France and Italy Itinerary Ideas for 1, 2, or 3 Week Trips
I’ve been traveling through France and Italy since I was a little kid, and they’re still two of my favorite places to revisit. My first trip had me feeding pigeons in Venice and pretending to like gelato (I’ve since gotten better at both). Since then, I’ve returned many times, and over the years, I’ve learned what makes for a fun, efficient, and not-too-rushed first-time itinerary through these iconic countries.
This guide will help you figure out how many cities to visit, how long to stay in each place, and how to put together a trip that won’t leave you exhausted by day four. I’ve also included sample itineraries that cover 7, 10, 14, and even 18-night trips, using the pacing I’ve found to be the sweet spot for most travelers.
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The advice in this article is designed for people who want to see the most famous sights in France and Italy while still having time to enjoy the local culture — not just rush from city to city. I’m a big believer that 3 nights in each major city is ideal, with occasional day trips to places like Pisa, Cinque Terre, or the Amalfi Coast.
This article was most recently updated in August, 2025.
How Long Should You Stay in Each City?
Trying to see all of Italy and France in two weeks? That can easily turn into a blur of trains, hotel check-ins, and hurried sightseeing. In cities like Rome or Paris, even booking two nights leaves you with just one full day to explore—and that rarely cuts it.
Most travel experts, including myself, recommend minimum 3 nights per major city — ideally even more if you want to soak in the food, culture, and pace. This helps avoid burnout, lets you feel grounded, and gives you space to pivot if plans change.
>>>Going just to Italy?: Here are the best first-time Italy itineraries for 3 days to two weeks
Best Airports to Start and End Your Trip
If you’re planning to visit both France and Italy on the same trip, your best bet is to fly into one country and out of the other — known as an “open-jaw” ticket. These fares are surprisingly common and often cost the same as round-trip tickets into and out of a single airport.
The most popular airports for this kind of trip are Paris (CDG) and Rome (FCO). Both have nonstop flights to major cities around the world and are ideal starting points for first-time visitors.
The first thing to try is this:
- (your city) to Paris one-way
- Rome to (your city) one-way
Compare that to this:
- (your city) to Paris round-trip
- (your city) to Rome round-trip
Open-jaw tickets are especially useful if you only have 7 to 10 days — they save you from doubling back and give you more time to enjoy each destination. If you’re flying from North America, you’ll often find the best deals into Paris, but always check both directions before booking.
Getting Around Once You’re in Europe
The good news is that getting between cities in France and Italy is easy, fast, and surprisingly affordable — especially if you book in advance. High-speed trains are usually the best way to go, offering a comfortable, scenic ride right into the heart of each city. Unlike airports, train stations are central, so you avoid long transfers and security lines.
If you’re going from Paris to Italy, the overnight train from Paris to Venice used to be a favorite, but it’s no longer running. These days, most travelers take a quick flight — often cheaper than the train — or make a stop in Switzerland or the French Riviera to break up the journey.
Once you’re in Italy, trains are almost always the best option. Routes like Rome to Florence or Florence to Venice are high-speed, with frequent departures and short travel times. Booking early on Trenitalia or ItaloTreno can get you excellent fares — sometimes as low as €20 for first class.
There’s really no need to rent a car for a trip like this unless you’re venturing deep into the countryside. For city-to-city travel, stick with trains — they’re faster, easier, and far less stressful.
Best Cities in France for First-Time Visitors
Paris (minimum 3 nights but even that is rushing it)
Paris is the perfect gateway to a France and Italy trip, and it easily deserves at least 3 nights — honestly, even that feels rushed. I’ve been to Paris many times over the years, and I still discover something new each visit. The city is endlessly walkable, full of hidden cafés, elegant parks, and world-class museums that never disappoint.
My personal favorites include an evening Seine river cruise (timing it for sunset feels magical), wandering through the narrow streets of Le Marais, and spending a lazy morning in a neighborhood café with nothing but a croissant and a bit of people-watching. The Eiffel Tower is iconic, of course, but I think the real magic of Paris comes from the smaller moments — finding your own favorite corner of the city.
If you plan on seeing several of the major sights, the Paris Pass is worth looking into. It includes entry to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, and even a Seine cruise, often saving you both money and time in ticket lines. I’ve used it myself and found that it’s a stress-free way to hit the highlights without constantly pulling out your wallet.
For first-timers, I recommend spending 3 or 4 nights in Paris before flying or taking a train south toward Italy. This gives you enough time to see the big landmarks without missing the slower, more romantic side of the city.
Provence region (optional 2 or 3 nights)
If you’re heading from Paris to the south of France, the most efficient route is typically to go straight to Nice and the French Riviera. But if beach towns aren’t your thing — or if you’re traveling from November through March, when the coast is quiet — the Provence region offers a completely different and equally memorable detour.
This area is where Van Gogh lived and painted, and it’s home to the Papal Palace in Avignon, where seven popes resided in the 1300s. Arles is the historic heart of the region and a good base for exploring, though Avignon might be even better for first-time visitors — it’s charming, compact, and very tourist-friendly.
From Avignon, you can explore the Côtes du Rhône wine road, a scenic trail linking hilltop villages, vineyards, and wineries. Provence also has a distinct cuisine — lighter and more Mediterranean — and even by French standards, the food is excellent.
This isn’t necessarily essential on your first trip unless you have a longer itinerary or specific interest in food, wine, or rural France, but it’s a beautiful and rewarding region to explore if time allows.
Paris to Avignon by train: About 3.5 hours
Avignon to Nice by train: About 3 hours
Nice, France (minimum 2 nights)
NiceNice is the ideal base for exploring the French Riviera, and it works in almost any season. While it’s best known as a summer destination, Nice stays active year-round, with locals out enjoying the seafront promenade even in the cooler months.
First-time visitors often underestimate how different this region feels compared to Paris. The Mediterranean vibe is strong — slower pace, brighter colors, and a coastline dotted with glamorous spots like Monaco, Cannes, and Èze, all of which are easy day trips by train or bus.
Nice itself has a charming old town, great views from Castle Hill, and some solid museums if the weather turns. I’ve stayed there in both winter and spring, and the combination of scenery and ease of access makes it one of the best intro stops in France. And since it has an international airport, you can often fly home from Nice rather than backtrack to Paris — a major plus.
Avignon to Nice by train: About 3 hours
Nice to Rome by air: About 1.5 hours (direct flights are common)
Best Cities in Italy for First-Time Visitors
Milan (1 night or just skip it)
Milan might be Italy’s fashion capital and a major business hub, but for most first-time visitors, it’s not a must-see. If you’re flying into Milan, it’s worth spending a night to visit the magnificent Duomo di Milano and take a stroll through the upscale Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. If you’re into art, you can try to snag tickets for The Last Supper, but those tend to sell out months in advance.
Personally, I’ve always found Milan a bit cold and formal compared to the rest of Italy. It’s very modern and efficient, which might be refreshing after Paris, but it lacks the charm and walkable beauty of cities like Rome or Florence. That said, if your flight lands here or departs from here, a short stay can make sense.
Nice to Milan by train: About 5 hours
Milan to Florence by train: About 1 hour 55 minutes
Venice (1 night minimum, 2 nights maximum)
Venice is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the world — and also one of the most touristy. Everyone should see it at least once, and even though it’s often crowded and expensive, the experience of wandering through its maze of canals and bridges is worth it. Just don’t overstay. The novelty fades quickly, especially when you realize how limited the dining options are near the major sights.
If you arrive in the afternoon, spend your first evening wandering, soaking in the twilight views, and maybe taking a sunset vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal. Then wake up early to explore St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge before the cruise ship crowds arrive.
From experience, I’ve found that 1 or 2 nights is ideal. That gives you plenty of time to see the best of Venice without getting overwhelmed — or overcharged. And if you’re visiting in summer, bring patience: the narrow alleys and packed squares can feel claustrophobic by midday.
Florence to Venice by train: About 2 hours
Venice to Rome by train: About 3 hours 45 minutes
Florence (2 nights minimum, plus side trips)
Florence is the heart of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance — and for many travelers, it ends up being their favorite stop in Italy. It’s compact, beautiful, and packed with world-class art and architecture, yet it also feels more relaxed than Rome or Venice. Two nights is the minimum, but if you’re planning side trips (which you absolutely should), it’s worth staying longer.
Climbing to the top of the Duomo is a highlight, as is seeing Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia. But what makes Florence even better is that it’s the perfect base for exploring Tuscany. A half-day to Pisa, a full day in the Cinque Terre, or a countryside wine tour through Chianti are all easy from here. You can even zip down to Rome in under 2 hours if needed.
For hotels, staying near the train station (Santa Maria Novella) is ideal for easy arrivals and day trips, while areas closer to the Duomo or Ponte Vecchio put you right in the center of the action.
Venice to Florence by train: About 2 hours
Florence to Rome by train: About 1.5 hours
Pisa (a few hours on a day trip at most)
Let’s be honest — you come to Pisa for the Leaning Tower, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The tower itself is iconic and surprisingly impressive in person, especially when you realize it’s just one piece of a gorgeous complex that includes a cathedral and baptistery all on the same square.
Fortunately, Pisa is an easy and worthwhile day trip from Florence, taking just about an hour by train. You can walk from the train station to the tower in 20 minutes, or grab a quick taxi. Plan on a few hours total unless you want to climb the tower (you’ll need advance tickets), and then head back to Florence in time for aperitivo.
The rest of Pisa is a typical small Tuscan city with some charm, but most visitors don’t feel the need to stay overnight. That said, if you’re collecting classic photo ops on your trip, the Leaning Tower is a must.
Florence to Pisa by train: About 1 hour
Cinque Terre (1 night, optional)
The Cinque Terre — a string of five cliffside villages along Italy’s Ligurian coast — has gone from hidden gem to international favorite, and it’s easy to see why. With pastel-colored buildings clinging to rocky hillsides, turquoise water below, and scenic hiking trails connecting the towns, it’s one of the most visually striking places in all of Europe.
That said, it’s not for everyone, especially if you’re short on time or visiting outside the warmer months. In cooler seasons, many restaurants and small hotels close, and the towns can feel a bit too quiet. In summer, they can be packed to the point of frustration. But in April, May, or September? Pure magic.
You can visit on a day trip from Florence or even Pisa if you get an early start, but staying one night lets you enjoy the villages after the day-trippers have left. The town of Monterosso has the best beaches, Vernazza is the most photogenic, and Riomaggiore is a common base for budget travelers.
Florence to La Spezia (gateway to Cinque Terre): About 2.5 hours by train
Rome (minimum 3 nights)
Rome is overwhelming in all the best ways. It’s packed with history, buzzing with life, and constantly serving up postcard views at every turn. The Eternal City is a must for first-timers, and three nights is the sweet spot to soak in the highlights without feeling rushed.
The main attractions are clustered fairly close together, so you can cover a lot on foot. One full day is enough to explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and nearby sites like the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Another full day can be devoted to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and maybe a guided walking tour or open-top bus ride to tie it all together.
My advice: Stay in or near the Centro Storico, or slightly east in the Monti neighborhood if you prefer a quieter local feel. Monti is still walkable to the Colosseum but offers a more authentic vibe with better restaurants and cafés.
Rome can be chaotic, but that’s part of its charm. After many visits, I still find new corners and surprising moments every time I go. The key is not to overschedule — leave time to wander, grab gelato, and watch the city unfold.
Florence to Rome by train: About 1.5 hours
Rome to Paris by air: About 2 hours
Naples/Pompeii/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast (optional up to 4 nights)
The “big 3” in Italy are Rome, Florence, and Venice, and if you have time for only 3 cities those are the obvious ones to choose. But if you want to dig deeper into Italy and you have enough time, your next best choice will be to base yourself in Sorrento and use it to explore Naples, the ruins of Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri.
Naples has a reputation — some deserved, some exaggerated — but it’s definitely a city that leaves an impression. It’s fast-paced, gritty, and chaotic, yet packed with history, character, and what many call the best pizza in the world. The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with narrow alleys, bustling markets, and centuries-old churches.
That said, Naples isn’t for everyone. The lack of green spaces, constant traffic, and overall energy can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not staying long. For most first-time visitors, it works best as a day trip to explore the historic center and grab an authentic pizza lunch before heading back to a more relaxing base.
If you’re planning to visit Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast, staying in Sorrento is usually a smarter and more enjoyable choice.
Rome to Naples by train: About 1 hour
Naples to Sorrento by local train: About 1 hour
Stay in Sorrento
Sorrento is the perfect base for exploring this entire region. It’s a charming and relaxed town perched on cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, with a historic center filled with narrow lanes, outdoor cafés, and shops selling local limoncello. Compared to Naples, Sorrento feels calm, clean, and welcoming — making it a far better place to stay, especially for first-time visitors.
From Sorrento, it’s easy to take day trips to Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. Ferries and buses run regularly, and for some routes, splitting a taxi fare with fellow travelers can be surprisingly affordable and scenic.
I’ve always found Sorrento to be one of Italy’s most pleasant small cities. It has the charm of a coastal village but with enough restaurants and conveniences to feel comfortable for a multi-night stay. Plus, the views from the cliffs and marinas are reason enough to linger here for a few days.
Amalfi Coast and the Island of Capri
The Amalfi Coast is famous for a reason — its dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and winding seaside roads make it one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. Positano and Amalfi are the main towns you’ll want to visit, both reachable by bus, ferry, or taxi from Sorrento. Just be aware that the roads are narrow and can get extremely congested during peak season, which is why the ferry is often the most relaxing (and scenic) way to go.
The Island of Capri is another iconic destination, known for its upscale vibe, natural beauty, and the famous Blue Grotto. It’s an easy ferry ride from Sorrento, making it a perfect day trip. Even if you skip the expensive boat tours, just walking through the main town and visiting the viewpoints is worth the journey.
If you’re deciding between the two, the Amalfi Coast offers more variety and local charm, while Capri is more polished and feels a bit like stepping into a glamorous postcard. Both are worthwhile, but Sorrento remains the best home base to explore them without the hassle of moving hotels.
Bologna is the best addition for foodies
If you’re looking to add a destination that’s a little off the typical tourist trail — but still very easy to reach — Bologna is a fantastic choice. Known as Italy’s culinary capital, Bologna offers some of the best traditional food in the country, including tagliatelle al ragù (what many people mistakenly call spaghetti Bolognese), tortellini, mortadella, and more.
The city itself has a lively, youthful vibe thanks to its university — the oldest in Europe — and a beautiful historic center filled with portico-covered streets. It’s also less touristy than Florence or Venice, so prices are a bit lower and the experience feels more authentic.
If you’re passionate about Italian cuisine, Bologna is absolutely worth a 1- or 2-night detour. It’s located on the main train line between Florence and Venice, so it’s an easy stop without adding much travel time. Plus, it’s an excellent place to take a food tour or cooking class if you want to dive deeper into the culinary scene.
Florence to Bologna by train: About 40 minutes
Bologna to Venice by train: About 1.5 hours
Cinque Terre photo by World Walk About on Flickr
Sample Itineraries for France and Italy Trips
You can mix and match cities depending on how much time you have, but here are a few sample itineraries that balance sightseeing with a realistic travel pace. Remember, three nights per major city is the sweet spot for not feeling rushed.
7 Nights – Classic First-Time Combo
- Paris (3 nights)
- Fly or take the train to Rome (4 nights)
This is the most efficient trip if you’re short on time. You’ll see the two most iconic cities in Europe with enough time to enjoy the highlights without burning out.
10 Nights – Balanced France & Italy
- Paris (3 nights)
- Florence (3 nights, with a half-day trip to Pisa or wine country)
- Rome (4 nights)
This is a great pace for a first trip, allowing you to explore France’s capital, soak up the best of Tuscany, and finish with enough time in Rome to see the big sights and relax.
12–14 Nights – Add the Riviera or Venice
Option A:
- Paris (3 nights)
- Nice (2 nights)
- Florence (3 nights)
- Rome (4 nights)
Option B:
- Paris (3 nights)
- Florence (3 nights)
- Venice (1–2 nights)
- Rome (4 nights)
Adding the French Riviera or Venice gives the trip more variety. Nice is a great option in warmer months, while Venice is iconic but best with just a short stay.
15–18 Nights – Expand to Sorrento or Bologna
- Paris (3 nights)
- Florence (3 nights)
- Rome (4 nights)
- Sorrento (3 nights for Amalfi Coast/Pompeii/Capri)
or
- Paris (3 nights)
- Florence (3 nights)
- Bologna (1–2 nights between Florence and Venice)
- Venice (1–2 nights)
- Rome (3–4 nights)
If you’ve got more than two weeks, slowing down is smarter than adding more cities. Sorrento offers a relaxing coastal base with easy day trips, while Bologna is perfect for food lovers looking for something a bit different.
Hi Roger,
Sorry for the late response. Thank you so much for your useful information, Still working on our itinerary ideas. Thanks again
Hi Roger, I love your site its exactly what I was looking for first visit to Europe. I’m from NY and I would love to have a really nice vacation with my family, however I’m concerned about my 6 yrs and 12 yrs old kids. My 16 yrs old daughter and I are really excited, but not sure if this trip will be worth it if my other 2 kids are not going to enjoy it as much as me. Do you think I should wait a few more years to make this trip or would be okay if I bring my little ones? In 2 years my older daughter would be going to college and I feel it would be harder for me to make this trip since saving money for college will be my priority.. Any advise will be greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
Sindy
Sindy,
I’m glad you find this information useful. I was born in Los Angeles to an American father and a German mother. I did my first tour of Europe in the summer when I was 4 and my second when I was 8. I barely remember anything from the trip when I was 4, but I remember quite a bit from the trip when I was 8. My family went again when I was 12, but at that age I didn’t feel like another trip would be more fun than staying home with my cousins, which is what I opted to do. In my case, those early trips were something I was always able to brag about a bit to friends and such, as none of them had ever been farther than Mexico or Hawaii, and I’d toured Europe twice before I was 10. And that traveling inspired me to do more traveling, and eventually become a travel writer for a living. So for me, those early trips were invaluable.
I guess every child is different, but my best guess is that the younger ones would get a LOT out of such a cultural experience, even if it didn’t seem exciting at the time. I can understand why staying at home with friends would sound more appealing than spending weeks in a foreign country at those ages, but years from now I’d also guess that the young ones would be proud of having toured Europe and would thank you for it. Let’s hope so anyway. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. -Roger
hi roger,
i will be booking 3 weeks off for travel in the fall when things tend to slow down in Europe, just wondering if you could give some advice on the top places to visit or how i could tweak my itinerary to see some amazing sights. I plan travelling from Portugal through Spain stopping in Madrid and Barcelona, then through the southern part of France(saving Paris for a separate trip with London) such as Montpelier, Marseilles, and nice. Then i would be off to Italy for the 2nd half of my trip heading from nice to Milan , to Venice to Florence, to Rome and possibly Naples if i have the time.
i would like to get a look into these 3 locations, but half of my trip will be spent in Italy, i have made a list of certain monuments , museums etc. id like to see but i’m sure you know of some amazing places you could give some insight on so i could tweak my itinerary to fit those in.
Thank, Ty
Tyrone,
My main suggestion for your trip is to plan on spending 3 nights in most of the places you visit. There are some smaller towns such as Venice where 1 or 2 nights is all you need, but nearly all of the others on your list will require 3 nights in order to experience the highlights. One issue is that a day that you travel from city to city will be mostly spent doing that rather than sightseeing, so you can’t really count it as a day there. That leaves two full days in each city to wake up and see and do as much as you can, and spend most of that third day traveling again. If you change cities after two nights then it’s really one day sightseeing followed by one day traveling followed by one day sightseeing and so forth. In other words, you literally spend half of your trip on trains and in train stations and walking to and from your hotel.
Now, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples are all within about two hours of each other by train, so you can get in some sightseeing on those travel days, but still, the process of checking out of one hotel up until you are checked into your next hotel and ready to go out will take 4 to 5 hours of the middle of the day even for the closest cities.
With that in mind, Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona are all large cities that would require 3 nights. My recommendation for the absolute fastest visit to Italy is 24 hours in Venice, 2 nights in Florence, and 3 nights in Rome. So really you have to decide which places are most important to see on this trip. Marseilles, for example, isn’t much of a tourist city. That’s true about Milan as well, although it does have a few interesting things to see.
Once you figure out how many stops you can make, then you can decide which places would fill those slots and be easy to reach from each other. I think you’ll be able to create a pretty good itinerary with that in mind, and I’ll be happy to offer comments if you are interested. Best of luck with this. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Could you please look over our itinerary and see what you think, any advise would be great. My husband and I have two weeks to visit France and Italy excluding travel time from Australia in September. We are thinking, fly into Paris 6 days, we would like to go for a surf as well so somewhere near Hossegor for 3 days, 2 day Monaco. 1 day sorrento /Amalfi coast and 2 days Rome then home. Thanks Kathy
Kathy,
I’d recommend no more than 4 or 5 days in Paris since you have other places to see. That is plenty of time to see all of the top sights, and it will allow you more time elsewhere. I’d never heard of Hossegor, but if you are surfers I can see the appeal. It looks like the trains don’t get very close, so it might be tricky to reach unless you drive.
From there it would be another very long trip to Monaco. Monaco is a gorgeous town that you can thoroughly explore in about 6 hours or so, and the hotels there are all very expensive. I’d recommend staying in Nice, which has much more affordable hotels and is about 20 minutes away from Monaco by train.
It would then be another very long trip by train to southern Italy, so flying into Naples is probably best for your trip to Amalfi. You are really skipping around a lot and you might want to consider switching to some stops that are easier to reach from one another. The way it is now, you’ll be spending nearly an entire day getting from one place to another. Also, Rome is huge and packed with top sights, so I hope you can allow 3 days for it. I’ll be happy to help more so let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hello Wade! OMG! Thank you so very much for creating this and giving me and Many The opportunity to stimulat my Imagination. Thanks for sharing lots of great content, value with your specialized knowledge, giving lots of great suggestions and ideas to create the experience of a lifetime, with your blog, answers and recommendations.
The support, help, assistance I am wanting is for the experience of taking The vacation of a lifetime for my mom who will be 81 this year. She’s always wanted to go to Italy and so I actually. My grandfather, her father was born and raised in Naples. Because of this Naples of course is a must. I am in the beginning stages right now of planning and putting together our itinerary. We are going to Italy, Europe this September-October. I am thinking between 2-3-4 weeks is how long we will be there.
Because of my mothers age she really will not be able to walk for long periods of time without resting when she needs to,
I took 4 long pages of notes using a legal pad from your blog and answers to members of the community here. I was actually only thinking of investing a day or so in Paris for the Mona Lisa and The Eiffel Tower. Nice, Cannes, and Monaco might be a great addition.
Here are some musts that I want for us to experience in addition to Naples: The David in Florence, The Last Supper in Milan, The Mona Lisa in Paris, of course The Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.
I’d love for us to at least take day trips to Assisi, Padua, The Amalfi Coast. Pisa might be really cool for a half a day trip.
My questions for you are: 1. if our vacation experience is 2, 3, or 4 weeks, what would you choose for our itinerary if it was yours?
2. I want for us to stay at Airbnb locations most of the time because I feel we will be able to receive an authentic traditional Italian, European experience like the locals. In the above mentioned choice cities, towns are you able to give suggestions as to what neighborhoods or parts of the town would be best for us to experience it? We will most probably be using the train most of the time getting from one location, town or village to the next. Using local buses and trains, Lyft, or Uber for closer locations
We would be departing from New York City and ultimate destination will be back in New York. In your opinion, guesstimate, what do you think the investment would be for this Italian, European experience, including airfare?
I was going to take her last year for her 80th birthday but when Italy had their first earthquake last year she says I’m not going anywhere I don’t care. I talked her into it.
My company is opening up 7 more countries, expanding internationally this year, we are opening up 5 countries, and I think , and will be 2 of the first European counties that will be opened, I think I will be able to write off this whole vacation, which is an added Bonus
Thank you so very much in advance for your time in response to my question.
In gratitude and Appreciation,
Thomas
Thomas,
I’m glad you found this website as well, and I’ll be happy to try to help. I’ll answer the questions in order…
My advice is to stay 3 nights in nearly every city you visit. Paris is large enough that 4 nights is probably better. Rome is also quite large, but it’s also somewhat chaotic and I think 3 days is enough for most people, although 4 could be better because the Vatican takes nearly a whole day by itself. So when you are choosing the length of your total trip, I’d start with the cities you definitely want to visit and plan on about 3 nights in each. Then if you think the trip could be longer, you can add one or more cities that can easily fit on your existing route.
2. One challenge with using Airbnbs in European cities like this is that it’s rare to find an apartment with a location in the tourist zone. In other words, you’ll find dozens of hotels clustered around the main train station and the main city squares and some of the tourist attractions, but an apartment rental might be half a mile from any of those things. And if there IS an apartment right near the main city square, it’s probably even more expensive than the nearby hotels.
In Paris my favorite hotel neighborhood is Rue Cler, which is right next to the Eiffel Tower park. There are many hotels and almost no apartments around there. I have “Recommended Hotels” articles for most of those cities on this website, and you’ll see a link to each article in the middle column of each City page, such as this one for Paris. In those I discuss the neighborhoods I like best for hotels.
As far as the total cost is concerned, that can vary wildly from one visitor to another. You should look at the totals I provide on the Europe 3-star traveler Index. Each one is an estimate of how much each city costs per person, per day, traveling with two to a room. Most cities are around US$100 per day, but that’s for staying in 3-star hotels and doesn’t include shopping. Your flights from NYC into Rome or Milan or Paris should run about US$700 per person round-trip in autumn, or maybe a bit higher if oil prices go up in summer.
I might have missed some questions. Feel free to ask again or new ones if you have other specific questions before your trip. -Roger
I am meeting my husband in Paris in April, first time in europ, I am interested in Paris and London, and I may be flying(leaving to come home from the Toulon airport). Originally I was thinking Paris London and Brussels, but I still think Rome, we only have 10 days, what would you recommend?? Looking at best way to travel, don’t mind the idea of the train, but don’t want to spend too much time on one. Thanks
AngelaR,
If you only have 10 days then you have enough time for Paris, London, and one other city. I highly recommend 3 nights in any city you visit, and 4 nights in London or Paris can be better if you have the time, though 3 will be good.
So you’ll visit London and Paris for sure, and you’ll want to take the Eurostar train between them as it’s the fastest and most convenient way of going. Buy your ticket soon or as early as possible to get the best fare and most options.
If you decide to go to Brussels then you can take a train from Paris or even a Eurostar from London. But honestly, I’m not a huge fan of Brussels, except for the compact city center around the Grand Place (main square). Brussels is mostly built for business travelers and government employees, so it’s expensive and there aren’t many great attractions. I prefer the smaller town of Bruges, which is just an hour away from Brussels by local train. You can take a train to Brussels and spend an afternoon there on your way to Bruges for the night.
Another option is Amsterdam, which is far more interesting than the other two, and also a reasonable train ride from Paris (a bit over 3 hours). London, Paris, and Amsterdam make for a great trip and each is very different from the others.
Rome is truly an amazing city to visit, so it might be your best bet since you are already interested in it. You could easily fly to and from Rome from either London or Paris. The train ride is too long and flying is cheaper anyway.
By the way, I also have an article where I recommend visiting the 5 “greatest” European cities before visiting many others. That list includes London, Paris, Rome, Venice, and Amsterdam. So I’m sure you’ll have a great trip. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Roger. I think i have finalised the travel plans. Could you please cast your knowledgable eyes over the itinerary and advise any changes you see necessary. If possible could you advise the must sees at each city within the days allocated. Thx Russell
Rome (Arrive Morning) 11,12,13,14 Leave On 14/4/2017
Florence (Morning/Lunch) 15,16 Leave On 17/4/2017
Venice (Morning/Lunch) 17,18 Leave On 19/4/2017
Paris (Lunch) 19,20,21,22 Leave On 23/4/2017
London (Lunch) 23,24,25,26,27 Leave on 28/4/2017
Thanks Roger. Appreciate your assistance.
Russell
Hi Roger, we are a family of 3, two adults and 15 yr old, and we are looking to travel to Italy, France and England in April this year from Melbourne Australia. We have not been to Europe before. We are looking to travel into Rome and start a 15 day holiday. Could you please give ideas for an itinerary including your thoughts on how to travel between destinations. Also, will we have issues finding moderately priced accomodation that will fit the three of us.. Love all the feedback you give and have really enjoyed reading the different holidays people are planning. Thanks Russell.
Russell,
I’m happy you’ve found this information helpful and entertaining. If you’ve got 15 days for those three countries, you’ll have plenty of time to hit all the highlights. Here’s what I’d do:
Fly into Rome and spend 3 or 4 nights there. Normally I recommend 3 nights, but depending on when you get in and possible jet lag, a 4th night might be good. After that take the train to Florence for 2 or 3 nights. Then take a train to Venice for 1 night, as discussed in the article above.
From Venice Airport or nearby Treviso Airport you can fly into Paris for 3 or 4 nights. From Paris you can take the Eurostar train to London where you’ll spend your last 3 or 4 nights. If you need to be back in Rome for your flight home you can book an early-morning flight for a low price out of one of London’s smaller airports. Or if you can book a flight into Rome and out of London, all the better. That gives you 12 to 16 nights worth of suggestions, so you can stay longer in several of those places, or perhaps add another place if you really want to.
As for modestly price accommodation for 3 people, you should probably focus on Airbnbs or other apartment rentals. The hotel rooms in Europe’s largest cities tend to be frightfully small, often with just a bed and a bit of room to walk around it. In beach destinations it’s not too hard to find rooms with 3 singles or 1 queen and 1 single, but that is rare in the cities. But in apartment rentals you not only get more room, but often a sofa-bed or another small bed in another room. In April you should be able to find some good choices around €100 per night, or a bit more if you want to be in the heart of a tourist area. The one challenge with apartment rentals like that is that most of them are a bit away from the tourist heart. Still, in your case it will be worth it. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hello Roger, wishing you a fantastic 2017
Fortunately I came across your page soon enough while planning for a euro trip. I can’t enough thanks a comprehensive yet crisp article useful for first time travelers to Europe like me. I thought I’d share a draft itinerary I came up with in the reverse order from 26 April to 13 May. We are traveling from Bangalore/India, the currency exchange is not quite favorable, so we’d like to stick to budget options where possible.
Could you comment on the itinerary?
23 april – Arrival at Rome
2 nights
Sorrento
Pompeii
Island of Capri
Amalfi coast
2 nights
Florence
Pisa ( option )
3 nights
Cinque Terre
1 nights
Venice
1 nights
Nice
-Cannes
-Monaco
3 nights
Paris
check in
5 may
check out
13 may
8 nights
Shouldn’t we spend some time exploring places in France? Lets say between Nice and Paris for couple of nights? 8 nights in Paris could be too many.
We bought Paris pass for four days, need to book accommodation and start rest of the planning.
Awaiting your comments and tips to make it a great experience, pretty excited planning the trip itself.
Thank you
Binu
Binu,
I’m glad you found this website as well. I’ll be happy to try to help.
First off, I’d really recommend 3 nights in Rome if at all possible. It’s a very large city with so many important sights that you’d be missing many of the best ones if you did it in only 2 nights.
Sorrento and the sights around it are really nice, but in only 2 nights you’d really only be able to pick one of the sights. To get from Rome to Sorrento and then from Sorrento to Florence, it would take most of the middle of each of those days. So you’d really only have one full sightseeing day for Pompeii or Amalfi Coast. In other words, you might save Sorrento for a future trip and stay 3 nights in Rome.
Florence with a possible Pisa day trip in 3 days is good. You might also skip the Cinque Terre. Everyone says it’s gotten so crowded that it’s no longer enjoyable. In fact, the local authorities are talking about limiting visitor numbers to combat the problem. Honestly, they are just 5 small fishing villages and not really as special as their reputation suggests.
Venice in one day is ideal, especially if you can spend close to 24 hours there. Three nights in Nice is also great, and it will take some time to get there from Venice.
Paris for 8 days does seem too long. It’s a large and wonderful city, but after about 4 days you’ll have seen all of the sights that interest you most. The Paris Pass will be very helpful, so if you stay 5 nights in Paris you’ll have 4 full days to do everything, including a half-day trip out to Versailles.
If you want to make more stops in France between Nice and Paris, you might consider Avignon and/or Bourges. Both of them are smaller towns with excellent sights. You could spend one night in them if you can get there by noon or so, or two nights if you arrive later than that. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Thanks a ton Roger, appreciate your help.
We will extend our stay in Rome for one more night — as you mentioned in the article, we may never come back to this city.
Will skip Cinque Terre – its a bit off route as well.
We will try to cut a day from Florence and add one more night at Sorrento. Would that make sense?
We will add Avignon and/or Bourges by cutting down two nights from Paris. We will try to do 5 nights in Paris including Versallis or Disneyland on 5th day or take one more day for Disneyland.
Can’t thank you enough for your invaluable guidance – Roger.
Thank you
Binu
Hi Roger, would it be possible to complete the visit of Pompeii on our way to Sorrento than going back to Pompeii on another day? Would it be a bad idea? I am thinking we can drop our baggage in a cloak room and spend 2-3 hours at Pompeii site. That way we get to spend one full day taking that Amalfi bus trip another day at Capri.
Binug,
Yes, I believe that would be a good idea. I don’t specifically remember if there are storage lockers or a left luggage desk, but I would think that there would be because of this exact situation. And fortunately, the entrance to Pompeii is maybe 300 meters from the train station. Pompeii really is a mind blowing sight, so it’s worth the trouble. -Roger
Thank you Roger, that was super quick. I have this confusion about travel time between Nice – Avignon – Paris. Google maps shows about 12 hours, rail Europe shows much less but it doesn’t show a fare to stop at Avignon. What would be best mode of transport from Nice to Paris including Avignon (what would be the travel time)?
Thanks a ton!
Cheers
~binu