BKP is full of good ideas! :)

I have been sort of nervous about Lexma running along the Seine early in the morning ever since her post yesterday.

I am an early morning person and am often out walking before 6 AM. I too love the magic of standing alone in an iconic place. But there are a lot of street people living along the river banks, and it may not be the safest place for a woman to run before other people are about.

I also do not remember a lot of people running on city streets in Paris the way they do in Boston or Washington -- at any time of the day. Mostly runners were making circuits in the big parks. I mention this because sidewalks are packed and drivers may not be attuned to watch out for you as they are in the US. Do you know how to say "on your left" in French? And would that be culturally meaningful?

I used to run everywhere. Lots of cardio. Now I have switched to resistence training. I lift the beer mug to my lips ten times before gulping once. Switch hands. Repeat. Great for the biceps. Do 200 sets x 10.

Then I start falling down and getting back up. That uses several different muscle groups.

We were in Europe for 3 weeks this past spring. My husband packed our TRX and he used it often while we were away. I took the amyb path to give my body a rest (other than lots of walking, of course). The TRX is lightweight but if you're carrying it in a backpack it might add too much weight and take up too much room. Resistance bands are probably a better choice.

Goldenautumn: you're right of course! I've been to Cinque Terre once before and it's practically vertical! Not the best for running, but I'll take your advice about the stairs while I'm there! I believe there are also hiking trails so I'm sure to have no problem while I'm there :)

BKP: I was hoping to do some multitasking but I suppose you're right; I'll have to work out, THEN drink wine.

Akislander: safety while running early was one of my concerns too! I'll have to try to find places with at least a few people around. Maybe evenings before dusk would indeed be better? Say a pre-dinner run? I don't know how to say "on your left" in French OR Italian but I supposed I should try and figure it out...or at least whatever the equivalent is there.

Colduphere: I detect the merest smidge of sarcasm ;)

Sharona: I will definitely be investing in a resistance band!

I have a band like this but without the risky-looking door attachment:
http://www.amazon.com/SPRI-Xertube-R...dp/B0000AJ050/

Weighs next to nothing, packs anywhere, decent resistance workout for entire body.

You can also buy them in sets:
http://www.amazon.com/ProSource-48-I...dp/B005D7GJQE/

Once I was doing some yoga in a hotel room in Singapore and had a towel spread out on the floor in lieu of a mat. A Malay Muslim housekeeper came in and asked if that was for praying. Perhaps praying that I stayed in shape while eating all of that Singapore food!

Not sarcasm - self-criticism. But that is behind me now. Norway/Iceland hiking here we come! Do they serve beer on Icelandic volcanoes?

cold -- I can't answer about beer, but I bought a pepperoni taco sandwich in the Reykjavik airport. I weighed considerably less just 24 hours later and no exercise needed!

And we have a week BKP! I'll be back to my grade 1 weight.

I wish it were as easy to stay fit at home as it is on vacation--walking everywhere, miles a day, plus the hiking and biking I usually incorporate, plus the stairs--it's a fitness buff's dream to vacation in Europe!

Chiming in re street people and running. I am a former big-city resident, and feel comfortable with possible hazards with running a city; not everyone will have the same perspective. While I can't say that I've seen street people where I run along the Seine, I'm sure it's due to lack of concern and not remembering vs. not noticing potential hazards (though I do recall seeing them down on the embankment - there's a running path there, I think (or am I recalling Rome?), but that's too isolated for me. Of course I would never run close enough to anyone sleeping on the ground to be able to reach out and grab me. And I would still rather run on a street where cars are passing by than in the middle of a park, though there may be other runners there; again my personal perspective.

Another item I love about running in the mornings is that it's often the time when kids are heading off to school. In Venice, there was a pastry shop that I (and the local schoolchildren) would stop at.

Running to a pastry shop? That is my idea of the perfect run!