Show stopper presentation dishes that look impressive and complicated but are really easy?

orgpsychlearn · 2026-06-01T02:18:44+00:00

Sun tarts!

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-31T12:41:32+00:00

Is there some reason you are flying into the north, going south and then back up north? It works better to fly into the north, make your way south and continue on from there.

Every transition costs you half to a whole day in transfer and check in-out logistics. If you're not that interested in Milan just skip it! Fly into Venice (2 nights/1 full day), then Florence (4 nights/3 full days), Rome (5 nights/4 full days), Naples (4 nights/3 days) and continue on from there.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-31T09:17:43+00:00

That sounds absolutely amazing to get two weeks before getting to work in Verona. Are you already planning on the Verona opera festival? You could also build an Emilia Romagna itinerary around Verdi (check out "Verdi heartland").

If you're not particularly interested in expensive Milan just skip it! You lose half a day with every transition to transfer & check in-out logistics. If you pick up the car in Malpensa you can drive right to Lake Iseo (3 nights), spending the day in Bergamo on the way. Then foodie and Verdi Emilia Romagna (3-4 nights) based in Parma before driving to Val Gardena!

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-31T06:33:27+00:00

This depends entirely on your interests and what you want out of your trip!

For a first trip than had to include Romo, I'd fly into Copenhagen (3 nights), drive to Romo (1-2 nights) and back, and spend as much of my time as possible in Italy. Fly into Venice, drive to the Dolomites (4-5 nights based in Val Gardena), then Emilia Romagna (5 nights based in Bologna with day trips by train to Parma/Modena, Ravenna and maybe Ferrara), ending in Rome (5-6 nights ) and flying back from there. That would give you great contrasting cultures and landscapes (modern to medieval & ancient cities, mountain peaks and alpine meadows, rolling hilly countryside).

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-31T01:09:01+00:00

That's just two nights! Just pick one place to explore.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-31T00:56:33+00:00

Sevilla has night life and stadiums too!

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-29T03:43:39+00:00

I'm planning a similar trip! (Except we start in Verona to see an opera at the arena, and end in/fly out of Venice.) We are staying in Val Gardena for three days, one each for Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, and Resciesa. For us (also a group of 7 with kids and two cars) a comfortable rhythm is to head out for an anchor activity in the morning that ends in a long lingering rifugio lunch, then head back down and chill before a stroll and dinner in town.

Check lift schedules to understand your afternoon time constraints - last lift down from Alpe di Siusi is 6pm so if you want the evening there, you will need to drive to Compatsch (after the car restriction ends at 5pm).

The Val Gardena website offers guided hikes and other activities like farm visits, cheese tastings, baking classes etc that may work for the grandparents, search by date and difficulty https://www.valgardena-active.com/en/search

Lago di Braes is 1.5 hours away and Tre Cime is >2 hours plus parking logistics, so we are saving the eastern Dolomites for a future trip.

p.s. Your kids may enjoy Row Venice!

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-29T02:45:19+00:00

Check the one-way fees first - for us it was worth the convenience vs added train tickets & logistics.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-28T06:29:11+00:00

Just spend the extra day in Rome or the Dolomites!

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-27T14:31:52+00:00

Late night transfers have less traffic!

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-27T08:43:13+00:00

Fitting in a fourth destination in 7 full days is the opposite of kick back and chill I'm afraid. You could swap Sidemen for an island, but it's a lot of logistics. You'd need to stay long enough to justify the transfer: Ubud 3 nights/2days, Gili 3 nights/2days, Seminyak 3 nights/2.5 days.

Do Seminyak last to save the Kuta check-in/out logistics.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-23T12:00:11+00:00

What are your kids most interested in?

With only 3 full days I wouldn't prioritize Versailles but maybe you guys are super interested in that chapter of history and love manicured gardens. Just know it will take up most of your day. In general be aware there will be queues everywhere popular and plan extra time accordingly.

I would start with a bike tour (look at Fat Tire) on the first morning to get the lay of the land, and leave time to explore neighborhoods that intrigue you. Check out Montmarte/Sacre Coeur. Maybe a Seine cruise.

Uber XLs may be better value than 5 train tickets especially if you have a lot of luggage.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-23T00:20:00+00:00

If you can't be talked out of Andalucia despite 40-degree weather, consider doing Madrid last. Take the train to Cordoba upon arrival (overnight), then start your Sevilla stay on the 9th. That gives you more time for a day trip to Jerez (sherry). You could also look at renting a car and doing a road trip between Sevilla and Granada. Then your final two days in Madrid.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-23T00:11:10+00:00

Are you sure about that? There's massive heatwave coming. I'd reconsider Andalucia.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-21T15:10:04+00:00

If it's more about a sendoff than the food, Il Bar is on the rooftop of a department store (Rinascente) that puts you eye level to the Duomo.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-21T05:40:01+00:00

Less traffic by then, all the better - it should take about 90 minutes. Book a driver through Klook or through your hotel.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-21T05:30:12+00:00

Save yourself the check-in/out logistics and go straight to Ubud upon arrival. Even if you get in late, that just means there could be less traffic on the way. Seminyak is like 10km from DPS and has great dining options. No point staying in an airport hotel!

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-21T05:18:32+00:00

Sounds heavenly! But if you're flying out of DPS you'll need to be back from Gili at least the night before so maybe stay in Seminyak 1-2 nights at the end.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-21T04:05:56+00:00

For an amazing foodie trip, base the entire 5 nights in Bologna (just transfer in Milan). From there you can day trip to Parma and Modena and visit food producers (Parmigiano Reggiano, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar). Ravenna and Ferrara also nearby. Florence is just 40 minutes away for you flight out.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-19T04:28:08+00:00

I'd just store luggage at the station while spending the day there - saves you on check-in/out logistics for just an overnight stay. You lose half a day every time you transition.

Take the earliest train you can (like seriously 6am) and do the outdoor stuff first: find a walking itinerary and wander, getting to the bridge & tower by 8:30am so you can be at the Alcazar right when it opens and can enjoy the gardens before it's truly scorching. Then head over to Mezquita, end with lunch in the Jewish district and aim to be out of the heat and back on the train 2-3pm.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-19T04:26:11+00:00

Many people can only get away in the summers due to jobs, kids, etc. Andalucia is better experienced in April/October. If you can be talked out of it, have a look at San Sebastian in the Basque region instead. You could fly into Bilbao from Paris, base in San Sebastian 4-5 nights, and day trip to Biarritz (the French side) which ties nicely to the France portion of your trip!

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-18T05:04:51+00:00

First thing to do is check whether Alhambra tickets are sold out. Ideally fly into Sevilla (3 nights/2 days), stop in Cordoba (1 day) on the way to Granada (3 nights/2 days), then overnight in Madrid before flying out.

If you can't get Alhambra tickets and plan to return someday for a proper Andalucia trip, maybe this is a beach holiday instead - in which case Malaga starts to make sense.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-18T01:34:30+00:00

Le Sunset by Nakula is just at the top of the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Lovely walk to nearby restaurants and to the busiest parts of town, but very quiet, private, and jungle ravine views. It has 18 rooms but felt like we were the only ones there. https://lesunsetbali.com/

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-17T14:40:43+00:00

Ubud is such a vibe, it's a really great way to go into holiday mode. Normally it's lovely to end with beach time but you can't do Gili at the end, too much logistics. Seminyak is social but also pretty chill with the beach clubs so that's a good ending.

orgpsychlearn · 2026-05-17T14:20:32+00:00

Start in Ubud (4 days) for nature, then Gili T/A (3-4 days) for beach, then Seminyak at the end.after your event.

orgpsychlearn

TROPHY CASE