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Paris, France
8pm arrive in Paris
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Aix-en-Provence, France
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Barcelona, Spain
With Dan and Cara
Hop on hop off bus booked by Dan (emails)
Gaudi House and park booked by Dan (emails)
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Rome, Italy
Friday Afternoon/Evening: Arrival and Initial Exploration
Arrival: Check into Navona Residenza de Charme and freshen up.
Evening Walk: Explore Piazza Navona (no specific time; enjoy at your leisure).
Dinner: Try a local trattoria in the Piazza Navona area around 7:30 PM to avoid peak dining times.
Saturday: Major Highlights and Vatican Visit
Morning:
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: Aim to arrive around 8:00 AM. (Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, last entry at 4:00 PM. Closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month, when it’s open from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
Travel Tip: Walk from your hotel (about 15-20 minutes) or take Bus 40 or 62 from Piazza Navona to the Vatican. Purchase a single metro/bus ticket (€1.50) or use a Roma Pass.
Late Morning:
St. Peter’s Basilica: Visit around 11:00 AM. (Opening Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, 6:00 PM from October to March. Dome climb usually closes around 5:00 PM)
Travel Tip: A short walk from the Vatican Museums.
Early Afternoon:
Lunch: Nearby restaurant around 1:00 PM.
Afternoon:
Colosseum and Roman Forum: Visit around 2:00 PM. (Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM, last entry at 6:00 PM. Closed on January 1 and December 25)
Travel Tip: Walk to the nearest bus stop (about 10 minutes) and take Bus 87, or walk to Termini Station and take Metro Line B to Colosseo. Alternatively, a Roma Pass is useful for unlimited travel.
Late Afternoon:
Capitoline Museums: Visit around 4:00 PM. (Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM, last entry at 6:45 PM. Closed on Mondays)
Travel Tip: Walk from the Colosseum (approximately 20 minutes) or take Bus 75 or 81.
Evening:
Dinner: In the Trastevere neighborhood around 7:00 PM.
Travel Tip: From Capitoline Hill, take Bus 44 or 170, or a taxi (about 10-15 minutes).
Sunday: Final Highlights
Morning:
Pantheon: Visit around 8:00 AM. (Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
Travel Tip: Walk from your hotel (about 10 minutes) or take Bus 64.
Trevi Fountain: Visit around 9:00 AM. (Accessible at all times)
Travel Tip: A short walk from the Pantheon (about 10 minutes).
Spanish Steps: Visit around 10:00 AM. (Accessible at all times)
Travel Tip: Walk from the Trevi Fountain (about 10-15 minutes).
Midday:
Lunch: Have a final meal around 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM, near your departure point or in central Rome.
Departure: Head to your departure point in the early afternoon.
Travel Tips:
Roma Pass: Consider purchasing a Roma Pass for 48 hours (€28) or 72 hours (€38.50) for unlimited travel and discounts on attractions.
Tickets: Purchase attraction tickets in advance for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill to save time
Restaurants
Roscioli
Location: Via dei Giubbonari, 21/22
Specialties: Renowned for its delicious carbonara, cured meats, and extensive wine list.
Da Enzo al 29
Location: Via dei Vascellari, 29
Specialties: Classic Roman dishes like cacio e pepe and amatriciana. A cozy, traditional eatery.
Armando al Pantheon
Location: Salita dei Crescenzi, 31
Specialties: Traditional Roman cuisine with dishes such as saltimbocca and fresh pasta.
Osteria da Fortunata
Location: Via del Pellegrino, 11
Specialties: Freshly made pasta and classic Roman dishes in a lively, rustic setting.
Cafes
Caffè Sant'Eustachio
Location: Piazza Sant'Eustachio, 82
Specialties: Famous for its rich espresso and traditional Italian coffee drinks.
Tazza d'Oro
Location: Via degli Orfani, 84
Specialties: Known for its exceptional coffee and the "Granita di Caffè" (coffee granita).
Caffè Greco
Location: Via dei Condotti, 86
Specialties: One of Rome's oldest cafes, offering a historic atmosphere and a variety of coffee drinks.
Gelato Spots
Gelateria del Teatro
Location: Via dei Coronari, 65/66
Specialties: Known for inventive flavors and high-quality ingredients, like lavender and honey or pistachio.
Giolitti
Location: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40
Specialties: One of Rome’s oldest gelaterias, offering classic flavors and a rich, creamy texture.
Frigidarium
Location: Via del Governo Vecchio, 112
Specialties: Renowned for its rich, creamy gelato and unique toppings like chocolate coating.
- Rome: Priority Access Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Tour
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Aix-en-Provence, France
Dan and Cara
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Paris, France
Day 1: September 25 - Arrival and Evening Cruise
Late Afternoon:
Arrival: Check into Trendy Canettes Hotel and freshen up.
Evening:
River Cruise on the Seine:
Activity: Enjoy a boat tour with views of Paris’s landmarks illuminated at night.
Price: Around €14-€20.
Time: Around 8:00 PM or later (consider a later departure around 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM to avoid crowds).
Prebooking: Recommended. Providers include Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens.
Travel: Walk to the Seine cruise departure point (often near Pont Neuf or Eiffel Tower, depending on the provider).
Dinner:
Affordable Option: Chez Janou (Location: 2 Rue de la Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, near Notre-Dame).
Approximate Price: €20-€30 per person for a meal.
Cuisine: Provençal dishes in a charming setting.
Travel: From the cruise, take a short walk or use a metro/bus if needed. You can walk from the Seine cruise to the restaurant.
Bakery Option:
For an afternoon treat: La Parisienne (Location: 48 Rue Madame, 75006 Paris).
Approximate Price: €5-€10 for pastries and coffee.
Travel: Walk from your hotel (about 10 minutes).
Day 2: September 26 - Bike Tour, Major Attractions, and Dinner
Morning:
Bike Tour:
Activity: Join a guided bike tour to explore Paris’s landmarks and hidden gems.
Time: 10:00 AM (prebook as planned).
Price: Around €30-€50, depending on the provider.
Prebooking: Recommended. Popular providers include Fat Tire Tours and Bike About Tours.
Location: 32 Rue Feydeau, 75002 Paris, France.
Travel: From Trendy Canettes Hotel, take metro Line 4 from Saint-Germain-des-Prés to Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, then transfer to Line 8 (towards Richelieu-Drouot) and walk to Rue Feydeau.
Early Afternoon:
Eiffel Tower:
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 11:45 PM.
Entry Fee: Around €25.50 for a summit ticket.
Recommended Time: Around 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM to avoid peak crowds.
Travel: From the bike tour location, take metro Line 8 from Richelieu-Drouot to La Motte-Picquet – Grenelle, then transfer to Line 6 to Bir-Hakeim, which is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower.
Lunch:
Affordable Option: Le Fumoir (Location: 6 Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny).
Approximate Price: €20-€30 per person for a meal.
Cuisine: Offers a variety of dishes in a stylish atmosphere.
Travel: Walk from the Eiffel Tower (about 15 minutes) or take metro Line 6 from Bir-Hakeim to Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre.
Late Afternoon:
Notre-Dame Cathedral:
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM (varies; check current hours as restoration work might affect access).
Entry Fee: Free (there may be a fee for the towers).
Recommended Time: After lunch, around 4:00 PM.
Travel: From Le Fumoir, take metro Line 1 from Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre to Hôtel de Ville, then walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Arc de Triomphe:
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM.
Entry Fee: Around €13.
Recommended Time: Around 6:00 PM (if time permits; otherwise, visit the next day).
Travel: From Notre-Dame, take metro Line 4 from Cité to Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, transfer to Line 8 to Étoile - Charles de Gaulle.
Evening:
Dinner:
Affordable Option: Le Bistro du 7ème (Location: 22 Avenue de la Bourdonnais).
Approximate Price: €25-€35 per person for a meal.
Cuisine: French bistro classics in a cozy setting.
Travel: Take metro Line 6 from Charles de Gaulle - Étoile to Bir-Hakeim, then walk to the restaurant.
Day 3: September 27 - Final Exploration and Louvre
Morning:
Bakery Option:
For a morning pastry: Maison Landemaine (Location: 26 Rue de la Parisienne, 75006 Paris).
Approximate Price: €5-€10 for pastries and coffee.
Specialties: Artisanal bread, croissants, and French pastries.
Travel: Walk from your hotel (about 15 minutes).
Louvre Museum:
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (closed Tuesdays).
Entry Fee: Around €17.
Recommended Time: Arrive around 10:00 AM to avoid peak times.
Top Artworks to Visit:
Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci)
Venus de Milo (Ancient Greek sculpture)
Liberty Leading the People (Eugène Delacroix)
The Wedding at Cana (Paolo Veronese)
Winged Victory of Samothrace (Ancient Greek statue)
Travel: From the bakery, take metro Line 12 from Notre-Dame-des-Champs to Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre.
Lunch:
Affordable Option: Le Relais Gascon (Location: 6 Rue des Abbesses, Montmartre).
Approximate Price: €15-€25 per person for a meal.
Cuisine: Hearty French dishes with a focus on salads and traditional fare.
Travel: From the Louvre, take metro Line 12 from Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre to Abbesses.
Late Afternoon:
Departure: Head to your departure point.
Transportation Information
Metro Tickets:
Single Ticket (Carnet): €1.90 per ride or €14.90 for a carnet of 10 tickets. Purchase from metro stations or tobacco shops.
Paris Visite Pass: Unlimited travel on public transport for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days. Costs around €13.20 (1 day) to €65.80 (5 days) for zones 1-3.
Recommended Purchase Locations:
Metro Tickets: Available at metro station ticket counters or vending machines.
Paris Visite Pass: Available at major metro stations, airports, and online.
Travel Tips:
For Short Distances: Walking is often pleasant and convenient.
For Longer Distances: Use the metro or buses. Buy tickets in advance to avoid queues and save time
Departure: Head to your departure point.
Summary of Key Bookings and Prices:
River Cruise: €14-€20 (prebook tickets)
Bike Tour: €30-€50 (prebook)
Louvre Museum: €17 (prebook tickets)
Eiffel Tower: €25.50 (prebook tickets)
- Paris: 1-Hour River Seine Cruise with Audio Commentary
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Brisbane, Australia