Rick Steves Archive: Ultimate Picnic Spots

Archive: Ultimate Picnic Spots

A picnic can be an extraordinary meal and a memorable high point of your trip, depending upon the shopping, presentation, and setting. Tell us about your happy picnic memories.

We arrived at the Adrian Hotel in the Plaka in Athens just at sunset. With bread and cheese from the airplane meal and wine from the minibar, we talked our way onto the Hotel's roof garden, and there, lit only by the lights of the Acropolis and the Parthnon, we had a fabulous picnic supper as a welcome feast to Greece.
Mary Ann <email>
Houston, TX USA 07/01/01

Rick recommends sunset at the Roman theater ruins in Avenches. I recommend lunch there. I suppose I was lucky, but at 1PM on a warm, breezy June 1, sitting in the theater (the roof has been gone for a while) looking up at Avenches on the hill, I was alone. Bring the food & drink with you, I'm sure there are things available in Avenches but it is the quietest town I have ever seen and I don't know where a market is. I still can't believe I was alone. Next time I'll bring a picnic dinner and stay for the sunset.
Jonathan Lawson <email>
San Diego, CA USA 06/28/01

Our best picnic was at a small (3 hectares) vineyard in Provence. First we had a tour and tasting. Then we were given our picnic basket, a large wicker tray filled with dishes covered in Provencal fabrics. We walked over to colorful little tables set up under the cherry trees at the edge of the vineyard with a broad view to the west. Our picnic consisted of home smoked salmon, onion tart, tomato and mozzarella salad, mesclun salad, baguette, cheese course, apple tart, as well as a bottle of Cotes du Ventoux. It was a lovely, leisurely way to spend a hot afternoon. Just when we thought it couldn't get better, the winemaker brought a gramaphone and played orginal recordings of Edith Piaf and Yves Montand. This afternoon was one of the high points of a wonderful trip.
Liz and Dave <email>
Seattle, USA 06/27/01

What about picnic spots in the Bernese Oberland, Lucerne or Locarno areas? Any suggestions? Thanks!
jackie
USA 06/26/01

We chanced upon the park behind the Eiffel Tower and decided to picnic there. Such a wonderful time we had that we decided against joining the queues to go to the top of the Tower. We also came back for a second picnic at the same spot the next day! It's best to picnic on the grass patches at the side as there are park wardens to chase away those who sit on the middle grass patch.
Jean <email>
Singapore 06/10/01

Even better than Rue Cler in Paris: the Rue Poncelet street market at the corner of Rue Poncelet and Avenue de Ternes (about 4 blocks from the Arc de Triomphe)--a great street market, and as a plus, on Ternes there is a Monoprix with an excellent epicerie downstairs.

As Ternes becomes Rue du Faubourg, head for Les Caves Taillevent, the best wine shop you'll ever see. Great bottles costing about eight bucks each await. Grab a bottle of red, a bottle of white, then head down to the Arc, pick up the Metro to Trocadero, and sit just across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, eating smoked salmon baguettes with creme fraiche, pate, and quiche from the market. We spent a good three hours eating, drinking, and laughing.
joe santa maria <email>
Stratford, nj USA 04/25/01

Brugge, Belgiums' moveable feast: On Wednesdays it's market day in Brugge, right on the main square, with barbecued chicken, ribs, pork shoulder, frites, all sorts of tasty treats. Cheapest picnic lunch I had in Europe--spent all of two dollars equivalent. Starts early and it's all gone by 3:00pm...and it's so clean afterward you'll never even know they were there.
Zubricus <email>
dacula, ga USA 04/10/01

In Paris, at the Place des Vosges in the Marais, there is one patch of green which is not off limits to sunbathers, and picnickers: a great place to grab a quick bite.
Pepe Tolete
Hialeah, FL USA 04/01/01

There is a wonderful specialty deli on a little side street off the main square in Old Avignon. They have everything you need for a fabulous picnic. Take your picnic to the top of the hill above the Pope's palace. There are a playground, pond, tables, and a wonderful view. The warm breeze was intoxicating after chilly Paris in October.

Seattle, WA USA 03/11/01

After a night of trying to find a hotel near the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, we opted for a stay in the car, in the parking lot of the actual cliffs. Crazy as it was, nothing could compete with the tourist-free sight at sunrise the next morning, where we enjoyed a picnic breakfast of sandwiches and Diet Coke, surrounded by the pounding waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the magnificent green cliffs of Co. Clare. All worth a night in the car. What a memory!
Jennifer <email>
dublin, irl 03/10/01

If you really love picnicking then head to any park or plaza in Paris or any other European city. Just imagine all the great cheeses, breads, and cakes you can enjoy along with a Fanta orange soda or a great bottle of wine. When I am hungry I know that a bakery is within 2 minutes. And the great chocolates in Paris are outstanding. Head into a Monoprix market for any other essentials.

I love waking up at 5 A.M. in Paris, taking a long morning walk and then heading to a good bakery for a breakfast picnic; the hotel breakfasts are skimpy and expensive ($3-$5 dollars) for just bread and coffee.
Daniel Onn <email>
Saratoga, CA USA 02/16/01

While on a hike along a Grand Randonee path in the Jura mountains, my buddy and I came across a superb spot for a picnic. The trail just outside of Gustav Courbet's birthtown of Ornans follows along the high slope through a vineyard. Below, a thick cloud blanketed the Doubs valley. This is a great spot to bring out those "sandwiches chaudes."

Another wonderful spot that is beyond compare in its splendor is the ruins of Les Baux de Provence near Avignon. The many olive orchards in the valley below and the cobblestone corridors that maze through the medieval town make this a must-see and a good place to set up a picnic. A nice bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape and Comte cheese only add to the moment.
JA Broghammer <email>
Omaha, NE USA 02/06/01

I hosted several friends in Paris and wanted them to savor everything as I have before. Our first stop was the Eiffel Tower, but I knew they'd actually miss the awesomeness of it if we hurried to get in line for the ride up. Therefore, I picked up a baguette and some cheese and planned a picnic lunch on the grass of the Trocadero, just across the street. This way, they could fuel up and enjoy every bit of the Eiffel Tower. They didn't "miss the forest for the trees!"
Gail <email>
Tallahassee, FL USA 01/10/01

If you happen to find yourself with a summer day to lounge in Cambridge, picnicking in Grantchester is nice. You can rent a punt on the upstream side of the locks and punt your way up to Grantchester. If you're new to this method of locomotion, you'll want to have an extra "punter" to trade off with. Don't worry though, when you get too tired, park the boat on the bank, haul out a blanket and the bread, cheese, and wine...and enjoy! Not much to see in Grantchester (an old mill, an old church, and 2 pubs), but the real reason to head up that way is the peaceful river and the flowery banks of the Cam.

If you don't have time for this long trip, get a local to take you on the shorter, scenic trip downstream through the colleges of Cambridge - preferably early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Happy trails.
stu <email>
cambridge, UK 12/14/00

My favorite picnic spot of all time is the bridge Pont des Arts near the Louvre in Paris. One warm spring night a friend and I were taking a walk across the bridge to get to the Louvre and we noticed all these people with blankets spread on the bridge; some had candles and radios and wine and food items. The boats would glide past, under the bridge--it was the most romantic scene I had ever witnessed.
DeeAnn
San Diego, CA USA 12/07/00

A very memorable experience several years ago was sitting in front of Sacre Coeur at sundown overlooking Paris, feasting on pate, smelly cheeses, fresh baguettes, peaches and a good local red wine.

Another great picnic spot was on a park bench in Salzburg along the river, with the Hohensalzburg fortress in full view.
A.Aubert <email>
Lafayette, LA USA 11/24/00

On our first backbacking trip to Europe, or, as my husband and I like to call it, "Three Months in Heaven," we had many picnics, but the three that really stand out were:

1. Sitting on the steps on the Via Del Amore in Riomaggiore as the sun went down. I will never forget the sound the ocean made as it washed up on the pebbled beach.

2. We lived in Oxford for a year and every week, if weather permitted, we would have a picnic in Christchurch Meadow or enjoy a tea while punting on the River Cherwell.

3. Eating rustic bread, cheese and rum truffles by the steps of The Grand Canal in Venice...It doesn't get much better than that.
Sarah <email>
CA USA 09/17/00

The picnic I had in Gimmelwald, Switzerland was in a pretty amazing location. We took a cable car to this very small town. If you continue up the path from the cable car station, you'll eventually be able to climb up a grassy hill, and this was my picnic spot. There's an amazing panoramic view of the Alps, and the only sounds that can be heard are those of birds chirping. If the weather is clear, it should be an unforgettable experience.
Lindsey <email>
Northridge, CA USA 08/19/00

On the Italian side of the San Bernardino Pass in Switzerland is a small rest area where a man with a gas grill was selling bratwursts. The view is incredible! You can see all the way back down the valley almost to Bellinzona. The food is pretty good also. This is a popular spot to stop before you go through the long tunnel, so the people-watching can be great entertainment.
Tony Pieta <email>
Freedom, PA USA 08/16/00

Picnic near the St. Elena vaporetto stop in Venice. It's nice and shady, cool, quiet, and has a beautiful view of the Grand Canal as it widens before Il Lido. I had a banana, two peaches (so juicy that one splashed me as I bit in) and a fat baguette, all bought for less than $3 from a Lido grocery store I found during my morning jog. So that's how I spent my lunch, happy and alone on a park bench watching small motor boats and tug-pulled cruise liners alike float up and down the canal in my favorite place on earth.
Corry < href="/cgi-bin/mailto.pl?id=2486">email>
College Station, TX USA 08/05/00

After taking the train to Murren, Switzerland, walk along the North Face Trail past Gimmelwald to the high meadow country and have lunch at the family run resturant/farm that overlooks the Jungfrau region. Food is great and generous and the view is spectacular!
Scott Pangle <email>
Omaha, Ne USA 08/05/00

My husband and I enjoyed a great picnic in June at Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire. The ruins are spectacular and the setting is beautiful countryside. The village of Helmsley is nearby and has several shops where you can pick up great picnic items (wine, cheese, fresh bread, fruit, pate and meat pies). Highly recommended!
Leanne Palmer <email>
Atlanta, GA USA 06/30/00

Castle Vecchio, Italy: My husband found the perfect picnic site here (the trail begins about 3 miles outside of San Gimignano, off the main road, by San Donato Farm). We packed a picnic lunch of cheese, bread, Tuscan salami, fruit and wine, put on our hiking boots and headed for the trail. It was a tough 3-mile hike with a lot of steep up- and downhills but the views were breathtaking. Once we arrived at the castle ruins we explored the unexcavated site and found two towers, an ancient church with faded frescoes and many crumbled living quarters. The best part was that we were away from the crowded museums and tour buses. We had the whole place to ourselves to just sit and listen to the animals in the surrounding forest and try to imagine what life was like in the 11th century. It was truly a magical experience.
Colleen Leslie <email>
Oakhurst, NJ USA 05/26/00

One of our favorite picnics was sitting on the benches at the Place des Vosges in Paris eating fresh strawberries and watching the children play. Another special moment was a sunrise breakfast on the Pont des Arts pedestrian bridge between the Louvre and the Left Bank.
Donna
Seattle, WA USA 05/16/00

On a balmy summer evening in Riomaggiore my friend and I bought a pesto & ricotta pizza and took it down to the harbor. We ate while watching the sun set and we were soon treated to a spectacular thunder and lightning storm over the Ligurian Sea. It was amazing! One of my favorite memories from that trip.
Jen
San Bruno, CA USA 04/27/00

The middle of Savernake forest in southern England - in autumn. Loads of wonderful colored leaves, overpowering silence and the feeling of seeing a Norman king chasing a deer circa 1067. Armed with pastries and pies (no wine) from the local vilages, a truly memorable picnic.
David <email>
Melbourne, Aust 04/05/00

How about a picnic on the Autobahn? We were driving to Berlin, when all of a sudden the traffic on the legendary Autobahn came to a stop (or a "Stau" as they call it). Before we could ask "how long is this going to be?" people started getting out of their cars, spreading out tablecloths on their hoods, and having a nice snack. Others wandered around and struck up conversations with each other. We had an early lunch as well. Then, just as quickly as it started, everybody packed up, started their engines, and went on their way. We never did quite figure out what the stop was all about, and we ran into these Stau's more than once with the same results.
Jennie
Milwaukee, USA 02/18/00

In Munich go to the Allois Dallmayr store behind the Neues Rathaus (Marienplatz) and buy up your supplies for a nice picnic in the park right outside the front door.
CJ Courtney <email>
USA 02/06/00

My sister and I enjoyed a great picnic of Brie, Swiss pistachio chocolate, and fresh bread near the top of Schilthorn, while sitting atop of a few feet of snow and dangling our bare feet in a large pool of crystal-clear glacial water. For another great time, go to the awesome Swiss town of Lugano. While there, take your time walking around the open-air market downtown, and when you find the right fruit, cheese, and bread, head for the waterfront (we had cherries, peaches, olive bread, and coke). There, rent a paddleboat, and head toward the middle of Lake Lugano, where there is a magnificent view of the town and the snow-capped Alps behind it. Stop pedaling, stick your feet in the water, and enjoy!
Wesley King <email>
Athens, GA USA 02/06/00

My husband and I enjoyed a picnic lunch at Villa Jovis on the island of Capri, after we hiked from Marina Grande to the ruins (we bypassed the funicular line). We had purchased sandwiches at a little shop at the Marina. After morning fog had burned off, the day was warm, breezy and sunny, so the view from the top was spectacular. And the walk down was so much easier!
Mary J. Meredith <email>
Danville, CA USA 02/03/00

Paris: From your hotel borrow a couple of cups or glasses (for wine), and get over to the Pantheon, wander over to Rue Mouffetard and its street markets, where you can pick up just about anything to eat and drink for a picnic. Go as far as Place de la Contrescarpe and then head north to the Jardin des Plantes and park at the rose gardens.
John <email>
Columbia, SC USA 01/29/00

Best picnic my wife and I had was on the grassy mall area of the Eiffel Tower which was beautifully lit on a gorgeous, starry fall night. Better than any restaurant experience. Baguette, wine, cheese etc. all purchased on Rue Cler. Kept pinching ourselves: we were really there.
Brian Dunne <email>
Pompano Beach, FL USA 01/02/00

Caenarfon, Wales: We bought a 'ploughboy sandwich' at the market SE of the Castle and walked around to the west; across a bridge over the canal and there's a park bench on a hillside with an umbrella of oak trees. We ate gazing across at the castle walls; to the left is a fine view across Menai Strait of the Isle of Anglesey. Lunch with King Edward I....
Dave <email>
Flagstaff, AZ USA 12/24/99

On a lead from your 'Europe Through The Back Door', three friends and I visited the remote gasthaus and monk church on the edge of Wasseraun Mountain. The hike up the mountain was breathtaking and before we met up with the friendly baby goat (that welcomingly allowed my girlfriend to hug it), we stopped for a peaceful picnic of gruyere, salami and wine at the edge of an electric-blue mountain lake. It was also a great location for a post-hike swim with a group of curious ducks. We were also fortunate enough to catch the biannual tradition of farmer and cows parading through the normally quiet streets of Appenzell. WOW! Thanks for the advice.
Todd Mackay <email>
London, ON CANADA 11/09/99

Picknicking in Izmir, Turkey, at Alexander the Great's wall (or what is left of it), we could look out over the downtown area, the Med and the mountains ringing the city. And we were right next to a beautiful neighborhood mosque.

USA 11/05/99

One morning last summer I took the ferry from Stockholm to the island of Sandhamn. I wandered the small paths lined with vacation homes and had a memorable lunch on a huge rock overlooking the sea and a regatta. There is a small grocery store on the island with all you could need for a delightful meal. Except the companion!
<email>
Conyers, GA USA 10/24/99

On a trip to England 2 years ago, my husband and I ate a picnic lunch seated on the wall overlooking the river in Bibury in the Cotswolds. We had purchased our food in a supermarket beforehand. Across the river was Arlington Row, the famous ancient cottages. It was a wonderful scenic spot. But please obey the signs not to feed the ducks!
Carol
VA USA 10/06/99

The best picnic I had was in Brugge. I went to Country Girl for a sandwich and Perrier, and took it to the picnic bench on the walking path behind the Beguinage. The trees overhead filtered the sunlight beautifully, birds provided the music, and the breeze was crisp and clean. Cheers!
Christina M. <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA 10/02/99

In Venice sitting on the steps leading down to the Grand Canal next to the Rialto Bridge at sunset. A bottle of wine, bread, meat and cheese while watching gondolas go by and the sun setting. Unforgettable!
Dave Cambridge
Sterling Heights, MI USA 10/01/99

If you are ever in Villars-sur-Ollon, in Canton Vaud, Switzerland, be sure to take the train to Bretaye. It is a lovely train ride through beautiful alpine forests and fields. You can take a picnic lunch with you or enjoy a meal on the terrace of the very nice restaurant at the top. If you are ambitious, it is a lovely 4.5 km walk back to Villars, with many fine views to picnic near!
cindy <email>
Sherburne, NY USA 08/24/99

In our 10 trips to Europe, my wife and I have never had to look long and far in the search for a nice picnic spot. Practically every town has a park, main square, river and castle or fortress nearby. All these make great picnic spots. However the strangest picnic I witnessed came the first time I ever travelled in Europe. At the Frankfurt train station, a man was eating a plain bratwurst while running through the station! I figured it was German fast food. I never saw anything like it again in all my subsequent travels.
Allen Aubert <email>
Lafayette, LA USA 08/22/99

I've been enjoying picnics in Europe since my first trip in 1965, from simple bread and cheese on a Swiss mountain to elaborate spreads prepared by an English friend and enjoyed overlooking the sea on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. Favorites spots for picnics:

1) The town square--find a nice bench and enjoy your picnic along with some people-watching--in Poitiers, Albi, Tourette sur Loupe, Burano, Pienza, Positano

2)on a mountain, after taking a chair lift (favorite the Firstbahn from Grindelwald) or cable car, find a level spot with a spectacular view and enjoy;

3) by the sea--on the beach or on a bluff overlooking the sea--Cornwall, Antibes, Capri, Copenhagen, Eze;

4) along the road--can't find the perfect spot? Just pull over anywhere you find a scenic overlook and tailgate.
K Scott <email>
Baltimore, MD USA 08/18/99

I highly recommend picking up a picnic lunch before you get on the train to Versailles. The gardens there make a most incredible picnic spot. And you won't waste time waiting in line for food.

Before we left, I went to the fabric store and bought a square of red and white checkered fabric, and just hemmed the edges. This was not only fun to eat off of, it came in handy to sit on, and cover unclean tables.

Make the most of every picnic. Eat at to a local playground and watch the children play. You'll make some new friends if you bring chocolate. Everywhere we went we picnicked, and we learned so much just from going into the local grocery stores, and finding a wonderful spot to people-watch. Who'd have thought eating could be so educational.
Rosemarie Burdoff
Seattle, WA USA 08/15/99

In London, our dinner on a park bench included the most beautiful view across the River Thames. We watched the sun go down and the lights come up on Big Ben and Parliment. The lights were reflected on the water and the chimes of Big Ben were great. We caught a bus back to Victoria Station and then back to our hotel. Perfect dining!
g.preng <email>
dallas, tx USA 08/11/99

Magic can happen anywhere. In Assisi our room in the Hotel Italia overlooked the Piazza del Comune. We threw open the window and enjoyed fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, canned dolmades we had been toting from Greece, and some wonderful local nut pastries, while watching the activity below. Suddenly, a boom box began playing some very un-Italian music and a group of Polish students formed a ring and began to dance, providing us with an unexpected floor show. After a couple of dances they passed the hat trying to get enough money for gelato--a noble aim we were pleased to help with.

Some of our best moments have been watching people. We perched on a statue of who-knows-who in Stockholm, devouring ice cream and watching an intense game of boules. In Sevilla, we joined a host of other souls lounging on the fountain in the square by the Cathedral and remained long after the food was gone, watching the horse and carriage men pick up fares while the sky behind the cathedral darkened into the most glorious and indescribable color of blue I have ever seen. A young man sitting with friends brought out his guitar and began to play--not for coins--just for enjoyment. No one wanted to move.
Lynne <email>
Union, WA USA 08/09/99

We recently returned from Paris. One evening, we bought some fruit, bread, cheese, and drinks, and headed over to the Trocadero. On the left side of the fountains (stand facing the Eiffel tower) on the other side of the hedges is a wonderful little park area with a brook. We had a great time, sitting beside the brook (fountain), and eating our picnic. Little noise and few pedestrians, and a great view of the Eiffel Tower!
Walter Ford <email>
Washington, DC USA 07/29/99

If you are in Stockholm be sure to spend some time in the archipelago. Few things are as beautiful as a picnic on the rocks along the beach on Sandhamn. A constant gentle breeze from the water and peaceful surroundings make for a relaxing lunch or dinner environment. However, I do not recommend eating the fish. It can spoil a great moment of romance at sunset....at 11:00p.m!
Chuck <email>
Conyers, GA USA 07/25/99

In Grenoble, take the teleferique to the Bastille . Then hike a few more minutes above the Bastille. On a sunny day you will be blessed with a spectacular view of the city, the Isere River valley and the surrounding mountains. Settle into a nice quiet picnic away from everything.
Rod MacKay <email>
Truro, NS CDN 06/06/99

Sunset, 2nd level on Eiffel Tower.
Luke <email>
Portland, OR USA 05/29/99

At dusk, at the top of the steps of the Sacre Couer. Watching the sun set over Paris while indulging in a fine bottle of red wine, a hunk of fresh bread, a slice of delicious cheese and some sweet strawberries. Heaven on earth!
Kelly <email>
San Diego, CA USA 05/14/99

Downstairs from the McDonalds, in the center of Avignon, is a large, sparkling, attractive supermarket. We bought some bread upstairs, and took it downstairs to their fabulous cold cuts counter, and asked the kind gentleman behind the counter to make up some sandwiches with our choice of cold cuts. One stange thing--he sliced all the meats on the slicing machine, but he would not slice cheese on the same machine. I said "avec le couteau", his eyes lit up at my attempt at French, and became very cooperative, and sliced the cheese thinly with his knife. We then bought some wine in the same store, and proceeded to the park in the center of town. We sat near the carousel in the park and had the most pleasant meal of our trip.
Al Pileggi <email>
Frederick, MD USA 05/07/99

In London, Regents Park is not to be missed. Lots of trees, an incredible rose garden, and soft grass under shady trees.

My other favorite outdoor munching spot is at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew. Take the Tube and a short walk, and then enjoy your meal with the company of thousands of different kinds of plants. But watch out for the birds -- they'll all but jump into your lap for a taste. :)
Liz McKeever <email>
Cincinnati, OH USA 05/05/99

I agree with Janet Tomko--having a picnic in the gardens at the Rodin Museum was one of the most pleasurable things my husband and I did while in Paris.
Donna Kroener <email>
USA 04/25/99

As good students of the Rick Steves method of travel, I made a traveling picnic bundle which includes knife, corkscrew, 2 cheap wineglasses, all wrapped in a checked tablecloth and napkins. Before spending a day and a night on Mont St. Michel in France, we bought our usual picnic fare. We found a place on the thick rock walls of that marvelous monastery, spread out our pate, bleu cheese, peaches, bread and red wine and we had beauty all around us.
Mary <email>
Silverton, Or USA 04/10/99

The best picnic possible is in the spectacular gardens surrounding the Rodin Museum on the left bank in Paris. Many of Rodin's best works (including the Thinker) are outside in the garden. Go to one of the wonderful markets in the morning and pick up a loaf of bread, a nice cheese, some fruit, and a salad or two. Use your Museum Pass to enter the Rodin complex and feast among the works of the greatest sculptor of this century!
Janet <email>
USA 04/10/99

my ultimate picnic spot is a piscine (swimming pool) complex just outside besancon, france. it lies along a river, has three pools (small kids, laps, and diving), a camp- ground, excellent bathrooms/locker rooms, snack bar, ping-pong tables. the scenery is lovely (i'm not talking about the topless women), and it is a great place to meet locals. you can rent kayaks to use on the river. there is lots of soft grass for lounging and working on tans. it is very cheap to enter. the pool entries are designed so you have to go thrower showers and footbaths to get to the pool. NOTE: males are required to wear the speedo-type swimsuits, not the shorts-type or cutoffs. for some reason they are adamant on this rule. it is served by bus and has a large free parking lot .
carol
ca USA 04/02/99

Picnics build memories! We ate a simple lunch at the end of the quai on the Isle de St. Louis in Paris. No one was around and we had the area all to ourselves. This Spring, I am planning a picnic on the grassy slopes of the Trocadero, where my friends will be able to take in their first breaths of the Eiffel Tower!
Gail Alford <email>
Tallahassee, FL USA 03/17/99

in monte carlo one can picnic while sitting on benches or leaning against the broad wall overlooking the stunningly blue meditteranean in a wide plaza/garden a few steps down from the street where the casino and the hotel de paris are located. it turns out to be part of the roof of the loews hotel, and offers one of the best views and best people-watching spots in town!
carol
ca USA 03/09/99

Pack a picnic & ride the lift from Chammonix, France up to the snow-covered Aiguille du Midi. Dress warmly! Then ride the lift halfway down and, as Rick suggests, get off and walk the beautiful trail that meanders just below the snowline. Mountain streams from the glaciers above & fields of tiny wildflowers make for heavenly picnic spots anywhere you stop. In a couple of hours you will arrive at the Mer de Glace (glacier) & can catch a little train back down to Chammonix. Great experience!
rebecca <email>
GA USA 02/26/99

My family and I went to Bavaria over the Christmas holidays and had a wonderful time. One of our favorite memories is the picnic we had sitting by the side of the road near Oberamergau after a morning of sledding. We just stopped at what looked to be a good sledding hill and had only one sled for seven kids(and two dads!) No problem, the farmer, whose hill it was, strolled out and asked us if we'd like to use a couple extra sleds! After several hours of fun we turned in the extra sleds, spread out a picnic in our own saucer, sat down in the snow and had a feast. What a great time!
KRG
Toulouse, FR 01/28/99

After living in Germany for 3 years, I still have fond memories of our family picnics/outings next to the Mosel River in Birenkastel-Kues - not far from Trier. We would often bring our bikes and ride along the river - pick up some bratwurst & frittes, find a nice grassy spot and watch the boats go by!
Nancy White <email>
Colorado Springs, CO USA 01/24/99

Any meadow on the trail leading up or down from Gimmelwald is a dream. The rush of the waterfalls across the mountains, the bright sunshine, the tang of a sharp cheese - followed by the dense goodness of a Toblerone chocolate - is just a step away from heaven. Enjoy!

USA 01/07/99

Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland is my favorite spot. Some hobblekase (shaved cheese) and Coke in such a magnificent place of beauty is a treasured memory for my family
chuck snedeker <email>
massillon, oh USA 01/06/99

Referring to David's comments about the Viktualianmarkt -- it IS a picnic. By the time you've sampled a wurst here and a beer there, plus assorted pastries, even an apple or an orange, you don't need to go on a picnic!! One of my favorite places in the world.
Dolly Goolsby <email>
Rocklin, CA USA 01/01/99

We had a great picnic on the grounds of Neuschwanstein castle. We had a difficult time finding disposable cups, however, so drank our wine from a shared coffee cup. Next time will carry disposable utensils and a drinking cup. We traveled by car and kept some things in a box in the back seat, as recommended by Rick. Helpful.
Dolly Goolsby <email>
Rocklin, CA USA 01/01/99

One memorable picnic spot for us was on the west coast of Scotland near Applecross, sitting above a pristine beach, looking across a gloriously blue strait to the island of Raasay, with the Isle of Skye behind it. In the sunshine, the setting looked almost Mediterranean.

There are also a number of dramatic and beautiful picnic spots along the northern coast of Brittany, including one along the top of the cliffs at the Pointe de Bihit (not far from Lannion).
Rebecca R. Malek-Wiley <email>
New Orleans, LA USA 12/13/98

A great place to picnic is in the Cotswolds, in the long "kissing gate" nature walk from Upper to Lower Slaughter. Bring along a backpack with picnic items, and then along the way find a good place and set up your picnic. This is especially a good idea in the Cotswolds because not every town has a pub or restaurant. Just watch out for cow pies!
Anglophile
MN USA 12/05/98

The Cinque Terre walk which joins the 5 Italian seaside towns is one long picnic spot! On a sunny day, it can't be beat. Try the local wine, sciachetra, and wear your swimsuit--or not!
Rebecca <email>
USA 11/21/98

The best picnic place my wife and I have found is on a park bench, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Take-out food from any shop on the Rue Cler is great. Plus, people watching is great!
John E. Burke <email>
Niagara Falls, NY USA 11/16/98

My own favorite Notre Dame vantage is the Parc Rene Gallieni, at the east end of the rue St-Severin between the church of St. Julien-le-Pauvre and the Seine. This fall it was very much as it was 18 years ago when on my boss's recommendation I first ate pommes-frites while watching the light change over the looming cathedral. In a sunny mid-afternoon it's childsplay to snap a spectacular photo of ND.
Cosmo <email>
Baltimore , MD USA 11/06/98

This may not be an "ultimate" picnic... but you can go the the Viktualenmarket just at the end of Marienplatz in Munich (at the Isortar gate) at get anything that you need for a picnic. Also, they have an excellent outdoor beer garden/ restuarant there which is a great lunch or dinner stop. I suspect that the outdoor aspect of this makes it very seasonal. We were there in early September so it was fine!
David Borck <email>
Arlington Heights, IL USA 11/04/98

PARIS-- A brief response to Darin's suggestion, try the small park (Square du Vert Galant) at the opposite end of the Isle de la Cité on which Notre Dame sits. It is very beautiful, peaceful and clean. It also has a great view of the topless sunbathers in front of the Louvre on the river!
Mike Moon <email>
atlantic city, nj USA 11/04/98

We were famished after a morning touring the alps and stopped in a small store in Lauterbrunnen. We picked up some juicy baked chicken and bread. We ate it with no utensils, sitting on a bench just on the edge of town as we started on a walk through the valley. It was messy, but very good, and what surroundings! I also enjoyed eating a great ham sandwich in the Place des Vosges in Paris (the food was picked up at a nearby eatery).
dan <email>
durham, nc USA 11/04/98

Our best picnic was on a bench in a park behind Notre Dame. The atmosphere was perfect as well as the people watching. There is a small grocery store run by a sweet little lady a few blocks from the cathedral. Good luck finding it!
Darin Raffety <email>
Overland Park, KS USA 10/27/98