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.
Hello,
We are planning a trip to southern France and northern Italy this upcoming October and would like your advice. We are planning a 14 day trip, and will probably fly into Nice/Marseille and fly out from Milan or Rome. How many cities can we visit ( we really do like to explore and enjoy the cities rather than just ‘visit’ them). We were thinking of basing ourselves in Cannes and then maybe Genoa and Florence. We would really love to see Provence, Nice, Monaco, Cinque Terre, Florence, etc… Also, what do you suggest is best/most practical means to travel between these cities (train vs. car rental).
Any help would be much appreciated. Love you articles.
Timmy,
In my opinion, you can experience the main highlights of most cities in 3 nights, or perhaps 4 nights for large cities like Paris or London, or Rome even. So if I were you I’d shoot for 4 or 5 cities if you have 14 days to work with. For smaller cities like Venice or even Florence, you can really get a feel for the main highlights in 1 or 2 nights, as long as you have most of the day for sightseeing.
So first off, I’d recommend basing yourself in Nice, probably at one of the hotels near the train station. Nice is a large beach town with great museums and an abundance of hotels, while Cannes is much smaller and hotels tend to be far more expensive. Also, Cannes has a nice shopping district and a sandy beach (unlike the pebble beach in Nice), but otherwise there isn’t much to see or do there. From Nice you can also visit Monaco in only about 20 minutes, and it actually has far more to see and do compared to Cannes (although hotels are even more expensive). You can have a good visit to all 3 cities in only 3 nights because Cannes and Monaco are only about 20 minutes from Nice by train and each is small enough to appreciate in half a day.
If you want to spend time exploring Provence then it would mean extra days, and unfortunately I have little experience there myself so you’ll be best off getting advice on that elsewhere.
Once in Italy, you might want to stay for a day or two in Genoa, although it’s not really known as a top tourist town. From there you could head into the Cinque Terre for maybe two nights or just visit by train during the day. The Cinque Terre towns are scenic and a pleasant look into simple Italian village life, but the main things to do there are hike between the towns on a hillside trail, or sit on the beach, and in October I don’t think it’ll be beach weather there. The town of Vernazza is the most photogenic and you can do a nice visit in only a day or two.
After that I think you’d be best of basing yourself in Florence. Not only is Florence a major tourist city on its own, but it’s close enough to Pisa and Siena for efficient day trips, not to mention the various Tuscan hill towns nearby.
For this type if trip you’ll definitely want to focus on trains, and the individual tickets within Italy are reasonably priced (and even cheaper if you buy online in advance). However, if you want to explore Provence or other more rural regions in the area you might want to rent a car for that part at least. Generally speaking, if you are going city to city then trains are the best choice because parking is difficult and expensive anywhere near the cities. But if you want to visit wineries or small towns and this sort of thing, a car can be great because parking is almost never an issue and you can go a lot of places that the trains don’t go.
Let me know if this helps and I’ll be happy to try to offer more specific advice as your planning is coming together. -Roger
Hi Roger, great site here mate. Love all the feedback. I am looking at a 3-4 week trip starting in mid July. First time to mainland Europe. Looking to fly into Paris or Rome and out again from one of these two cities.
I noticed you mentioned that about 60 euros a day is about right for France when it comes to accommodation and food, what would you suggest it would be for Spain and Italy? Looking at cheap-mid range hostels and the occasional evening out, not dirt cheap but certainly still on a budget? Is 60 euros per day manageable for France, Spain & Italy?
I was also wondering is it safe to wait until arriving in Paris, stay a few days and then figure out train passes over there to move across the region or is it best to pre-purchase?
Thanks for your help.
Darren,
Thanks. This site is actually based on the budget information for each of these cities and countries, so I invite you to have a closer look at any of the City pages like this one for Barcelona or this one for Rome. I’m not sure which €60/day reference for France you are referring to, but that would definitely be for a hostel bunk and “budget” meal choices for the most part. More specific information can be found on the Europe Backpacker Index, which tallies up the typical costs for backpacker visits to 56 different European cities. That total also includes transportation, attractions, and some entertainment into a daily budget, and it’s all broken down by city.
You’ll notice that the typical costs for Paris are quite high, yet the rest of France is a bit cheaper. The same is true in Rome, with the rest of Italy (except Venice) being more affordable. Barcelona and Madrid are pretty similar. I think those other pages will answer all of your questions, but feel free to follow up if you have more.
The train tickets issue is another large and complicated one. I have long articles about whether a Eurail Pass makes sense for you, and how and when to buy train tickets online in advance. Long story short, you can’t buy a rail pass once you arrive in Europe, and buying individual tickets bought on travel day are usually very expensive. You might want to buy a Eurail Pass, or at least buy a few train tickets online in advance. I’m happy to help you sort that out if you still have questions. Best of luck. -Roger
Hi Roger,
You have done wonderfully well in all your analysis; very informative as well. My husband, daughter and I are planning to travel to Europe for the first and which to travel to Spain (7 night) France (7 night) and Italy (12 night). We leave from Nigeria to Spain and return home through Italy – Venice or Florence. Our base will be Barcelona in Spain, Paris & Nice in France and Florence in Italy. We love shopping a lot especially for clothes and shoes. I want to know the best places to get them for reasonable prices. I also want to add places where we can do day trips and return to base.
Edna,
I’m not really a shopping expert so I won’t be of much help with that. I do know that all of those cities have the big chain stores (H & M, Zara, etc), and prices should be similar from city to city.
The best cities for day trips in Italy (since you’ll be pretty busy just seeing the cities in Spain and France with only one week in each) are Florence to visit Pisa, Siena, and the Cinque Terre, not to mention the Tuscan hill towns nearby. The other place to base yourself is Sorrento, which is just south of Naples, and MUCH more pleasant. It’s ideal for day trips to Naples itself, the Pompeii ruins, the Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri.
By the way, if you are flying in or out of Venice you should also check fares into nearby Treviso Airport, which is usually cheaper. And the closest cheap airport to fly into near Florence is the Pisa Airport. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I will be traveling to France and Italy for the first time in the summer and will be staying for a total of 17 days. I plan to visit Paris, Nice, Rome, Florence and Venice. The thing is, I will be flying in and out of Paris.
I have made a rough itinerary but would like some feedback:
3 nights Paris
Fly to Rome
4 nights Rome
3 nights Florence
1 night Venice
3 nights Nice
3 nights Paris
Do you think it is too crammed? I understand the train rides between Venice and Nice and Nice and Paris will be quite time consuming.
Alternatively, I was thinking of changing the order of the cities. I am also considering flying from Paris to Venice, train to Florence, train to Rome, fly from Rome to Nice and then train from Nice back to Paris. What do you think?
Thanks!
Olivia,
I think your original plan looks excellent, and I don’t think it’s at all too crammed. It looks like you’ve allowed enough time for sightseeing AND the longer train rides, which are also pretty entertaining in that part of Europe.
Your alternate plan could also work pretty well, but I think you’ll enjoy the longer train rides much more than you’d enjoy the extra flight. If you were only allowing 2 days in some cities then the flight might be a good way of speeding the travel part up. But since you have 3 or 4 nights (except for Venice) and 6 nights in Paris, I think doing most of it on the ground will be the best strategy.
To be honest, six days in Paris is longer than most first-time visitors spend, so you could add an extra day or two somewhere else on the route, and still see everything in Paris in 4 or 5 nights. You are going to have a fantastic time, and it looks like you’ve planned really well so far. Feel free to follow up if you have more questions. -Roger
Thanks Roger! I will be following your suggestion, train rides over the extra flights.
Just one last thing, do I purchase the train tickets online?
Olivia,
Yes, assuming you are ready to lock in dates and times and want the lowest fares, then buying online is best. This article explains how to buy European train tickets online, with links to all of the official websites.
Excellent itinerary suggestions ! Thanks for posting !
Hi Roger
I have enjoyed reading all the information on the above messages and found it very helpful. I’m going to Europe with a friend (2 ladies) for a dream we have had to go to Tuscany. Our itinerary is as follows:
5 nights in Majorca for a wedding
3 nights in Barcelona
3 nights in Rome
8 nights in Florence
1 night in Venice
We plan on basing ourselves in Florence to do a few day trips to Sienna and other hillside towns. I’m very keen on arranging a minivan guided tour to Cinque Terre. Do you think it is ok to do a day trip there and go back to Florence or perhaps stay our last night there and take the train to Venice for our night there. I’m trying to work out how best to fit the Cinque Terre in. Also, do you have any view on accommodation? We are looking at renting an apartment through Air BNB. I was wondering if this is safe or is it best to stay in hotels. We thought an apartment would be a better experience for us to do our own thing. Thanks
Sheree,
Florence is a fairly compact city so I think 8 days is quite a long time there, even if you are going to spend several days doing side trips. You can see the main sights in Florence in 3 days or so, and then a day trip to Siena and one or two hill towns would work well. You might also work Pisa into the trip, which can be seen in only a few hours.
As for the Cinque Terre, I think since you have enough time I’d spend 1 or 2 nights there, probably in the most scenic town, which is Vernazza. The main things to do there are to hike between the towns (although the path is not always easily passable, and it is steep in places), or to sit on a beach in a couple of the towns (even though the beaches aren’t really great by international standards). Aside from those things, the main draw is that towns like Vernazza are like going back in time to a simple and authentic era. For that, I think you really need to stay overnight to appreciate it. On a van trip in one day you’d be rushing around and you’d mostly be seeing other tourists all day, while in the morning and evenings, things are quiet and serene.
Airbnb should be a good option in the cities you are visiting, especially for a longer stay in Florence. For a 1 or 2-night stay a hotel might be better because they tend to be more central and you can come and go as you please, while in an airbnb you have to arrange a time to arrive and get the keys from the owner and all of that.
You’ll probably want to fly from Barcelona to Rome and then take trains within Italy. If you do fly, buy your ticket as far in advance as possible for the best fares. The train rides within Italy will all be fairly short and inexpensive, so buying them once you are there might be best. Those cities are all so close that they are no more than 2 hours or so apart. I’m not sure I answered all of your questions, so please feel free to follow up and I’ll be happy to try again. -Roger
Hello,
We are planning a two week backpackers trip. How much pocket money do you think is enough?
Please help
Tifny,
I’ll be happy to try to help, but I’m not sure what you mean by “pocket money.” If you mean how much do you need each day after you’ve paid for accommodation, food, and transportation, then it tends to be a personal thing. But if you are wondering how much you’ll need each day for accommodation and food and everything else, then in France and Italy you’ll need about €60 per person per day if you want to enjoy yourself, or less if you are willing to eat street food and pizza for most meals.
If you have a more specific question, let me know and I’ll take a shot at it. -Roger
hallo Roger,
i very happy to find your article. i am planing to have a tour in Europe in October for 18 days, with my family and relatives. we are all 8 adults, all visit Europe for the first time.
we are planing to visit this places: Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice,Milan, Lourdes, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam.
do you any suggestion how to arrange the trip..??
then, i have read from your recommendation above, that renting car is a bit expensive than trains. but considering our number, 8-10 persons, do you recommend to take car, at least from city to cities in Italy? and in Paris alone?
thank you very much for your kind assistance.
charly mi,
For that list of cities I think you’d be best off starting in the north and going south, which will also help with the weather since it will get nicer as you go south rather than getting worse as you go north. The most logical route is Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Lourdes, Milan, Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Or you could fly into Berlin and then go to Amsterdam next, and on the same route.
Berlin and Lourdes are both quite out of the way, and if you removed one or both of them your total distance traveled would be quite a bit less, but both have a lot to offer so you might just keep them both in.
I normally recommend against renting cars in Europe to go between the big cities, but in your case it might actually be your best bet. My guess is that two small cars that hold 4 or 5 people each would be cheaper than one large van that held all 10 people, but it’s worth checking both. The fuel you’d need to buy would be about the same either way, since their small cars tend to be very efficient while the vans really aren’t.
You wouldn’t want to use a car to drive around and see the sights in most of the cities in your list because parking is very expensive and hard to find. But for your drives to/from Berlin and Lourdes and even Assisi, having your own vehicles could be very efficient. You’ll just have to check rental rates and factor in that fuel will cost about €2 per liter, and see how the numbers add up. There will also be toll roads in France and Italy, but the tolls aren’t too high.
The other major factor to consider is overnight parking within cities. If you want to stay at hotels in the city centers, which is highly recommended in most cases, you might pay about €30 per night for parking. But if you are okay staying a bit outside the city center, you can probably find good hotels with free parking. The challenge then is that it might be a 30-minute tram ride into the city center for your sightseeing, so you’ll probably only want to do that once per day, which can take some of the fun out of visiting an amazing city like the ones on your list. In other words, if you are staying in the tourist center you can do a walking tour right after breakfast and then rest in your room for a bit, and then go to a nearby museum or other sight after a memorable lunch, and then relax a bit more in your hotel before going out for dinner and another walk around town. But if you stay on the edge of town, you’ll have breakfast and then go into town for sightseeing. You’ll see several things and start getting a bit tired so you head back to your hotel. At that point it probably feels like too much trouble to go all the way back into town for dinner, so you have food at or near your hotel and then stay in for the night. For these reasons, people who stay in the city center usually end up seeing and doing much more than someone staying on the edge of town in the same number of days.
So driving from one city to the next might be cheaper than taking the train for 4 or 5 people, but once you get there you’ll either have to pay a lot for parking or really push yourself to maximize sightseeing, or save money by staying on the edge of town and see fewer things.
Also, driving in the middle of the cities on your list would be stressful, so you’d really want to do as little of that as possible. Driving in and out might be okay, but driving from your hotel to a central museum or cathedral would be traumatic. I hope this helps, and let me know if you have other questions. -Roger
mistakenly hit the the submit button there, anyway, so we have decided to leave the amalfi coast for another trip, our next holiday, we will dedicate 1 week between rome, Venice and pisa, an a week for the amalfi coast.
Once again thanks a lot for your advice, it’s really helped us a lot, will update you on how it went on our return
Jawad
Hi Roger
Need a bit of advice, me and missus are flying into paris and out of Malaga for our 13 day trip. Our initial plan is to spend 2 days in paris, fly out to Rome and stay there for 2 days, 1 day in Venice, 3 days in Sorento and the amalfi, we will then be flying out to Barcelona and will spend 2 days there, at then we will spend 2 days in seville and on the final day fly out from Malaga.
Big question! Do you think we are cramming too much in our trip and will end up with just a blur of a holiday or you reckon we can work it out by tweaking our existing itnerary?
Will really appreciate your advice.
Cheerios
Jawad,
Yes, I do think you are trying to cram too much into 13 days, but I don’t think it’s impossible to do. The main issue here is, and sorry if you’ve read this before because I type it often into these comments, that a “transit day” only counts as maybe 25% of a sightseeing day. In other words, on every day that you are going from one city to another, you’ll be lucky to spend even a few hours and see one good sight on that day. Even if a train ride is only 2 or 3 hours (as is the case between the major Italian cities), you’ll still be spending another couple hours packing up and checking out of one hotel and then finding and checking into the hotel in your next city.
It looks like you have about 6 transit days in your 13 total days, so that means you’d be spending almost half your holiday going between places, and the other half actually enjoying the places you are visiting. On a 13-day trip, I’d recommend no more than 5 total cities, or maybe 6 including a small city like Venice that is close to other cities.
Also, I am often asked about “minimum number of nights” in each city to at least see the main highlights, and a few of your stops fall short of my minimum recommendations. For example, Paris, Rome, and Barcelona are all very large cities that are absolutely packed with famous highlights. I recommend a minimum number of 3 nights in each of those, partly because that really only translates into two full sightseeing days. If you cut it down to 2 nights, and one full sightseeing day, you’ll need to skip things like the Louvre, Vatican Museum, and the Picasso Museum because you’ll be leaving after only seeing a few things.
So I’ll recommend 3 nights in Paris and then 3 nights in Rome. If you are going to Sorrento/Naples/Amalfi you’d want to do it after Rome because Venice is in the opposite direction. I’d actually recommend saving Sorrento for another visit, and going straight to Venice for 1 night. Then you can fly to Barcelona from Venice (or nearby Treviso Airport) for 2 or 3 nights. You might still have time for a day or two in Seville, and it’s small enough that one full day could be worthwhile.
Hopefully this is the sort of advice you were looking for. You could change things around in other ways, but I think this is most efficient. Feel free to follow up with other questions if you have them. -Roger
Hi Roger
Thank you very much for your advice, we sat down last night and decided that we will do 2 full days in paris, 3 in Rome, 2 in Barcelona and the rest in Andalucia. So we have decided to leave the amalfi coast for another trip, our next holiday, we will dedicate 1 week between rome, Venice and pisa, an a week for the amalfi coast.
Once again thanks a lot for your advice, it’s really helped us a lot, will update you on how it went on our return
Jawad
(I’m happy to help, and please do let me know how it went when you get back. -Roger)