Paris walks, Japanese food, and Roman gladiators
What's been happening over the last few weeks at Earful Tower HQ.
Hello there!
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve emailed you - during the between-season break of the podcast I seem to have decidedly less to say.
But now I’m back because an awful lot is happening.
As usual, between the seasons I’ve been like a squirrel storing up some great treats. On the upcoming podcast episode for Monday, you will hear the managing director of the Paris Tourism Board talking to us about the city, the Olympics, and what’s next for the French capital.
It was quite interesting to talk to someone in her position, I’d never really considered that the tourism board in Paris doesn’t really need to attract people to this city - the people are already attracted. So for other places around the world, the job would be “get them here!”. For Paris, it’s a whole different task. You’ll hear the full story on Monday.
Then, if all goes to plan, you’ll be hearing an episode and seeing a video from the top of the Eiffel Tower. I don’t want to reveal too much about this one as I we’re not scheduled to record it until Monday, but hopefully you’ll hear it soon after.
Meanwhile, last night I went to a Substack meet-up in Paris. In case you’re not familiar with Substack, it’s the website that I use to send out these very emails. So even if you’re reading this in your inbox, it’s coming via Substack.
Anyhow, at this event it seemed every Anglophone Parisian with a Substack page was there. Chefs, comedians, writers, photographers, musicians… I counted nine past guests from my show, so it felt like a mini-Earful Tower reunion for me too. It strikes me that Substack is really on to something, how wonderful to be part of it. (And thanks for subscribing to mine).
Restaurant news
Now that summer is here and the Great Babysitter Shortage of Paris (GBSP) appears to be over, Lina and I have more time to dine out. I’ll keep you updated as we do.
And this week we were invited to try France’s version of Benihana. You might be familiar with it already - Japanese teppanyaki where they grill dinner practically at your table, complete with food being tossed in the air and dramatic flames. It’s a worldwide chain, but the Paris franchise chose a great spot just steps from the Comedie Francaise with a view of it all. They hit the spot between elegant and fun.
What’s new on the walking tours?
Our walking tours have gone through the roof. The month of May was 300 percent busier than May last year. What’s changed? I don’t even know! But I can say that June is already 200 percent busier and we’re only halfway through it. Crazy. Thanks to all who’ve booked so far.
This walking tour venture is something I’ve been taking very seriously, and it has been heartwarming to see the reviews coming through. Not just for when I’m the tour guide (Monday mornings in the Marais!), but for our whole team.
Here are quotes from this the last four reviews on TripAdvisor.
The most engaging two hours you will spend in Paris!
I wish every city had a neighborhood tour this fabulous.
This was the best tour I have ever gone on!
By far the best walking tour we have ever done.
And they’re just snippets from this week’s reviews. Book your own walking tour here, maybe I’ll see you in person one day :)
The Italy corner
New episodes alert! Let’s turn our attention to “The Earful Everywhere” channel, where I’m currently taking you through Italy.
Today I released a new episode where I sat down with Angelo Carotenuto, the CEO and founder of the LivTours travel company. In the episode, I asked for his insider opinions on some of the top things to see in Rome. Essentially, he rates ten popular activities as underrated or overrated and gives backup ideas. You can listen below.
And last week, I released an episode recorded inside the Colosseum, where a Roman guide quizzed me on ten facts about this ancient world wonder.
Grab un caffè and have a listen! (And then book a tour in Rome for the full experience). This season of The Earful Everywhere is proudly brought to you by LivTours, who made it possible for us to share these travel stories with you. Listen to all of the episodes here.
Next week it’ll be Lina and I sharing our ten favourite things we did during our ten days in Rome. New episodes will be out every Friday on The Earful Everywhere. Please follow it on Instagram here, Spotify here, and/or iTunes here. It’s free to follow, and it’ll help me grow this new project into the future.
That’ll do for me, have a lovely weekend
Oliver