Begin your anniversary escape with a calm, organized morning at home in Maryland — confirm passports, print or download boarding passes, and enjoy a leisurely breakfast together, perhaps coffee and croissants from a favorite bakery. Aim to arrive at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) or Dulles (IAD) at least 2-3 hours before your transatlantic flight; use curbside check-in or an airline kiosk to drop bags and request seats together if needed.
After check-in, relax in the airport lounge if you have access — toast the trip with a light lunch and a glass of sparkling water or wine while you review Paris plans and reservations (transfers, first-night hotel, and a dinner spot). Board your overnight flight to Paris (likely an evening or late-afternoon departure), settle into your seats, and make the most of inflight comforts: download a movie, order a warm meal, and nab some rest so you arrive refreshed for your first day in the City of Light.
During the flight, enjoy a quiet, romantic moment — exchange anniversary notes or listen to a shared playlist to set the tone for the week ahead, and take advantage of inflight dining and amenities to unwind. If your schedule permits, try to sleep on the plane to shift toward Paris time; otherwise, stay up with a light film and a walk up and down the aisle together to keep circulation moving. You’ll arrive in Paris on Day 2 ready to begin your strolls and celebrations through charming neighborhoods like Saint-Germain and the Seine banks.
Arrive at Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Orly and take a private transfer or RER/train to your hotel in Saint-Germain-des-Prés to drop bags and freshen up; if you arrive early, enjoy a late-morning coffee and a buttery croissant at Café de Flore while watching Parisians go by. Then wander hand-in-hand through the nearby Luxembourg Gardens, find a quiet bench by the Medici Fountain, and let the relaxed pace ease you into Paris time.
Cross the Seine to explore Île de la Cité — admire Notre-Dame's exterior and browse the bouquinistes along the river for vintage postcards and keepsakes, then stroll to Sainte-Chapelle to marvel at its stained glass (reserve timed tickets to avoid lines). Continue toward the Latin Quarter for a leisurely lunch at a charming bistro like Le Procope or Le Comptoir, followed by window shopping along Rue Mouffetard or a visit to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore for a romantic photo op.
As twilight falls, board an early Seine river cruise from Pont Neuf or near the Eiffel Tower to see Paris's landmarks illuminated — a relaxed introduction to the city's magic. After the cruise, savor a candlelit dinner at a classic Montmartre or rive gauche restaurant (consider La Poule au Pot or Chez L'Ami Jean) and finish with a slow walk to the Seine banks or Trocadéro for your first view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night.
Start your day with a light breakfast at your Saint-Germain hotel or a nearby café, then head to the Louvre early with pre-booked timed tickets to beat the crowds; linger before the Mona Lisa, wander the Tuileries galleries and discover quieter masterpieces in the Richelieu wing. After the museum, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Tuileries Garden toward Place de la Concorde, stopping for a café crème on a terrace and taking in Parisian life as you transition from art to riverside romance.
Cross the Seine on the Pont des Arts and meander toward Île Saint-Louis for a relaxed lunch of classic bistro fare or famed Berthillon ice cream, then return to the riverbank for an afternoon sightseeing walk past the Hôtel de Ville and Notre-Dame’s exterior. If you’d like, squeeze in a short visit to Musée d'Orsay to admire Impressionist works or wander the charming streets of Le Marais for boutique browsing and hidden courtyards before your evening cruise.
As dusk approaches, board a romantic Bateaux-Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf cruise to see illuminated bridges and monuments from the water — bring a light jacket and a camera for golden hour photos of the Eiffel Tower and Musée d'Orsay. After the cruise, celebrate with a candlelit dinner at a classic rive gauche restaurant such as Le Procope or at a refined spot near the Eiffel Tower like Les Ombres, where you can toast your trip and enjoy a memorable view as the city sparkles.
Catch an early RER C train or a pre-booked private transfer from Saint-Germain to Château de Versailles to arrive before the main crowds; with timed-entry tickets in hand, tour the State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s Chamber while a guide or audio guide fills in the lavish history that once shaped royal life. Pause for a café and tartine at La Petite Venise on the palace grounds to savor the view and plan your afternoon garden wander.
Spend the afternoon exploring the vast Gardens of Versailles — rent a two-person electric golf cart or bicycles to reach the Latona Fountain, the Orangerie and the peaceful Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon estates, where Marie Antoinette’s private retreats feel intimate and pastoral. If the Fountain Shows (Grandes Eaux) are running, time your visit to enjoy the choreographed water displays and a leisurely picnic on the lawn with local bread, cheese and a chilled bottle of rosé.
Return to Paris with time to freshen up, then continue the romantic thread of your trip with an intimate dinner in Saint-Germain — consider the candlelit ambiance at Le Comptoir du Relais or a refined meal at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon for a celebratory reprise of French cuisine. Afterward, take a slow post-dinner stroll along the Seine or through the Luxembourg Gardens under the evening lights, reflecting together on the day’s grandeur as you head toward tomorrow’s train to Provence.
Board an early TGV from Gare de Lyon to Avignon TGV, savoring a relaxed café and croissant at the station before departure; the scenic 2.5-3 hour ride eases you into the Provençal landscape as vineyards and rolling hills replace Parisian boulevards. Upon arrival, collect a compact rental car or arrange a private transfer to your charming Luberon base (Gordes, Roussillon or a farmhouse gîte) and drop off bags before wandering the village lanes to admire ochre walls and quaint cafés.
Spend the afternoon exploring nearby hilltop villages — wander the honey-colored streets of Gordes, browse artisan shops in Roussillon’s ochre cliffs, and pause for a leisurely lunch of salade niçoise or daube provençale at a terrace bistro such as La Bastide de Gordes or Le Petit Café in Roussillon. In the late afternoon, visit a local domaine for a wine tasting in the Ventoux or Luberon appellation (book ahead at Domaine de la Citadelle or Château la Canorgue) and enjoy locally made rosés and aromatic whites while learning about regional grape varieties.
As the sun softens, return to your accommodation to freshen up before a sunset stroll through lavender-scented lanes or olive groves — if fields remain, catch the last of the blooms and the golden light for photos. Dine al fresco at a nearby bistro or your guesthouse with a Provençal menu: ratatouille, fresh goat cheese, and a bottle of local Côtes du Luberon, finishing the night with a quiet glass on a terrace under starlight as you anticipate tomorrow’s market visit.
Wake to a Provençal breakfast on your terrace—fresh baguette, local honey and ricotta, and strong coffee—then head to the vibrant Isle-sur-la-Sorgue market (Sundays are lively) to browse antiques, seasonal produce and lavender sachets while sampling calissons and local olives. After the market, drive a short scenic route to Gordes to wander its hilltop alleys, visit the Sénanque Abbey (if open) for a peaceful moment among late-season lavender or fall flowers, and snap panoramic photos of the Luberon valley below.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a shaded terrace in Roussillon—try L'Enclos or Le Petit Café—for Provençal specialties like tapenade, aioli and a chilled Côtes du Luberon rosé, then explore the ochre trails of the Sentier des Ocres to admire the town’s unique red cliffs and artisan galleries. In the late afternoon, stop by a nearby domaine such as Château la Canorgue for a private wine tasting or a cellar tour, learning about local Grenache and Mourvèdre while sampling elegant rosés and full-bodied reds.
Return toward your farmhouse or a panoramic restaurant like La Bastide de Capelongue in Bonnieux for a sunset dinner on a terrace overlooking vineyards—order a shared plate of tapenade, grilled Provençal fish or lamb and finish with a tarte tropézienne or crème brûlée. As dusk falls, take a slow post-dinner stroll through olive groves or down a lantern-lit village lane, clinking glasses beneath the stars and savoring the gentle Provençal night before your travel to Rome tomorrow.
After an early Provençal breakfast, transfer to Avignon TGV or Marseille airport for your short flight to Rome (Fiumicino). Arrive midday, collect a pre-booked airport transfer to your boutique hotel in a central neighborhood like Trastevere or near Piazza Navona, drop your bags and take a restorative espresso before stepping out to get your first glimpses of the Eternal City.
Spend the afternoon settling into Rome’s rhythm with a relaxed walking loop: wander from Campo de' Fiori’s lively market to the elegant squares of Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, pausing for a light lunch of cacio e pepe or supplì at a nearby trattoria such as Da Baffetto or Forno Campo de' Fiori. Pop into a local enoteca for a tasting of Frascati or an Italian white, then return to your hotel for a short rest so you’re refreshed for the evening.
As twilight falls, join the Roman tradition of aperitivo — head to a rooftop bar like Terrazza Borromini or a lively Trastevere spot such as Freni e Frizioni for cocktails and small plates while watching the city glow. Finish the night with a slow, romantic stroll across the Tiber to the softly lit Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, stopping for gelato and savoring the first night in Rome together before tomorrow’s full day of ancient wonders.
Begin early with espresso and cornetti at a nearby bar, then walk to the Colosseum for a pre-booked guided tour that brings the gladiators’ arena to life — don’t miss the underground/arena-level option if available for a truly memorable perspective. From there, stroll up to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to wander ancient streets and terraces while your guide weaves stories of emperors, temples and daily life at Rome’s imperial core.
Lunch in the Monti neighborhood at a trattoria like La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali offers classic carbonara or cacio e pepe, followed by time to explore boutique shops and vinotecas along Via del Boschetto. In the late afternoon, take a gentle walk to the Capitoline Hill for sweeping views, then relax with gelato near the Pantheon before returning to your hotel for a short rest ahead of the evening.
As dusk falls, ascend to a rooftop restaurant such as La Terrazza dell'Hotel Eden or Terrazza Borromini for a romantic multi-course meal with panoramic views of domes and spires — toast with a fine Italian red or Franciacorta sparkling wine. After dinner, wander hand-in-hand to the Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna to admire the illuminated monuments, then finish the night with a leisurely stroll through softly lit cobblestone streets back to Trastevere.
Begin your day early with a pre-booked skip-the-line tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, so you can linger beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes before the crowds arrive; continue into St. Peter’s Basilica to climb the dome (cupola) for a breathtaking panorama of the city and the Tiber below. After descending, pause at a nearby café for a cappuccino and a cornetto in St. Peter’s Square while taking in the basilica’s baroque grandeur and planning the rest of your anniversary day.
Cross the river to immerse yourselves in Trastevere’s romantic, village-like atmosphere—stroll its cobbled lanes, browse artisan shops and stop for a leisurely lunch at a beloved trattoria such as Da Enzo al 29 or Trattoria Da Augusto, sampling supplì, fresh pasta and a local Frascati. In the mid-afternoon, wander up to the tranquil Giardino degli Aranci on the Aventine Hill for a quiet moment and the famed keyhole view of St. Peter’s, or visit the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere to admire its golden mosaics.
For your anniversary celebration, reserve a candlelit table at a refined Roman restaurant—consider the intimate Il Pagliaccio for a Michelin-level tasting menu or the rooftop romance of La Pergola (book well in advance) to toast with fine Italian wines and savor a multi-course feast. After dinner, take a moonlit stroll along the Tiber or linger with a gelato in Piazza Trilussa, pausing on a bridge to reflect on the week’s memories before returning to your hotel for a nightcap and quiet celebration.
Rise gently for a final Roman breakfast—espresso and a warm cornetto at a neighborhood bar near your hotel in Trastevere or Piazza Navona—then finish packing and arrange your pre-booked private transfer or taxi to Fiumicino (FCO). Allow extra time for airport check-in and security, and if time permits, grab one last cappuccino and a box of biscotti from a station café as a tasty souvenir for the flight.
After clearing security, relax in the Fiumicino lounge or at a quiet gate café, reviewing photos and notes from your trip while savoring a light lunch of fresh focaccia and prosciutto or a simple caprese salad paired with an Italian sparkling water. Use this calm stretch to change watches, stretch your legs, and confirm any arrival logistics back in Maryland—ground transportation, phone service, and a gentle plan for re-acclimating at home.
On board your transatlantic flight, toast the week with a glass of Italian wine and revisit favorite moments—Colosseum terraces, Luberon vineyards and Seine-lit nights—while leaning into rest with a good meal and a shared playlist. Arrive at BWI/IAD with memories and a small stash of European treats; reclaim your luggage and head home together, easing back into Maryland life with plans already forming for your next getaway.