Ultimate Backpacking Trails

Italy, a European country with a long Mediterranean coastline, has left a powerful mark on Western culture and cuisine. Its capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican as well as landmark art and ancient ruins. Other major cities include Florence, with Renaissance masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s "David" and Brunelleschi's Duomo; Venice, the city of canals; and Milan, Italy’s fashion capital.

France, in Western Europe, encompasses medieval cities, alpine villages and Mediterranean beaches. Paris, its capital, is famed for its fashion houses, classical art museums including the Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its wines and sophisticated cuisine. Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, Lyon’s Roman theater and the vast Palace of Versailles attest to its rich history. 48 Hours in Paris: The perfect two-day itinerary France’s capital city is filled with treasures across the worlds of history, art, food and fashion, as well as the romanticism that has earned its reputation as the City of Love. From the world’s largest museum and dining at its most bustling restaurants to picturesque picnic spots and strolls down the Seine, this two-day Paris itinerary lets you experience it all — and still take in its most iconic show. Day 1 Morning 1. Explore the charm of Le Marais (1–2 hours) Start your dive into Parisian culture with breakfast at the Marche des Enfants Rouge in Le Marais. A historic monument and France’s oldest covered food market, it’s jam-packed with stands so you’ll have your pick of the best. From there, weave your way through the medieval courtyards and pretty streets of Le Marais, making time to stroll through the Jardin des Archive Nationales, a free and mesmerizing hidden gem right in the heart of the 3rd arrondissement. It’s on your way to the Centre Pompidou, which is filled with modern art, but is arguably a work of art in itself. Not able to resist a peek inside? Buy a museum pass for your time in Paris which gives access to this and many other major museums, including the Louvre. 2. See Mona Lisa’s smile in the world’s largest museum (1.5–3 hours) You’ll know you’ve arrived at the Louvre Museum when you’re greeted by the iconic glass pyramids designed by I. M. Pei. Inside, there are about 10 miles of galleries, making this nearly 250-year-old museum the largest in the world. You can spend a whole day there, so booking a guided tour is a good way to skip the lines and get straight to the highlights, like the Egyptian antiquities, Michelangelo’s marble sculptures, or the surprisingly diminutive piece that has captivated the world for centuries: the Mona Lisa. For a quicker (and free) visit, see a different perspective of the Louvre’s pyramids from below in the underground Carrousel du Louvre shopping center. Its entrances are by the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, in front of the Louvre. Afternoon 3. Picnic in the Tuileries Garden (1 hour) The Tuileries Garden is a stone’s throw from the Louvre and the vibrant colors and formal French style of the gardens are free-to-see and relatively uncrowded. On a sunny day it’s a perfect spot for a relaxed, alfresco lunch, so pick up some food — bread and cheese, of course — and wine for a picnic on the lawn. If it rains, you have the best excuse to find shelter in Ladurée, famous for its macarons, or La Pâtisserie du Meurice par Cédric Grolet, where sweet treats are crafted by a world-renowned pastry chef. 4. Enjoy views of the city from the Seine (2 hours) The Seine, Paris’s main waterway, runs alongside the Louvre and Tuileries Garden, and a promenade along its banks is a charming way to gain a different vantage of this beautiful city. Rather rest your legs? Book a one-hour boat tour with guided commentary to catch a glimpse of the most celebrated landmarks, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral — which hasn’t lost its magnetism despite losing its iconic spire to a fire in 2019. Don’t forget to ask your guide about the Conciergerie, a Gothic palace looming over the river, and the story of the Eiffel Tower, which was only intended to be temporary. Evening 5. Descend into the Paris Catacombs (1-1.5 hours) A visit to the Paris Catacombs is a macabre and mysterious descent into the heart of underground Paris. A veritable labyrinth, these catacombs were installed in the tunnels of former quarries in the late 18th century to deal with the city’s overflowing cemeteries. Today, a little more than a mile of the world’s largest underground burial site is open to visit, but that makes it no less fascinating to see and hear the legends of their past. Spots fill up fast, so book a tour in advance and see a very different side to the city. 6. Take in the City of Light from the glittering Eiffel Tower (2 hours) Catch the Metro Line 6 to the Eiffel Tower in time for the most romantic time to visit. After sunset, 20,000 glittering lights make the tower sparkle on the hour, making the city’s monikers of City of Light and City of Love all the more meaningful. Arriving at this time has the added advantage of being less crowded (especially during the week). Skip the long ticket lines by booking a ticket to go to the top with a host who will help you spot the landmarks on the expansive cityscape. A visit to the top floor’s champagne bar only adds to the romantic mood. Day 2 Morning 1. Stand tall on the Arc de Triomphe (1 hour) The Eiffel Tower is not the only monument worth scaling during your 48 hours in Paris. Kick off your second day in the city with a trip to the rooftop of the Arc de Triomphe where you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views of Paris. Get tickets in advance to skip the line and spend a little more time enjoying your walk along one of the 12 avenues the site connects. The most well known, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, is lined with designer stores, street cafes, and historic buildings that are sure to draw you in. 2. A morning at the Opéra (2 hours) Much like the city of Paris itself, opera is symbolic of deep romance, and visiting the gilded Palais Garnier, or Opéra as it’s commonly known, is a must. Book a guided tour and feast on tales of hidden passages, former malls, flamboyant frescoes, and all the various treasures of this 19th century palace which inspired Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. Afternoon 3. Shop at Paris' finest stores before refueling at a classic (2 hours) On Boulevard Haussmann, you’ll find two of Paris’ finest department stores, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. The stained-glass domes in both stores are reason enough to visit, and the views come without the hefty price tag of most of the goodies on offer. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, veer away from this street’s fancy restaurants for Bouillon Chartier. A much-loved and always bustling local hot spot, it’s loud and brash (in just the right way) with unassuming, classically French dishes. Don’t be surprised if you end up being sat with strangers, it’s all part of the fun. 4. Immerse yourself in the artsy Montmartre district (2 hours) A little more to the north lies the cobbled village of Montmartre. It’s home to the iconic Wall of Love, or Le Mur des Je t'aime, a tribute worth several moments of study. From here, climb the steps of the Sacré-Coeur, a basilica perched atop the city’s highest hill with all the stunning, panoramic views you’d hope for. Its surrounding streets, especially around Place du Tertre in Abbesses, have a creative, bohemian vibe, and the arrondissement is teeming with painters and street art. Got a curious eye? Delve into the area’s history at the Museum of Montmartre, its gardens, and the Montmartre vineyards. Evening 5. Experience the world's most iconic cabaret (2 hours) End your Parisian trip with a bang, or can-can, at the Moulin Rouge. You can’t miss the iconic red windmill that stands like a beacon as you enter the Pigalle district. Book tickets for dinner and a show and you’re in for a spectacular, sensory spectacle that pairs perfectly with your three-course meal and the champagne flowing into your glass.