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What to do for a day between Paris and Rome, with teenager?

Hi, we have a day between a week in Paris and a week in Rome. My husband, our 13-year-old son and I. Any suggestions for what we should do? we could take a train to somewhere in-between if there is something great, or just do a day trip outside Paris or outside Rome. Suggestions welcome!

Posted by
3299 posts

Switzerland is right on the way if you go by train.

Posted by
55 posts

We were in a similar situation a number of years ago, and our son was 13 at the time. We rented a car (there is probably another method, I would think) and went to Giverny, the site of Monet's garden. It is on the outskirts of Paris. It was one of the most memorable parts of our trip - so much color, so much beauty. In the "Monet area" there is one small hotel/restaurant, well worth a stay. The Monet house & museum closed at 6pm, yet there was plenty of daylight left at that time of year to explore around the town. Go for a day or for the night, it will be worth it! Dave

Posted by
176 posts

Hi Andrea...what does your son enjoy doing? If he likes hiking, for example, you could find somewhere in the Alps to spend a day hiking. If he's into science, you could find a fun science museum. Has he recently studied something in school that you could take him to see in person? The beaches of Normandy are a little in the wrong direction but Pont du Hoc made a huge impression on us - seeing the bomb craters for ourselves really brought the history books to life. And there's always Disneyland Paris! Also, your means of transport will be a factor - if you are driving, you'll have much more freedom than if you are taking the train or flying. Good luck!

Posted by
40 posts

Good thinking he does like nature and science more than art and museums, so a hike, or someone else suggested a bike ride, would probably be a good way to think. We won't have a car, so it's either take a plane or a train somewhere, and since we only have the day, I don't want to spend all of it in transit. But perhaps a train to a town where he could hike with Dad, and I could relax, and then an overnight train to Rome would be something I could look into.