Hi all

This is not for me, but for my son who is 14 and a committed middle-distance runner.

Our 3-week trip to Europe slots in between his running events, and we return about 1 week before a significant competition. He'd like to maintain (within reason) his fitness level.

So I'm trying to organise our accommodation to give him access to safe and and handy places to run.

So...
In London I've booked a place round the corner from Hyde Park. I hope this is a good choice.

In Paris we are staying in the Marais district. Would he be able to run along the banks of the Seine? Is this something he could do on his own? Find his way there in the morning, say?

In Switzerland we are staying in Grindelwald. I don't think he'll have trouble there. I'll just point to the nearest mountain and say, off you go! Or is there another option?

We then head to northern Italy, and I'm guessing he'll have to forget his training in Venice! Also going to Verona and Bergamo.

Thanks for any hints or tips.

Promenade plantee might be a good option in Paris.

Depending on when you are going might determine how early it opens in the mornings - I attempted an early morning run when we were in paris in December, but discovered that access is closed overnight, and it had not opened when I was there.

Access is behind the Opera House at Bastille, so your location in the Marais is very good - run down rue de Rivoli and rue de St Antoine to get there.

Others might like to comment on whether it's a good spot for a 14 year old on his own.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUs...de_France.html

Thanks, Bendigo. We will be there mid-September.

One of those reviewers in your link seemed very resentful of the joggers!

Looks like a lovely place to go for a stroll, anyway. Bonus information.

Be interested to hear what others think.

Some more info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promenade_plant%C3%A9e

According to Lonely Planet access hours are 8am to 5.30pm from September to April (until 9.30pm May-August)

The official site - it looks beautiful on fine, sunny days!

http://www.promenade-plantee.org/

Hyde Park is one of my favorite places in Europe to run in, it really is beautiful and you can run for miles with some great sites along the way...Paris can be tough, especially the Marais District, you can run along the Seine, but for a 14 year old, it could be easy to get lost from your original destination, it is a busy area with a lot of confusing street changes....I have run in venice, it is easily done if your run time is early in the morning (between 6-8 am)you can run along the canels and thru some beautiful neighborhoods (again I would think a 14 year old could easily lose his direction)...We are going to Verona as well in May and I too will be looking for a nice area to run....an alternative of course is to go on an early morning powerwalk with the family, walk at a good pace for an hour every day and enjoy the sites as you walk, it is a great way to stay in shape....have a great trip...Mike

I think along the Seine would be a great place for him to run. I've done this and found it to be a wonderful experience.

Running in Venice early in the morning is also great.

Another option in Paris might be up the Canal St Martin, around the Bassin de la Villette and back again..... or from the Bassin you can go on up the Canal d l'Ourcq into and around the Parc de la Villette.

Or how about these options?

http://www.walkjogrun.net/running-ro...-France/Paris/

Venice he could run along the path to the mainland, nice wide pavements, very open and safe. Running in the lagoon city would be a bit tricky, people things etc Maybe early on the Grande Canal

The Zattere in Venice sees a few runners.

Thanks, everyone!

Lo and behold two of the Plantee photos feature a runner!

We will be in Paris for 6 nights, staying in an apartment, so he may have time to become familiar with the route to the Seine and back. I would definitely go with him the first time, and he could carry a little map, I guess.

Great news that Hyde Park is a good choice!

So many options for Paris on that site, I had no idea. Thanks also for the Canal St Martin route, though I have yet to look that up

Venice: I have only been there once, about 30 yrs ago, and got gloriously lost. Not much fun for a boy. Yes, early morning would be best, I would think. Not sure what the Zattere is, will look it up.

Hey, good to know there are others wanting to keep fit while travelling! I may go for the odd run myself.

I only hope he allows himself to indulge in the occasional French pastry. All part of the fun.

More comments on running. As mythat sense ofof direction is notthe so good, I often grab a free map just in case, and take a copy of the hotel address (though I've never actually gotten lost).

In Venice, when we've stayed in the Cannaregio, I"ve run on the Strada Nouve and "strette" that run parallel to it all the way to the end of the island. It's only about 2 miles round trip. If you're staying closer to St. Mark's, you can run along the Riva deglie Schiavoni. Great place to run, but depending on your hotel location; might be difficult for your to find his way there and back.

In Paris, we stay in the 6th, which provides easy access to running along the Seine. Not much chance of getting lost if he follows the river.

In Grindelwald, he may still want to run along the roads. I don't remember how smooth or even the trails are, but I'm sure your son wouldn't want to turn an ankle while running.

I also enjoyed running in Hyde Park - I even saw one of the Palace horse and carriagees out for a practice drive one morning.

I love running while on vacation. I often see interesting sights that i wouldn"t see later in the day.

Thanks, Lexma. In Venice we are staying in a small place in Castello, which is apparently about 300m from St Mark's, so your suggestion sounds perfect.

Good point with Alpine running – a turned ankle would be a disaster.

This is all great news, since (can you believe it?) part of his initial reluctance about going on the trip was that he would miss his running. It has taken a lot of working out to find this window.

Another runner's parent said, 'You can run in Paris, you know!' and then he realised...

I think he'll love it. I hope it will dawn on him that he's also having the experience of a lifetime.

My husband and oldest son are avid runners. Paris is one of their favorite places to run. They love running along the Seine. My son studied in Paris. I can't reach him right now, but I will ask him where he liked to run there and let you know if he has some good ideas.

In Grindelwald, they ran from above the village (Hotel Gletschergarten) down through town and beyond. Also, the paths that you ride the trotti bikes on are paved, and they ran there.

As others have said, in Venice earlier is better. That is probably true for Paris also. The Dorsoduro area of Venice is a little quieter, so a little easier to run in.

If a middle distance runner, he may have to include Kensington Park along with Hyde Park to get the miles he needs, but very easy to do.

Thanks, Digbydog, that's great news to hear Paris is a fave! I'm so glad running along the Seine is great, I can't think of anywhere more atmospheric.

Great tip with Grindelwald route, thanks. And if he can run up the trotti bikes path that will be excellent for his stamina. He needs some hill running, and won't get any in London and Paris. Does the Alpine air add some level of difficulty?

Thanks, historytraveler, he will also need the miles. He also plans on doing his interval sprints. Such commitment!

He will be almost 15 (October) by the time we travel, and quite mature, so I think he will cope.

Another option for Paris is the Jardin du Luxembourg...it is gated and safe, no vehicles/no bikes... runners of all ages and abilities run pretty much along the inner perimeter of the gate, you can go over with him, pull up a chair at the fountain and read while he makes as many circuits he needs - then walk back towards the Marais though the Latin Quartier if you wish...about 20 minute walk...maybe longer but enjoyable, otherwise take the metro back tom your hotel.

Sounds wonderful! And actually would make sense to break it up a bit, change of scenery.

Thanks for that. I will have my other son in tow (12 going on 13) – plenty to amuse him, too. Also a good runner, but not at all keen!

Son No.1 is getting quite excited hearing about all these opportunities. He said, 'Everyone is so helpful!'