Long-distance European tour
March 12, 2026
In mid-February, I embarked on a trip with my long-distance boyfriend, Luke. We bounced between Paris, Venice, Rome, Athens, and Bordeaux. Our trip had a little bit of everything: Valentine’s Day in Paris, two canceled flights, a surprise extra three days together, and more pasta, wine, and spritzes than I can responsibly recommend. Nevertheless, here I am recommending it.
Day 1: Philly —-> Paris (Luke)
Stay: Hotel d’Amiens in the 10th
Food: April Cafe, Francette
It’s already romantic to be reunited with your long-distance partner, and reuniting in Paris takes the romance a step further. Reuniting in Paris, though, on Valentine’s Day takes the cake. Every time we meet each other at the airport, my heart is beating as if I’m meeting him for the first time. I stood with my half-crumpled “Luke” sign waiting just outside the arrivals gate for less than 5 minutes before he appeared, and we locked eyes. Nothing has made this distance not worth it, but the feeling you get when you see the one you love for the first time in weeks or months really makes it worth it.
Once we made it back into Paris from the airport, we immediately dropped off our bags at the hotel and headed to April Cafe. We discovered this cafe during his October visit and still agree it makes the best oat vanilla lattes we’ve ever had. The cafe upstairs is unique, as it doubles as a place for toddlers to wobble about.
After some RnR at the hotel, we ventured to our dinner reservation at Francette. The restaurant is located below the Eiffel Tower, right along the banks of the Seine. It was a pricey choice to begin with, but they took it up a notch when they decided to offer a Saint Valentin menu with a fixed price per-person. But how often do you get to spend Valentine’s Day in the City of Love with the one you love? Exactly (well, unless you’re Parisian). The starter was a mushroom stew-like dish with eggs. It was creamy, rich in flavor, but not too heavy to take away my appetite for the courses to follow. The main dish was a French classic: magret de canard (duck) with pea mashed potatoes and sweet glazed carrots. The flavor of the peas gave the mashed potatoes a fresh, spring-like flavor that was an excellent match for the rich duck. In typical French fashion, the following course was cheese. We ended the meal with a chocolate cake topped with creme anglais. The restaurant itself had stunning views, as advertised, but a strange playlist of songs popularized on TikTok, some breakup songs, and some very classic love songs. The food was excellent, the views were spectacular, but the ambiance was very touristy.
Day 2: Paris – > Venice
Stay: EasyJet Hotel
Food: April Cafe, Paris Airport, Carls Jr.
I think I knew this day would take a turn as soon as I stepped outside into the falling snow. The flakes dusted the streets and decorated our eyelashes. Train station signs and the weather app warned us of the freezing temperatures that were arriving in Paris. We made a quick coffee run at April Cafe before heading back to the airport for our flight to Venice.
This was our first time as a long-distance couple going to the airport together for something other than a goodbye. After we made it through security and toward our gate, we celebrated with a very watery espresso martini. There was a slight delay on our flight, but the weather problems seemed to have cleared up, so it didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary. Once we scanned our boarding passes, it felt like smooth sailing. We waited in the tunnel to board the plane for five, 10, 15, 30 minutes. My slight worries grew into an anxiety knot. I thought we were about to be relieved when a flight attendant walked toward us to open the doors, but I could not be more wrong. Our flight was canceled. A mass formed around the help desk as everyone scrambled to find new flights, hotels, and ask questions. The flights were being stolen right from under our noses as we rushed to book a new flight that could still give us some time in Venice. Eventually, we found one for the following afternoon and booked a room at the EasyJet Hotel for the night. Even with a sour taste in our mouths from our EasyJet experience, we couldn’t deny the fair price of the hotel.
Despite feeling defeated from our airport experience, the fact that our cancelled flight didn’t impact our ability to be together was exhilarating. In other circumstances, cancellations could keep us apart for longer or even make it impossible to visit, but this time, we were stuck together. To celebrate, we came across a rogue Carl’s Jr. that offered beer. Surprisingly, the EasyJet hotel was a great accommodation given the circumstances and the price.
Day 3: Paris — > Venice try 2
Stay: Airbnb in the Cannaregio neighborhood
Food: Paris Orly McDonald’s, Sullaluna (bookstore bar/café), Osteria Ca’ d’oro Alla Vendova
We woke up bright and early in our bright orange hotel to face the day. We found our way to Paris Orly, and with a surplus of travel anxiety, it was time to try again. Luckily, Transavia pulled through and managed to deliver us safe and sound to Venice. We hopped on a taxi boat, and away we sailed to our Airbnb.
Our Airbnb host’s dad was waiting for us on a bridge just down the street from the apartment. He spoke very little English, and we speak no Italian, so the tour was more of a charades experience. The apartment was fantastic. The décor encapsulated Venice’s timeless beauty. It features the hues of the blues and greens and blues that reflect off the canals, as well as the gold and deep reds that can be found throughout the city’s tapestries and architecture. This was no EasyJet Hotel.
That evening, we wove through the cobblestone maze until we reached a restaurant recommended by our Airbnb host, Andrea. When we walked through the door, there was what appeared to be an Italian family of 12 crowded in the entryway, sipping wine and snacking on arancini. Even though we almost hit them with the swinging door, their laughter and quick conversations didn’t skip a beat. The entryway was tightly packed, but the restaurant had a free table here and there, so we flagged down a server and were seated almost immediately.
If you wanted wine, a bottle it is! As a couple of 23-year-olds on vacation, this was not a problem for us. We settled for a red, and both ordered the amatriciana on a bed of thick spaghetti-like noodles called “bigoli,” a thick Venetian pasta. The older couple next to us were also from the US, but we didn’t make conversation until the end of our meal when the man tried to pull a heist and steal our water. We got to talking, and by the end of the meal, as we were heading out, they told us they had paid for our entire meal!! They also informed us that tomorrow was the big Carnival celebration in the city and encouraged us to get masks or costumes.
Day 4: Venice
Stay: Airbnb
Food: Taverna San Trovaso (pasta making), Trattoria Misericordia
One of our favorite things to do while on vacation is to go on a run. It’s a fun way to see the sights, start the day off on a good note, and add some movement into the strict pasta-spritz regime we intended to keep on this trip. We dashed over bridges, darted through crowds, and damn-near fell into the canals. We ran far enough to sweat out some of the wine we drank the night before, but not too far to tire us out before the busy day ahead.
We took a three-hour pasta-making class at 10:30, where we learned to make tiramisu and two types of fresh pasta—fettuccini and ravioli—while enjoying free-flowing wine. Our instructor, Ms. Barbra, began by guiding us through tiramisu. We took turns whipping the mascarpone mixture before dipping ladyfingers into chilled espresso and carefully layering them into our own dishes. The dessert rested while we moved on to pasta.
Using a simple 1:1 ratio of egg to flour, we made our dough from scratch. We started with ravioli, dividing the dough and feeding it through a pasta machine again and again until it was thin enough to cut into circles. Luke and I took turns rolling the dough, adding the filling, and folding each piece into neat half-moons. We also prepared fettuccini, making long ribbons from the rolled sheets.
Once everything was cooked, we sat down to decanters of wine and enjoyed our meal: ravioli in sage butter and fettuccini in a rich pomodoro sauce. We ended with our tiramisu, which had softened to the perfect texture by the time we were ready for dessert.
We finished the day on a spritz hunt in masks among the crowds of carnival. Roaming the city, rainbows of confetti and costumes swallowed the streets. It was the Lunar New Year as well, so celebration was in the air. We walked and walked until the streets felt as familiar as they did never-ending. While the city itself isn’t large, there is a seemingly infinite number of tiny paths and nooks hidden throughout its streets.
Day 5: Venice —> Rome
Stay: Airbnb in Trastevere
Food: Five Guys (at the train station), Caffe delle Arance (spritz)
Coincidentally, a few of my friends from teaching abroad in France were also in Venice. They proposed splitting a gondola, so we met them in the morning to grab a coffee before exploring the waterways. Our gondolier propelled the boat across the water as if it were made of air. The narrow canals and low-hanging bridges just barely missed us as we moved from passage to passage. With each turn, he called out, “oe!” to alert the canal traffic that a boat was approaching. The air was crisp, but the morning sun was a wave of relief after weeks of rain back in Bordeaux. It was the perfect arrivederci to Venice before we continued our journey.
On the train to Rome, we sat across from a mother-daughter duo. The father was sitting across the aisle from them and popped two or three bottles of tiny champagne within the first half of the journey. When on the way to Rome, am I right?
Our Airbnb was nestled in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, which has no shortage of food and nightlife. We only had one night in Rome, so a bustling neighborhood was just what we wanted. After settling in and getting changed, we wandered the streets until we saw a massive “Spritz” sign. We sat down and ordered a Campari spritz. Soon, a fishbowl-sized spritz and a plethora of free snacks were delivered to our table. After finishing our drinks and heading to dinner, where more wine was ordered, our night took a drunken path. On our way back to the Airbnb, we spotted yet another wonderful sign. This one just said “bar,” but it was all we needed to see. The only thing flowing more than drinks that night was conversation. If there is one thing I took away from this trip, it’s that Luke and I can talk for hours or even days on end and still have something to talk about. He could read me his grocery receipt, and I’d still be invested.
Day 6: Rome —--> Athens
Stay: Phaedra Hotel in the Plaka neighborhood
Food: Mammo (Rome), Eataly at Rome Airport, Estia Cafe/Restaurant
After lugging our bags around Rome all morning, we made it to the airport. We were flying RyanAir and had to check our bags, so we were finally free from carrying them! The Rome airport was the nicest airport either of us had ever been in. This was convenient, because we found ourselves with about three hours to spare before our flight. We walked around the upstairs dining area and sat down at Eataly for a bite. Although we ordered the hummus plate, we ended up getting olives and fresh chips (both of which we thought were free). After almost an hour of snacking and waiting for our hummus, the server informed us that they didn’t have any more hummus and that we would need to pay for the chips and olives. We were fooled! Regardless, there is no other airport I could say I didn’t mind waiting around in for so long before our flight.
Once we made it to Athens, we took the train from the airport to the city. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the hotel and realized we had a perfect view of the Acropolis from our window. The hotel room itself was rather small and had a private bathroom across the hall, but the views and proximity to good food and landmarks made it so worth it.
Day 7: Athens
Stay: Phaedra Hotel
Food: Ti Kafenedaki tou Kipou, Baba Ganoush, Kekkos, Brettos, Acadia
We started the morning with a run. The goal was to run to the original Olympic Stadium and on the paths that surrounded it, but there was an entrance fee. Instead, we ran down the streets of Athens, through a bustling farmer’s market, up some very surprising and massive staircases, and into the National Garden. After taking almost every path in the garden, we ended our run at a small cafe nestled in the corner of the park. Without much knowledge of Greek breakfast foods, we blindly ordered moussaka. At first glance, we were impressed. After the first bite, we were in love. Moussaka, to me, is a mix between shepherd’s pie, lasagna, and eggplant parmesan. It has layers of eggplant and spiced meat covered in creamy bechamel and tomato sauce. It was spectacular.
Later, we ventured up to the Acropolis for our first official, on-purpose sightseeing adventure. Tourism in February is much more pleasant than in the summer. No scalding weather to hide from and no giant crowds to beat. It’s easier to navigate cities this way, as long as you don’t mind the February wind and rain. For lunch, we followed the advice of a friend who recommended a restaurant, Baba Ghanoush, for gyros. We climbed hills that made me miss my home back in the Bay Area and worked up quite the appetite for lunch. This recommendation did not let us down. It was located on the corner of a square. It had quick, friendly service and excellent food.
After lunch and a quick baklava stop, we took the bus to see the coast. The wind was howling, and all proof of sunshine was lost as soon as we arrived. We had somehow arrived at the creepiest possible harbor. Regardless, it still gave us the chance to see the curves of Greece’s coast and to take a walk along the docks. By this time, we had walked almost 10 miles and realized we needed a pre-dinner nap, so we headed back to the hotel.
When it was finally time to emerge from our cave, we headed around the block to an adorable wine bar we spotted the night before. Illuminated bottles shone brightly across the walls, giving the bar a colorful and cozy atmosphere. We snagged the last two chairs at the bar and dove into their long list of cocktails, beers, and wines. Many of their drinks were specialty creations with flavor combinations I’d never imagined. It was the perfect place to spend an hour or two before our dinner reservation.
At dinner, I decided to bid Greece adieu by tasting a dish I’d never tried before. I spotted moussaka on the menu, but had to hold myself back from ordering it so I could try a new dish. After consulting with the server, I ordered cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and seasoned meat. They were tender, rich, and dynamic in both flavor and texture.
By the end of the day, we had walked 12 miles! We explored all day, and yet there still felt like so much city to conquer. Athens is certainly one of the coolest places I have ever visited.
Day 8: Athens —-> Paris
Stay: Airbnb in the 9th
Food: Gregory’s, Kodawari
It was the day before our time together was ending, and it was a struggle to keep morale high. It’s hard to be chipper when that’s in the back of the mind. We spent the morning basking in a courtyard outside our hotel, soaking in all the sun we could get before heading back to rainy Paris.
At the airport, I declared I would get the most Greek food I could find to end the trip. This lasted until I spotted a Mexican restaurant. I had been deprived of Mexican food for months in France, and I was not going to pass up the opportunity to eat black beans. We were both incredibly surprised when our burritos were actually spicy and good. What a win!
Arriving in Paris was a race against the clock. We wanted to visit Kodawari, a ramen restaurant with two locations in the city. On our last night in October, we visited the location designed to feel like you’re in a fish market, and it was incredible. This time, we were headed across the Seine to its other location. It closed at 11:00 p.m., and our plane landed at 9:00 pm. It seemed like plenty of time, but we had to take the train from the airport back into the city, meet our Airbnb host, and then commute all the way across Paris. In the end, we made it with 30 minutes to spare. Luke got the shoyu ramen, and I got their specialty ramen. Between the two, I recommend the shoyu ramen, though both were excellent. This location lacked the crazy decoration and ambiance of its sister location. If you’re looking for more of a typical restaurant experience, I’d go to the location in the 6th. But if you’re more of an adventurous eater and want something more memorable, head over to the 1st.
At dinner, the news broke to Luke that his flight home the following day was cancelled due to a huge storm in the Northeast. While it caused some complications and annoyances for him planning-wise, it also granted us with three(ish) more days together!
Day 9: Paris —--> Bordeaux
Stay: Chez Claire’s Host Family in the Médoc region
Food: Liperli Cafe
If I thought it was surreal going to the airport with him, taking the train to my host family’s house was even crazier. I live out in the countryside of the Médoc region in a town with little public transportation, no stores, and very little to do. Nobody had ever visited me there or met my host family, so I was excited and nervous to bring Luke. The parents speak English (one is fluent, and the other is proficient), but I speak only French with them at home. Their children speak no English, and Luke speaks no French.
Upon arrival, they were already cooking up a massive dinner. They cooked pork for hours in the oven, made a vegetable crumble, and even served us a dessert crafted by their nine-year-old. They welcomed Luke with open arms.
Day 10: Bordeaux
Stay: Chez host family
Food: (Luke) Books and Coffee
Even though Luke’s vacation was still going, I had to return to work. This meant leaving Luke asleep in my room when I got up at 5:45 a.m. I left a very detailed letter and the keys in an effort to keep him informed and entertained while I worked. He was brave enough to try the public transportation and made the hour and 15-minute journey to Bordeaux to get a sandwich and a cup of coffee from Books and Coffee.
That evening, we enjoyed another meal with my host family, where they introduced Luke to pâté and let him try a wine from the Médoc region.
Day 11: Bordeaux
Stay: Ibis Budget Hotel
Food: Café Japonais, Bouillon Chartier
After a day of work, Luke and I left my town to head into Bordeaux for the night. We had plans to go to Bouillon Chartier, a French restaurant chain with very good, very affordable food. Normally, they don’t take reservations, so the line wraps around the corner, but in Bordeaux, it’s possible to make a reservation at their location next to Gare Saint-Jean. Luke ordered duck, and I ordered cassoulet (a regional specialty), and we clicked our glasses to the end of our wonderful trip together.
Long-distance challenges you to make connections not based on proximity or convenience, but on the shared effort to prioritize your relationship on top of work, life, and time zones. In person, we can sit side by side in silence, enjoying each other’s company and physical presence. From far away, we’ve learned how to feel close to each other through communication, showing up for our big moments in creative ways, and putting in the work, no matter the distance. While living across the ocean from one another isn’t ideal, long-distance has allowed us to explore new cities and cultures together.
