el_guineo

I have a challenge for Fodors forums!

I'm currently planning our October 2012 honeymoon, which takes us through Rome -> Tuscany -> Venice -> Paris in 2.5 weeks. From browsing these forums, I have a fairly solid idea of the "must sees" in each city.

However, given that it's our honeymoon, I'd like to sprinkle fun and different activities here and there, so that the trip is balanced and not weighted too heavily in museums, art galleries, sightseeing, Colliseums, Duomos, catacombs, and the like.

Some activities I have been considering so far: Ghost tours (Rome), Segway tours (Paris), Cooking classes, Opera in Florence, Theater in Paris, Foodie walking tours, renting bicycles, etc.

I'd like to hear about some memorable experiences you all have had, specific to Rome, Florence, and Paris. (Purposely leaving out Venice, because I think we'll just "get lost" for two days and see where that takes us!) (Also purposely leaving out Montalcino/Siena, since our time will be used in driving to nearby Tuscan towns, vineyards, and the like).

Looking forward to hear about your experiences!

Michael

On a nice Sunday, pick up a picnic lunch at the market on the Place des Fêtes (a métro stop) and walk to the top of the Parc des Buttes Chaumont to have a picnic overlooking the park and that part of Paris.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623299527007

Christina

Some people consider sightseeing, museums and galleries fun, that's the problem. I don't know Italy, but I know Paris well and I think a Segway tour sounds like something you might enjoy (since you name it). I'd also suggest a boat cruise on the Seine for fun even though that only takes an hour or so.

I don't understand the theater idea for Paris, as almost all shows are in French, of course. I am guessing you aren't fluent in French, but if not, I suppose something by Moliere might be fun. They are showing something by Moliere now at the Comedie Francaise, you would have to check their schedule.

I don't find opera to be much fun myself, but if you do, that would be a good thing to do in Paris, also, I guess. It is very expensive, of course. You can check the schedules at the Paris Opera company for opera and ballets. At least a performance in the Garnier opera house has a beautiful setting, although the Bastille opera house is bigger and better for certain performances IMO.

I like concerts myself, of most kinds of music (especially world and classical). If a good pop singer is at the Olympia, that would be fun. YOu can check www.fnac.com or www.ticketnet.fr for shows of various kinds, and concerts.

Do you seriously want to take cooking classes on your honeymoon? well, if that is you are your fiance's idea of fun, they do have one-day classes at Ritz Escoffier, I believe, maybe even Cordon Bleu. Or you could try a wine tasting like this http://www.o-chateau.com/

daveesl

I don't know how long it will be running, but on the left bank, at about 57 Rue Galand, is a theater that does a live French version of Rocky Horror about once or twice a week. So, if you know the English version, well then you can fit right in regardless of the language.

"Let's do the time warp again..."

dave

daveesl

Oh, it is Studio Galande, performed by the Sweet Transvestites. Of course the movie is in English

zeppole

If you don't find it fun to go to the "must-sees", don't go to them. I wouldn't spend my honeymoon doing things I didn't think were enjoyable.

Who said these places were "must-sees"? I wouldn't listen to people on the internet about that.

If you'd rather ride a bike around Paris or follow a ghost tour, why don't you do that? Your mother isn't coming on your honeymoon, is she? Don't pack your school principal in your head either.

tuscanlifeedit

Something I thought was fun in Florence was taking a class from Good Taste of Tuscany. They picked us up in the city, took us on a short drive out of the city to this incredible, huge palazzo, with an ancient kitchen and wonderful teachers. It was a lot of fun. After the day of cooking and a late lunch, they drove us back to the city.

Sidny

If you're cat people, check out the cat sanctuary among the ruins in Rome: http://www.romancats.com/index_eng.php

Patty

The Ritz Escoffier along with the rest of the hotel will be closing for a 2 year renovation but here are some other places that offer short cooking classes:

La Cuisine Paris http://lacuisineparis.com/ This is a cooking school specializing in English language classes.

Un Dimanche a Paris http://www.un-dimanche-a-paris.com/F...de-cuisine.php is a patisserie/chocolatier/restaurant that offers a few classes. They will provide a translator free of charge.

134 RdT http://www.barapain.com/cours.php This is a class inside a working bakery conducted by the owner. Benjamin speaks English and you can schedule a bakery class directly with him [email protected] at a date/time convenient to you both.

There are many other cooking classes in Paris but those are the ones I've personally taken and have enjoyed them all.

jules10

If your schedule and itinerary permits, you should try to check out the chocolate festival in Perugia, Italy. It takes place October 19 - 28 this year according to this website:
http://www.eurochocolate.com/perugia2012/

Perugia is about 2 hours by train from both Rome and Florence. I thought the festival was nothing short of amazing when I studied abroad there 10 years ago. I also love Perugia as a city. It will probably be pretty mobbed at that time, though. I have read elsewhere to try to go during the week to avoid the crowds.

nukesafe

I might suggest a nightclub with a show. Not the Moulin Rouge sort of thing but a more intimate and high energy venue like Trois Mailletz. http://www.lestroismailletz.fr/ They have a bar upstairs in which you can have a drink, snacks, and listen to a piano player and singers, but the real show in in the cellar, where the entertainment begins at around 11:00 and continues until after 5:00 in the morning. Non stop acts lead to dancing on the long central table, and patrons jumping onto the small stage to gyrate with the acts.

Really fun, IMHO.

el_guineo

Thanks guys!

Zeppole: Just to clarify - the "must sees" (i.e. museums, art galleries, etc.) ARE fun to us - just a "different" kind of fun. This is something I'm sure we will thoroughly enjoy. The purpose of asking for other suggestions is to counterbalance the "learning" with other activities.

Christina: Thanks for your great suggestions. The theater I was referring to was the "How to become a Parisian in One Hour" play -- it seems like a really great time.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...de_France.html

As for the cooking classes, I thought it'd be a less serious, more "gimmicky" (if you will) experience. With a couple of glasses of wine, I'm sure making a mess in a beautiful Tuscan setting would be quite memorable.


Excellent suggestions so far, keep 'em coming!

Patty

Now that you've clarified, I have to say that none of my class suggestions are of the "less serious, more gimmicky" variety. I know what you're talking about as I've taken a few of those types of classes in the US where it's as much about eating/drinking/socializing as it is about cooking. While they're fun, I don't find that I actually learn much.

TDudette

For that picnic in Paris, you might want to food shop at Rue de Mouffetard Market.

Hub and I also enjoyed the Luxembourg Gardens. We chatted with boules players, watched a puppet show, took shots of children riding in tandem on horses and one time attended a festival.

Hope that helps. Have a lovely time!

wayfinder45

How about watching Roma or Lazio play at the Olympic Stadium in Rome?

dunia123

I know you didn't ask for Tuscany, but I thought I'd pass on my recommendation for the tour and lunch with wine pairing at the Avignonesi vineyard ourside of Montepulciano. Very interesting tour, beautiful grounds, lovely lunch outside in the sun overlooking the vines and free-flowing wine. (We did the 3-course lunch, and it was more than enough!)

As for Paris, we enjoyed a wine-tasting done by O'Chateau (Olivier Magny). He studied for a time in the US, as I recall, so speaks very good english. Ours was held in a cave below the streets of Paris. Interesting and fun. He has since opened a wine bar and we'll be doing a more extensive dinner in May when we return.

While in Paris, if you'd like Foodie walking tours, you should check out the website Paris by Mouth. They have a number of tours offered, and also highlight upcoming events in Paris. The website in my opinion is a great collection of food related info.

Hope that helps!

Deana

valtor

In Paris you can go to Crazy Horse show, it is very nice.