Run, baby, run
In the rain, against the sun and above all in traffic, which continues to pollute a lot. Joggers do not hide but some are clear: it is better to run in a good park . That's why if you can't give up your run for the day, even on vacation or on business trips, we suggest seven perfect European parks to satisfy your desire for speed without traffic jams. You will discover a parallel city full of faithful like you. Put on your best sneakers, choose the props to make you look more muscular – the competition is tough – and add shine to your ponytail. You'll find that European parks are just as good as New York's for meeting people and shooting movies.
1. Brussels: a roadmap opposed to bureaucracy.
People always go to Brussels for work, which is also fine, but if you are one of the lucky ones who watch the contortionist efforts of your cabin mates on the flight at six in the morning to not wrinkle your suit and not spill your coffee on your laptop , you have one more excuse to run without a schedule through two essential parks: the Cinquantenaire Park and the Brussels Park. Although it is good that you remember that most likely, those in the suit will arrive at the park before you. The Cinquantenaire is one of the largest and most celebrated green spaces in the European capital , very close to the European Commission, is the officials' favorite to release pressure. The one in Brussels, also known as the Royal Park, is next to the Palace with the same name, it is more charming and welcoming, yes, and also smaller, and if you like to run while you see monuments, it is a great option.
The Cinquantenaire Park
2)London. Hampstead Heath, the forest of London.
In addition to Hyde Park, which you will find in one way or another when you walk around the city, Regents Park and the precious Green Park, which you will love if you like to observe the order of the gardens, London has the super park: Hampstead Heath , a lush forest high up in the northern part of the city. Miles and miles of nature at times in the wild (and if not ask the deer, foxes and squirrels, who also like to run around your backyard). If you are a calculation maniac, know that you have 320 hectares of park at your feet, so you can already run a lot if you want to see them all. You should get a map and trace a route, but if you're not in a hurry you can leave your race to chance, you won't be short of temptations. Don't miss the ponds, the top with its wonderful views of the city , and of course finish as usual by having a pint at Spaniard's Inn, one of the most authentic pubs in London.
Hampstead Heath, a lush forest
3. Paris. Green is also beautiful in the Ville Lumiere.
The Bois de Boulogne It has a sonorous and evocative name, one of those that, if you pronounce it correctly, stays a while longer reverberating in the mouth, an aftertaste of freedom, fortuitous adventure and open spaces. Known as “the lung of Paris”, its extension doubles that of Central Park, and the very connoisseurs choose it without hesitation to make a good race. Of course, almost everyone pilots around the Lac Iferieur, because as we have already suggested, aesthetics also count. But if you like to investigate and look out of the corner of your eye while you run, don't forget to treat yourself to a race through the Canal Saint Martin, the French quarter immortalized by Amelie in the film of the same name. Go making mental notes to come back to later. You will discover the most boho chic neighborhood in Paris, in the 10th arrondissement, and you'll want to try their all fun cafes and brasseries , pull the card in its tempting avant-garde shops and relax looking at the canal with a good wine when the evening comes.
The Bois de Boulogne has a sonorous and evocative name
Four. Zürich. The perfect order of nature.
The most beautiful park in Zurich is the Botanical Garden , which by geographical assimilation, many know as the University Campus. Running through sleepy students will transport you to other times in your life, and you will win because you are obviously clearer now and go faster. The park, mossy and almost alpine, will leave you with brand new lungs and a curious feeling of well-being in your body. It will be because Zurich is one of the European cities with the highest quality of life.
The Zurich Botanical Garden
5. Oslo. Running is not for cowards.
It's very cold in the Norwegian capital, so running here is not for cowards, it's for wise men and even more so in the fantastic frognerparken , which you can reach walking at a good pace from the city center. 20 minutes of warm-up that will allow you to know the ins and outs of Oslo and appreciate the pleasure of open spaces. When you're satisfied with yourself, give yourself one last treat and don't forget to take a slower tour of Vigeland Park, an open-air exhibition with more than 200 works of art signed by the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. a delight
Vigeland Park and its sculptures of babies
6. Florence. Why has it never occurred to you to run here?
The serene beauty of Florence, the barrage of works of art, the tempting trattorias and the proliferation of designer shops leave little room to imagine that the city of the Arno is also a perfect place for lovers of racing against themselves. But you won't be the first artist to speed up in Le Cascine, the largest park in the city and a favorite of the Medici family . If it happens that you go on a Tuesday, save time to take a look at its open-air market. But since you are in one of the most artistic areas of the planet, you should not miss the Giardino di Boboli, an entire Italian garden . In other words, a green and thoughtful space, full of statues, twisted paths, whimsical hedges, romantic fountains and the occasional cave for you to play at being an explorer for five minutes. There is a lot to do in Florence.
Jogging overlooking the Duomo
7. Prague. Stromovka, the friendly park with the legs.
It could not be otherwise. The hundred times beautiful Prague has a flat and pleasant park, full of smooth paved paths, perfect for resting your feet after so much hustle and bustle among centuries-old cobblestones. If you are beginning to discover the benefits of going faster, Stromovka will be your ideal park. It is the largest in the city and has plenty of ponds for you to enjoy while you run with the calming presence of water, it even has an indoor pool. If you definitely want to disconnect, finish your race with a good Czech beer in any of your appetizing beer garden.