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.
Dear Roger,
Let me compliment you for an excellent and a very ‘user-friendly’ article, especially for first time visitors like me. I have following queries :-
1 Roger! I,my wife and my three year old son are planning for 16 days (including travel time) trip to France -Italy and Switzerland (My wife is keen)/ Spain (I am Keen), so could you advice what is the best option in your opinion??
2.Is it possible also to include one of the most recommend destination spot for Switzerland.(To avoid clash of opinions between self and wife)
3. I am planning trip from 25 Sep to 10 Oct. is it a good time to visit t all these places?.
4. Could you advice which is the better place to start from (Paris or Rome) keeping the above mentioned dates in mind??
5. My budget is modest. So your advice is even more critical in our planning.
Please advice us and resolve the conflict:)
Biri
Biri,
I’m happy to try to help, and thank you for the kind words. This is a tricky situation though. On one hand, Switzerland has the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in Europe, and you can have a really nice visit there in as few as 3 days. The downside is that Switzerland is also very expensive on a per-day basis, even compared to France and Italy. So those 3 days in Switzerland would be amazing, if a bit expensive.
Spain is obviously very different. The most basic trip to Spain that I’d recommend for a cultural traveler would be 3 nights in Barcelona and 3 nights in Madrid. They are both large cities filled with great sights, and they are very different from each other. They are both about the same price as France and Italy, so they are not exactly cheap. So if you already want to visit France and Italy, you really won’t have 6 days to also visit Spain. If you tried to do all 3 countries in 2 weeks, you’d be racing around and only seeing maybe 50% of what you flew all that way to see.
In other words, Switzerland would be much easier to work into your itinerary, and still have enough time to see Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome. As mentioned in the article above, I recommend 3 or 4 nights for Paris, 1 or 2 nights for Venice, 2 or 3 nights for Florence, and 3 nights for Rome. Spain is a wonderful country and even those two cities are just scratching the surface, so I vote for saving Spain for another trip when you have more time. The rest of Spain also is more reasonably priced, so it’ll be a pretty cheap trip when you get there.
The best short visit to Switzerland is to head to the Interlaken area. I explain it in fine detail in my article about where to go in Switzerland.
Late September and early October is a perfect time to visit all of these places, and hotel prices will be down a bit from their summer peaks as well. Let me know if you have any other questions and I’ll be happy to help. Sorry to side with the wife on this one. 🙂 -Roger
Hi Roger – wow! what a following you have!
I am originally from Germany but live in Boston now. I am planning to take my then 13 and 11 year old daughters next summer on an extensive Europe road trip (we go every summer but mostly to Germany and/or just one specific place). I was thinking to fly into Madrid, drive to Barcelona, then up the coast to Marseille and Nice – but then I am not sure whether to go through Provence or rather continue along the coast to Italy? Any thoughts you have would be really helpful as well as some specific small idyllic towns you know of along the way. We really have as much time as we need for the trip but I am not sure – looking simply at the map – what towns to go to…… again any comments are appreciated – thank you so much!! AK
AK,
This sounds like a wonderful trip you are planning, and unfortunately I won’t be of much help. I’ve traveled extensively in much of Europe, but in France I’ve mainly spent time in Paris and the other popular places for foreign tourists. As a result, I won’t be confident in giving you specific advice on where you might try, although I do envy you. In fact, I’ll be in Normandy for the first time in about a month, and I plan to explore other areas of France shortly after that (I’m an American, based in London at the moment).
If you haven’t lived in the US long you might not be familiar with travel writer Rick Steves. I would highly recommend getting his current France guidebook (paper or digital) and scanning the appropriate chapters for advice. One of the things he does best is that he goes pretty much everywhere and then only writes about the most worthwhile places, including small towns that aren’t on many other lists. If you use a guide such as Lonely Planet (and I’m a fan of theirs as well), they tend to have a small section on nearly every notable town, so it’s much harder to know which are really the stand-out ones.
Since you are from Germany (where my family is from as well), at least you know that most of the small coastal towns in France are not well set up for car visitors. But as far as I’m aware, the wine regions and other inland destinations are quite car friendly. Have a great trip and I wish I could have been more help. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I saw this site and was amazed how you actually took the time to reply to people’s queries. I am trying to plan a trip to Europe for my daughter’s 15 years. Her birthday is in July but since her brother is only a month old right now, we decided to plan the trip during the December holidays rather than in July, so that the baby would be about 7 months old. My daughter wants to do Paris, Italy, Croatia and Greece (more specifically Santorini). My wife and I would like to put about 3 days in Munich as well. We have about 22- 24 days max for the trip.
Here is what I was thinking:
Paris – 3 nights
Venice – 1 night
Florence – 2 nights
Sorrento – 2 nights (day trip to Pompeii and Capri)
Rome – 3 nights
Santorini – 2 nights
Athens – 2 nights
Munich -3 nights
Prague – 1 night
Paris -2 nights
I don’t think we could fit Croatia in the itinerary. It already seems too much. Would appreciate if you could let me know what you think of the itinerary. And also if we should take places off the list or add some. What would be the best way to travel to Greece? And at what part of the trip would it be better?
I am a little apprehensive because we will be traveling with a 7 month old baby. Do you foresee any problems with that?
I gratefully look forward for your comments and guidance.
Sanjeev,
For some strange reason, I really love trying to help people with itineraries and such, so I’m happy to give it a go.
Your plan looks quite solid as it is, although it is fairly rushed. The main issue I’m seeing is that some of these places are very seasonal, and December is not ideal for those. The good news is that Europe’s cities are obviously designed to work at 100% all year round, especially with subways and other public transport that goes in any weather. Most attractions in Europe’s larger cities are indoors, and the weather even in December is usually mild enough that walking around for a few hours a day is enjoyable, as long as you have warm clothes with you.
The bad news is that Greece and Croatia are very seasonal, so it’s good that you’ve already set Croatia aside. Athens itself is obviously a large city, so 2 days there would be okay, although climbing the Acropolis and walking the Agora would be less enjoyable if it’s cold and a bit wet. The bigger problem is that the islands practically shut down from November until April. Santorini and the other larger ones will still have some hotels and restaurants open, but there will be maybe 10% of the people there as you’d see in summer. Most of the smaller islands literally do close down for the cold months, with only a few locals remaining and no ferry service.
In other words, I’d save Greece for a future trip, and Croatia as well. That would give you 4 more nights for the other places on your list, and I’d add at least 1 or 2 to Prague. You could add a day or two in Italy, although you could enjoy what you have planned there now. You could also do 2 days in Vienna or Salzburg on your way from Prague to Paris at the end. Both of those cities are wonderful, and would still be good in December.
I think traveling with a 7-month old will be just fine in Europe’s cities. More than any other place I can think of, Europe is very advanced when it comes to strollers and changing rooms and ease of use on public transportation for infants. Also, Italy in particular has a reputation for loving young children, so you’ll probably get some extra attention while you are there.
Let me know if you have any other questions, and I’ll be happy to help you sort out the best itinerary if you are okay with saving Greece for the future. -Roger
Thank you so much Roger! Your inputs have be tremendously helpful. I will take your suggestions and leave out Greece for another trip in the future and will add Lucerne and Interlaken in Switzerland instead. Also will add an additional night in Prague. Thanks for your time. I am sure you will be paid many times over for your wonderful service to fellow travelers in terms of a positive karmic energy surplus. Cheers!
Dear Roger:Few days ago, not knowing what I was getting into, I went ahead and booked tickets to Europe (from US) – Flying into Paris and flying out of Rome. I(46) will be travelling with my spouse(44) and my son(14). As a first timer to Europe, I am certainly overwhelmed at the task of planning an itinerary. I am glad I found your website! While there is a lot more research to do, I was hoping you would review my current plan and make suggestions for changes. I would like to finalize my train tickets ASAP and work on accommodations after. Here is the current plan:
August 2nd (ar in Paris 7AM) to August 17th (dep Rome 10:50AM):
1. Paris (4 nights) – To include a half day trip to palace of Versailles
Leave at ~7AM to reach Lecerne ~noon
2. Lucerne (1 night)
3. Interlaken (2 nights) – To stay in Gimmelwald or Murren
Leave from Interlaken to Speiz-Milan-Genoa
4. Santa Margherita Ligure (1 night)
5. Cinque Terre (1 night)
6. Florence (2 nights)
7. Rome (4 nights) – To include a day trip Pompei
a. Does this look ambitious?
b. What steps can I take minimize the train tickets cost?
c. Do you have any suggestions what I can add or remove from the above?
d. From Paris, is it better to go to Interlaken first then to Lucerne or the opposite (Note: need to minimize the time to Italy post Switzerland) ?
Many thanks for your effort and great information. I eagerly look forward to your guidance.
Hari,
I’m happy to hear that this has helped, and I’m sure your trip will be excellent.
I’d not heard of Santa Margherita Ligure, but it looks quite nice and is obviously on your way, so it should be a good stop. I don’t think your plan looks too ambitious. You’ll be moving pretty quickly between Paris and Rome, but I do think it’s worth doing that because those places are mostly compact enough to appreciate in a day or two. You might consider consolidating your first two nights in Italy by staying in one place and seeing the other during the day. Santa Margherita Ligure is only 54 minutes from Vernazza (the most famous Cinque Terre town) by train, and really the train ride through that area is a big part of the appeal of going there.
If you leave Interlaken early enough, you could even stop for a couple hours in Santa Margherita Ligure and then head into the Cinque Terre for the evening, staying two nights. Or you could just stay two nights in Santa Margherita Ligure and see the Cinque Terre by day. That would be nicer so you don’t have to keep packing and checking into and out of hotels.
For the cheapest train tickets, buy them online as soon as possible. Here’s my article on how to buy cheap European train tickets online. The ticket from Lucerne to Interlaken will be the same price no matter when you buy it, and it’s the same with the tickets for the trains through the Cinque Terre. But for all of your long distance trains, the fares start out low and the price goes up as more seats are sold. If you buy soon, you’ll be surprised at how cheap some of them are, especially in Italy.
I’ve already answered “c” above.
You can get from Interlaken to Genoa in 5 hours and 11 minutes if you leave a bit after 7am, and it takes a bit over 6 hours from Lucerne to Genoa. So it doesn’t matter too much, and the ride through the Alps has excellent scenery. The departures from Interlaken are only fast at certain times of the day, while from Lucerne you can leave almost any time. Check out the options and fares on sbb.ch, which is the Swiss rail site.
As always, let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi,
I spent the evening reading different comments on this post … We are planning a trip to Europe for the first time aand I basically want to include France Italy and Switzerland and on the way back go to London.
Basic Itinerary :
Paris – 4 days
Italy – 5 days
Switzerland – 4 days.
This is the Itinerary which I planned but am not too sure .. I am travelling with my parents so comfort would be my first preference… Please suggest how we should travel and plan .. Any suggestion would be really helpful.
Parul,
Your itinerary looks quite good to start with. As far as how to get around with comfort in mind, you’ll want to do most of it by train, as trains in Europe are far more comfortable and less stressful than flying.
If you are starting in Paris then it would be most efficient to head to Switzerland after that, and then take a train to Italy. Here’s specifically what I’d suggest:
Paris for 4 nights then a train to Interlaken for 2 nights
Take a train from Interlaken to Lucerne for 2 nights
Take a train from Lucerne to Venice, which will take about 7 hours with a change of trains in Milan, but the part from Luzerne to Milan is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.
Now, I normally recommend 6 nights for the quickest good Italy visit, so it would be ideal if you could add at least one more night. If not, you’ll have to figure out where to cut. You can have a great Venice visit in about 24 hours, as mentioned in the article above. Then you can take the 2-hour train ride to Florence for 2 nights, and then the 90-minute train ride to Rome for 3 nights. After that I’d recommend flying to London.
Here is information on exactly where to go in Switzerland.
As for Italy, you could skip one of the cities, but it would be hard to pick which one to skip. And I wouldn’t recommend cutting a night in Florence or Rome because there is just too much to see to do it in fewer days.
I’m happy to help you figure out more of the details on this, so feel free to comment back with more questions if you have them. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thank you soo much for the suggestions. I would include them for sure.
Just wanted to know if soo much travel is involving trains, then is it advisable for me to buy a europass or should I just buy tickets as and when needed ?
Parul,
For a tightly scheduled trip like this, you will be best off buying your train tickets online, as far in advance as possible for the cheapest prices. The Paris to Interlaken and Lucerne to Venice tickets would be quite expensive if you waited until the last minute to buy, but they will be reasonable if you buy at least a month or so in advance.
A Eurail Pass is best for longer trips where you want to make plans as you go. They aren’t cheap, but they are usually cheaper than buying last-minute tickets. On the other hand, advance train tickets in Europe can be surprisingly cheap if you buy them online at least a month or more in advance. Buy from the official rail sites of the countries involved. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks a lot for your information and it is really useful for me! Especially this will be the first time I visit Europe (I am from Hong Kong)
I have bought an open-jaw air ticket and I will arrive at CDG on 30/7, and leaving from FCO on 13/8. I come up with the following general plan for my trip. If you have time for some advice, I will be very thankful or your help!
I will start by staying 3 days in Paris, and then on the 4th day, I will take a flight to Toulouse (stay at Toulouse + Carcasonne for 2 days). Then, on the 6th, take a flight from Toulouse to Nice, and stay at Nice for 3 nights. On the 9th day, from Nice to Florence, for 3 days. Then Florence to Rome for 3 other days.
Is this itinerary doable? Could you give me some advice? I will go with my university friends so energy probably is not a problem. Thank you very much!
Gordon
Gordon,
I think your plan looks really good and well paced. I don’t know the Toulouse area but I know the others and they are obviously filled with highlights. I suppose my only suggestion would be to consider taking trains in France rather than flying. From Paris to Toulouse there is a train that goes direct in 5 hours and 20 minutes. From Toulouse to Nice the fastest train is 6 hours 20 minutes, although most options are a bit over 7 hours. The scenery is quite nice on both rides, particularly when you get near the Med.
If you buy those tickets soon on sncf.com (official France rail site) they will be fairly cheap, and possibly cheaper than the flights. But really the main thing is that the experience is about a million times more pleasant on the train compared to hustling to the airport and all of that. And of course, with a one-hour flight, it really takes about 5 hours to get from city center to city center, so the schedule isn’t much different. Personally, if the train was €80 and a flight was €40, I’d still take the train on these routes.
By the way, Nice to Florence can be complicated by train and you might have to change trains twice. It takes 6.5 to 7 hours, and the earlier you buy that ticket the lower the prices will be and the more options you’ll have of fast trains. You should probably buy the Florence to Rome ticket soon while you are at it, although that won’t be too expensive either way.
Have a great trip and let me know if you have other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger, I’m a female in my mid-twenties currently planning a trip to Europe on my own for around 20 days. I initially looked into doing a tour, but have decided I’d much rather explore on my own. I’ve decided that Paris, Italy, and Greece are my top 3 places to go in Europe and I want to spend as much time in each as possible, particularly Italy. So I am thinking 4-5 days in Paris, around 10 days in Italy, and maybe 3-4 days in Greece. In italy, I’d like to see Florence, Venice, Rome for sure, Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast if at all possible. I’m not certain if I want to go to Nice/Monaco and am not too interested in Milan. I was thinking of going from Paris straight to Venice, then exploring Florence, Cinque Terre, Pisa etc., then to Rome and down to the Amalfi Coast before taking a boat/flight to Greece (Mykonos and Santorini). Is this practical at all?
I have a general idea of what I want to do/see in each place, but am clueless about planning hotel/hostel and AirBnB stays in Europe. I don’t know if I should try to book it all at once, or the best places to stay in each place. I was thinking definitely AirBnB for Paris, as I want to stay in the main part of town for a few days, and then a mix of accommodations in Italy and Greece depending on where I go. One of my main concerns is, I don’t think I want to take my luggage with me absolutely everywhere- I would like to leave it at the apartment/hotel/hostel where I am staying, but I don’t know if I can do that everywhere. If I must I can take my pack everywhere with me, but was hoping to take a smaller pack/bag for day trips. Any advice you have on these matters would be much appreciated! Thank you.
Justine,
This sounds like a great trip, and 20 days should be long enough to see almost everything on your list. I’ll try to answer the questions in the order they came up…
Four days should be long enough to see everything you want in Paris. If Greece is a priority, then skip Nice and Monaco. The best way would be to fly from Paris to Venice or nearby Treviso on a cheap airline, as it would be far cheaper and obviously way faster than a train.
Venice is great for 1 or 2 nights, as mentioned in the article above. Florence and Rome are good for 3 days or so each, although Rome is WAY larger, though Florence has more interesting day trips nearby and it’s less expensive and less stressful than Rome. On a fast-paced trip like this, I’d recommend Cinque Terre over Amalfi Coast. You can actually do Cinque Terre as a day trip or quick overnight from Florence, while seeing the Amalfi Coast requires getting at least to Sorrento and then another day or two from there. Both choices are a bit underwhelming on a fast trip, and you might actually appreciate days trip to Pisa, Siena, or one of the Tuscan hill towns a bit more. Those coastal areas are so packed with tourists during the day that it’s hard to appreciate the magic of them, which is easier to notice if you stay 2 or 3 days on a future trip to Italy.
The only ferries from Italy to Greece are slow ones leaving from the east coast, so flying is a far better option. Fly from Rome to Santorini and it should be fairly cheap and fast.
As for your luggage, obviously you can leave whatever you want in a hotel or apartment while you are renting the place. As for a hostel, if you do the dorm bed thing then they usually come with a locker where you use your own lock for smaller things (computers etc), and there is a secure luggage room for larger items. Reports of thefts from these places are amazingly rare, so as long as you follow the procedures and keep your phone and wallet on you at all times, you’ll be fine.
For hotels and hostels you can also store a bag in the secure luggage room before you check in or after you check out. So if you have a 4pm train you can check out at 10am and come back to get your bag several hours later after doing your last sightseeing. For apartments such as airbnbs, there is usually no storage facility available before you check in or after you check out. However, every train station in Europe’s larger cities has storage lockers where you can stash a backpack for maybe €5 for half a day.
Hopefully this helps. Let me know if you have other questions. -Roger
Heloo, i love your website! So glad to have foundit! We are going to italy for the first time in september, we are spending a few days in dublin first(easier fly schedule ) and going to rome , i booked one of the hotels you recommended , thank you , my question is wether to go to brescia from there and do side trips but staying based in brescia ? We want to recreate a little of the 1000 miles race and go to the ducati factory , we leave at the end of september from dublin , staying there maybe 3days before flying out . Thanks for any help you can give us !
Laurence,
Thank you. This is a tough one because I’ve never been to Brescia and it’s known more as an industrial city than a tourist destination. So with that in mind, it sounds like you have a specific reason for visiting, which is great. One of the challenges in staying in a city that doesn’t have much of a tourist infrastructure is that far fewer people will speak English, and it’s often tough to find a restaurant where you feel comfortable or even welcome.
If you speak Italian or even Spanish then it might not be so tough, but if not, you might be better off staying in Milan or Verona and visiting Brescia during the day when you want to see something there. Milan is more international and English is pretty widely spoken, although it’s also a convention city so half the time the hotels are extremely expensive and the other half they are weirdly cheap. If room rates there look reasonable, it might be a great choice. You can reach Lake Como in an hour from Milan, among many other places.
That’s all the advice I can offer on this, and again, I haven’t been there and I’m unsure what you have in mind. I hope it helps and feel free to follow up. -Roger
Roger,
I find the wealth of information very useful for planning travel to Europe. I am planning an Western Europe travel from India, to France, Italy, Spain with my wife and two sons. We intend to do it in 12 days commencing end May. Could you please advise on an itinerary. Our places of interest are historical, catholic churches and sports (soccer) in the order of priority. I was tempted to add Portugal by adding 2 more days but dropped it as I felt it would be too cramped. what would be the port of entry and exit and train as the mode of travel between cities.
Many thanks,
Vivek
Vivek,
Your idea of dropping Portugal is probably wise because of those two extra days you’d spend one of them in transit because it requires a night train and/or flights.
But actually, 12 days is going to be very rushed if you want to visit the three countries left on your list. I’ll actually recommend saving Spain or Italy for a future trip for reasons I’ll outline below. Assuming that this is your first visit to this part of Europe, then really the classic France and Italy itinerary described in the article above will be the most enjoyable and easiest. Not only is Spain quite large and somewhat remote for this trip, but English is not widely spoken there so it can be trickier than the others.
I highly recommend spending 3 nights in most cities in Europe, partly because your transit day will not be much of a sightseeing day. You can get a good look at Florence in 2 nights and Venice even in 1 night, as mentioned above, but part of that is because they are close together and the train only takes about two hours between them. If you go from Venice to Paris, it’s either an 11-hour train ride, or a 2-hour flight with all of the extra waiting and airport transport mixed in, so that takes nearly the whole day as well.
For history and Catholic churches, not to mention many other reasons, you’ll definitely want to spend at least 3 nights in Rome and at least 3 nights in Paris. If you are locked into the 12 nights then here’s probably the best and easiest way to do it:
Fly into Rome and spend 3 nights there
Take a train to Florence for 2 or 3 nights
Take a train to Venice for 1 night
Take a train (7.5 hours) or flight to Nice for 2 or 3 nights
Take a train to Paris for 3 or 4 nights
Because those Italian cities are pretty close together and the train rides are only 2 hours or so, you can still see a lot in 6 days in those 3 cities. That would give you 6 more days in Nice and Paris.
Or you might actually be better off doing those 3 Italian cities in 7 or 8 days, and then flying directly to Paris for the remainder. If you aren’t too interested in Nice, Cannes, and Monaco, then skip them for this trip.
Including soccer sights on this trip could also be a bit tricky. As you know, the leagues will all be done for the summer by late May, so the best you could do is one of those stadium tours. I’d think that they’d have those in Rome and/or Paris, although I’d imagine that Camp Nou in Barcelona would be better, or even San Siro in Milan. I wouldn’t go to Barcelona unless I had 3 days to spend there, but you could conceivably spend one night in Milan after Venice and visit San Siro.
By the way, if you would prefer to keep Spain and get rid of Italy or France, you’ll want to allow 3 nights in Barcelona AND 3 nights in Madrid. Both are large cities with many great sights, and they aren’t much alike at all.
I’ll be happy to help you sort this out in future comments if you write back with your preferences. But for now, I’d recommend flying into Rome and flying out of Paris. Or if a return flight from India to one of those is much cheaper, you could fly into Paris and then immediately take a low-cost flight to Rome to start the trip, or the other way around.
Again, I’m happy to help more if I can. I’m sure it’ll be a great trip. -Roger
I think i will try to go 2hrs out of Nice to check out some winery wineyards