Summer 2026
Baker Family
Europe
June 16 – July 1, 2026
✈️ Detroit → Paris
🌍 4 Countries
📅 14 Days
Departure Countdown
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Days
:
—
Hrs
:
—
Min
:
—
Sec
Until departure from Detroit ✈️
4
Cities
14
Days
1
Adventure
The Crew
👨
Pete
👩
Michelle
👧
Margot
👧
Phoebe
The Route
Detroit
Paris
Lucerne
Cinque Terre
Florence
Detroit
Highlights
🗼 Paris
City of Light
Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre, Seine river walks, and the world's best croissants.
Jun 17–20
3 nights
🏔️ Lucerne
Swiss Alps
Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne, Mount Pilatus via cable car, and chocolate everywhere.
Jun 20–24
4 nights
🌊 Cinque Terre
Coastal Villages
Five colorful cliffside villages, coastal hiking trails, fresh pesto, and turquoise water.
Jun 24–27
3 nights
🏛️ Florence
Renaissance City
The Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, gelato on every corner, and Tuscan countryside.
Jun 27–30
3 nights
🌿 Before You Go
- Notify your bank/credit cards of travel dates and countries
- Download offline maps for each city (Google Maps or Maps.me)
- Check passport expiry — must be valid 6+ months beyond return
- Pack a universal travel adapter (European Type C/E/F plugs)
June 17 – 20
Paris
June 17 – 20 · 3 nights
🗼 City of Light
✈️ CDG
🚇 Metro
🏨 Accommodation
Cadet Residence by Collection Vesper
7 Rue Cadet, Paris 75009 France
9th arrondissement — Grands Boulevards / Montmartre neighborhood. Walking distance to Opéra, Sacré-Cœur, and excellent local bistros on Rue des Martyrs.
✅ Check-in 4:00 PM🚪 Check-out 11:00 AM📞 +33 1 75 00 18 44
🍽️ Eat & Do — Near the Apartment
Restaurants
- Bouillon Pigalle · €€ · 12 min walk · Classic French brasserie, lively and affordable. Big portions, open kitchen. Expect a 15-min queue that moves fast. Great for the whole family.
- Le Pantruche · €€ · 7 min walk · Excellent neighbourhood bistro on Rue Victor Massé. Creative French cooking, seasonal menu. Book in advance.
- Pink Mamma · €€ · 10 min walk · Multi-storey Italian on Rue de Douai — fun, vibrant, and kids love the decor. Rooftop terrace. Reserve ahead, especially evenings.
- Rue des Martyrs · € · 8 min walk · One of Paris's great food streets — cheese shops, boulangeries, wine bars. Perfect for picking up picnic lunch supplies.
Nearby Activities
- Galeries Lafayette Rooftop · Free · 10 min walk · Take the lift to the free rooftop terrace — sweeping views including the Eiffel Tower. One of the best free viewpoints in Paris. Kids love it.
- Parc Monceau · Free · 15 min walk · Beautiful English-style park with playground. Perfect for an afternoon run-around and a break from the museums.
- Montmartre Village Streets · Free · 20 min walk · Skip Sacré-Cœur's queue and wander the quiet village lanes, artists' studios, and vineyard — the real Montmartre most tourists miss.
Day by Day
1
Arrival — Le Marais Stroll
Tuesday, June 17
Arrive 6:45 AM at CDG — transfer to accommodation and check in as early as possible. Rest and let the jet lag settle.
Morning
Afternoon gentle walk through Le Marais — one of Paris's most beautifully preserved medieval neighborhoods. Wander the narrow streets, peek into courtyards, and find the gorgeous Place des Vosges (the oldest planned square in Paris).
Afternoon
Easy dinner close to home — nothing ambitious tonight. Get to bed early!
Evening
2
Eiffel Tower + Seine Cruise
Wednesday, June 18
Eiffel Tower with timed entry booked in advance — go early to beat the crowds. The views from the second floor are stunning and the lines move faster than you'd expect.
Morning
Picnic lunch on the Champ de Mars — grab supplies from a nearby boulangerie and spread out on the grass with the tower overhead. Classic Paris.
Midday
Evening Seine river cruise — magical at twilight when the city lights come on. Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf both do excellent routes. Book at the dock or in advance.
Evening
3
Louvre + Orsay
Thursday, June 19
Louvre Museum — book tickets in advance and go first thing. Allow 3–4 hours. Don't try to see everything; pick a few wings (Ancient Egypt, Italian Renaissance, Greek antiquities) and see them well.
Morning
Rest and recharge in the Tuileries Garden — beautiful formal garden between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. Chairs by the fountain, ice cream from a cart.
Afternoon
Walk to Musée d'Orsay for the impressionist collection — Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas. It's housed in a beautiful converted railway station and is one of the world's great museums.
Late afternoon
4
Montmartre + Île de la Cité
Friday, June 20
Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre in the morning — climb the steps (or take the funicular) for sweeping views over Paris. The artists' quarter still has the bohemian energy that made it famous. Explore the Place du Tertre.
Morning
Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame exterior — walk across to the island at the heart of Paris. Notre-Dame's exterior is gorgeous even while the interior is still in the final phases of reopening. Don't miss the view from Pont Saint-Louis.
Afternoon
Sainte-Chapelle if open — a breathtaking Gothic chapel with floor-to-ceiling stained glass. One of the most beautiful rooms in the world.
Late afternoon
5
Paris Morning → Train to Lucerne
Friday, June 20
Leisurely Paris morning — linger over coffee and croissants at a proper café. One last stroll. Soak it in.
Morning
Afternoon TGV Lyria to Lucerne — approximately 5.5 hours. Scenic journey through eastern France and into Switzerland. Watch the landscape change as the Alps appear.
Afternoon
🌿 Paris Tips
- Buy a carnet of 10 metro tickets (t+ tickets) or get a Navigo weekly pass — much cheaper than single tickets
- Paris Museum Pass covers Louvre, Orsay, Versailles and 60+ sites — worth it for 3+ days of museum-going
- Book Eiffel Tower timed entry weeks in advance at ticket.toureiffel.paris
- Seine cruises: Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf — book at the dock or in advance
- Pharmacies (green cross sign) are everywhere and excellent for minor ailments
- Wallace fountains throughout the city provide free, safe drinking water
🚨 Emergency Info — Paris
European Emergency
US Embassy Paris
Embassy Address
2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris
June 20 – 24
Lucerne
June 20 – 24 · 4 nights
🏔️ Swiss Alps
🌉 Kapellbrücke
🚡 Mt. Pilatus
🏨 Accommodation
ROESLI Guest House
Pfistergasse 12, Lucerne 6003 Switzerland
Right in Lucerne's Old Town — Chapel Bridge is a 3-minute walk. Surrounded by the best restaurants, the lakefront, and everything walkable.
✅ Check-in 3:00 PM🚪 Check-out 11:00 AM📞 +41 41 249 22 77
🍽️ Eat & Do — Near the Guest House
Restaurants
- Rathaus Brauerei · €€ · 3 min walk · In-house brewery beside the Town Hall, right on the Reuss River. Casual, lively, good sausages and Swiss pub food. Perfect stop after the Chapel Bridge.
- Wirtshaus Galliker · €€ · 8 min walk · Proper old-school Swiss cooking, beloved by locals. Homely atmosphere, hearty portions. One of Lucerne's best traditional spots. Book ahead.
- Brasserie Bodu · €€ · 5 min walk · French-Swiss brasserie near the Kapellbrücke. Broad menu including fish, pasta, and Swiss classics — good for different appetites in the family.
- Migros or Coop Supermarket · € · 5 min walk · Swiss supermarkets with outstanding local cheese, bread, and chocolate. Best-value lunch option: picnic on the lakefront promenade.
Nearby Activities
- Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) · Free · 3 min walk · Europe's oldest wooden covered bridge. Walk it in morning light and again at night when it's lit up. The painted panels inside tell Swiss history.
- Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument) · Free · 12 min walk · The famous lion carved into the rock face. Small but profoundly moving — Mark Twain called it "the saddest piece of rock in the world." Worth a quiet moment.
- Lakefront Promenade · Free · 5 min walk · Stroll along Lake Lucerne toward the pier. Swans, Alps in every direction, paddleboards to hire nearby. Best in early morning before the tour groups arrive.
Day by Day
1
Arrive + Chapel Bridge at Night
Friday, June 20
Arrive by train from Paris in the evening. Drop bags and get oriented.
Evening arrival
Stroll across the iconic Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) — Europe's oldest surviving wooden covered bridge, built in 1333. It's lit up beautifully at night and the reflections on the Reuss River are unforgettable.
Evening
Dinner in the Old Town — plenty of good options around Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz.
Evening
2
Old Town + Lake Cruise
Saturday, June 21
Morning exploring the Chapel Bridge and Old Town in daylight — see the painted panels inside the bridge, the Wasserturm (Water Tower), and the colorful painted buildings of the Weinmarkt.
Morning
Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal) — one of the most moving sculptures in the world. Mark Twain called it "the saddest and most touching piece of rock in the world." Allow a quiet moment here.
Late morning
Lake Lucerne boat cruise — stunning Alpine panorama from the water. The Swiss Travel Pass covers this. Mountains surround you in every direction.
Afternoon
Evening: consider taking the Mt. Pilatus gondola at sunset, or save it for the full day trip tomorrow.
Evening
3
Mt. Pilatus + Transport Museum
Sunday, June 22
Mt. Pilatus day trip — take the aerial gondola up (from Kriens) and the world's steepest cog railway down to Alpnachstad, then boat back to Lucerne. Or reverse for a different experience. Spectacular Alpine views at 2,132m.
Morning
Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus) back in Lucerne — the kids will love it. Excellent interactive exhibits on trains, planes, cars, ships, and space. One of Switzerland's most-visited museums.
Afternoon
Walk along the Musegg Wall — Lucerne's remarkably preserved medieval city wall with nine towers. Great views over the red rooftops toward the lake.
Late afternoon
4
Morning in Lucerne → Train to Cinque Terre
Tuesday, June 24
Slow morning — last coffee by the lake. The lakefront promenade is peaceful in the morning before the crowds arrive.
Morning
Train to La Spezia via Milan — approximately 4 hours. La Spezia is the gateway city for all five Cinque Terre villages.
Afternoon
🌿 Lucerne Tips
- Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, buses, boats, and many cable cars — buy before arriving in Switzerland for best rates
- Switzerland uses CHF (Swiss Francs), not euros — get some cash, though cards are widely accepted
- Tipping is not obligatory (service included by law), but rounding up is appreciated
- Mt. Pilatus: book gondola tickets in advance in peak season and always check the weather first — clouds can obscure the views entirely
- The lake and Old Town are very walkable — comfortable shoes are essential on the cobblestones
- Migros and Coop supermarkets are excellent for affordable picnic supplies — cheese, bread, and local chocolate
🚨 Emergency Info — Switzerland
European Emergency
US Embassy Bern
Embassy Address
Sulgeneckstrasse 19, 3007 Bern
June 24 – 27
Cinque Terre
June 24 – 27 · 3 nights
🏘️ Five Villages
🥾 Coastal Hike
🍋 Fresh Pesto
🏨 Accommodation
DA ROSETTINA
Via Vincenzo Gioberti 18, Monterosso al Mare 19016 Italy
Monterosso al Mare — the largest and most accessible of the 5 villages. Fegina beach is a short walk. Central base for exploring all the villages by train.
✅ Check-in 3:00 PM🚪 Check-out 10:00 AM
🍽️ Eat & Do — Near the Apartment
Restaurants
- Il Frantoio · €€ · 5 min walk · Excellent fresh pasta and seafood in Fegina (new Monterosso). Trofie al pesto and anchovies are the standouts. Get there early or book ahead.
- Focacceria Miky · € · 5 min walk · Stuffed focaccia, farinata, and local snacks. Perfect grab-and-go for the beach or before a train hop. Kids love it.
- Gambero Rosso (Vernazza) · €€€ · 12 min by train · Best sit-down restaurant in all of Cinque Terre — right on Vernazza's tiny harbour. Spectacular setting. Book ahead; it fills up fast. Worth the trip.
- Osteria Barbarossa (Old Town) · €€ · 10 min walk · Reliable seafood trattoria in Monterosso Old Town. Good for a relaxed family dinner without a hike to another village.
Nearby Activities
- Fegina Beach · Free sections · 5 min walk · The only large sandy beach in all of Cinque Terre — right at the apartment. Paid sunbeds available but the free section is great. Kids can happily spend a whole day here.
- Vernazza Day Visit · Train ticket · 12 min · Most picturesque of the five villages. Walk down to the tiny harbour, get gelato, swim off the rocks. Arrive before 11am to beat the tour groups.
- Boat Tour of All 5 Villages · ~€35/adult · From Monterosso pier · Best way to see the villages from the sea — the views are completely different from the train. Kids love the boat. Book at the pier. Check weather before going.
Day by Day
1
Arrive + First Sunset
Wednesday, June 24
Arrive at La Spezia by train from Lucerne. Transfer via the local Trenitalia line to your home village (~15 min). These short trains run frequently and are part of the Cinque Terre Card.
Arrival
Settle in and explore your village — every one of the five has its own personality. Find the main square, locate the nearest focaccia shop, and get your bearings.
Afternoon
Sunset aperitivo with a view — find a terrace bar and watch the Ligurian Sea turn gold. Order Aperol spritz or a local Cinque Terre white wine.
Evening
2
Sentiero Azzurro Hike + Beach
Thursday, June 25
Hike Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) — the Monterosso to Vernazza section is the most dramatic and scenic stretch of the coastal trail (~1.5 hours, moderate difficulty with some steep sections). Start early before the heat builds.
Morning
Fegina beach in Monterosso al Mare — the best sandy beach in the Cinque Terre. Swim, relax, and recover from the hike. Sun loungers available for rent.
Midday
Fresh seafood lunch in Vernazza — one of the most charming of the five villages, with a small harbor you can swim in. Try the grilled branzino, mussels, or the fresh catch of the day.
Afternoon
3
Village Hopping: Corniglia + Manarola
Friday, June 26
Hop the local train to Corniglia — the only village not directly on the waterfront, perched 97 meters above the sea atop a promontory. The 377 steps up from the station are worth every one for the views. Quieter and less touristy than the others.
Morning
Continue to Manarola — arguably the most photographed village in the Cinque Terre. The painted houses stacked up the cliff face are extraordinary. Swim off the rocks below the village.
Midday
Local specialties to try: pesto alla Genovese on trofie pasta, fresh focaccia, farinata (thin chickpea flatbread baked in a wood oven), and a glass of sciacchetrà (local sweet wine).
Throughout
4
Last Morning + Train to Florence
Saturday, June 27
Morning swim and a slow breakfast — this is what Cinque Terre is for. No agenda.
Morning
Lunch in your village — pick up focaccia and eat somewhere with a view of the sea.
Midday
Afternoon train to Florence — approximately 2.5 hours via La Spezia and Pisa. Arrival in the Renaissance city.
Afternoon
🌿 Cinque Terre Tips
- Cinque Terre Card covers local trains between all five villages plus trail access — buy at any station or online
- Trails can close in extreme heat or after heavy rain — check parconazionale5terre.it before heading out
- Villages are very hilly with steep staircases — not stroller-friendly, but fine for older kids who can handle stairs
- Best swimming spots: Fegina beach (Monterosso), rocks at Manarola, Corniglia beach (10 min walk down the stairs from the village)
- Local specialties: pesto alla Genovese, trofie pasta, focaccia, farinata (chickpea flatbread), limoncino (local lemon liqueur)
- Crowds peak around midday — arrive early at each village to beat the tour groups off the morning trains
June 27 – 30
Florence
June 27 – 30 · 3 nights
🏛️ Renaissance City
🌉 Ponte Vecchio
🖼️ Uffizi
🏨 Accommodation
Pitti Luxury Terrace by Mmega
8 Via Toscanella, Florence 50125 Italy
Oltrarno district — the artisan side of the Arno. Ponte Vecchio is a 5-minute walk, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens are around the corner. One of Florence's best neighborhoods.
✅ Check-in 2:00 PM🚪 Check-out 10:00 AM
🍽️ Eat & Do — Near the Apartment
Restaurants
- Trattoria Cammillo · €€€ · 5 min walk · Beloved Florentine institution on Borgo San Jacopo. Ribollita, bistecca, classic Tuscan. Book weeks in advance — it fills out fast. Best dinner in the neighbourhood.
- Gustapizza · € · 5 min walk · Best pizza in Oltrarno. Via Maggio 46r. Cash only. Tiny, queue outside — worth every minute. Kids love it.
- Il Latini · €€ · 12 min walk · Communal tables, no reservations, classic Tuscan family-style food. Lively and fun. Arrive at 7pm to avoid the queue. Very family-friendly atmosphere.
- Mercato Centrale (upstairs) · € · 20 min walk · Food hall above the market: excellent pasta, lampredotto, gelato, and pizza by the slice. Great for a casual family lunch in the shade.
Nearby Activities
- Boboli Gardens · ~€10/adult · 3 min walk · Sprawling Renaissance gardens behind Pitti Palace — shaded alleys, fountains, statues, and sweeping city views. Great for kids to roam. Perfect when it's hot outside.
- Ponte Vecchio · Free · 5 min walk · Florence's famous medieval bridge lined with jewellers' shops. Best visited early morning before the crowds. Cross it to reach the Uffizi side of the river.
- Piazzale Michelangelo · Free · 20 min walk uphill · The best panorama of Florence — all the red domes at once. Go at sunset (around 9pm in late June). A short but steep walk up the hill — kids can do it.
📅 Day by Day
Sat, Jun 27
Arrival & Oltrarno
▼
Arrive early afternoon from Cinque Terre. Settle in. Afternoon walk: Ponte Vecchio (jewelers' bridge over the Arno) and the Oltrarno neighborhood — more local, less touristy. Evening: Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset views over the city. Unforgettable.
Sun, Jun 28
Uffizi & Piazza della Signoria
▼
Uffizi Gallery (MUST book online weeks ahead — queue without booking is 3+ hours). Go first thing when doors open. Afternoon: Palazzo Vecchio + Piazza della Signoria — the open-air sculpture gallery. Gelato mandatory.
Mon, Jun 29
David, Mercato & Boboli
▼
Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David (book in advance, smaller queue than Uffizi). Stunning in person. Mercato Centrale for lunch — incredible food hall. Afternoon: Boboli Gardens (shade and views, perfect in heat). Evening: try bistecca alla Fiorentina at a proper trattoria.
Tue, Jun 30
Departure Day — Homeward Bound
▼
Early alarm. Last espresso and walk across Ponte Vecchio. Transfer to Florence Airport (FLR) for 11:20AM flight. FLR → AMS (Delta 9523/KLM), AMS → DTW (Delta 137). Home!
🌸 Florence Tips
- Book Uffizi and Accademia on official sites (uffizi.it, gallerieaccademia.it) — weeks in advance in summer
- Florence in June is hot (30°C+) — plan outdoor sightseeing for morning, museums in afternoon heat
- Best gelato: look for "artigianale" signs and natural colors — avoid neon-bright tourist scoops
- Near Santa Croce: Gelateria dei Neri is a local favorite
- Florence is very walkable — most major sites within 20-minute walk of each other
- Tap water safe to drink; look for "acqua potabile" fountains throughout the city
- Dress code for churches: shoulders and knees covered (bring a scarf or light layer)
🚨 Emergency Info — Florence
European Emergency
US Consulate Florence
Address
Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci 38, 50123 Florence
Logistics
Everything you need to know
✈️ Flights — Confirmation: HRATNTU
Jun 16
Outbound: DTW → CDG
▼
Delta 96 · DTW → CDG · Jun 16, 5:00PM → Jun 17, 6:45AM · Overnight transatlantic flight.
Jun 30
Return: FLR → AMS → DTW
▼
Leg 1: Delta 9523 (operated by KLM) · FLR → AMS · Jun 30, 11:20AM
Leg 2: Delta 137 · AMS → DTW · departs Jun 30, arrives Jul 1
Check in online 24 hrs before each flight. Download the Delta app.
🚂 Train Connections
Jun 20
Paris → Lucerne
▼
TGV Lyria · ~5.5 hrs · Afternoon departure. Book on Rail Europe or SNCF.
Jun 24
Lucerne → La Spezia
▼
~4 hrs via Milan (change at Milano Centrale) · Afternoon departure.
Jun 24–27
Cinque Terre Local Trains
▼
Trenitalia regional trains · Runs frequently · ~15 min between villages. Buy the Cinque Terre Card — covers all local trains plus trail access.
Jun 27
La Spezia → Florence
▼
~2–2.5 hrs via Pisa · Afternoon departure.
Jun 30
Florence → FLR Airport
▼
Taxi ~€25 or Ataf bus to Peretola airport. Allow at least 60 min before departure.
💶 Money & Payments
- France & Italy: Euro (€) · Switzerland: Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Credit cards widely accepted. Visa/Mastercard preferred.
- Notify your bank before departure to avoid fraud holds.
- ATMs easy to find in all cities — use bank ATMs, avoid airport/tourist ATMs for better rates.
- Budget rough guide: Paris most expensive, Florence moderate, Cinque Terre + Lucerne moderate-high.
- Keep some cash for smaller restaurants, markets, and tips.
📱 Connectivity
- Consider buying a European eSIM before departure: Airalo or eSIMdb.
- T-Mobile and Verizon have international plans — check coverage before leaving.
- Download offline maps on Google Maps or Maps.me for each city before departure.
- WhatsApp works great for family group messaging across carriers.
- Hotel/Airbnb WiFi usually sufficient for casual use.
🗣️ Language Quick Reference
🇫🇷 French (Paris)
- Bonjour — Hello
- Merci — Thank you
- S'il vous plaît — Please
- L'addition — The bill
- Où est...? — Where is...?
🇨🇭 German/French (Lucerne)
- Danke — Thank you
- Bitte — Please
- Guten Morgen — Good morning
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me
- Wo ist...? — Where is...?
🇮🇹 Italian (Italy)
- Ciao — Hi / Bye
- Grazie — Thank you
- Per favore — Please
- Il conto — The bill
- Dov'è...? — Where is...?
🚨 Emergency Summary — All Countries
European Emergency (all)
US Embassy Paris
US Embassy Bern
US Consulate Florence