France and Italy Itinerary Ideas for 1, 2, or 3 Week Trips
I’ve been traveling through France and Italy since I was a little kid, and they’re still two of my favorite places to revisit. My first trip had me feeding pigeons in Venice and pretending to like gelato (I’ve since gotten better at both). Since then, I’ve returned many times, and over the years, I’ve learned what makes for a fun, efficient, and not-too-rushed first-time itinerary through these iconic countries.
This guide will help you figure out how many cities to visit, how long to stay in each place, and how to put together a trip that won’t leave you exhausted by day four. I’ve also included sample itineraries that cover 7, 10, 14, and even 18-night trips, using the pacing I’ve found to be the sweet spot for most travelers.
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The advice in this article is designed for people who want to see the most famous sights in France and Italy while still having time to enjoy the local culture — not just rush from city to city. I’m a big believer that 3 nights in each major city is ideal, with occasional day trips to places like Pisa, Cinque Terre, or the Amalfi Coast.
This article was most recently updated in August, 2025.
How Long Should You Stay in Each City?
Trying to see all of Italy and France in two weeks? That can easily turn into a blur of trains, hotel check-ins, and hurried sightseeing. In cities like Rome or Paris, even booking two nights leaves you with just one full day to explore—and that rarely cuts it.
Most travel experts, including myself, recommend minimum 3 nights per major city — ideally even more if you want to soak in the food, culture, and pace. This helps avoid burnout, lets you feel grounded, and gives you space to pivot if plans change.
>>>Going just to Italy?: Here are the best first-time Italy itineraries for 3 days to two weeks
Best Airports to Start and End Your Trip
If you’re planning to visit both France and Italy on the same trip, your best bet is to fly into one country and out of the other — known as an “open-jaw” ticket. These fares are surprisingly common and often cost the same as round-trip tickets into and out of a single airport.
The most popular airports for this kind of trip are Paris (CDG) and Rome (FCO). Both have nonstop flights to major cities around the world and are ideal starting points for first-time visitors.
The first thing to try is this:
- (your city) to Paris one-way
- Rome to (your city) one-way
Compare that to this:
- (your city) to Paris round-trip
- (your city) to Rome round-trip
Open-jaw tickets are especially useful if you only have 7 to 10 days — they save you from doubling back and give you more time to enjoy each destination. If you’re flying from North America, you’ll often find the best deals into Paris, but always check both directions before booking.
Getting Around Once You’re in Europe
The good news is that getting between cities in France and Italy is easy, fast, and surprisingly affordable — especially if you book in advance. High-speed trains are usually the best way to go, offering a comfortable, scenic ride right into the heart of each city. Unlike airports, train stations are central, so you avoid long transfers and security lines.
If you’re going from Paris to Italy, the overnight train from Paris to Venice used to be a favorite, but it’s no longer running. These days, most travelers take a quick flight — often cheaper than the train — or make a stop in Switzerland or the French Riviera to break up the journey.
Once you’re in Italy, trains are almost always the best option. Routes like Rome to Florence or Florence to Venice are high-speed, with frequent departures and short travel times. Booking early on Trenitalia or ItaloTreno can get you excellent fares — sometimes as low as €20 for first class.
There’s really no need to rent a car for a trip like this unless you’re venturing deep into the countryside. For city-to-city travel, stick with trains — they’re faster, easier, and far less stressful.
Best Cities in France for First-Time Visitors
Paris (minimum 3 nights but even that is rushing it)
Paris is the perfect gateway to a France and Italy trip, and it easily deserves at least 3 nights — honestly, even that feels rushed. I’ve been to Paris many times over the years, and I still discover something new each visit. The city is endlessly walkable, full of hidden cafés, elegant parks, and world-class museums that never disappoint.
My personal favorites include an evening Seine river cruise (timing it for sunset feels magical), wandering through the narrow streets of Le Marais, and spending a lazy morning in a neighborhood café with nothing but a croissant and a bit of people-watching. The Eiffel Tower is iconic, of course, but I think the real magic of Paris comes from the smaller moments — finding your own favorite corner of the city.
If you plan on seeing several of the major sights, the Paris Pass is worth looking into. It includes entry to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, and even a Seine cruise, often saving you both money and time in ticket lines. I’ve used it myself and found that it’s a stress-free way to hit the highlights without constantly pulling out your wallet.
For first-timers, I recommend spending 3 or 4 nights in Paris before flying or taking a train south toward Italy. This gives you enough time to see the big landmarks without missing the slower, more romantic side of the city.
Provence region (optional 2 or 3 nights)
If you’re heading from Paris to the south of France, the most efficient route is typically to go straight to Nice and the French Riviera. But if beach towns aren’t your thing — or if you’re traveling from November through March, when the coast is quiet — the Provence region offers a completely different and equally memorable detour.
This area is where Van Gogh lived and painted, and it’s home to the Papal Palace in Avignon, where seven popes resided in the 1300s. Arles is the historic heart of the region and a good base for exploring, though Avignon might be even better for first-time visitors — it’s charming, compact, and very tourist-friendly.
From Avignon, you can explore the Côtes du Rhône wine road, a scenic trail linking hilltop villages, vineyards, and wineries. Provence also has a distinct cuisine — lighter and more Mediterranean — and even by French standards, the food is excellent.
This isn’t necessarily essential on your first trip unless you have a longer itinerary or specific interest in food, wine, or rural France, but it’s a beautiful and rewarding region to explore if time allows.
Paris to Avignon by train: About 3.5 hours
Avignon to Nice by train: About 3 hours
Nice, France (minimum 2 nights)
NiceNice is the ideal base for exploring the French Riviera, and it works in almost any season. While it’s best known as a summer destination, Nice stays active year-round, with locals out enjoying the seafront promenade even in the cooler months.
First-time visitors often underestimate how different this region feels compared to Paris. The Mediterranean vibe is strong — slower pace, brighter colors, and a coastline dotted with glamorous spots like Monaco, Cannes, and Èze, all of which are easy day trips by train or bus.
Nice itself has a charming old town, great views from Castle Hill, and some solid museums if the weather turns. I’ve stayed there in both winter and spring, and the combination of scenery and ease of access makes it one of the best intro stops in France. And since it has an international airport, you can often fly home from Nice rather than backtrack to Paris — a major plus.
Avignon to Nice by train: About 3 hours
Nice to Rome by air: About 1.5 hours (direct flights are common)
Best Cities in Italy for First-Time Visitors
Milan (1 night or just skip it)
Milan might be Italy’s fashion capital and a major business hub, but for most first-time visitors, it’s not a must-see. If you’re flying into Milan, it’s worth spending a night to visit the magnificent Duomo di Milano and take a stroll through the upscale Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. If you’re into art, you can try to snag tickets for The Last Supper, but those tend to sell out months in advance.
Personally, I’ve always found Milan a bit cold and formal compared to the rest of Italy. It’s very modern and efficient, which might be refreshing after Paris, but it lacks the charm and walkable beauty of cities like Rome or Florence. That said, if your flight lands here or departs from here, a short stay can make sense.
Nice to Milan by train: About 5 hours
Milan to Florence by train: About 1 hour 55 minutes
Venice (1 night minimum, 2 nights maximum)
Venice is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the world — and also one of the most touristy. Everyone should see it at least once, and even though it’s often crowded and expensive, the experience of wandering through its maze of canals and bridges is worth it. Just don’t overstay. The novelty fades quickly, especially when you realize how limited the dining options are near the major sights.
If you arrive in the afternoon, spend your first evening wandering, soaking in the twilight views, and maybe taking a sunset vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal. Then wake up early to explore St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge before the cruise ship crowds arrive.
From experience, I’ve found that 1 or 2 nights is ideal. That gives you plenty of time to see the best of Venice without getting overwhelmed — or overcharged. And if you’re visiting in summer, bring patience: the narrow alleys and packed squares can feel claustrophobic by midday.
Florence to Venice by train: About 2 hours
Venice to Rome by train: About 3 hours 45 minutes
Florence (2 nights minimum, plus side trips)
Florence is the heart of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance — and for many travelers, it ends up being their favorite stop in Italy. It’s compact, beautiful, and packed with world-class art and architecture, yet it also feels more relaxed than Rome or Venice. Two nights is the minimum, but if you’re planning side trips (which you absolutely should), it’s worth staying longer.
Climbing to the top of the Duomo is a highlight, as is seeing Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia. But what makes Florence even better is that it’s the perfect base for exploring Tuscany. A half-day to Pisa, a full day in the Cinque Terre, or a countryside wine tour through Chianti are all easy from here. You can even zip down to Rome in under 2 hours if needed.
For hotels, staying near the train station (Santa Maria Novella) is ideal for easy arrivals and day trips, while areas closer to the Duomo or Ponte Vecchio put you right in the center of the action.
Venice to Florence by train: About 2 hours
Florence to Rome by train: About 1.5 hours
Pisa (a few hours on a day trip at most)
Let’s be honest — you come to Pisa for the Leaning Tower, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The tower itself is iconic and surprisingly impressive in person, especially when you realize it’s just one piece of a gorgeous complex that includes a cathedral and baptistery all on the same square.
Fortunately, Pisa is an easy and worthwhile day trip from Florence, taking just about an hour by train. You can walk from the train station to the tower in 20 minutes, or grab a quick taxi. Plan on a few hours total unless you want to climb the tower (you’ll need advance tickets), and then head back to Florence in time for aperitivo.
The rest of Pisa is a typical small Tuscan city with some charm, but most visitors don’t feel the need to stay overnight. That said, if you’re collecting classic photo ops on your trip, the Leaning Tower is a must.
Florence to Pisa by train: About 1 hour
Cinque Terre (1 night, optional)
The Cinque Terre — a string of five cliffside villages along Italy’s Ligurian coast — has gone from hidden gem to international favorite, and it’s easy to see why. With pastel-colored buildings clinging to rocky hillsides, turquoise water below, and scenic hiking trails connecting the towns, it’s one of the most visually striking places in all of Europe.
That said, it’s not for everyone, especially if you’re short on time or visiting outside the warmer months. In cooler seasons, many restaurants and small hotels close, and the towns can feel a bit too quiet. In summer, they can be packed to the point of frustration. But in April, May, or September? Pure magic.
You can visit on a day trip from Florence or even Pisa if you get an early start, but staying one night lets you enjoy the villages after the day-trippers have left. The town of Monterosso has the best beaches, Vernazza is the most photogenic, and Riomaggiore is a common base for budget travelers.
Florence to La Spezia (gateway to Cinque Terre): About 2.5 hours by train
Rome (minimum 3 nights)
Rome is overwhelming in all the best ways. It’s packed with history, buzzing with life, and constantly serving up postcard views at every turn. The Eternal City is a must for first-timers, and three nights is the sweet spot to soak in the highlights without feeling rushed.
The main attractions are clustered fairly close together, so you can cover a lot on foot. One full day is enough to explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and nearby sites like the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Another full day can be devoted to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and maybe a guided walking tour or open-top bus ride to tie it all together.
My advice: Stay in or near the Centro Storico, or slightly east in the Monti neighborhood if you prefer a quieter local feel. Monti is still walkable to the Colosseum but offers a more authentic vibe with better restaurants and cafés.
Rome can be chaotic, but that’s part of its charm. After many visits, I still find new corners and surprising moments every time I go. The key is not to overschedule — leave time to wander, grab gelato, and watch the city unfold.
Florence to Rome by train: About 1.5 hours
Rome to Paris by air: About 2 hours
Naples/Pompeii/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast (optional up to 4 nights)
The “big 3” in Italy are Rome, Florence, and Venice, and if you have time for only 3 cities those are the obvious ones to choose. But if you want to dig deeper into Italy and you have enough time, your next best choice will be to base yourself in Sorrento and use it to explore Naples, the ruins of Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri.
Naples has a reputation — some deserved, some exaggerated — but it’s definitely a city that leaves an impression. It’s fast-paced, gritty, and chaotic, yet packed with history, character, and what many call the best pizza in the world. The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with narrow alleys, bustling markets, and centuries-old churches.
That said, Naples isn’t for everyone. The lack of green spaces, constant traffic, and overall energy can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not staying long. For most first-time visitors, it works best as a day trip to explore the historic center and grab an authentic pizza lunch before heading back to a more relaxing base.
If you’re planning to visit Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast, staying in Sorrento is usually a smarter and more enjoyable choice.
Rome to Naples by train: About 1 hour
Naples to Sorrento by local train: About 1 hour
Stay in Sorrento
Sorrento is the perfect base for exploring this entire region. It’s a charming and relaxed town perched on cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, with a historic center filled with narrow lanes, outdoor cafés, and shops selling local limoncello. Compared to Naples, Sorrento feels calm, clean, and welcoming — making it a far better place to stay, especially for first-time visitors.
From Sorrento, it’s easy to take day trips to Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. Ferries and buses run regularly, and for some routes, splitting a taxi fare with fellow travelers can be surprisingly affordable and scenic.
I’ve always found Sorrento to be one of Italy’s most pleasant small cities. It has the charm of a coastal village but with enough restaurants and conveniences to feel comfortable for a multi-night stay. Plus, the views from the cliffs and marinas are reason enough to linger here for a few days.
Amalfi Coast and the Island of Capri
The Amalfi Coast is famous for a reason — its dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and winding seaside roads make it one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. Positano and Amalfi are the main towns you’ll want to visit, both reachable by bus, ferry, or taxi from Sorrento. Just be aware that the roads are narrow and can get extremely congested during peak season, which is why the ferry is often the most relaxing (and scenic) way to go.
The Island of Capri is another iconic destination, known for its upscale vibe, natural beauty, and the famous Blue Grotto. It’s an easy ferry ride from Sorrento, making it a perfect day trip. Even if you skip the expensive boat tours, just walking through the main town and visiting the viewpoints is worth the journey.
If you’re deciding between the two, the Amalfi Coast offers more variety and local charm, while Capri is more polished and feels a bit like stepping into a glamorous postcard. Both are worthwhile, but Sorrento remains the best home base to explore them without the hassle of moving hotels.
Bologna is the best addition for foodies
If you’re looking to add a destination that’s a little off the typical tourist trail — but still very easy to reach — Bologna is a fantastic choice. Known as Italy’s culinary capital, Bologna offers some of the best traditional food in the country, including tagliatelle al ragù (what many people mistakenly call spaghetti Bolognese), tortellini, mortadella, and more.
The city itself has a lively, youthful vibe thanks to its university — the oldest in Europe — and a beautiful historic center filled with portico-covered streets. It’s also less touristy than Florence or Venice, so prices are a bit lower and the experience feels more authentic.
If you’re passionate about Italian cuisine, Bologna is absolutely worth a 1- or 2-night detour. It’s located on the main train line between Florence and Venice, so it’s an easy stop without adding much travel time. Plus, it’s an excellent place to take a food tour or cooking class if you want to dive deeper into the culinary scene.
Florence to Bologna by train: About 40 minutes
Bologna to Venice by train: About 1.5 hours
Cinque Terre photo by World Walk About on Flickr
Sample Itineraries for France and Italy Trips
You can mix and match cities depending on how much time you have, but here are a few sample itineraries that balance sightseeing with a realistic travel pace. Remember, three nights per major city is the sweet spot for not feeling rushed.
7 Nights – Classic First-Time Combo
- Paris (3 nights)
- Fly or take the train to Rome (4 nights)
This is the most efficient trip if you’re short on time. You’ll see the two most iconic cities in Europe with enough time to enjoy the highlights without burning out.
10 Nights – Balanced France & Italy
- Paris (3 nights)
- Florence (3 nights, with a half-day trip to Pisa or wine country)
- Rome (4 nights)
This is a great pace for a first trip, allowing you to explore France’s capital, soak up the best of Tuscany, and finish with enough time in Rome to see the big sights and relax.
12–14 Nights – Add the Riviera or Venice
Option A:
- Paris (3 nights)
- Nice (2 nights)
- Florence (3 nights)
- Rome (4 nights)
Option B:
- Paris (3 nights)
- Florence (3 nights)
- Venice (1–2 nights)
- Rome (4 nights)
Adding the French Riviera or Venice gives the trip more variety. Nice is a great option in warmer months, while Venice is iconic but best with just a short stay.
15–18 Nights – Expand to Sorrento or Bologna
- Paris (3 nights)
- Florence (3 nights)
- Rome (4 nights)
- Sorrento (3 nights for Amalfi Coast/Pompeii/Capri)
or
- Paris (3 nights)
- Florence (3 nights)
- Bologna (1–2 nights between Florence and Venice)
- Venice (1–2 nights)
- Rome (3–4 nights)
If you’ve got more than two weeks, slowing down is smarter than adding more cities. Sorrento offers a relaxing coastal base with easy day trips, while Bologna is perfect for food lovers looking for something a bit different.
Hi Roger,
I checked i think i will be skipping Cannes and Monaco and Eze Village. I am venturing Bologna or somewhere to go. Meaning Florence to Bologna to ??? to Nice.
Thanks!
Victoria
Victoria,
It sounds like your itinerary is really coming together now, and I’m sure it’ll be an amazing trip. You’ll like Nice and its food for sure. Cannes is close by (as is Antibes) and they are mainly just examples of posh towns on the French Riviera, and of course many people like to see Cannes because of the film festival, even though there are no cinemas that tourists will walk by. But, Monaco is also nearby and it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Europe so I think it’s worth at least a few hours. It’s only about 22 minutes away by train from Nice, and the view looking out over the harbor is worth the trip alone.
By the way, if you will be doing any side trips from Nice you probably want to stay close to the train station. That’s where many of the cheaper hotels (and airbnbs) are located anyway, and it’s a good area for budget travelers. Bon voyage. -Roger
Thanks Roger! i feel much more confident it will be a good trip now!
Hi Roger, i couldnt find so i had to book somewhere because everything was getting filled up! I managed to book a place in Naples: Via Giovanni Pascoli, Frattamaggiore, Campania. So i think maybe the Sita wont work in my favor?
After much thinking i decided totally drop Piedmont.
Naples and Amalfi Area: 7 nights
Tuscany/ Florence Area: 7 nights
Bolognia and Emilia Romagna Area: 5 days, 4nights
Nice, France Area: 4days, 3 nights
Wow so much to research! OK! i will go and read into Cannes and Monaco as well, but is it possible for 4days 3 nights? Still trying to see what is there in Nice to do, so far i found some nice food spots and walk up to Castle Hill for a beautiful view of the city, the Bay of Angels and of course, the bright blue water that gave the Cote d’Azur its name.
The Alpes Maritimes is unique, nowhere else will you find snow capped mountains and an Azur blue sea along with such a wealth of culture.
With this i think i will skip Siena. Unless i have enough time in Florence/Tuscany to do so.
Thanks!
Victoria
Hi Roger,
Boy am i glad to find your page! Read through almost all the comments since 2013 and this is what i want to ask (thank you in advance for your patience):
1) I have been to Venice and Pisa and Rome as a kid on a tour about 18 years ago so i was thinking of skipping them. This time round i am intending to go to Italy as a food trip to eat and hopefully pick up some skills to bring back to Singapore for my new F&B business venture than a museum/historical/archeological trip although i do appreciate natural and man-made beauty. Would like your input on the traveling, places to visit and if 21 days would suffice or should i be extending the trip? Is May a good time?
2) I did consider crossing over to some other parts since Italy is so near some of the countries and i saw alot of comments on Nice. Should i?
3) My friend suggested Como Lake area but i thought to skip it. Contemplating Sicily and Isle of Elba. What are your thoughts?
4) I noticed your recommendations are usually from the North to the South and not the other way round. I was thinking of doing the inverse as i foresee my luggage getting heavier in the North, buying whatever amazing produce ie wine/ cheese/ cured meats i come across.
5) I was amazed that no one mentioned Greve in Chianti given that i understand Chianti wines are famous? My friend suggested me to go Liguria and Bologna but i did not see much info on the web about what to do there. Any input on this?
6) I noticed alot of recommendations mostly are from lonely planet and the food costs easily 30euros per meal! Any suggestions how else i can go about it without skimping on my food objective?
7) I am 26 during my trip in May as my birthday is in July so i wonder is there a point in the Euro Trail pass or something like that?
8) I read some parts of Italy find that sleeveless/ non covered shoes/ shorts to the knee are not acceptable attire?
9) These are the places i had in mind. My concern i suppose is more of how do i not just skimp through but have sufficient time to embrace Italy properly and visit the places yet not in an overly staying fashion. These are where i intend to go, your input would be much appreciated on the timeline and what should i do. i have found some places i thought of to visit based on the web info. Also any food recommendation is welcomed!!! In what order should i go?
-Sicily?
-Naples and Amalfi Coast: Ischia, Positano, Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii (I understand Sorrento would be a good “base camp”, how do i travel around? train/ bus/ taxi?). What does Amalfi coast mean? because i am trying to picture what does visiting the Amalfi coast mean.
-Tuscany: San Gimigano, Florence, Greve in Chianti (Greve seems like farms so is spread out any advice on this?)
-Bologna the capital of Emilia-Romagna region? Any idea about this? not much web info…
-Liguria and Piedmont and Clique Terre: abit torn about these places. Not sure what to do.
-Milan, Como Lake and Venice to skip?
I will be going solo.
Greatly Thankful,
Victoria
Victoria,
I’m glad you found this page as well. It’s a long list and there are some I won’t be much help with, but I’ll try to answer your questions in order…
1. Yes, I think May is a perfect month because it’s before the summer crowds and the weather is actually nicer. And I think skipping Venice, Pisa, and Rome is wise if you’ve already seen them. They haven’t changed much over the years.
2. If you have time to pop over to Nice for at least a couple days, I think it would be worth it. If there is one country with a more famous food culture than Italy it’s France, and Nice is one of its main hubs so it would be worth having a look.
3. Personally, I think Lake Como is a bit overrated for most visitors. It’s a nice-looking lake with a bunch of pleasant small towns scattered around its edges, connected by frequent ferry service. But there are nice-looking lakes in almost every European country. I think it’s mostly popular because it’s a nice weekend getaway from Milan and other large cities, and more recently it became more famous when George Clooney bought a home there. I’ve yet to make it to Elba, and my first trip to Sicily will be later this month (March, 2016) so I can say more then. However, most people agree that Sicily is interesting and nice, but it’s also remote and not worth the trouble unless you are spending a month in Italy or you’ve been to all of the other main places. The food does have a good reputation though, especially for simple seafood dishes, so that might be interesting for you.
4. I think it’s most common to start in the north and head south in Italy because so many people are coming from France or Austria or Switzerland. As you probably know, the north of Italy is more organized and European, while the south is more chaotic and Mediterranean. You should go in whatever direction you prefer.
5. For some reason, it seems that most people who want to tour wine regions do it in France rather than Italy. I think French wines have a better reputation, whether it’s deserved or not. I haven’t done any winery tours in Italy so I don’t have any more input on this. It sounds like you have enough time so I think it would be a good way to spend at least a couple of days.
6. Sit-down meal prices in Italy are somewhat confusing because the traditional Italian way is to order at least 3 different courses. A starter or anti-pasti at most traditional (not fancy) restaurants will be around €5 to €7, with a pasta course about the same price, and a main course being more in the €8 to €12 range. So if you do order that way it will cost you close to US$30 for each meal, not even including wine (house wine is usually around €3 per glass). But even though I have a fairly large appetite, I never order more than two courses, and it’s always enough food, especially as you always get free bread. During lunch you can often get a 2-course special for around €9 or so if you look around, or you can get a pizza for around the same price, which is meal size. So I think the US$30 meals are for when you want to really do it big and spend two hours dining with friends. In other words, you will have many cheaper options wherever you go, including many excellent meals.
7. The train tickets within Italy are fairly cheap, especially for shorter distances, so you don’t want to get a Eurail Pass or even an Italian rail pass. The key will be to make your onward train reservation as early as you can. If you can buy your onward tickets at least a few days before you want to leave, and you are flexible with travel times (going at 2pm instead of 9am), then you can probably average around €20 between the large cities.
8. As far as I know, the places where you’ll want to have your shoulders and maybe knees covered are when visiting the cathedrals and other religious places. If you go to some nicer restaurants at night, or even some small villages, you might feel self conscious in a skimpy top, but generally Italy isn’t known for prudishness. You might want to check with a female travel blog just to be sure though.
9. I’ll have more to say about Sicily in a couple weeks. Definitely plan on staying for at least 4 or 5 days in Sorrento as a base camp. The Amalfi Coast may be a bit overrated, but it’s still nice. It’s the dramatic steep coastline that faces south, just southeast of Sorrento and Naples. Positano and Amalfi are the largest of the towns, and they are very popular for their more traditional look and local feel. You get to Sorrento by a special train from Naples, and from there you’ll take the public buses that stop in each town along the Amalfi Coast. You can also go by ferry, so many people go down in a bus and come back in a ferry, to see it from different angles.
I’ve spent most of my Tuscany time in Florence and Siena, but the hill towns are popular and obviously it’s a famous food region. I think you can get better advice from someone else on this.
Bologna is another big food destination, though I haven’t been there since a childhood trip.
Of those three, I’ve only been to Cinque Terre, and it’s probably worth going there on this trip. The five towns get extremely crowded in the warm months, and the food scene is quite touristy as a result. If you can stay a day in Vernazza it would be fun, but don’t worry if you skip it on this trip.
Milan is the main transport hub in northern Italy, so you’ll almost certainly be going through it at least once. If you do you might want to stop there for a day or two just to get the feel of it. It’s a big and rich city with a good food culture, although it’s not very Italian because it was part of Austria only 100 or so years ago. Lake Como and Venice will be filled with tourists eating overpriced meals. Since you’ve seen Venice, I’d skip them both this time around.
I hope this helps and let me know if you have other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Apologies for the late reply, the website did not send me a notification!
Thank you for your input, i will remove Lake Como, Clique Terre, Milan, Venice, Sicily out of my list. Your reply has been extremely helpful i feel less stress to cover everything and now i feel i have more than enough time on my hands! Some questions i have lingering:
Any thoughts on Piedmont?
Is there any recommendations for Nice? What to do/ see? Will take your advice on the French wines also because i will be going to a market in Tuscany that already has chianti wines and all to explore. Any idea if there is a train from Italy to Nice?
Where can i buy the online train tickets in advance that you mentioned? Do i need to print out the tickets?
Thank you for the information on attire, food pricing (enlightening about the lunch set!)
Anything you’d recommend for Florence and Siena?
The public buses you mentioned, is the fare paid by cash…..?
Would you recommend for the following and some additional input:
To base camp one week at Sorrento: To see Ischia, Positano, Sorrento, Naples, Pompeii, maybe Amalfi Coast
To base camp one week at Florence?: To see Tuscany: Isola of Elba (TBC)- San Gimignano- Greve in Chianti- San Minato – Florence (Should I go Siena?)
To go Bologna? Piedmont?
To go Nice from Florence? Where to go?
Also, i think there would be a train from Sorrento to Florence?
Sorry but could you also share where did you stay in Sorrento? Because i cant find much Sorrento in airbnb
Greatly Thankful,
Victoria
Victoria,
Sorry that you didn’t get a notification, but there is no problem with the timing of the reply. I’m always here (actually, in Dubai as of now). I’ll try to answer the questions in order…
I haven’t spent much time in Piedmont and there aren’t many obvious tourist spots there, but there are obviously some important cities and wonderful sights. I’d say it’s an area best suited to people who have covered the more famous sights already, which could be you by the end of your trip.
There are trains from big cities in Italy to Nice. Nice is one of France’s biggest tourist cities with great food and many excellent outdoor food markets. There are many museums and a (rocky) beach as well, so you’ll find plenty to keep you busy. And I always recommend people hop on a train for 20 minutes in either direction and visit Monaco and Cannes for at least a few hours each as well.
Here’s the main website for Italian rail. You can buy tickets online and (I’m almost sure) you can store them on your smart phone so you don’t have to print them out.
Florence is always packed with tourists and I’m sure you’ll find more than enough to do. The main Dom (cathedral) is not far from the train station, and it’s a big draw.
Siena is an interesting city with fewer tourists, and many who visit do so on day trips from Florence by bus. The main attraction is the huge main square, which has bizarre horse races a couple times a year. It’s very scenic, although if you saved it for a future trip you might be just as well off.
The Sita (public bus) that runs from the Sorrento train station along the Amalfi Coast can be paid in cash on board. I don’t think you can get advanced tickets.
I think your plan to use those bases sounds pretty much ideal. For Florence, since hotels can be a bit expensive, you might want to stay in the city for part of your Tuscany time and then maybe in a hill town or smaller place for part of your time. But you can reach the popular hill towns in about an hour from Florence, so it might be better to just do day trips unless you really long for some quiet time (because you’ll be surrounded by tourists most of the time).
Bologna is a big food city in Italy, but I haven’t spent time there so it’s hard for me to say.
The only easy way to get to Sorrento is to take a train to Naples and then take the local train (the Circumvesuviana), which leaves downstairs on different tracks, or walk or take a taxi to the port and take a ferry. Naples has a reputation as the pick-pocketing capital of Europe, which can freak some people out. But if you are careful and keep your eyes open you’ll be fine. Just read up on it a bit and take the usual precautions. The pizza there is amazing.
In Sorrento I stayed at a small hotel called the Palazzo Tasso, which is on a small alley just a short walk from the main town square. I’m not a big airbnb fan in European cities because the central places tend to be more expensive than hotels, and the cheaper places always seem to be in remote locations. When I visit European cities I really love to stay near the center of town so I can see everything and make frequent trips back to my room for breaks. If you can find an airbnb in that general area, I’m sure you’ll love it. You’ll want to be within walking distance of the Sorrento train station for sure. Keep in touch and best of luck with this. I’m happy to help. -Roger
Roger,
Having gone through dozens of sites in the attempt of gathering information for our honeymoon, we feel your site and replies have been the most helpful.
My fiance and I are from Los Angeles and plan on traveling in October. We would like to know if our wishlist is logistically doable or recommended.
We have 21 days and wish to visit Paris, Rome, and Santorini. What would you recommend and how should we plan our transportation? Do you recommend additional stops with the 21 days allocated? Thanks in advance!
Tony
Tony,
I’m always happy to hear that people find this useful. Los Angeles is my home town as well, although I’m typing this from the Maldives.
If you have 21 days to spend in Europe, I think the ideal itinerary will contain 5 to 7 stops. Now, on a honeymoon I understand that you’d want to spend more time relaxing and going slow through romantic destinations, but still I’d think about adding at least another stop or two to this.
First off, Paris is gorgeous and amazing, and it’s a really nice place to just wander around in. You could spend a week there and not get bored, although you can see all of the worthwhile sights in about 4 relaxed days.
Rome, on the other hand, is loaded with major sights, but it’s fairly chaotic. For example, traffic is famously crazy and just crossing the street is often times stressful. So it’s very worthwhile to visit Rome and stay maybe 3 or 4 nights, but it’s not very relaxing and not at all peaceful.
I haven’t yet been to Santorini, but I’ve been to other Greek islands and most people visit them to relax in the sun during the day and enjoy food and drink at night. In other words, it could be a great part of a honeymoon trip, although 7 days is pretty long to be that relaxed for some people.
So your wishlist would be very easy to do, just fly to France then fly to Rome then fly to Santorini then fly back to Paris (or London or Rome) for a flight home. But I think in 21 days you can see a few more wonderful things and still not feel at all rushed. I’ll throw out a few more possibilities and you can see what you think and I can help you with more info later if you like.
If you haven’t been to London then it’s another incredible place to consider. You can get between Paris and London in about two hours on the Eurostar train, so you can go for just a couple days if you like, and it’s quite easy.
After Paris you might also consider the south of France on your way to Rome. Nice is the best base, with still very nice weather in October. It’s a very interesting city itself, but it’s also about 20 minutes by train from Cannes in one direction and Monaco in the other. If you went to Nice then you could take a train from there to Rome and enjoy the countryside in between.
In Italy, the “Big 3” (as mentioned in the article above) are Rome, Florence, and Venice. Most people want to see all three of them, and on a honeymoon I’d think that one or two nights in Venice would be high on your list. It’s an unforgettable place in case you both haven’t been yet.
But my favorite base in Italy is Sorrento, which is just south of Naples. It’s a relaxed and tourist-friendly town where most locals speak English (which isn’t true in most of Italy), and from there you are very close to Naples (excellent day trip), Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri. I’d think about spending maybe 3 or 4 days in Rome and then 5 or 6 days based in Sorrento.
If you want to set aside a week or so where you won’t feel pressured to go sightseeing all the time, then Santorini could be an ideal spot for that. Many people also stop in Athens on the way to see the famous sights for a day or two, but there will be time to do that later.
So think about that and let me know if you have other questions. I’ll be happy to help you plan this to make it the ideal honeymoon for what you have in mind. -Roger
Hello again,
This is how my itinerary is shaping up ( considering I only have 12 nights ) .
Paris : 4 nights
Swiss alps : 2 nights
Venice : 2 nights
Florence: 2 nights
Rome : 2 nights
(return flight from Rome)
I wanted to take your opinion on the last 2 cities ( Florence and Rome), 2 days is such a short time , plus moving from one place to another will take time. So, I wanted to consider staying last 4 nights in Rome (instead of 2 nights in Florence and 2 nights in Rome) and then take a day trip to Florence considering its only 90 mins of train ride from Rome… or even take a road trip that way we can visit the country side in tuscany. Would you agree?
Thanks,
Samir
Samir,
You might consider knocking Venice down to 1 night because it’s quite compact and pretty easy to see in a day. As I always say, Venice is insanely crowded from about 10am until 5pm with day-trippers on bus tours so the key is to do some sightseeing in the early evening when it’s somewhat empty and also in the early morning to see a lot in a short time. During the middle of the day it’s so crowded that it’s very tiring. Also, the restaurants all close by around 10pm, so it’s not a late-night town.
As for Florence and Rome, as you say, they are 90 minutes apart by train, so you can check out of a Florence hotel (especially if you stay near the train station, which is quite central anyway) at 9am, and be at your Rome hotel by 11:30am with most of the day still ahead of you. So even if you want to keep Venice to 2 nights, I’d still recommend 2 days in Florence and 2 days in Rome. On one hand, the major sights in Rome are bigger and more spectacular, but Florence is more pleasant and also wonderful.
Your idea of taking a day trip to Florence from Rome could work as well, especially if you buy those train tickets well in advance so they are cheaper. The main sights in Florence are all within a fairly easy walk of the main train station, and you can see them in 8 hours or so. Hotels in Rome are more expensive and it’s also more exhausting because it’s more crowded.
In other words, I think your plan could work, and however you do it you’ll have a great time. Bon voyage and let me know if I can help further. -Roger
Sounds good!
Thanks,
Samir
We are a family of 4 ( 2 adults and 2 kids ages 14 and 9) , and are considering taking a 2 week trip to Europe with France and Italy as the main countries to visit. Do you have any thoughts on package tours like Trafalgar’s European Wonderland that is marketed as a “Family” tour.
Would like to add that we are looking at last 2 weeks on June for the trip. Thanks so much for this site, this page especially simplifies the “planning” for a first timer significantly.
Samir,
I’m not familiar with Trafalgar (or most other package tour companies) because I always focus on independent self-guided travel. Looking at their itinerary right now, it looks like it moves really fast, if we are talking about the one that starts in Rome and ends in London. In other words, I’m no expert on package travel and I generally recommend people do it on their own.
On one hand, a package like that will be way easier and less stressful than planning on your own. I know many people are happy with those sort of packages and continue to do them. I think it’s mostly a matter of personality and preferences. So if you like what you see and you feel you’d be more comfortable that way, then it’s probably your best choice.
On the other hand, you can certainly do it cheaper on your own and you obviously have the freedom to see exactly the things that interest you, and avoid the things that don’t. Again, I’m not familiar with Trafalgar, but the lower-price package tours everywhere in the world are famous for including frequent shopping stops. For example, the day begins at a famous attraction, and your next stop is an overpriced souvenir shop for almost an hour because the tour guide gets 10% or 20% of everything you spend there.
Another weakness of package tours is that the provided meals are always in these huge restaurants that do most of their business with tour bus groups. These restaurants have to be able to serve 46 people within an hour, so they tend to be buffets where everything is waiting for you. If you really like to try local cuisine then you’ll get very little of it on a bus tour like that, or at least you’ll get very little that isn’t mass produced a few hours before you get there.
Lastly, it looks like they are visiting 10 cities in 13 days. Several of them are obviously just a few hours as you are going from one city to another, but that’s still WAY faster than most people prefer. It’ll almost be like watching the cities on TV as they pass before your eyes as your bus just keeps moving. Some people like that sort of thing, and if you think you’d be happy seeing 10 cities in your home country within 13 days, then this might be a good choice for you.
I’m just happy that anyone is traveling anywhere like this, so I think you’ll have a good time on this tour or if you plan on your own. If you do decide to book your own trip I’ll be happy to help you sort out some details. Bon voyage. -Roger
Roger,
Thanks so much for your response. Really appreciate you taking the time to provide such a detailed reply.
Yes, I agree with your comments about package tours and the number of cities covered in such a short time. I have not done any such tours before, all our past tours were self planned and have worked well(these have been in my home country though). Since this is my first time going to Europe with family, I was looking at the tour option. But, based on your response and reading similar comments elsewhere, I am now encouraged to plan it on my own and can certainly take your help.
This is my draft plan :
1> Paris – 3 to 4 nights ,
2> Swiss Alps (Interlaken?) – 2 nights
3> Venice – 1 night (may be 2)
4> Florence – 2 nights
5> Rome – 2 to 3 nights
I understand that there is not much time between now and end of June and as such I may be already late with the planning process but I am going to try to make it happen.
I am looking for a good resource to help me with accommodations and transportation. Any recommendations would be helpful.
Thanks again!
Samir
Samir,
I’m happy to hear that you are going to plan the trip on your own. Since you are already an experienced independent traveler I think you’ll do well at this, and probably would have been a bit unhappy on the fast-moving bus tour because those always go at the pace of the slowest person.
And actually, once you have your flights booked you can plan a trip like this starting only a few weeks before you leave. I do recommend booking hotels at least a week or two out, or longer if you can, and it’s probably best to book your train tickets at least a month out in order to get the best prices on them.
Your itinerary draft looks pretty much perfect, which of course I would say because it looks like you are following most of my advice in the above article. Still, I’m sure you’ll be happy with it. And yes, if you want to see the Swiss Alps then Interlaken is definitely the place to go. This article on where to go in Switzerland explains it all in great detail.
And again, you’ll want to do this trip by train once you get to Paris. Here is my article on how and when to buy the cheapest train tickets for Europe. If you buy two or more months in advance you’ll be very pleased with how inexpensive the fares are. The ride from Interlaken to Venice is one of the most beautiful in the world, but it will take about 7 or 8 hours. You’ll want to do it during the daytime, so spending 2 nights in Venice might be wise.
As for hotels, I can help at least a bit. I’ve written articles with recommended hotels in all of the cities you’ll be visiting except Interlaken. You can find links to each article on the City pages on this site. For example, here’s the City page for Rome. You’ll notice in the center column there is a link to another article with recommended hotels. The thing about hotels, though, is that the better ones tend to get booked up early and then raise their rates a bit, so it’s hard to say what is the best value at any given time. In those articles I recommend different central neighborhoods and explain why they are convenient for visitors. So even if the particular hotel I mention doesn’t seem to have a great rate for your dates, you can hopefully at least find another one nearby that looks appealing.
The main thing to take away from those articles is that it’s usually a better idea (at least on quick trips like yours) to pay a bit more for a central location and smaller rooms rather than trying to save money or get larger rooms by booking places out by the airport or in distant suburbs. You can waste a lot of time each day going back and forth, and you end up with very few good choices for dinner in the evening if you are staying out of the center.
For Interlaken I recommend staying in the wonderful little village of Gimmelwald, or the larger town of Murren just above it. It’s all explained in the article. If you stay in Gimmelwald then I highly recommend booking at a place called Esther’s Guesthouse, which is directly above the cable car stop there. In general, you’ll get the best deals on Booking.com in Europe, and they are quite easy to use. They also offer free cancellation, so there isn’t much risk.
As always, let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Roger,
Many thanks!
Truly, this is very helpful. Please let us know how visitors to your site (like me) can return the favor.
Samir
Samir,
It’s always great to hear that this advice is helpful. Actually, if you book any hotels using the links to booking.com from my pages, I get a small percentage and you still get the best prices. That’s one of the ways I make this a full-time job. But please just find the best hotels at the best rates you can, and I’m sure I’ll be fine. -Roger
Roger
Thank you for the pointers. Having driving around Nice, I do agree, it is very expensive to pay for parking and that’s if you can find a place to park. I do have another question regarding trains. I understand the trains from Nice to Genoa is classified as a local and has no amenities and stops a great deal of time causing an extended time in travel? Maybe that’s not a bad thing in place of renting a car for quick off and on to see town’s etc. but is there a different train that can be taken with out local stops? Truly appreciate your views.
Bill,
I’ve not heard that about Nice to Genoa trains, and the one I took quite a few years ago was a normal international train. The fastest one takes a bit over 3 hours these days and it requires a seat reservation for rail pass holders. One thing I can tell you is that the trains between Barcelona and Italy are quite slow and do make many local stops. I don’t believe there are any intercity express trains, partly because there are so many cities of about the same size. -Roger
Good Day Roger.
What a fantastic site to find, only if I had found it about a year ago. My wife and I just came back from visiting Paris, the Champagne Region, Avignon and Nice and thank goodness you could use the TV Euro train since we fit the trip into 12 days. We now wish to travel from Nice to Venice for 14 days late spring and thought about renting a car, wanting to see the beauty along the Mediterranean and see some of the little towns along the way in hopes of ending in Rome for 3 days with possible a side trip to Venice to visit the Glass Factory’s. What are your thoughts in driving knowing it’s for no more than 14 days?
Bill,
I’m always happy to hear that people find this information useful. 🙂
I think renting a car to see small towns and views in France and Italy is a fine idea. The important thing to know is that renting a car to get between and visit large cities in Europe is usually unwise because parking is very expensive and having a car while visiting a large city does much more harm than good. However, for going between and staying in small towns, having a car is pretty much the only good way to do it.
One other thing to be aware of, unfortunately, is that most “small towns” on the Mediterranean were built as fishing villages and parking is still likely to be problematic. You might be able to park in a public lot near the town square for maybe €10 for an hour or two while you walk around and have lunch, but even that might be challenging in some of them because they are crowded and just weren’t built for auto tourism.
In other words, I’d make sure you do some research and hopefully have a good guidebook so you know where you are going and hopefully where you can leave the car for a bit. You’ll find really nice roads with vista turnouts here and there, so I think it will work out well. But it will be quite different from, say, visiting the small towns in the wine regions where free parking is easy to find.
And needless to say, you’ll have to park outside of Venice, probably near the train station on the mainland, and then take the train or a boat to get into the city. So long story short, it won’t be nearly as relaxing as it would have been driving around wine country, but as long as you go in late spring rather than in July or August, it should probably be really enjoyable if a bit stressful. Best of luck with it. -Roger
Hi
do you have any itinerary for Paris london scotland ?
Tashi,
So far I haven’t written a similar article with itinerary suggestions including London and Scotland, but I actually have traveled in that area extensively so maybe I can help out. I obviously don’t know your schedule or goals, so I’ll keep it basic to start.
Spend at least 3 nights in Paris and then take the Eurostar train to London. Spend at least 3 nights in London. If you want to visit other places in England before you get to Scotland the best choices for most people are Bath/Bristol, Oxford/Cambridge, and York. Those are all really lovely places with plenty to see. Unless you are a big Beatles fan I’d save Liverpool for another trip.
If you stop in York you’ll be well on your way to Scotland already. The main thing you want to see in Scotland is the wonderful city of Edinburgh, which really does live up to the hype. Spend at least 2 or 3 nights there. You might also pop over to Glasgow, which has a really nice city center, but otherwise it has few famous attractions.
If you still have more time for Scotland you’ll want to head up to Inverness, which is a really nice town and also the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. From there you can take tours that include the Isle of Skye, with really dramatic scenery all around. Inverness is also very close to Loch Ness, which is really nothing more than a disappointing tourist trap, so I’d skip it.
Now that you mention it, I probably will write a full article about these suggestions and more, but that probably won’t be for a couple months. In the meantime, if you have other questions, please feel free to follow up. -Roger
Hi sorry the reply botton wasnt working up , so putting a separate comment :
Roger will the above mentioned itenary work if I have my tickets already booked in and out of Paris from 7th March to 19th March from India
Tashi,
Yes, that should work well. Is there anything in particular that you are worried about? I’ll try to help if I can. -Roger