From Paris to Rome: A Dreamy European Escape
Updated: Aug 12
Some trips are about seeing the world. This one was about finally meeting in the middle.
My best friend was getting married in Venice, and because my husband and I are in a long-distance relationship, Europe became the perfect place for us to meet, travel together, and celebrate both a wedding and a birthday in one unforgettable journey. What started as a trip for one special occasion slowly became a two-week adventure through France, Switzerland, and Italy — a route that gave us the perfect mix of city energy, coastal beauty, mountain scenery, and Italian charm.
What made this trip extra special was that it was shaped by real life, real timing, and a few moments we’d been waiting for a long time. That made every stop feel more meaningful, whether we were starting in Paris, slowing down on the Riviera, taking in the Alps, or ending in Italy while attending a wedding.
I loved how naturally the route flowed. Paris gave us that classic European opening, the Riviera brought sunshine and a slower pace, Switzerland added calm and incredible scenery, and Italy became the emotional heart of the trip. Each destination felt different, but together they created a journey that felt intentional from beginning to end.
The Route
We started in Paris, where the trip immediately felt romantic and full of energy, then moved to the French Riviera for a slower, sunnier stretch that gave us time to breathe. Switzerland was the moment to slow down completely, with mountain views and scenic train rides that made everything feel calmer and more expansive. Italy brought the emotional peak of the journey, with Venice for the wedding, Florence for beauty and wandering, and Rome for a grand finish.
What I loved most was how each destination gave the trip a different mood. Nothing felt rushed, and nothing felt random — the whole route had a rhythm to it, which made the journey feel thoughtful, personal, and unforgettable.
Some Practical Tips Before We Begin
One of the things we loved about traveling through Europe was how easy it was to get around without a car. Public transportation made moving between neighborhoods, cities, and sights surprisingly simple, especially in places where metros, buses, trams, and trains were the easiest way to explore. A little advance planning — knowing which transit system to use, where to buy tickets, and how much time to allow between connections — made our travel days much smoother.
It’s also worth staying street-smart, particularly in busy tourist areas and crowded transportation hubs. I kept my phone secure, stayed alert in crowded places, and used Ubers or cabs when late-night transit didn’t feel ideal. I also used inside pockets or a hidden sling for anything important, left my passport locked in the hotel room when I could, kept a spare card and some cash separate, used zipper clips on my bag, and never handed my phone to a stranger for a photo. Those small habits made the whole trip feel calmer.
We also noticed that restaurant etiquette can be a little different from what many travelers may be used to at home. Service charges or cover charges came up in some places, and water was often ordered separately rather than automatically brought to the table. Carrying a reusable water bottle was helpful, too, since tap water is generally safe to drink in the places we visited and refill options were easy to find.
I’ll share more destination-specific transportation and practical tips throughout the individual France, Switzerland, and Italy posts, but these few things made a big difference throughout the journey.
Continue the Journey
This trip deserves more than one post, so I’m breaking it into a few chapters, giving each part the attention it deserves. I’ll share the highlights, favorite moments, and practical details from each destination — from our time in France and Switzerland to the wedding in Venice and our final days in Italy.
