Whirlwind Wanderlust: Exploring Italy, Switzerland, France
November 2018 marked the beginning of my post-election vacation plans, and this time I was determined to explore Italy, Switzerland, and France within just 9 days. Of course, I convinced my partner to join me on this adventure.
Flying with Emirates for the first time was a luxurious experience. We quickly realized that economy class on Emirates felt like first class anywhere else. Upon arriving in Milan, we easily found our hotel using public transit. The city had a lot to offer within walking distance, and we made a point to avoid familiar food and drink spots. We discovered a cozy cafe nearby and savored our first espresso. The holiday decorations added a touch of magic to every street.
On the second day, we hopped on a train to Rome and embarked on a walking tour of Vatican City. Rome was vibrant and bustling with fascinating family-owned shops. After hours of exploring, we stumbled upon a hidden gem called Bar Cocktellaria for dinner. The staff was enthusiastic, and their seafood pasta was the best I've ever had.
Next, we boarded a train to Paris on our third day. Finding our platform was a bit trickier due to construction, but we managed. Opting for an Airbnb, we enjoyed a comfortable space within walking distance of a grocery store. Grocery shopping in Paris felt like an Olympic sport, with shoppers moving swiftly and showing little patience. Bread and milk purchases could get quite competitive. After a late arrival, we grabbed some snacks and retreated to our lodging.
When in Paris, a visit to the Eiffel Tower is a must. That's how we started our fourth day. Despite the protests happening at the time, the tourist crowd remained undeterred. We waited in line, took the tram to the viewing deck, and caught glimpses of the demonstrations from above. Exhausted from the day, we opted for pizza and a relaxing evening indoors.
The next morning, we took a train from Paris to Zurich, a pleasant journey that lasted four hours. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we headed out for dinner. Zurich impressed us with its cleanliness and pedestrian-friendly environment. We stumbled upon a sushi place and marveled at the wide pedestrian lanes and clear walking instructions everywhere. Switzerland, without a doubt, deserves an extended visit.
On our second-to-last day, we traveled back to Milan by train. We returned to our favorite pasta restaurant and enjoyed a lively evening at the hotel bar. While Kirkwood chose to relax, I embarked on a solo shopping adventure in the district. With two gelatos and two espressos, I found Christmas presents for our family before returning to the hotel.
This trip was filled with numerous pizza and cafe stops, offering a wonderful way to explore the world. Traveling near the holidays provided an extra special touch, as we always managed to find ornaments for our Christmas tree as keepsakes. Additionally, this journey revealed our differing travel styles. I preferred packing each day with activities, while Kirkwood favored focusing on one major event in each location. Discovering these differences strengthened our bond, and we're still together, which I consider a win. With this trip, my country count increased to four, leaving 36 more to go.
As always here are the details for this adventure:
Lodging: We did a mix of hotels and stayed at one Airbnb in France. This was the first time we used hotel points to pay for a stay.
Local Transit: Lots of walking and and a couple of taxis. We also used public transit in Italy.
Airline: Emirates
Best part: THE COFFEE. But also our time in Rome on our self guided tour.
Worst part: Paris. The Eiffel Tower was cool but it was very crowded and did not feel very inviting. I’d maybe give it another shot
Overall trip rating: 8 out of 10
Country Number: #2, 3, and 4 of 40
