The Wanderlust Date: Destination Paris
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The Wanderlust Date
Travel is one of the best ways to open your mind, explore new cultures, and create unforgettable experiences. Unfortunately, traveling requires two things in abundance: time and money. So while we would love to travel far and wide all year long, it is not always practical. That's why we've come up with a way to explore new places and cultures right from home: The Wanderlust Date.
With this date idea, you and your partner can get a taste of different cuisines, take in world art, and even take a virtual tour of some of the most incredible places in the world. While it is no replacement for the real thing (for that we have tons of recommendations also), taking the time to explore new places at home can be just as worthwhile. Plus, you might just find your next real travel destination.
To get started on your world-wide tour, download our FREE Wanderlust Passport. Add more pages as you go as a record of all of the destinations you have explored.
Paris, City Of Love
This week your destination is Paris, France. We've taken the essential parts of traveling--speaking a new language, eating foreign cuisine, sightseeing, engaging with the culture--and incorporated them into this easy date.
Language
Can you say "I love you" in french? Now you can with our romantic french phrases. Don't worry--we've also included a pronunciation guide for those unfamiliar with the language. But what good are the phrases without fitting names? We've also listed out some popular french names so you can take on a new life while you visit Paris. While you are feeling part of the culture, why not play our french kissing game? This night is already heating up.
Cuisine
France is perhaps most popular for its fancy cuisine. Sound too difficult? Not to fret. We've chosen some easy recipes for you to download below and dip your toes into the waters of a new type of cooking. Start with bread and cheese, then move into a simple green salad with homemade dressing. Enjoy a main course of Coq au Vin (chicken stew) and finish off with crepes for dessert. Bon appétit!
Sights
What would a vacation be without visiting the sights? With Google Arts & Culture you can now take a virtual tour of some of the most iconic places in Paris, plus read about their significance. Feast your eyes on the views from the Eiffel tower, stand in awe in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, or interact with some famous artwork at the Musée d'Orsay. Click on one of the images below to get started.
Eiffel Tower
Palace of Versailles
Musée d'Orsay
Culture
Art is a magnificent way to interact with a culture. That's why we have made a list of iconic films that either are french or take place in Paris. They range in genre and subject matter, so you are sure to find something up your picturesque alley.
Ratatouille and Hugo would be suitable for a younger audience if the kids want to watch with you. Funny Face, An American in Paris, and Moulin Rouge! are all musicals, while La Vie en Rose chronicles the life of french singer Edith Piaf (conveniently in our playlist below). Les Quatre Cents Coups may be the most famous french language film ever made (attested to by the fact that I had to watch it so many times in film school) while Les Demoiselles de Rochefort has a lighthearted nature for those who want to branch out but not be completely depressed.
(Read More… 10 French Movies to See Before You Die)
French language films:
Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)
Bande à Part (1964)
La Vie en Rose (2007)
Amélie (2001)
Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (1967)
Cléo de 5 à 7 (1962)
Les parapluies de Cherbourg (1964)
Films that take place in Paris:
Funny Face (1957)
Ratatouille (2007)
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Hugo (2011)
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Before Sunset (2004)
How to Steal a Million (1966)
An American in Paris (1951)
We've ironed out all of the details, now here's the agenda breakdown for your evening. Just say oui oui!
The Wanderlust Date: Destination Paris
Time: 4+ hours | Cost: $$ | Location: At Home | Level: Easy
As your date walks through the door, the sounds of Edith Piaf echo through the room. Your date is greeted to a cloth-lined table winking with flickering candles. Hand them their ticket and passport because you are off to Paris. Choose French names by which you will refer to each other throughout the night, muttering romantic phrases in each other's ears. Cook the French meal together (or have it prepared when you arrive). After you eat, take a virtual tour of one of Paris's most delightful sights - see the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower, visit the Palace of Versailles, or tour the Musée d'Orsay. To finish the night off, heat things up with some French kissing and a film.
Materials Needed:
Printable Menu + Recipes
Printable Names + Name Tags
Printable French Kissing Game
Printable French Phrases
Printable Passport, Stamp + Ticket Invite
Candles, Tablecloth, Decor
Red Lipstick
Dice
Meal Ingredients (See Recipe Cards)
Spotify Playlist
Computer or Smart TV for Virtual Tours
Instructions:
Download the free printables below and print. Cut out the pieces (we recommend using a portable paper cutter). Then, gather your materials.
Deliver the invite tickets and passport to your date. You could leave it out on the counter one morning, send it via snail mail, pin it to your fridge, or come up with something else creative.
On the night of, decide which French moniker you each would like. Refer to your date by their French name and speak to each other with the romantic phrases we have provided throughout the night.
Cook dinner together using our recipes and listening to our playlist (think French café music). Or treat your date! Prepare dinner in advance and serve it up in style.
After dinner, do some virtual sightseeing. See the view of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, search the halls of the Musée d'Orsey, or feel royal in the Palace of Versailles.
Then, watch one of our suggested movies. We have provided a huge selection so you are sure to find something you'll both like.
Finally, pucker up and play our French kissing game.
"Paris is always a good idea."
-- Audrey Hepburn
Is Paris really the "city of love"? Share your pictures on Instagram @makeadateofit
This Post was Last Updated 12/31/2018
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What says romance more than french cuisine? Bread, cheese, wine . . . plus the stuff you actually have to cook. While that part may seem intimidating at first, we’ve chosen two recipes that are not only simple, but downright delicious. We’ve also chosen an cooking expert who became famous for introducing French cuisine to the everyday home cook—Julia Child.