went in May and it was warm and cold depending on the day or location. You can wash in a sink if you need to 😉
So jealous!! Can’t wait to hear about your trip!!
I have to add the jacket I took was a wind breaker so it was great for the top of the Eiffel Tower and other places that ended up being cold but it could be rolled up really small if I needed to.
I’ve actually been lucky enough to have visited most of those places and oddly enough, my fave was lucerne… It is beautiful and had a very laid back feel. My advice… Make sure you get crepes in Paris! As for packing… Use plastic bags to vacuum-pack your clothes and wear sneakers on the plane and pack on pair of cute flats that go with everything (for dinners out). Have a blast!
You can find travel laundry detergent to wash your clothes in the sink or bathtub. We did that and it wasn’t too bad…not fun, but not bad. 🙂
Also, make sure you do a little research about the cathedrals you might be visiting. All have different requirements (most require shoulders to be covered and will have scarves to cover with) but some can be very strict on shorts vs. skirts, length and all that. The Vatican is very strict so make sure you have options and go prepared. My Mom couldn’t go into several cathedrals (we snuck her into St. Peter’s Basilica) because of her shorts.
Bottled water can be very expensive. The cheapest one we found was actually in a little store in the Vatican.
Walk up the Eiffel Tower. It’s exhausting and you can only walk up about 2/3s of it but it is so worth it. They have displays as you are walking about the history of the tower and city. It’s also really neat to see it at nice since it sparkes every 10 mins (I think).
Remeber…you can always ship souvenirs (or clothes back if you have too). It can be pricey but that will save some room in your bag. We shipped clothes back that we didn’t have room for after a couple of weeks.
My husband and I were just talking about taking a huge 5 year anniversary trip (in 2 years) to Europe so we can show each other the London and Poland that we both love.
Ah congrats! So jealous! I’ve never been to Europe but it’s at the TOP of my travel list. My bestie is on a two-week European cruise right now and I’m green with envy.
The carry-on situation would cause me a lot of anxiety too. Definitely make sure you stick with one color scheme and wear and many things on your back as you can to maximize pieces.
P.S. Just saw this article in the NY Times today about Paris restaurants and thought you might enjoy: http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/travel/03Choice.html?src=me&ref=homepage.
Since you asked…… the tartufo chocolate ice cream with whipped cream at Tre Scalini @ the Pizza Navona in Rome.
http://goitaly.about.com/od/romeitaly/ss/piazzanavona_5.htm
Awww, that sounds like an exciting trip!! Too bad you’re not going to Germany to try the famous German beer and food. 😉 But have fun anyways!!
Get a good backpack and compression sacks! I’ve done 15 days in backpack and you just do laundry and change up your outfits. Pick one color shoes, either black or brown and plan your outfits around that. You really only need 3 pairs of shoes max! Including the ones you wear on the plane.
I went to London and Paris with my cousin after our high school graduation….best experience ever.
What everyone said above…neutral flats and cardigans + sun-dresses. I went in May- it will be colder than you think, and it will rain! Bring at least one coat/jacket and pack or be prepared to buy an umbrella.
If you can, go running in Hyde Park in London. Did it every day I was there! And in Paris, my cousin and I found a back set of stairs to our hotel and just did laps up and down. Pretty sure the staff thought we were crazy- I had to explain to them in my broken French what we were doing!
Ahhh that is so cool Julie!! Why not take super layerable thin clothes and change up all the layerings?! Anyway, I doubt anyone will REALLY see you more than once or twice~ 😀
I studied abroad in London two years ago and by April, the weather was absolutely beautiful. Not sure where that city is in Switzerland but I also visited Interlaken, Switzerland in April, and it was great weather. I saw Paris in March, but the weather was similar to that of London, so I imagine it would be the same in throughout the cities you’re going to be exploring.
I say bring sneakers/comfortable walking shoes (London is an incredible city to explore by foot, as is Paris). Bring maybe one light jacket. When I packed for Paris, I brought a fall jacket and a scarf (the scarf was great for the cooler weather but was also fashionable and dressed up whatever outfit I was wearing). Maybe one pair of jeans (you don’t need to wash them during the trip haha) and maybe one pair of shorts.
When you’re in London, definitely check out Camden and Spitalfield Markets if you can. Camden is in Camdentown and somewhat close to Abbey Road (The Beatles album cover) and Spitalfields Market is near Brick Lane (amazing Indian food) and St. Paul’s Cathedral (definitely worth paying to get into and climbing the billion stairs of the spiral staircase to get to the top). Also, Borough Market is right near Tower Bridge and it’s an open-air food market. Also check out some of the museums while you’re there, as they are (for the most part) all free to get into. Do the London Eye if you can…worth the money and the wait. Basically, my favorite thing to do was take the tube (subway) to where the London Eye was, and walking all the way down. If you do that, you’ll see Big Ben/Parliament, Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s, and Canary Wharf. Not sure if you can do all this with a tour group but this is my advice. By walking up and down the Thames, you’ll get to see all the best of London.
Whether you’re in Paris or London, I definitely recommend getting a crepe. In Canary Wharf in London, there’s an awesome creperie where I got the BEST crepe on my last night. It was nutella banana…ugh I want one right now haha. They have a whole bunch there and there is also a creperie in Spitalfields that was decent.
In Paris I would also recommend you get creme brulee.
Also if you like Indian food, the UK is very influenced by that culture so I would definitely recommend getting curry there.
Hope this helped!
Oh…and also see Westminster Abbey if you can…it’s another cathedral located near the London Eye and Big Ben. It costs I think 7 pounds to get into but it’s worth it. So beautiful!
And in Paris, in addition to walking to the top of the Eiffel Tower and stopping at various observation decks, try going to Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s similar to Westminster Abbey but it’s free!
thank you so much for the detail in this comment! so helpful!
I’m going to Europe in a month as well! Such a coincidence! (Spain and Morocco).
Lugano is amazing! Go on the gondola to a viewpoint to see the Alps for nearly 360 degrees. If you can, go on a boat ride on the lake. It’s beautiful and so fun!
Eat Gelato EVERY SINGLE DAY in Italy. There are too many flavors to try and not enough time. It’s amazing. The best? Stracciatella (a sort of chocolate chip).
A converter!!! This is a must if you bring a hairdryer, etc. Get one for all countries!!!!
Try a Croque Monsier in Paris! Yummmmm and pain au chocolat!! OMG I miss it so much
Be warned, that in Europe when you order a drink you may not get any ice. If you do get ice in say a soda or water, consider yourself lucky! They may give you one or 2 cubes if you ask nicely!
I went did a semester abroad and had broken my leg 3 weeks before departing so I had no choice but to bring a carry-on with wheels! Definitely bring lots of summer dresses and no heels since you will be walking everywhere! I recommend flats that match everything but won’t give you blisters so make sure they aren’t new! If you bring sneakers, I roll up my underwear and put them inside the shoes to save space when packing! Also, if you buy souvenirs, I actually bought a backpacking bag a few days before coming home to the US to put all my new stuff in!
My mom is from Switzerland!!!! Dual citizenship baby!
I went to Europe last summer for 2 weeks and packed in one carry on. My number one tip: bring 1 (or 2) pair of comfortable shoes. I wore these EVERY SINGLE DAY. yes, they are Crocs, but they are cute, comfy, lightweight, completely versatile and were lifesavers when it came to walking everywhere all the time. I couldn’t recommend them more. (I got them in Navy so they matched with everything)
http://www.crocs.com/crocs-malindi/10127,default,pd.html?cid=159&cgid=women-footwear
What tour group are you using? Also is Ryan going? (Sorry if you’ve answered these, there are just so many comments already! 🙂 )
unfortunately he can’t get the time off work so he won’t be going. 🙁 🙁 🙁 i’m actually really sad, but trying not to dwell on it!
That sounds great! So worth all your vacation days! Also, I thought you had raisinets in your salad before I read the ingreadients and saw they were black beans. I was getting so excited! haha
OMG thats super exciting!!!! I echo everyone else in sundresses, cardigans, and maybe one light jacket because London weather is unpredictable!! I lived in Italy for a year and it is my favorite place! In Florence be sure to eat at ZaZa’s and Aqua al Due! ZaZa has the best bread ever and Aqua al Due has a blueberry steak that is the best thing you will ever eat!
In France definitely go to La Duree for desserts- best macaroons/pastries!
In London- beer, fish and chips, Nando’s is this amazing chicken restaurant that is really yummy, and Wagamama which is a japanese noodle bar and is great! Also I recommend going to Harrod’s and going to the chocolate bar there!
have so much fun, can’t wait to read all about it!
follow up on that… you need to check out the big market in Florence! It is great for pashminas and leather! Also some fake bags!
In Paris there is this restaurant called L’Entrecote- it is super tiny and only open for lunch and dinner but clses and 3 and the reopens. The waitresses are snotty and french but they serve steak and fries and salad… and omg the fries so good- and you get double servings of both!!!
Also in Florence go to Carnivale gelato! That was our fave!
If you have time in Londres go to Regents park! I lived across from there for a summer and is a great place to run!! And it is beautiful as well! Primrose hill is a pretty steep hill to run/walk up but has great views of the city!!
I went to Venice, Florence, and Rome this past Summer June 2010.. so not far off from you! Each place is more amazing than the next, my favorite was Venice 🙂
FOOD–>Definitely have a ‘spritz’ while in Venice… it is the most refreshing drink I have ever had–it has campari and some other ingredients in there but trust me, after a day of walking, it is so wonderful paired with some appetizers… the Italians call their happy hour ‘apperitivo’ and it is one of my most favorite things to do while in Italy! I get to travel to Milan for work, and I always make sure I have a great appertivo! Also, while in Venice AND Florence, check out a gelato place called GROM… SOOOOO GOOD! I could not get enough of it!
While in Florence, definitely have the gnocchi! They are famous for five cheese gnocchi… macaroni and cheese doesn’t even compare. Rome was great for different meats–all delicious!
Packing wise, I made sure to pack a couple pairs of shorts with 4 or 5 light tops so everything fit. Two dresses for night time dinners. A pair of jeans and one light jacket, just incase!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
France: I went last May & it was chilly/windy so make sure to wear layers. Also, a lot of public restrooms cost money in France so make sure you have change on you at all times! Bring baby wipes in case no toilet paper. If you have chacos, those are awesome for walking everywhere. I brought one purse that lies across the chest with a leather strap to deter pick-pockets (lots around the Eiffel Tower). Sticking with brown or black for the trip (I saw someone else’s comment) is a great idea too.
As far as food goes, definitely get crepes (ham, guyere & egg is to die for!), kebabs (sandwich with shaved meat; you can find these on every corner), fries with mayo!, anything from a corner bakery, as many types of cheese you can and, of course, champagne. A lot of places have fixed price dinners which will save you money!
And, one more tip…most French were brought up to speak several languages. Approach them using their language & ask if they speak English. You’ll get a lot farther being polite & using their language than just assuming they know English & expecting them to speak your language. Have fun & be safe!!! I’m jealous!
Looks like you have a lot of advice already.. if you need more, feel free to email or facebook me. I have gone backpacking through Europe the last 3 summers and take about 80 college students each summer through Mizzou. I will be there this summer (probably when u are there also!) The cities you are going to are all great and I have lots of advice if you decide you need more! 🙂
By the way, if you’re looking for a fancy place for high tea but don’t want to pay the crazy costs at the Ritz or the other big name hotels, I HIGHLY recommend going to the restaurant at the British Museum. Just as beautiful and fancy, but not as expensive!
So excited for you!!!!!!!!! I’m studying in London right now, and have been to Paris and Italy very recently. I could go on and on with suggestions, but I’ll try to stick to a few foodie recommendations:
London: If you are fortunate enough to be there on a Saturday, visit Portobello Road Market and find the baked goods stand. There are only two that sell apple streudel, and both of their versions are the BEST I’ve EVER tried. Words don’t do it justice. Obviously you have to get fish and chips, but try the Indian food as well. London has great Middle Eastern cuisine.
Italy: My favorite eats there were a pumpkin-puree filled ravioli in Rome, a strawberry-nutella gelato combination in Florence, and the margherita pizzas. In Florence, try Ostaria de Centopoveri for pizza and La Carraia for gelato. Always try the house wine.
Paris: Try both street crepes and restaurant crepes. Different, but both yummy. Creperie Jousselin in Montparnasse is worth the wait. Splurge for the unbelievably thick hot chocolate at one of the two ritziest cafes in Paris (Deux Magots or Cafe Flor, they’re right next to each other)
I can’t wait to see what you do!
I have been to Florence, Rome, and Venice! You will LOVE it! They are such beautiful cities. Plan on eating lots of gelato!!!!!
How exciting!! I’ve actually been studying in Denmark this year, and you’ll be coming at the PERFECT time! The weather over here is just starting to get nice, and if it’s nice in Copenhagen, it’s *gorgeous* everywhere else!! I’m actually leaving on a trip for London, Madrid and Lisbon on Friday 😀
I’d recommend bringing just one pair of shoes — yes, you’ll get sick of them, but more take up so much space, and it’s only 12 days. I’d also agree with a lot of the above comments that a few cute summery dresses and leggings/tights can go a long way. I’d say pack what you think you need, and then take about half of it out. It always seems like not enough stuff when you’re packing, but I guarantee that you’ll only wear about half of whatever you bring!
In Paris you must have a savory/dinner crepe (I believe they’re called gaulettes?) along with a sweet crepe. I didn’t think I liked savory crepes, since I have such a sweet tooth, but I ended up ordering one just about every day after I tried my first. And eat as much gelato in Italy as you can, because once you’ve had it there, nothing will ever be as delicious ever again 🙂
Florence is probably one of my favorite cities on the planet! You must climb to the top of the Duomo (even though it will feel like you’ve gone up about a million steps) because the view is breathtaking. If you can make it to the Cinque Terre for a day of hiking, it’s also absolutely gorgeous, and the beaches and beyond divine.
You’re going to have such a fabulous trip! The tour group will be worth it too, since doing that much traveling can get overwhelming if you have to plan it all yourself. Plus you’ll make sure to see all the biggest things. Have fun!
how exciting! my best advice (that i haven’t seen) is to avoid flip flops unless you’re at the beach, which it doesn’t sound like you will be. in france, flip flops aren’t appropriate and you’ll get a ton of “oh american” looks. have fun!!!
Is this a Rick Steves trip? If so, they are GREAT!!! And traveling in a carry on is the best thing in the world. You can really focus on the experiences instead of all your stuff.
wowww – one bag? I’d be at a loss! I’m so disorganized! Sundresses take up less space so perhaps a lot of those with some cardigans. I feel like you only need 1 pair of jeans…
Great idea to go with a tour group!
For food, pizza in Italy AND lots of pastries in France. YUM!
Eat chocolate mousse everywhere you go! It’s so amazing in Europe!
Plus, loads and loads of pastries!
Julie!!! Tu as de la chance! I spent a semester in France (teach French now!) and I love it sooo much!!! French b’fasts are the best!!!! Crepes, go to the patisseries, obvi. nutella in Italy. Bring an umbrella and maybe a thin poncho or something like that. It will inevitably rain some days! Can’t wait to hear all about it!!!! Will Ryan be going too?! Bon Voyage!!!!
Check out what sarah von at yesandyes.org advises. She is a prettified girly and a big world traveler. She created a post for exactly what a girl should pack for every travel occassion. Plus, you’ll love her blog.
You can totally pack for 12 days in a carry on. We did the same thing when my family went to Ireland. We brought a fold up suitcase in that bag too for extra stuff that we bought along the way and were then able to check the bags on the way home. Just bring lots of clothes suitable for layering and only two pairs of pants.
As for food — I’ve never been to Italy.. and I don’t remember anything too fascinating food wise from England. My travels have mostly been in Ireland and France.. (but I have been to Wales, Scotland, and England as well).
Have fun! Does Ryan get to come??
Awesome!!! My mom is Swiss, so I have spent a lot of time in Europe (lived in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for a total of 2.5 years as well) and you are going to LOVE it! You can totally pack for this….
I’d say, make sure to bring the following:
1. light rain jacket (the weather over there is quite finnicky in May)
2. couple of skirts( when it gets hot, you want these and then just bring some tights/leggings if it is cold-skirts that are made of cotton or a lighter material are easier –and smaller—to pack)
3. scarfs (keep your body warm instead of bringing a huge coat
4. camera!!!!!
5. just wear a bunch of clothes onto the plane 🙂
So excited for you!
For food: Zopf in Switzerland (a bread that is AMAZING), Cadbury anything in England, and any fresh bread and cheese from Italy and France. Pizza in Italy is amazing–SO good. Oh and def gelato in Italy (amazing stuff!) So much good stuff 🙂
Hi! How exciting! Doing a tour your first time is definitely a smart choice! I did a Tauck tour my first time and it was an awesome experience! As for some pointers, in Italy, any church (and some museums) that you enter will require your shoulders & knees to be covered. I always kept a pair of leggings and a cardigan in my purse so if I wore a shorter sundress (which I often did since it’s quite warm there in the summer) I could just throw those items on if a guard stopped me (which did happen on a few occasions!)
Call all credit card companies in advance to tell them you’re traveling. Make sure you do not have a limit set on ATM withdrawals – sometimes you will accidentally go over due to the conversion rate.
Bring extra passport photos & a photocopy of your passport (keep in a location separate from passport) so that if you loose it, much easier to get a new one.
Some pointers on Rome …
– Giolitti for gelato – near the Pantheon – some what off the beaten path (but aren’t all the best places?) but huge and fantastic!
– Enoteca Corsi – lunch only but fabulous
– da Baffetto for pizza – divine
– Tre Scalini’s tartufo (in Piazza Navona) is definitely overrated but a nice spot to hang out at night (Campo da Fiori is the main spot where young study abroad kids go so you might want to stay away at night but it’s a beautiful market during the day)
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!
OMG! That sounds like a great trip. I cannot help you about the suitcase because I always overpack. But for food:
Italy: Food heaven! Try insalata caprese (tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella), prosciutto and melon, gnocchi and for dessert: tiramisu and gelato.
Paris: Macarons! They are sooooooo yummy. The ones at Ladurée are delicious, but don’t go to the one on the Champs-Élysées, it is overcrowded and you might wait an 45 minutes on line. There is one in the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann which has less people. They are also very delicious at pâtisserie Mulot. Also, crepes, both for dinner and dessert. My favorites are jambon (ham) for a savory crepe and beurre-sucre (butter-sugar) or nutella for dessert.
London: Great pub food.
Ugh, my mouth is watering just thinking about the food. Enjoy your trip!
For packing light, you should be able to find small packs of detergent to wash your clothes in, so you can rewear things (even socks and underwear). Try to plan your outfits around 2 pair of shoes, as shoes can be quite bulky.
In Paris, you must go to A l’Etoile d’Or – http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/12/a-letoile-dor/ – and do check out other things from David Lebovitz;s site; he is quite knowledgeable about food and Paris. Also look at http://www.parispatisseries.com/ – you must get some macarons somewhere while you are there. It’s a requirement. Then learn how to make them at home.
Exciting!
So unbelievably jealous of you right now!
When you are in Paris you have to go to a coffeeshop and drink black coffee and eat buttery, flaky croissants while sitting outside and people watching 🙂
Julie, I love you, but Girlfriend you better be blogging and taking tons of pics on that trip!! Some of us have never been to Europe and would like to live through you!! JK I know you’ll need family time and sometimes blogging has to take a back seat! I am sooo happy for you! You deserve it!!
Wow! You are getting lots of advice so I don’t feel bad not having any to offer!! Never been to Europe but so exciting for you!!! And I can’t wait for your posts about it!!!
You must eat at Gusta Pizza in Florence!!! It is near the Pitti Palace and is by far the best pizza I had while studying abroad in Florence last fall! Let me know what you think of it! Have a great trip!!
SO awesome that you’re going to Europe!!! I am graduating in May and going for two weeks as well! Please share packing tips as I will be packing only one bag as well! Would love to hear them!
Wow lucky, that sounds super exciting. I was also wondering if you respond to emails? I sent an email a while ago and wasn’t sure if you didn’t get it or something.
Have fun on your trip :))