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.
If you haven’t seen them yet, you’ll also want to check out:
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.
Thank you so much for your response! I was starting to think we should skip Venice but now I really want to make sure to include it. Thanks for your other insights and suggestions too.
I am so happy to have found your website! We are planning our first trip to Europe (approx 3 weeks starting around Apr 24) and it’s a bit overwhelming. We want to see and do as much as possible, but really need some good advice. I’ve been doing some research and so many people say to only choose 2 or 3 destinations in that amount of time, but since I’ve read your comments, it seems like we just might be able to work it out with your help.
Ten days of this trip can’t be changed as we will be travelling with 4 other people (all of us active 50-somethings) for that portion of the trip. 3 days in Paris, 2 days in Nice and 5 in Rome. My husband and I have some time off before we meet in Paris so we thought we would spend 3 days in Barcelona first. We are going to do a day trip to Florence during our time in Rome as well. I realize that’s a big rushed but we’d rather do it that way than miss it.
The part I really need help with is what to do after Rome. We will have about a week or so. Our tentative plan was to then take the train to Venice and spend 2 nights and then fly to Santorini for 3 days. My husband really wants to go there and we also thought it might be a nice relaxing way to end our vacation. So the trip looks like this:
Apr 25-27 – Barcelona
Apr 28-30 – Paris
May 1-2 – Nice
May 3-7 – Rome
May 8-10 – Venice
May 11-13 – Santorini
Santorini only works if I can find good flights out of Venice, but now I see that the best flights are out of Rome. This is where I need some help and expertise. I’ve also heard Orvieto is a nice place to visit. Just not sure how that would fit in though. After May 8, nothing is carved in stone so I’m open to any suggestions.
Thanks so much
Rhonda,
I’m glad you found this website too. I get frustrated when other travel writers (who have spent years on the road) tell people they should spend a week or more in each destination. On a first trip to Europe you definitely want to see quite a few different places because it’s not like you can keep flying back and forth twice each year to see all the places on your list. As you might have seen, I highly recommend 3 nights in almost any place you go, which I think is the sweet spot between traveling quickly and staying long enough to see the highlights.
One thing that may surprise you is that the Greek Islands including Santorini are typically pretty dead until late May or early June because they don’t really get “beach weather” until then. In fact, the islands are mostly closed from November through early April, and then the season starts slowly. So if you went to Santorini you’d be able to see the historic sights and the weather would be pleasant, but it might not be the scene you were hoping for at that time of year. And I also assumed you’d have to change planes from Venice to Santorini as well.
I haven’t been to Orvieto, though I have heard that it’s nice, although I don’t think it has enough to see for more than a couple days. Something you could consider would be to go from Rome to Sorrento, which is a lovely town a bit south of Naples and an excellent hub for stays like that. It’s really nice on its own (and a great place to sample Limoncello), as it’s a small and pleasant city with great restaurants that is also unusual in that many locals speak some English. It’s an ideal base for day trips to Naples (great city but best as a day trip), Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and the Isle of Capri, all of which are close by. The beaches there will be quiet in early May as well, but the weather should be nice and everything will be open.
Venice is really amazing though and definitely something to see at least once in your life for a day or so, and two days is even better. Another option would be to visit Venice and then take a train to Milan and then catch a train through the Alps into Switzerland where you’ll want to head to the Interlaken area. There you’ll find Europe’s (and some of the world’s) best mountain scenery, and the train ride getting there is also gorgeous. As always, let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Thanks for your comments once again Roger. Most helpful. I need to sit down and have a good think about whether we stick with the car for the Italy leg, but if we do I think I can really see us skipping Florence and doing Siena, plus finding some smaller towns as you suggest. We did see some amazing churches and cathedrals in 2017 in Belgium and the UK, so I don’t think we’d feel we were missing anything too much if we didn’t head to Florence.
Thanks for the suggestion of Rick Steves as well. I have heard of him (a number of times) but have never looked at his stuff, so it might be a good time to do that.
Fortunately I do research things well before booking, so I usually find the options if cars aren’t easy in particular places – but it’s all a matter of having the time to look into it properly. Rick Steves might make that a bit quicker!
Hi Roger,
Thanks for your comments – much appreciated. Hmm, it sounds like we may need to revisit our plans.
The main town I wanted to see at Cinque Terre is Manarola. Interestingly, I just checked it out on Google Maps and parking there seems a lot better than Vernazza. Yes – it’s just out of the village too, but there are a couple of small car parks along with a lot of parking along the side of the street. So it looks more possible.
Also, when I was taking a preliminary look at accommodation around Cinque Terre I found a reasonably-price Airbnb outside of the main villages while there was nothing at all in our target price-range in the villages. It may be different if we try for a family room in a hotel though. With that said, I have certainly taken your comments on-board, and it seems we’ll really have to give this some thought.
In terms of the car – we were aiming for a bit of a round trip back to Switzerland since returning it to Switzerland saves us paying a one-way fee of somewhere between US$500 and US$800 (depending on the hire company we settle on). That is a considerable amount of money so we are definitely looking to do that. I guess the other option would be to head straight from Nice to Lugano to return the car, then take some trains to see the things we’re keen on in Italy.
Just a few other questions (if I may), which will give me some more to think about:
– If we still decide to heard to Florence/Siena, what do you think of the idea of skipping Florence and doing just Siena (since you say Siena is basically a smaller version of Florence)?
– Did you have any thoughts on taking one of the nights from Lugano and staying a night on one of the northern Italian lakes instead?
– If we don’t make it to Cinque Terre can you recommend any other appealing villages on the northern coast of Italy (perhaps between Nice and Genoa) which we could visit instead?
Thanks Roger.
Chris,
Ah yes, being able to avoid a big charge on a rental car by returning it in Switzerland does sound compelling. And the Lugano return could actually work well, as that’s a lovely area itself.
Florence is very striking, but the main sights are the museums and cathedrals and such, and I totally understand if those sound dull. Siena does look a lot like Florence except it has far fewer visitors so it’s not so overwhelming. And it’s got some historic cathedrals and whatnot as well, so you can still pop in for a quick visit. I think skipping Florence for Siena would be fine.
I’ve only been through Lugano in transit, and I spend a few days staying in Varenna, which is one of the easier-to-reach towns on Lake Como. Again, parking won’t be easy, but there are enough similar small towns around there that you should be able to find a place with a parking spot, and you can reach all of the other towns easily and cheaply by ferry.
I don’t know of any good Cinque Terre alternatives around there off hand, although I’m sure there are some. Mainly it’s that 3 or 4 of those 5 “lands” have incredibly photogenic harbors and colorful buildings bunched around them. They really are a sight to see, but the only other main activity is walking the trails between the villages, and those trails are usually crowded when the weather is nice, and sometimes closed after a rain storm. The problem is the towns are now so popular with tourists that it feels like being in Disneyland. Maybe you could spend half a day checking them out and then drive to some random town with better parking and fewer tourists? There is a popular American travel writer named Rick Steves and if you buy his book (or ebook) you’ll have great recommendations for all of the places you are going and probably some good alternatives for drivers. He recommends various hill towns in Italy that are long on charm and not packed with tourists, and I know some of them have decent parking options (because they are small and surrounded by farm land). I hope this helps. If you spend US$20 or even US$30 on Rick Steves Italy I think it’ll be the best money you spend to have the best trip possible. -Roger
Hi there Roger. You’ve given me some good assistance previously over on your ‘Where to go in Switzerland’ page, and I’m wondering if I could now ask your opinion on the Italian leg of our journey.
As a reminder: We’re a family of 4 (kids aged 7 and 10). We’ll be travelling in June/July 2019 (arriving in Suisse on the 14th). We expect to have a hire car for the entire trip. We are *definitely* budget travellers. The first part of our itinerary is 8 nights in Switzerland (Lucerne, Interlaken area, Gruyeres area). From there we head to Annecy in France for 3 nights, spend a couple more nights on the way as we make our way toward Nice and stay there 3 nights also (with a day-trip to Monaco). That stuff is all pretty well sorted. Then comes the Italian bit. The intention was as follows:
Day 1: Travel to Cinque Terre arriving in the afternoon. Spend the night (Night 1)
Day 2: Spend half the day @ Cinque Terre, then quick stop to look at the Leaning Tower and on to the Florence/Siena region that night (Night 2) maybe staying somewhere half-way between the 2.
Days 3 & 4: This gives us 2 full days here – 1 day in Siena and 1 day in Florence and means we’re staying in the same accommodation for 3 nights which keeps it easy.
Day 5: Travel to Venice (or somewhere nearby on the mainland), arriving in the evening and stay the night (Night 5).
Day 6: Venice. Stay the night (Night 6).
Day 7: Depart early to travel to Lugano, Switzerland (hopefully via Monza circuit since I’m a Formula 1 fan – though time may not permit), arriving in the evening (Night 7).
Days 8 & 9: Lugano and surrounds.
Day 10: Depart AM for Malpensa airport just back over the border in Italy.
This gives us 1 night in Cinque Terre, 3 nights Florence/Siena, 2 nights Venice, 3 nights Lugano. By having multiple nights in most places it generally makes accommodation easier to book as not all hosts allow single-night stays (we usually use Airbnb) and also means less changing accommodation (changes tend to waste time since you’re looking for a new address, meeting a new host, settling in/packing up, etc).
So, this brings me to my questions (or more correctly my concerns):
– This itinerary makes for a fair bit of driving. It is manageable (we have done similar on an overseas trip last year) but driving obviously burns a fair bit of time and is reasonably tiring. Do you think this is a good route (it seems fairly good based on your article up above), or would there be a different route you’d recommend through northern Italy to minimise drive time (though this would likely mean we’d miss Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Siena.
– I have seen pictures of Cinque Terre and always thought it would be great to go to.
– I realise there’s nothing phenomenal about the Leaning Tower, but it would be easy to get to on the way to Florence and seems like the ‘done thing’!
– Florence seems to be basically about art museums and the like. We really have no interest in this sort of stuff, though I’ve heard a lot of people say Florence is wonderful. I enjoy architecture, but have no particular inclination to go in to see any artworks. Do you think Florence is worthwhile for us? We’ll likely never be back in that part of the world, so I’m happy to go there if it’s worth seeing, but we’re not likely to enjoy going into museums, galleries, etc.
– I’ve read that Siena is quite nice and my daughter’s name is Sienna, so there’s some appeal there.
– We don’t love huge crowds so Venice isn’t a burning desire either, but from all reports it’s a must-see, and we’ll likely never be back.
– I have scheduled 2 full days (3 nights) in Lugano for a bit of down-time before we fly home and of course we can take a drive into the mountains from there and it sounds like there’s a fair bit of stuff to see in the area if we wish to.
So, the big question (as mentioned earlier) is what do you think of this itinerary? Do you see a better way to do things, or a different route that might be preferable? Or to get a taste of northern Italy is this a pretty good way to go about it?
Specifically (if we stick with this route) I was wondering about staying 1 night on one of the Italian lakes (maybe Garda or Iseo) on the way from Venice to Lugano? This means a one-night stay, which isn’t ideal, but it breaks up the lengthy drive to Lugano. However would also mean 1 day less in Lugano (if that’s where we steal the time from). Do you think that would be preferable (when considering what we might see/do on one of those lakes), or would there be not much difference to Lugano?
As mentioned I like to see the architecture of a region – the more magnificent, the better! Aside from that we are happy seeing the sights, particularly whatever nature has to offer (though of course we’re seeing plenty of that is France and Switzerland. Driving is a great way to see what different areas are like, though we’d mostly be on motorways in Italy.
I know my post has been rather wordy, but hopefully it gives adequate background so that you can share your thoughts. Thanks so much for your time.
Further to my earlier message – another thought I had was to skip the day in Florence (if it’s not a must-see), and use that for a day and night at one of the northern Italian lakes instead. Just a thought…
Chris P,
I’ll be happy to try to help, although this is a tough one to answer. The main challenge is the driving part through areas that are designed to be poorly suited to independent car travel. In Switzerland it’s different because most of the best places to visit are smaller towns and villages with farms and such in them so they are spread out and parking can be simple. Italy is VERY different from that and they literally try to make car travel difficult and expensive in order to nudge people onto public transportation.
I just looked up parking in the Cinque Terre, and it’s just as I expected in that there are small parking areas that are well inland from the actual villages. Vernazza is the most charming and photogenic village and there evidently is a 50-spot lot about 1 kilometer inland from the village. The train station, on the other hand, is in the middle of the village. Again, I think driving around Switzerland can be a good idea and possibly even cheaper than trains for a family of four, but trains in Italy are surprisingly cheap so the car is almost certain to cost quite a bit more.
Even if the cost were the same, the experience of driving compared to taking the trains will be much worse. Honestly, it’s incredibly fun to hop off a train in Italy and be surrounded by affordable hotels and restaurants and be walking distance from nearly every major sight. For Florence or Siena you’d have to pay a fortune to park near the center so you’d probably end up staying at the edge of town, meaning that you’d have to spend 30 to 60 minutes on a bus to get into the tourist zone in each direction, or drive and pay €20 per hour to park near the attractions. The trains literally go everywhere that you want to go. So at the risk of being annoying, I urge you to consider dropping the car when you get into Italy and changing to trains.
As for the places you mentioned, Florence really is a great place with gorgeous architecture, but most of the attractions are museums and palaces and churches and such. The food there is also excellent since it’s the capital of Tuscany. The Leaning Tower is pretty amazing to see in person so I think that’s a worthwhile stop (by car or train), but the rest of Pisa is kind of a dud. Siena is kind of a smaller Florence, and the most famous thing is the stone town square where they have horse races twice a year. The food there is similar and it’s less crowded and touristy than Florence.
In general I think it’s best to ask yourself why you want to visit a destination and what you hope to see there. If you don’t have good answers for those questions it might be better to go elsewhere. I’m not a big museum fan myself and I’ve been inside literally about 100 famous cathedrals all over Europe, so I’m not rushing to see other ones that aren’t very notable. The lakes and beach areas and other small random towns might be more interesting, especially if you are driving.
Speaking of that, the Cinque Terre villages are really lovely, but in summer they are also so crowded these days that the local officials are talking about limiting the number of guests each day. The same is true of Venice. If you go by train it’s still enjoyable, but if you are driving I’d probably look for nearby places that aren’t so crowded and car-unfriendly. Venice, however, is amazing and there is nothing else like it so I’d go for at least a day even if you drive.
I don’t think I got to all of your questions, but hopefully this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi there, not sure if this thread is still active? I’m visiting Europe for the first time! I am lucky that it is with work so I’ve got the option of arriving 2 days early and doing Florence on my own then heading to Reggio Emilia for a 7 night conference. Hubby will join me and we’ve got 15 nights. I’m thinking 2 nights Venice, one night in florence together then Rome for 3 nights. That leaves 9 nights. I’d love to do Paris for 4 nights and London for 4? Can I squeeze in Barcelona for the architecture or should we try Monaco/Cannes instead then head to Paris? or is it best to fly from Rome to Paris and just enjoy the city of love? Is 4 nights in London a good amount of time? Thanks so much.
Sherene,
Every comment section on this website is still active and I’ll be happy to try to help. Being able to add time to a conference like that sounds fantastic.
Venice is really amazing and two nights there will be great, but you could see enough in 24 hours if you were in a hurry because it’s pretty small and also so crowded that it’s easy to get your fill. One night in Florence for your husband won’t be enough time to see much of anything, but since it’s a short train ride between Venice and Rome it could still be worthwhile. You can find a hotel fairly close to the train station and you’ll at least be able to see the cathedral and have a couple nice meals. Rome in 3 nights is ideal, in my opinion.
From Rome it would take most of a day on the train to reach Nice/Monaco/Cannes because the trains that run along the southern coast and into Italy are pretty slow. Starting from Milan it’s not too bad, but starting in Rome would take about 9.5 hours. You could fly nonstop on Alitalia and then take a train to Paris, but you could do the same thing to Barcelona and I think I’d vote for Barcelona of the two choices. However, my standard recommendation is to spend 3 nights in any (larger) city that you visit, so you could fly from Rome to Barcelona for three nights and then a train to Paris for 3 nights and then the Eurostar train to London for 3 nights. On the other hand, London and Paris are among the largest and most interesting and four nights in each is better than three nights in each. So it all comes down to priorities and how you want to divide your trip. Two nights in Barcelona would at least give you time for the biggest highlights, and you could still do 4 nights in London or Paris. I’m happy to try to help more so let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Two couples traveling from Atlanta to Paris for 10 days. We wanted to do a few days in Paris, then fly to Nice and charter a yacht for a day. We also have the desire to hit Cinque Terre. What would you suggest in terms of time to spend in each city?
Thinking Paris: Sept 3-6
Flight to Nice Sept 7 for 1 night
Italy 8-10th
Back to Paris the evening of Sept 10th
Champagne for day trip-11th
We depart for US on a 4a departure Sept 13th.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Michal,
Three or four days in Paris is perfect for a first visit. A train from Paris to Nice takes about 5.5 hours, which is about the same amount of time it would take to fly when you factor in the airport transportation and waiting and such, and the train is FAR more pleasant and obviously scenic. Either way, one night seems kind of rushed even if you are just going to rent a boat for the day. I suppose if you got a very early flight that got in before 11am you could get a half-day rental in starting close to 1pm. It would be much better if you could stay two nights and spend the first partial day looking around because Nice is a really lovely city and area, and you could even pop over to Monaco for a few hours since it’s only about 20 minutes away by train. Then you could do the boat thing the whole next day and leave for Italy the following morning.
The Cinque Terre have become insanely crowded in the last few years, but in September the crowds shouldn’t be too bad so it could work. Still, they are five small villages and there isn’t much to do there aside from do the cliff-side hike between them and check out the views. One of the towns has a beach, and it would probably be pretty nice in September. I think two nights should be enough, but three would be enjoyable as long as you know what you are there to see and do.
Paris to Champagne takes about two hours each way whether by car or train, so it is a pretty good day trip if you have the whole day. So I think your plan looks pretty good although you might consider slight changes. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger
Thanks for putting up such a nice page on France and Italy tour. Me and my friends are planning to Travel France and Italy for 7 days .We are 4 people, and would like to cover Paris, Venice and Amalfi as main destinations . Could you help us to put up a rough itinerary to cover these destinations ?It would be helpful as we are first time travellers to Europe.
Thanks in advance
Cheers
AK
AK,
That sounds very nice. Your challenge will be that 7 days is quite a short time for those three places, and they are all spread out a bit. You’ll want to fly into Paris for 3 nights and then fly to Venice for 1 night. The Amalfi Coast is south of Naples and from Venice it would take you at least 6 or 7 hours by train and bus or taxi to get there, by taking trains from Venice to Naples and then the local train from Naples to Sorrento and then a bus or taxi to Amalfi. Honestly, that is a long way to go for a place like that and I’d recommend considering a different second stop in Italy. Florence and Rome are the other major tourist cities are both are amazing. The Cinque Terre are overcrowded and a bit overrated, but at least they are much closer and easier to reach compared to Amalfi.
So my best advice is to do Paris and then choose one or two other places to spend your other four days that are hopefully easy to reach from each other. If you are only there for 7 total days it’s a shame to spend a whole day in transit from one place to another. I’m happy to help with more advice if you need it. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I am planning a trip to Paris and Italy and I have query with regards to the visa requirements.
I am planning 3days in paris and 8 days in Italy or a 10day trip to Italy, the issue is there are no visa appointments available for Italy from Mumbai at VFS.
I wanted to know, in that case, if i take paris schengen visa and my entry to Europe through Paris, will that work? considering the largest stay will be Italy. (Meanwhile, I am tracking Italy visa appointment schedule).
Thank you for your inputs. Sorry if this is not the right forum to discuss this.
Best regards
Rekha
Rekha,
Once you are in a Schengen country there are no borders or checkpoints so I assume you could get a visa for either country. But I’m not sure if there is some technical reason why you can’t and maybe they will ask you for your itinerary upon entry. So I can’t really help. I think you’ll find this answer elsewhere though. -Roger
I hear you. What about Avignon as a base and we could rent a car and take day trips? When you mentioned a wine region, do you mean Bordeaux or others? Would further west in France also be super crowded? In Italy, I’m looking at Sorrento–looks lovely and seems to be swimming there or near enough. And maybe that will be less crowded and less of a hassle than Positano (wold waste a large part of a day to get there, no?) or cove beaches on the Amalfi coast–pricey, I would think. Another thought is an Agriturismo in Tuscany with a pool! So, Paris-Avignon (with car)- train to Italy, somewhere in north if we have time, Venice, (Florence I’m not sure, maybe the Agriturismo instead)-Sorrento-Rome? That’s 6 places in 3 weeks.
Marianne,
Avignon could be a good base as long as you can find a hotel or rental with available parking, which I think could be a challenge in the historic center. I think there might be other good options in that area as well, but I haven’t spent much time there in quite a while so it’s hard for me to confidently recommend something. Bordeaux is the largest of the wine regions, but there are many others all over France. They mostly consist of small towns and villages so they don’t get too crowded because there isn’t much accommodation in the centers of them. You can get better information for those places if you Google the one that interests you.
As for Sorrento, the main part of the town is on top of sort of a tall cliff, although I do remember seeing a few small beaches in that area as well. I don’t think they have any wide, sandy beaches there though, so most people use it as a base to stay and then head to the Amalfi towns for some beach time during the days. The problem is that large and sandy beaches are rare in Italy so the few that are there are packed or hard to reach for the public. The agriturismo in Tuscany idea sounds fantastic and I’d think you could find something really nice and with a pool. Six places in three weeks sounds ideal. Again, it’s hard to know exactly where you can find reasonable hotel deals that time of year without going through the listings for specific dates, but I do think you are on the right track and should be able to find a very nice combination of things. -Roger