If your Instagram feed is flooded with beautiful people drinking Aperol Spritzes on the Amalfi coast, we understand what you’re feeling—deep envy.
And we also understand if you find yourself daydreaming (even if it’s slightly delusional) about booking a last-minute trip to Europe.
Of course, whether you plan to go abroad next week or next year, mapping out some unique experiences ahead of time is key. Fortunately, Sam Hyatt, Poosh Consultant and dear friend of Kourtney, just got back from Europe and gave us her top recommendations.
Sam traveled with her husband and kids (ages 11, 13, and 16) to Rome, Sardinia, and Paris. Of course, keeping the whole family entertained and on the same page is no easy feat. Sam’s advice? Plan a handful of fun activities in each city that includes participation from the whole family.
Scroll down for Sam’s recs, which include an in-home pasta-making class in Rome, a chartered boat in Sardinia, and a guided food tour in Paris.
“One of the best parts of the trip was doing a pasta cooking class in Rome,” says Sam. “The class was hosted in a private home, and it was an amazing experience for both adults and kids.” The group arrived at 11 a.m. to find plates of cheeses and charcuterie for snacking while they learned how to make pasta from scratch from the chef. The two-hour class taught recipes for three pasta dishes, including classic pomodoro, pesto, and carbonara.
Cooking Class Info: Lucilla Cooking Class
Of course, the family hit the usual tourist destinations in Rome like the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. And, of course, they got gelato every step of the way. Sam tells us, “For dinner, the Trastevere neighborhood was our favorite. One night, we ended up in a little restaurant called Enoteca Ferrara, and it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.”
Restaurant in Rome: Enoteca Ferrara
The family then traveled from Rome to Sardinia and stayed at Hotel Cala Di Volpe.
Sam tells us, “Sardinia is so beautiful, but the restaurants can be really expensive. The well-known restaurants are extremely pricey and we had to do some research to find places that were reasonable.” Once the group discovered a few local gems, these lesser-known restaurants were worth remembering for the next trip. “Our favorite three restaurants were off the beaten path, but we became obsessed with them, and now I recommend them to anyone traveling to Sardinia.”
Restaurants in Sardinia:
Ristorante Giagoni
Ristorante Spinnaker Porto Cervo
Ristorante Gastronomia Belvedere
The top activity in Sardinia was taking in the coastline by boat. “Chartering a boat is an absolute must,” says Sam. “We sailed to little grottos and anchored in private areas where we were the only ones swimming.”
Boat Chartering Service in Sardinia:
Seven Yacht Motor Boat Rental
Paris has some of the world’s best museums and food. The Musee D’Orsay and the Louvre are destinations that never disappoint. But if you’re looking for something a little more intimate, Sam recommends Musée de L’Orangerie. This small museum in the Jardin des Tuileries houses some of Monet’s most famous water lily paintings.
“We did the eight-minute virtual reality tour before we viewed the paintings,” Sam says. “I would recommend the VR for kids because it really sets up the details of Monet and the history behind the famous water lily paintings.”
Monet Museum:
Musée de L’Orangerie
“In Paris, we booked a midday walking food tour, and it was a great way to both feed the kids and explore a new neighborhood,” says Sam. “The tour guide was fantastic and led us to local spots that included the best croissant I’ve ever had in my life and a macaroon shop the kids still talk about.”
Food Tour Guide:
Mathieu Mercier
Best Croissant Ever Boulangerie:
Boulangerie Terrior d’Avenir
Red Velvet Latte Cafe:
Sevenly Heart
Need help planning your trip? Sam used Partenza Travel, and they created an app with each day of the trip mapped out. Within the app, there was a schedule of activities with contact info, addresses, and everything she needed in one place.
Travel Agent:
Christine Andraus at Partenza Travel
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