Let’s do lunch, shall we?
Tuesday Lunch
Do you see what I see?
Vegetables! Woo!
I’m not gonna lie, it feels a little weird to be eating healthy food and not downing casseroles, souffles, fried pickles and Easter candy. But it feels kind of great, too.
Today’s lunch included a mozzarella, tomato and spinach bagelwich made with legit mozzarella that I bought at the grocery store last night.
Mozzarella Bagelwich
I was inspired to buy the fancy kind of mozzarella after Ryan’s mom used some of it to create a delicious caprese salad on Easter. Sometimes fancy cheese is worth the price tag.
On the side I enjoyed little bitty sweet peppers. Aren’t they cute? They were so adorable that I could just eat them right up… and so I did. 😉
Great lunch!
Now for some Europe fun… but first, the Fashion page was updated this afternoon!
Europe: Your Guide
After receiving tons of amazing emails, recommendations, blog and Facebook comments from you guys about my upcoming trip to Europe, I just had to compile all of your thoughts into one massive post, complete with food and restaurant recommendations and “must do” activities.
If you have anything to add to this list, please do so in the comments section of this post! I want to try EVERYTHING! 😀
Rome, Italy
Food/Restaurants:
- Gelato: Giolitti’s (near the Pantheon, somewhat off the beaten path)
- Pizza: Da Baffetto or Dar Poeta (need reservations)
- Enoteca Corsi for lunch
- Navona Notte for delicious food
- La Cisterna (friendly staff, amazing food, let the waiter order for you)
- Iced coffee from Tazzo d’Oro Casa del café
Activities:
- Vatican
- Pantheon
- Colosseum
- Borghese Museum
- Cinque Terra
- Trevi Fountain
- St. Peter’s Basilica
Colosseum
Florence, Italy
Food/ Restaurants:
- Must-try restaurant mentioned by many: Acqua al 2 (order the blueberry steak/ the tasting menu which you may see here on Meg’s blog), reservations are a must
- Other great restaurants: Osteria Il Gatto e La Volpe and Trattoria Quattro Leoni (order tortellini with pear and gorgonzola)
- Gelato: Vivoli, La Carraia or the place on the corner of the Santa Trinita bridge (the bridge next to the Ponte Vecchio)
- Pizza: Gusta Pizza, Ostaria de Centopoveri or Il Pizzaiuolo (need reservations)
- Prosecco
- Cappuccino
- House wine
Activities:
- Explore Oltro Arno (the other side of the river from statue of David)
- Walk up Piazza de Michelangelo (a big hill with an amazing view of the city)
- Climb to the top of the Duomo
- Explore the San Lorenzo Market
- Great late-night bars: Moyo, Red Garter (American), Twice and Astor
Venice, Italy
Food/Restaurants:
- Harry’s Bar for peach Bellini’s
- Pizza: La Pearla
Activities:
- Piazza San Marco
Lucerne, Switzerland
Food/ Restaurants:
- Goulash and spaetzle
- Swiss fondue
- Raclette cheese
- Chocolate
- Zopf (Swiss bread)
Activities:
- Mount Pilatus
Mount Pilatus
Paris, France
Food/Restaurants:
- Berthillon ice cream (in I’ile de Saint Louis)
- Crepes (Nutella + banana)
- Pastries, chocolate croissants
- Éclairs and macaroons from La Duree
- Baguettes
- Cheese, brie
- Croque madame breakfast sandwich
Activities:
- Eiffel Tower + the light show at night
- Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe
- Louvre
- Notre Dame
Louvre
London, England
Food/Restaurants:
- Fish & chips (heavy on the vinegar)
- Indian food (specifically try Brick Lane)
- Happy Hippos cookies
- Pub food
- Bruges for chocolate
- Scones with jam and Devonshire cream
- High tea at Harrod’s, Browns, the Ritz, Fortnum & Mason’s or Claridge’s Mayfair
- Food Hall at Harrod’s department store
- Strawberry beer (Fruli)
- Hobnobs
Activities:
- Camden Market (in Camdentown) and Spitalfield Market (near Brick Lane, great Indian food)
- Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham Palace
- Big Ben
- Houses of Parliament
- Hyde Park
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- London Eye Ferris Wheel
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AAAH this is so exciting!! When you’re in London, you HAVE to go shopping in Oxford Street and buy a Ben’s Cookie while your at it!! Ben’s Cookies are literally the BEST cookies EVER and they’re probably the only thing I miss about being a vegan! 😛
I was going to suggest Ben’s too!! Seriously, Ben’s Cookies will change your life! http://www.benscookies.com/
yeah i’m going to have to agree, ben’s cookies are amazing! buy 3 and get 1 free and split with someone so you get to try 4 kinds
That bagel sandwich looks spectacular–I need to start bringing sandwiches to work more often.
Make sure you visit the Colosseum at night as well as during the day! It is all lit up and is absolutely gorgeous!
I lived in Florence for 4 months and definitely would recommend the same places you posted, BUT I would also make sure you go to Enoteca Coquinarius……they have the most insanely delicious “Ravioli de pera” or pear ravioli that is combined with pecorino cheese in little ravioli satchels….its pure heaven. The brie and honey appetizer is amazing too 🙂
This post makes me want to go to Europe so badly!!!
love this list! can’t wait to read about your travels!
wow what an awesome guide!
I so want to travel during the summer! 🙂
love the veggie bagelwich also1 🙂
WOW you are going to be busy! I’m going to NYC for 5 nights in September for the first time ever and feel overwhelmed planning to see things just in NYC alone! I couldn’t imagine having to feel like fitting everything in on a trip to Europe!
LOVE that food is on the forefront when planning. We think alike, Julie! 🙂
Totally agree! I would pick just 2-3 recommendations per place and otherwise choose your own things. Make sure you get in some afternoons/evenings of spontaneity! They’ll make the trip!
That’s quite an itinerary! Remember to also allow yourself room for exploration and discovery rather than feeling pressure to hit up all these places; who knows what amazing gelaterria or trattoria your family might discover.
Hi Julie!
I have never been to Paris, but I know of a GREAT Chinese restaurant that has a location in Paris and New York…Tse Yang. Even if you aren’t a Chinese fan, it is very good because it isn’t like your typical Chinese food, if that makes sense.
In London, you should definitely check out shopping on Oxford Street….it’s shopping for blocks and blocks, you will love it 🙂 If you have the time, it might be worth it to take a train trip to York and see Yorkminster Abbey and just walk around the town.
Enjoy your trip, have LOTS of fun…you’re so lucky!!
What an incredible guide! Can’t wait to see it all on the blog! 🙂
BTW, you need to take that mozzarella and pair it with thyme & strawberry jam on a panini. Coat the outside with cooking spray and coat with a thin layer of sugar before grilling. The outside will get sweet and crunchy. It’s right up your alley! 🙂
YAY I LOVE SEEING that london stuff!! you really SHOULD check out Brick Lane too- its such a neat area of london.. its so funky! for fish n chips- go to The Sea Shell-its super famous for it.. liek the best in london.. and then come visit me cuz im like 5 minutes away from it 😉 .. also go to Portobello Market in Kensington.. I LOVE Kensington and the market is so coool! only open on Saturdays I believe? camden market is SO MUCH fun! funky as well! and I live near there.. and THEN go to Abbey Road cuz ya kno, gotta get that famous Beatles picture and Im literally a block away from it 😀
Real mozzarella is the BEST!!! I wish I was going to Europe!!!
If you have time when you are in Paris, you should go to Montmartre. It is a beautiful area on the highest hill in Paris. The Basilica du Sacré-Coeur is on top of the hill, and it is beautiful. It is known as an artist town ( Monet, Picasso, Van Gough, and Dali are known to have had studios there).
Also, if you have time you should climb to the top of Notre Dame. The line is usually very long, but the views of the cities are worth it. It has been a lot time since I’ve been to Paris, but I remember the guide books had information about the least crowded time of day to visit Notre Dame.
I have no idea about any of those places, but I’m so excited for you to go!!! 🙂
I wish I were going back to Europe this summer, I truly fell in love. Don’t forget you can rent bikes EVERYWHEREEEE!
Your trip will be awesome!!! 😀 I’d loove to visit Europe!
those peppers look awesome!
also- go watch eat pray love! You will get EXTRA excited to go to Italy 🙂
Omg you’ll definitely be sorted with that list!!
Honestly, when you’re in Italy you can’t go wrong no matter where you eat! I found that the best pizza I had in both Florence and Venice were from little side street pizzeria’s selling pizza slices to go.
A cruise on the bateau mouche along the Seine is a lovely thing to do in Paris too 🙂
And I agree with Emma that when you’re in London you should go to Oxford street, even just for a little bit cos it’s super busy! Oh and you should try to see covent garden too, it’s beautiful! and a show in the West End if you can!
So much to do, so little time eh?! 😛
You’ll have to try get to Ireland another time too 🙂
FYI- Cinque Terre IS NOT in Rome. It’s in northern Italy (north west of Florence), but AMAZING. It is definitely worth the trip if you can make it work. You can walk/hike through 5 beautiful cliff side towns.
So jealous that you are traveling to Europe! You are going to have a fabulous time! I can’t wait to see the pictures and read about it! 🙂 I have always wanted to go to Europe!
Oh my gosh you are going to have a BLAST!! So jealous! Can’t wait to see all of the pictures 🙂
When you’re in London, you have to visit Harvey Nichols! It’s the flagship store and I’m sure that you, also being an avid shopper, will be just as excited as me! The security guards wear suits and black sunglasses with little ear pieces too – it’s kind of a big deal lol!! http://www.harveynichols.com/london
Also in London, see if you can get one of the double decker bus tours – basically you get a pass for the day and a tour guide (most of which are absolutely hilarious) takes you around the city and tells you all about the sights, famous people’s homes, etc. You can just hop on and off wherever you want to.
Aww, now I’m so envious that you’re going to Europe and I want to go on holiday too!
I lived in Florence for a summer during college, you must go to Perché No! for gelato!!! It’s located at Via dei Tavolini, 19-red, 50122 Firenze, Italy right by Piazza della Signoria.
While in Florence, y’all sould definitely try to get to Pitti Palace. It’s the palace where the Medici’s once lived and houses an amazing museum and beautiful gardens, as well as amazing views of the city.
Also, in Paris, if you have time, the Rodin sculpture garden is fantastic.
And for London, the Victoria and Albert Museum is amazing and a can’t miss!
Hello! I’ve been reading your blog for about a month now, and this is my first comment!
I actually just moved back to Atlanta yesterday after living in Florence since December 2009, and I wanted to give you a few more suggestions.
-Grom is another amazing gelateria right in the city center just a block from the Duomo. Their flavors are chosen month to month depending on the season and freshness of ingredients.
-Birreria Centrale (located in Piazza Cimatori) is my absolute favorite restaurant. My husband and I ate there once or twice a week.
-Piazzale Michelangelo is breathtaking at sunset…head up there with a bottle of wine (or two) to enjoy the view!
I started my tumblr page specifically for my life in Italy, so check it out if you want to get some ideas/see some pics!
Julie!!! Take me to Europe with you!
Paris – If you are looking for a fancy shmancy lunch or dinner, I highly recommend Taillevant. It has been around for I think over 100 years and the food is out of this world. Also, L’Atelier de Joel Rubuchon.
As for things to see, the Latin Quarter is amazing and right across the river from Notre Dame!
If you have time, I would take the train out to Versaille. The grounds alone are amazing and you can rent bikes and bike around them.
Enjoy!
Florence – Gelato – Perche No!
http://www.percheno.firenze.it (open since 1939 and still family run – went on a food tour and our guide said this place is it – even the watermelon granita was good..not fake watermelony at all!)
Right off of one of the main squares (and right near another gelato place, Grom – also good, but no where near as good)
Enoteca Corsi is great! Get the gnochhi!
You might already have this, so sorry if I missed it! Although I’ve traveled throughout Europe and the Middle East, Paris is one of the best places to have an amazing FALAFEL!!! You want to go to the Marais neighborhood, which is really hip. Try to hit up L’As du Falafel. Also, just try to get off the beaten path a bit if you can, that’s where the most amazing places are! (while roaming Madrid with my twin sis on one of our backpacking trips we came across the most amazing organic vegetable and salad shop. It was like a gem because it’s so hard to find really fresh, healthy vegetables/salads/food while traveling in Europe, which is so meat and pasta heavy)
In London, you MUST go to the Tower of London! It’s lovely – and the Crown Jewels are kept there too. They’ve been there since 1303 when they were stolen from Westminster Abbey.
Foodwise, try Malteasers (Whopper’s big brother, soooo delicious!), Yorkshire pudding with bangers, mash, gravy, and mushy peas, and Toad in the Hole.
Make sure you go to a proper pub and have a beer (or wine!).
Sorry, one more: Cinque Terre is absolutely not to be missed. One of my favorite places I’ve ever been (I’ve gone back 3 times!). You can take a train from Milan to La Spezia to Cinque Terre (either Riomaggiore or Monterosso Del Mare). Great hiking between the villages. So jealous…take me with you!!
Oh my…I’m getting chills just thinking about how much I want to go back to all those places. I agree on most, but some I think are a wee bit over hyped. The best for me was to always find a cafe with outdoor seating and simply people watch for hours while drinking vino…I’ve often made friends with people sitting nearby and learned so much!
You are going to have so much fun!!
For Paris, I would recommend going to St. Chapelle Cathedral, it is full of stained glass windows and was literally one of my favorite sights in Europe when I went for a semester and traveled a ton. Also I recommend going to the top of the L’arc de triomphe at night- its a gorgeous way to see the Eiffel Tower light show.
If you have enough time in London, I would suggest taking the boat to Greenwich for the day. Its a cute little town with a great market and you can straddle the Prime Meridian and be in two hemispheres at once.
There is a great costume museum in Florence that I loved, especially if you are into fashion. In all three of those Italian cities I recommend just walking around and taking in as much as you can…there are so many great restaurants and gelato places you will stumble across and fall in love with! Also, the shopping is fabulous. In Rome its fun to visit the Spanish steps and gaze in all the high end stores windows! The Vatican is a must in Rome. And you must see the David in Florence- its one of those pieces of art that really lives up to the hype!
Hope this is helpful. I have been to all of those places except Switzerland in the past year so if you have any questions feel free to email me! You are going to have so much fun!!
Also go see a show in London and eat dinner before or after at The Ivy! You need reservations but it is fantastic!!
Two art galleries to add (if you like that sort of thing.)
1. Uffizi Gallery in Florence (and if you stumble upon Il Porcellino rub his nose and make a wish.)
2. Mussee d’Orsay in Paris
I did basically the same trip 10 years ago and those were my favorite museums. Hands down.
Yes, I second this! Both great galleries. Worth any kind of wait. I liked the d’Orsay because of its more modern art that I could relate to. I opted not to spend hours in the Louvre just bc I think it could get overwhelming and not worth my inpatience. 😉
And if I wasn’t already jealous… I AM NOW!!!! 🙂
Ya’ll are going to have so much fun!!! I seriously love family vacations, and I can’t WAIT to hear all your amazing stories and memories ya’ll make!!! WAHOO!!!
And now… I really want to go back to Italy and eat gelato!
this is random, but which version of the Vitamix do you guys have? We want to buy one, but also want to get the least expensive as long as it is still wonderful!!
Thank you!!
Janine
There’s a place near the Ponte Vecchio bridge (not sure where though) in Florence that has Ferrero Rocher gelato.
Seriously among the best 5 things I’ve ever eaten. 😀
I missed your last post on going to Switzerland but as a Swiss person I have to tell you that in Luzern you need to cross the Chapel Bridge and I think you would enjoy the Lion’s Memorial and Glacier Garden (it’s really fun! a little bit of history plus a crazy mirror maze!). And of course eat lots and lots of chocolate 🙂
You’re up to your ears in great suggestions, but I must add, when in Venice? GET LOST. Literally.
The main drags can get a little touristy. Meander off the beaten path to discover where true Venetians live, and you’ll never forget it.
I swear I’ll send you those photos soon of the places to eat in Florence! Sorry it’s taking so long!
Cinque Terre might be easier to get to from Florence than Rome (~1.5-2hrs vs maybe 4 if I’m not mistaken) Just a suggestion 🙂
Very excited for you!
Julie you have to go get the Raclette at Kappacasein in London. Watch this video and you will see why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlI3q-R2DC8
(I dream about getting that much cheese all to myself!)
Here’s the site for the market: http://www.kappacasein.com/
Your Lucerne list was a little light, so I thought I’d chip in my two cents since my family did a similar “European Tour” in 2008. Lucerne was one of our favorite stops – sooooo cute! You need to see the lion monument, he’s BEAUTIFUL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_Monument) and totally walkable – walking around Lucerne is amazing. You also HAVE to try the rösti at (Wirtshaus Galliker was mentioned on another blog, and I think it’s where I ate it) if only for the fact that it’s soooooo cheesy! I hope you have a blast!
Sounds like you have a good list so far!
Cinque Terre is not in Rome, and it’s not that close, either. With the amount of traveling you’ll be doing, you won’t have time to get up there. But that’s all the more reason to make a return trip to Italy!
As for Paris, the Monet museum is very nice (called the Orangerie), and you must go to the Musee d’Orsay–the setting is amazing in an old, restored train station, and it basically shows paintings and sculptures from early modern periods like impressionism. Do yourself a favor and learn a few words of French before you go over. Trying to communicate in French first instead of expecting that everyone there speaks English will get you vastly better service and attention.
Also, I’m not much of a fan of traditional English food (with the exception of high tea and the clotted cream and scones they serve at high tea), but London does have a ton of really, really good ethnic food–especially Indian! London is one of the art capitals of the world, and its museums reflect that. Don’t miss out on these world-renowned museums! The city has more than you can do in one trip, so in my order of preference they are: National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Museum. There are tons more, but those are the big three must-sees.
Enjoy! So jealous of your trip!
thought i would delurk to say definitely go to the Tate Modern Julie because the building is amazing (it’s a disused power station I think, but don’t hold me to that!) and it’s on the South Bank which is a really fab place just to wander along (it is where the London Eye is as well). I got really excited when i saw you might go to to camden – i live walking distance from there!
Love your blog and have an amazing trip 🙂
a few other thoughts for London:
– you have to try a cider at a pub – apple or pear – both are delicious and a nice beer alternative!
– Covent Garden is a super cute area with lots of shops, restaurants and outside performers
– I love Notting Hill and the market there
– Kensingston Palace is a nice change from all the traditional palaces and tours..it’s in Hyde Park and has a unique installation/tour now which goes through the lives of all the princesses who lived there
– Kate Kanzier! if you are anywhere near Holborn, stop by my favorite shoe/bag designer… not too pricey and adorable http://www.katekanzier.com/
I second Cinque Terre!! It is absolutely AMAZING!!
When I went we took a train from Florence (it’s been about 8 years).
Very exciting!!
Don’t forget to take a gondola ride in Venice! And on your London list, I agree, scones with Devonshire cream are a MUST!
Yes! I’m so glad someone recommended Happy Hippos in London! I spent a semester in Ireland last year and fell in love with hippos. My mom ordered me 5 packs for Christmas. Only one left! So amazing. Also, tortuga has the most Amazing pizza in Venice and is the only real bar we found on the island. Oh, and there are quite a few restaurants along the canal below the big bridge that everyone takes a pic from?? -words are escaping me. But they have incredible tirimisu. Best I’ve ever had in my life. So fun! Enjoy!
Phew, that sounds like a great trip!! I’m super jealous.
If you get a chance, make sure to check out the Musee d’Orsay in Paris too. I liked it a bit better than the Louvre.
I have never been to Europe but I wanted to tell you that you should check out a cool piece of history in Paris. Its called the Obelisk of Luxor–It was given to France from Egypt and it used to sit in front of the Luxor Palace. Its in the Place de la Concorde…I thinks its between the Champs-Élysées and the Tuilieries Gardens.
Omgsh you are going to LOVE Florence! I studied there Freshman year 🙂 When you are there don’t even fight your temptations for gelato..just do it (which I know you will..haha)!!! You have to try pistachio, cinnamon, and stracciatella. SO GOOD.