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.
Hi, this article is very informative. My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe in the second half of June 2015. We are both first time visitors. We plan to fly into Amsterdam/Belgium and fly out of Italy. Here is a rough plan:
Amsterdam : Two nights
Belgium: Bruges – Two nights
Frace: Paris – four nights (Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, a day trip to Burgundy for the vineyards) and Nice – Two nights
Switzerland – Geneva – One night, Interlaken – Two nights and Lucerne – Two nights
Italy: Venice- Two nights, Florence – Two nights, Rome – Two nights
We plan to travel by train internally and will be flying out from India. We are not totally into history and art but do not mind visiting a few museums. What interests us is scenic beauty and nightlife. Please let me know if this plan sounds do-able. Thanks!
Neeti,
Your plan looks really good and I only have a couple of small suggestions for you.
For one thing, Paris and Rome are both huge compared to all of the other cities on your list, and I recommend a minimum of 3 nights in each if possible. With the other cities on your list you can cover most of the top sights on a 2-night visit, but in Paris and Rome you’d have to cut out some things and rush around in two nights. On the other hand, Venice is small enough (and quite expensive) that you can see most everything that you’d want in a visit of around 24 hours. Also, Venice is unbelievably crowded (it might remind you of cities in India) during the middle of every day with people on bus tours coming in for the day, so it’s best to focus some of your time in the morning and evening, when it’s mostly empty.
In Switzerland I’d highly recommend 2 nights in Interlaken (actually in Gimmelwald or Murren, just above Interlaken) and 2 nights in Lucerne. Geneva has a famous name but it’s actually a dud for tourists with every little to see. If you have something specific to see or do in Geneva, then go, but if you just want to see the best of Switzerland then focus on Interlaken and Lucerne. If you want to see a city in Switzerland then Bern is probably the best choice.
Aside from those possible changes, I think your plan looks very solid and is doable. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Roger, this is a great site. My wife and I are planning a 15 day trip to Italy in mid September. We fly into Milan and out of Rome. I am trying to decide if a trip to the South of France would make sense? We have never been to Italy or France so we are deciding between the South of France at the beginning of the trip or Naples at the end before Rome.
Milan – 2 nights
Venice – 2 nights
Cinque Terre – 2 nights
Florence – 2 nights
Naples – 2 nights
Rome – 4 nights
Milan – 1 night
S of France – 3 nights
Venice – 2 nights
Cinque Terre – 2 nights
Florence – 2 nights
Rome – 4 nights
Any suggestions or modifications you would recommend. We are very open to input and just starting the planning. If the S of France where do you recommend?
Thanks,
Steve
Steve,
Thanks. If you were to visit the south of France, the obvious choice is to base yourself in Nice, which is described a bit in the article above. For one thing, it has by far the most accommodation choices in the area, and it’s also very close to both Cannes and Monaco, both of which are worthwhile day trips (you can actually visit both in the same day).
My main thought on this is that if you think you’ll do a proper visit to France on an upcoming trip (within the next few years), then probably save the south of France for that trip. But if you think that this will be your only visit to the area for the foreseeable future, then it’s probably worth going to Nice on this trip. Nice actually used to be part of Italy so the architecture and such will be pretty similar, but otherwise the food and culture are quite different and experiencing France should be eye-opening.
By the way, I’m going to add this to the article above very soon (maybe by the time you read this reply), but instead of Naples you’ll probably want to stay in Sorrento, which is a bit to the south. Sorrento is about an hour south of Naples by train, and it’s a wonderful town that is safe and friendly. Naples is interesting but it’s also gritty and a bit stressful, so doing it as a day trip from Sorrento is highly recommended. Sorrento is also the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, and it’s close to Pompeii for a day trip. There’s also the island of Capri with its Blue Grotto, not to mention that Sorrento is a really lovely place where most people speak English. One problem with going to Sorrento is that you’ll want to spend 4 nights there just to see all the great things nearby, and you probably won’t have time for that.
Also, if you do your Italy itinerary, you might want to land in Milan and then take a train straight from the airport to Venice. After that you can come back to Milan for two nights and then take the train to Cinque Terre with less backtracking. Once you’ve seen the main cathedral and the square around it, Milan is the least interesting city on your list, so you might even just do one night there or skip it. If you want to see the Last Supper you’ll have to make reservations in advance, and that can be worthwhile.
Have a great trip and let me know if you have other questions I can help with. -Roger
Hi Roger, my wife & I are planning a 2 week vacation in Italy in May. This will be our first trip to Europe. We are planning to include either Nice & Cannes or Barcelona & Madrid in our itinerary along with Italy. We liked your itinerary and are planning to do something like ; Fly into Rome from Bangalore and fly out depending on whether we should do Spain or Nice area in France. We are interested in seeing the cities and the countryside of Italy. Please do recommend if you think we should combine 2 countries or just do 1 in our first trip. Thanks for your help & the great blog !
Sumit,
I’m a bit confused by the question, but I’ll try to answer anyway. Two weeks is long enough to enjoy much of Italy and still see something else, and the Nice-Cannes-Monaco area is faster and easier to reach from Italy. My recommendation would be to save Spain for another trip because you’d really need 3 days in Madrid and 3 days in Barcelona in order to appreciate them without rushing. Adding 3 days or so in Nice would be easier and you can easily get there by train.
By the way, I’m going to update the article above soon, but for now I’ll also recommend Sorrento as another recommended stop in Italy. It’s a wonderful town where most people speak English, and it’s perfect for day trips to Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri. So from Rome you could pop down to Sorrento for 3 days or so and you’d be able to see a lot in a short time. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hi Roger! Great great site and very helpful information. I’m so glad I found your site before my trip to Europe. I’m planning a trip with my husband and my in-laws in mid-April to early May. (Total of 14 night and 15 days) THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST TRIP TO EUROPE! We are flying into Paris and out of Rome. Here are my initial itinerary and would love to hear your feedback on this.
1. First go to Paris – 4 nights/ 5days (my flight lands in Paris around 11 AM)
I saw your Paris pass page and modified my detailed trip according to that. I’ll leave my questions on that page. 🙂
2. Switzerland – 3 nights/4 days
3. Venice – 2 nights
4. Florence – 2 nights
5. Rome – 3 nights
My questions:
1. Do you think this is too much for a first timers? Is there anything that we should modify?
2. I’m planning to use my credit card there with SMART Chip embedded,(since i’m gonna use card with no foreign transaction fee) but I read somewhere that using cash (according to this person, just withdraw cash from ATM when needed) is better. Do you agree with that statement?
3. I’m not planning to rent a car at all, but do you think we should? If so, in which city?
Any suggestion is welcome as I have no idea!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Shawn
Shawn,
Thanks for the kind words, and I’m sorry you had to type the comment twice. This site, like millions of others, holds comments from new users in moderation until I approve them, to keep spam comments from getting published. Anyhoo…
1. Your plan looks fantastic, and it looks exactly right for a first-time visitor who wants to see as much as possible in two weeks, without going overboard.
2. If you have a credit card with a chip AND no foreign transaction fee, then I’d use that for pretty much everything. Generally, the farther north you go in Europe, the more ubiquitous credit card use is, and the farther south you go the more likely you’ll find places that don’t accept them. In other words, in Paris and Switzerland, pretty much every business will take credit cards, except of course for street vendors and such. Once you get to Italy you’ll be able to use credit cards at all hotels, but there will be plenty of restaurants and cafes (in Italy, cafes are called “bars”, weirdly enough) that insist on cash.
In Switzerland they use the Franc, but in France and Italy they use the Euro, and ATMs are everywhere you’ll go, including at airports. So mostly use credit cards, but obviously you’ll want some cash for smaller purchases.
3. No, definitely don’t rent a car. Europe purposely makes driving expensive and frustrating with high fuel prices and expensive parking. The trains between the places you’ll go are ideal, and reasonably cheap as well.
From your other comment, yes, I think a 2-day Paris Pass is a great tool for first-time visitors who are planning on seeing the main sights in a short time. And the included bus tour and Seine River cruise are quite nice ways to get oriented on your first day in Paris.
In Switzerland, you have two wonderful options, and you can probably hit both of them, although 3 nights is tough. One of them is Interlaken, or more specifically, the villages just above Interlaken in the Alps, called Gimmelwald and/or Murren. This area is among the most beautiful in the world for mountain views and activities. I get this question a lot so I’m soon going to write a long article that explains exactly where to go and what to do. If you check the homepage of Priceoftravel.com in the coming two weeks or so, you’ll see it and it will make planning MUCH easier. The other place to go is Lucerne, which is on a gorgeous lake and has plenty of worthwhile things to see and do as well.
I’d recommend a train from Paris to Interlaken for two nights in Gimmelwald (you have to take a lift to get there, but it’s cheap and easy), then take a train to Lucerne for one night, and then onto Venice. Actually, Venice is quite compact and pretty easy to see in one day and one night, so you might even consider two nights in Lucerne and one night in Venice.
Please let me know if you have any other questions along the way. It looks like you have a really thoughtful itinerary already, so well done. -Roger
Ah.. thank you Roger for your prompt and detailed response. (ah.. i now understand why my post disappeared.)
I will def. take our suggestion into consideration and modify my itinerary and I can’t wait for your new post on Switzerland!
My friend just told me that there are a lot to see in Rome so staying 3 nights seems too short. Is there a MUST see place in Rome in three days?
I didn’t put my bus tour and the cruise on my first day because my flight gets in around 11 AM and by the time I get to my place, which is located near Montmarte, i’ll lose whole day. So thought it will be better to use it on 2nd and the 3rd day.
Again, thank you Roger for your help! I’ll probably come here very often!
Shawn
Shawn,
Personally, I think 3 days and nights is the perfect amount of time for a first visit to Rome. It’s loaded with world-class attractions, but it’s also chaotic and a bit frustrating at times. The most famous attractions all live up to the hype, so as long as you hit those you’ll have a great visit. Specifically we are talking about the Colosseum, Ancient Rome, the Pantheon, the Vatican Museum (including the Sistine Chapel) and St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain. Just those are about two days, so you still have a day to wander around and enjoy all the rest.
Yes, for the Paris Pass and bus tour and cruise, I recommend starting it on your first full day rather than the day you arrive. You’ve got the right idea. -Roger
Hi Roger,
What a blessing to chance upon this website which has very useful insights for those people traveling to Europe.
This will be my first time to travel in Schengen countries. I am from Manila, Philippines. Kindly help to suggest a good itinerary. Will be flying to from Feb23-Mar7 Manila-Paris-Manila.
I will be traveling with my husband and would like to visit Italy too via domestic flight from Paris and vise versa. Can you help us build our itinerary on which places in Italy to visit. Appreciate much if you could also provide website where can we book our airfare ticket as well as train ticket and hotel.
Thank you and looking forward for your reply. Thank you very much.
Kat,
I appreciate the nice words and I’m happy to try to answer questions that people have about planning a Europe itinerary, but I hesitate to actually start from scratch on the planning part.
Since you have 12 or 13 days, however, you don’t have too many options to get really creative, so I will provide a basic suggestion.
Fly into Paris and spend 4 nights there. This is plenty of time to see the main and famous sights, and also spend half a day at the Palace of Versailles.
Then fly from Paris to Rome (which is still an international flight, by the way).
Spend 3 or 4 nights in Rome. In 3 days you can see the main sights, and in a 4th day you could even visit Naples and/or Pompeii on a day trip. Then take a train to Florence and spend 3 nights there.
Florence is in the heart of Tuscany and is one of Europe’s best tourist towns. In three days you even have time for a day trip to nearby Pisa to see the Tower and Cathedral. Then take a train to Venice.
Spend 2 nights in Venice, which is plenty of time to see everything there. From Venice (or nearby Treviso) you can fly back to Paris for your flight back to Manila.
That itinerary hits all the best highlights of France and Italy, or at least those that you can see in 13 days. It would even leave an extra day or so to go somewhere else or take more day trips. Without knowing your interests and budget, this is about all I can suggest.
There are booking tools on this website that will give you the best airfares and prices on hotels. There are even recommended hotels for Paris and Rome if you look in the middle column of those pages, which also provide other useful information.
For train tickets you’ll want to book in advance with the Italy rail official website. The earlier you book, the cheaper the fares will be.
This should at least get you started with a plan of your own. Let me know if you have specific questions as you plan. -Roger
Thanks Roger. Will do as suggested. God bless.
Dear Roger,
I really hope you could help me. My husband and I, with our 3 girls, (21,17 and 13) will be going to London on May 24, arriving at 10 pm., then heading back home from Paris, on June 12. That gives us 18 days to go around. I feel that we could add one more country, and was thinking of Scotland, since the visa to London is quite expensive, so we would like to maximize our visit to UK, and I heard Scotland is a beautiful place to visit! I am overwhelmed planning the itinerary. I would like to spend a weekend in London for their markets, before going to Paris. Is it possible upon arrival in London at 10pm, we take a train to Scotland to spend the first few days there? How many days would you suggest.. and is it best to stay in Edinburgh? In London, kids of course want to see Harry Potter aside from the usual sites. How many days do we stay in London? Then we go to Paris. We plan to do side trips if possible.. like Nice, or Lourdes? I am open to suggestions really. Or do we just spend a whole week in Paris? What kind of train tickets do I get? Is there a multiple pass for this kind of itinerary? I would appreciate your reply as soon as possible so I can look for our place to stay next.
Beverly,
You’ve got quite a few questions here and I’ll try to answer as many as I can in the order they came up…
Scotland is definitely a good choice, especially in summer, but it will remind you a lot of England so you won’t be getting too much contrast.
I don’t believe there are overnight trains between London and Edinburgh, so you’d want to leave for Scotland in the morning.
I’d say it would be worth at least 4 days in Scotland to make it worthwhile. Edinburgh is gorgeous and interesting so you’ll want a minimum of two nights there. And the second best place would be Inverness, which is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Spend at least two nights there, and think about a bus trip during the day taking you to the island of Skye and elsewhere in the Highlands. But my advice is to skip anything having to do with the Loch Ness Monster. The lake itself is a big disappointment, and the Loch Ness museum attractions are terrible.
In London I’d plan on at least 4 nights. You won’t get bored no matter how long you stay, but London is crowded and expensive so 4 or 5 nights should be plenty. I don’t know much about the Harry Potter sights except for that train platform.
Paris is similar to London in that it’s huge and fascinating, but after 4 nights it’s probably to go elsewhere to mix things up. Versailles is a popular day trip. For an overnight trip then Nice is great, and Lourdes would be as well. There are dozens of great possibilities so it’s tough to say one is best for you.
You’ll want to take trains between all of these cities. From London to Paris you’ll have to take the Eurostar train. Within the UK there are many train companies but you can search and book them all in advance from any of the websites, including this one, which is my favorite. Here is an article that talks about buying European train tickets early to save money. In all cases, the earlier you buy the train tickets, the cheaper they will be. There are no good rail passes for what you have in mind, so just buy early. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I’ve been to Europe in 2011, I’ve been to Frankfurt, Paris, Belgium and Amsterdam. If lucky enough, I’ll be able to go back this March. As much as possible, I would want to cover the other cities as it is a rare chance to be in Europe (too expensive for a Filipino like me).
I would like to visit the following cities: other German cities like Munich or Berlin, Italy and Switzerland. I’m quite puzzled which cities to prioritize and how to cover each city.
Frankfurt should be the jump-off and end point of the travel (I’ll be attending a fair in Frankfurt). Travel dates are from 12th to 21st March (10 days only).
Can you suggest which cities should I prioritize? Would it be wise to book for a Eurail pass to cover the cities I’m interested in?
Would appreciate your kind reply! Thanks!
Jora,
Ten days is not a long time to cover 3 countries, but I can give you some ideas. First of all, Frankfurt is kind of a dud of a city for tourists, which you probably know, so the other places you go should be far more interesting.
In Germany, Berlin is probably the most fascinating place, and it’s relatively cheap as well, but it’s quite a long way from the other places on your list. Munich is much closer, and it’s also worth at least two days if you can spare them. And on the article above you’ll see Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which can be enjoyed in one day and is a major highlight for many tourists.
In Switzerland, there are two great options for visitors. One is Interlaken, which is a town at the base of the Alps. It’s really better to stay in one of the small villages just above Interlaken, specifically Gimmelwald or Murren. This is where you go to see the most amazing views of the Alps with plenty of great walks and things to do. The other possibility is Lucerne, which is a gorgeous town on a lake. There are many things to see and do in that area, and it’s quite beautiful, but if you want to see the Alps then Interlaken is better.
In Italy you should consider the “Big 3” which are Venice, Florence, and Rome. You can get a great look at Venice is a stay of only one night. For Florence you’d want at least two nights, and in Rome it would be a shame to spend less than 3 nights. One great thing is that those 3 cities are about 2 hours apart by train, and the trains are cheap if you buy in advance.
As mentioned up top, it would be tough to see ALL of those in a 10-day trip, but if you moved quickly you could see most of them. Once you do a bit more research you can decide which ones are most appealing to you.
For transport, and especially since this is a short trip, you should go by rail and buy your tickets online at least a month or more in advance. The tickets will be quite cheap if you buy early, or somewhat expensive if you buy as you go.
Hi Roger,
My husband and I will be going to Europe for the first time this May. I came across your website while researching how to come up with an itinerary and it is been the most helpful resource by far!! It’s refreshing that you acknowledge that while it’s not ideal to jam pack too many destinations in one trip, that some do want to see as much as they can, because they don’t know when they can go back to Europe again (as it is in my case). I am trying to obtain that balance: go to as many destinations as possible, but spending enough time in each place. We are in our mid 30’s, so we can handle a little “craziness”. We have 21 days to travel, do you think this would be a realistic itinerary:
London – Paris – Rome – Florence – Cinque Terre – Venice – Barcelona – Madrid
If not, what would you personally take out? How many days would you recommend in each? Anything you can suggest would be so appreciated!!
S.A.,
I always enjoy hearing that this information and advice is useful, and I’m also disappointed by so many other writers who chastise trip-planners for wanting to cover a lot.
Your itinerary would make a very busy 3 weeks, but it could be done and you’d definitely enjoy it a lot. I’ll start with my recommended minimum stays in each city, and you’ll see that you are right at the edge…
London 3, Paris 3, Rome 3, Florence 2, Cinque Terre 1, Venice 1, Barcelona 3, Madrid 3.
That adds up to 19 nights, and if you did it you’d be pretty worn out by the end. Also, keep in mind that for most of your journeys you’d spend about 5 hours in the middle of the day for the travel part. The Italian towns are closer together, but the rest would require a train ride or flight that will use most of the sightseeing time for that day. Also, doing it this way you’d definitely want to fly from Paris to Rome and from Venice to Barcelona in order to pull it off at all.
If I were you I’d consider perhaps skipping the Cinque Terre on this trip, or saving Spain for a future trip altogether. If you did either of these things you’d have time for a trip that brings you to many great places without racing around. And you’d have more time for side-trips or other nearby stops. In my opinion, the Cinque Terre isn’t all that special and would be better appreciated on a future Italy trip where you are digging deeper. Those cities in Spain are both fantastic and worthwhile, so the issue is that they are quite remote from your others and it would be more efficient to substitute in some places that are easier to reach.
For example if you saved Spain for later you could spend a couple days in Nice, France, to also visit Cannes and Monaco on short day trips. Or you could spend more time in Italy (including Cinque Terre), and perhaps add Sorrento for a few unforgettable days (day-trip to Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Island of Capri).
So those are some ideas, and I think any of these possibilities, including your original plan, should work well. Have a great trip, and feel free to follow up if you have further questions. -Roger
Hi Roger , I went through your itinerary here and trust me this is one of the best I have come across. My husband and me , along with our 2 year old kid are planning to visit Italy and France from 7th March till 20th March . Hope this is a good time to visit ?
Now this is the way we have planned :
> We start with Paris : 3 days
> Nice : 2 days ( with visit to Cannes and Monaco)
> Venice : 1 day
> Florence 2 days : visit to Pisa / i more country side
> Rome : 3 days ,
> then back to Paris and home .
Now do you think Buying a euro rail pass Italy -France will be beneficial and how do we travel within each of these cities to visit attractions? . Especially Paris and Rome .
I also read about Paris pass and Rome Pass ? are they good? worth the money ? or rail pass and individual attraction tickets make more sense ?
Awaiting your reply .
Tashi,
It will be quite chilly in March, but otherwise the weather should be pretty good and the crowds will be very low so I think this is a good time in southern Europe.
I think your itinerary looks quite good, and very similar to what I recommend in this article. On the other hand, you seem to be allowing the minimum amount of time in each place, so you are going to feel pretty rushed during the whole trip. For a 12-day trip I think you’ll enjoy it and won’t regret being ambitious with your itinerary. However, the other option to consider would be to save Nice for another trip, and spend an extra day in Paris and another day in Florence. Nice (and Monaco and Cannes) are more geared for warm-weather visits, so they won’t seem as lively during March. On the other hand, they are totally packed in the main warm months, so your visit might even be more pleasant. Also, Monaco in particular in stunning. Even so, stay in Nice and take the 20-minute train ride to Monaco to see it.
If you were to cut out Nice you could fly from Paris to Venice (or nearby Treviso) on a cheap airline, and you’d cut out your longer train rides (for better or worse).
You don’t want a Eurail Pass for an itinerary like this. Those are only good value for longer trips and especially those where you aren’t sure when you want to go from one city to the next. In your case you’ll want to take the trains and buy your tickets online in advance. If you buy them about 3 months ahead of time you’ll find that they are surprisingly cheap. Here’s my article that tells you how to buy European train tickets in advance from the official sites. Most don’t go on sale until about 3 or 4 months out, by the way.
To get around within these cities you’ll mostly want to take public transport. The Paris Metro is great, and there are stops everywhere. Nice and Venice are both pretty walkable. In Nice you probably want to stay near the train station to make those day trips easier. In Venice you’ll walk pretty much everywhere, although there is the vaporetto, which is sort of a canal bus, and also very easy to use. In Rome the subway isn’t quite as helpful as in Paris because it doesn’t cover much of the city, but it can take you to the Vatican Museum. Most of the rest of the sights are within walking distance for most people if you stay near the center. If not, there are buses.
Here’s my review of the Paris Pass, which could be ideal for you because it’s best for people on their first visit who want to cover the main sights in two days. The Rome Pass is new and I haven’t reviewed it yet, but I will soon and I think it’ll be similar. In the other two cities the main attractions are cheaper if you just pay as you go. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger, my fiancé and I intend to arrange a 20 day to Europe in January. Issue is that the weather may be wet and cold. It seems that the southern Europe (South Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal) may make more sense. Can you suggest an itinerary for us? I am thinking of Rome – Venice – Florence – Barcelona – Madrid – Rome – Greece – Rome (quite confused thoughts). Sincerely appreciate your advise.
ML,
I think your plan sounds pretty good, although you might get unlucky with rain even in the south. Still, I think Italy and Spain are probably your best bets in January, and they are top-notch destinations any time of the year. But I think I’d save Greece for another trip. Athens is worth 2 or 3 days, though most of the islands are pretty much shut down in winter, and it’s nicer to combine Athens with an island or two to justify going all that way.
So I’d recommend at least 3 nights in Rome, at least 2 nights in Florence (add another night if you want to do a day-trip to Pisa, and then 1 or 2 nights in Venice. Be aware that Venice is partly flooded during parts of winter, though usually only for a few hours at a time so you can still see the sights and get around. Take trains between the cities in Italy, and then fly from Venice (or nearby Treviso) to Barcelona or Madrid. Those cities in Spain are good for at least 3 nights each, and you can go between them by high-speed train (much cheaper if you book well in advance). You could still have time to add another Spanish city or two, and Seville and Granada could be good choices. Or you could visit Lisbon, which has the best weather in Europe in winter, and perhaps Porto as well. In twenty days I think I’d visit no more than 6 or maybe 7 cities in total. Otherwise, you’ll visit a lot of places but spend nearly half your time on trains or in train stations.
If you need to fly out of Rome then book a flight back there. There are several low-cost carriers on those routes, and the fares are cheapest the earlier you book. Let me know if you have other questions I might help with. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I’m from Malaysia. It’s my first time planning a holiday trip to Europe next year (May) and your website has been an invaluable resource. 3 of us will be travelling between the age group of 27-34. I hope you can guide and suggest me in our planning for 21 days trip to Italy, France & Spain. Our base for now would be Rome(round trip)
The rough idea is:
* Rome – Florence + Pisa – Cinque Terre (Monterosso only) – Venice – Milan (Lake Como) – (Nice & Cannes / Paris) – Barcelona
Need your advice, do you think this is doable? Are there any places that you consider are not worth the visit? Maybe other places you can recommend to fill in the gaps. Regarding transportation, what would you recommend? (I know I would have to decide between trains with pass, trains point to point or airlines). I plan on travelling as cheap as possible, with hostels/apt(b&b) in mind. I hope to add one more city in Spain (if possible).
Hoping to hear from you. Thank you so much!!!!!!
Devaana,
It’s always great to hear that this information is helpful to people planning trips. I am also quite a fan of Malaysia so I know how different all of this will be for you.
I think your plan so far looks quite good and would be very doable. Most of your planned stops are great. The only one that is a bit unusual is Milan and Lake Como because Milan itself isn’t really a top tourist city for Italy (it’s more of a business/banking city), but Lake Como is lovely and many people go there as a day trip from Milan or even an overnight stay. Otherwise your plan is all highlights and no filler.
You should have time to include Madrid after Barcelona at the end, and I’d schedule 3 nights in each one if you can. Madrid and Barcelona are both large, important, and quite different from each other. You should also be able to get a cheap flight back to Rome from Madrid to board your flight home. With the addition of Madrid, I think you’ll have a nearly perfect 3-week trip planned. I wouldn’t add anything else to it, or you’ll start to have to hurry around so much that you won’t enjoy the main places you are flying all that way to see.
As for getting around, you’ll want to do most of it by train for sure. The trains between Italian cities are fairly inexpensive even if you buy them on travel day, so a rail pass probably wouldn’t be good value. The absolute cheapest way to do this trip would be to buy all of those train tickets online at least two months in advance. Those advanced fares can be very cheap (€19 from Rome to Florence on a high-speed train), and the prices go up as more seats are sold and the travel day approaches. Even the longer rides like Milan to Nice, Nice to Paris, Paris to Barcelona, and Barcelona to Madrid can be fairly cheap if you are able to buy them at least a month or more in advance. Here’s more information on buying advanced train tickets in Europe.
If you REALLY wanted to just decide on your plan as each new day arises, a rail pass could save you money because those walk-up train fares can be expensive (€150 or more for longer ones). So either you sacrifice spontaneity and save money, or you pay a bit more for a Eurail Pass, which would at least be cheaper than buying as you go.
Hopefully this helps, and feel free to follow up with more questions if you have them. -Roger