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.
Roger,
We are planning a trip in mid June, covering 15 nights. We were trying to determine whether to incorporate a 7 night cruise, to make it like a vacation within a vacation and possibly see some sites we might not normally be able to. The cruise is in the middle, with approximately 4 nights before and 4 nights after. Cruise starts and ends in Rome, with stops in Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cannes, Livorno and Naples. We would like to see the main attractions in Paris, Florence, Venice and Rome, but the cruise time may make that difficult. Three more nights would be great, but unfortunately we have time constraints. Do you have any thoughts on mixing in a cruise into this trip? Thank you!
Jason,
I think the idea of a cruise in the middle of a trip like this is excellent. Many people seem anxious to see as many cities as humanly possible on these trips, and a cruise is one civilized way of actually pulling that off.
Barcelona is a huge and wonderful city, and a 10-hour stop there on a cruise isn’t nearly enough, but it will be a good taste. But for those other cities, I think a one-day cruise stop is pretty much ideal. Palma de Mallorca (I haven’t been there yet) is small enough to appreciate in a day. Cannes is even smaller, although it is interesting and worth a day there. Naples is quite a large city, but it’s also a place where many tourists don’t want to go at night, so I recommend doing it as a day trip from Sorrento anyway. If you can take a little tour and see the archeology museum, and perhaps make it to Pompeii as well, it will be a great day.
Rome is ideal for 3 days and Paris is best for 3 or 4 days. You can actually see Venice in about 24 hours, and Florence is best in 2 or 3 days. It might be hard to do all of those, of course, with the cruise in the middle. But still I think the idea sounds really good and you can get back to whichever ones you pass up this time. Let me know if you have any other questions I might help with. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks so much for your reply. We decided against incorporating a cruise this time, and will save that for a future time when we include Greece. This time we are doing 4 nights in Paris, 1 night in Venice, 3-4 nights in Florence, 3-4 nights in Sorrento and 3 nights in Rome. I had two more questions…first, we have 7 nights to split between Florence and Amalfi coast. Do you recommend 4 nights in Florence and 3 nights in Sorrento? Or the reverse? Second, do you have any hotel recommendations in Sorrento? Two we have seriously considered are Hilton Sorrento Palace and Parco die Pricipi. I welcome your thoughts. thanks!
Jason,
It’s great that you’ll have so much time for Italy. Florence itself is worth two solid days. Pisa is a great half-day trip from there, and you can see a hill town in the other half a day. If you want to see the Cinque Terre, that will be another day, though it’s so crowded I really wouldn’t recommend it.
Sorrento is mainly best as just a base city to see Pompeii, Naples, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. If all of those things interest you (which they really should), then 4 nights in Sorrento would be ideal. Another nice thing is that Sorrento gets far fewer visitors at any given time, so it’s more relaxing than Florence (and FAR more relaxing than Rome).
Both of those hotels look like fine places, but neither is particularly near the Sorrento town center or the main train station. The bus for the Amalfi Coast leaves from in front of the train station, and of course the trains to Pompeii and Naples leave from the train station, so staying in that area is easiest. The main town center is about 500 meters west of the train station, so if you stay in that area you’ll have the most restaurants and shops to choose from. That said, I’m sure there are restaurants in and near the other hotels, so if you prefer a larger chain hotel like that you should have a great time as well. -Roger
Hi Roger. thank you for such a detailed article about Italy and Paris. We will be travelling by ourselves in Mid May til June, Whats the weather be like by then? and what would you suggest, our in/out will be in paris then do you advice to travel from Venice to Roam or vice versa? thank you so much
Rachelle,
If you are going Rome to Florence to Venice then you’ll definitely want to go by train. From Venice it’s probably best to fly to Paris because the train takes a long time and is more expensive than flying. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Very informative page, thank you fr all the suggestions, we will be in Europe for 2weeks, from mid May until July, our in/out will be in Paris. Planning to fly to Italy to see the big 3, which do you suggest that we do first, rome to venice or vice versa? thanks Roger
Rachelle,
The weather in mid May in Europe should be glorious. By July it will be quite warm in Italy, but Paris usually has mild summers, although they do get heat waves. You can see the temperature and rain averages on the main Paris page on this site. -Roger
From a weather standpoint it would be best to start in the south, so Rome first, and then head north as June and July approach.
Dear Roger,
Just been through your articles and found them very very helpfulI need your help as i plan to make a trip to Poland Krakow from Mumbai.I would be travelling with my wife and 8 year old child..Needed your expertise and guidance if possible for this tour of mine..Would plan to travel to Krakow for a week.
Looking forward for your assistance for my travel..
Regards,
Bento Dsouza
Bento,
I’m glad to hear that this information is helpful. This is an odd article to get a question about a trip to Krakow, but I can help at least a bit. A week would be quite a long time to stay in Krakow. I’d say 3 to 4 days is enough for most people, even if you spend half a day visiting Auschwitz and half a day visiting the fun salt mine just outside of town. There is a new high-speed train connecting Krakow and Warsaw that takes only 2 hours and 20 minutes. You might head to Warsaw for 2 or 3 nights as part of your week. The historic part of Warsaw is beautiful and very worthwhile.
If you are thinking about booking a package with a hotel and your activities and tours, I won’t be of much help. I almost always travel independently and most of the advice on this website is to help those who plan their trips themselves. With a good guidebook you can have a wonderful time in Poland and save quite a bit of money. Let me know if you have other questions I might help with. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks a lot for sharing the itinerary This really helped us build our itinerary. Me and my wife are planning for a trip to France and Italy. This will be our first trip to Europe. I was looking at some options and would like your suggestions.
First option
June 9 New Jersey to Paris
June 10,11,12,13,14 paris
June 15,16 nice
June 17,18 venice
June 19, 20,21 florence, pisa
June 22,23,24,25 rome
June 25 Rome to New Jersey
or
May 26 fly into Rome
May 27-30 Rome
May 31 – June 1,2 Florence
June 3,4 Venice
June 5,6 Nice
June 7,8,9,10,11 Paris
June 11 fly back to New Jersey
Which one would you recommend? Also, if you can add few more cities based on our itinerary which one would those be?
I have heard that May end would be good in Italy and not too crowded. Thanks in advance.
Sameer,
From a weather perspective I think you’d be better off starting in Rome and ending in Paris. Rome can get extremely hot in summer, while Paris tends to be more mild. Also, shifting the whole trip a bit earlier like that will mean crowds are a bit smaller and hotel prices should be a bit lower as well.
If you are looking for some smaller towns in France to make a stop in you might consider Avignon or Bourges, which are both in between Nice and Paris. In Italy you are covering the Big 3 with enough time in each. If you have at least 3 additional days I would recommend Sorrento in order to visit Naples, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast, as mentioned in the article above. I really wouldn’t recommend Cinque Terre in summer, as it’s so insanely crowded that its charm is hard to appreciate that time of year. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
My wife and I are planning a trip of about 16 days, end of March to early April, to Paris, Switzerland and Italy. We have found the info you have given here along with many other links that we have checked out as well, extremely useful! We have also read some of the comments here as well.
This is our tentative itinerary (very much like your suggestion). We hope to get your opinion, like if we should adjust the length of stay in any of these place etc.
Paris – 3 nights
Switzerland – Interlaken 2 nights, Lucerne 2 nights
Milan – 1 night
Venice – 2 nights
Florence – 2 nights (with a day trip to Pisa)
Rome – 3 nights (KIV last night in Sorrento instead)
We read that you recommend purchasing the train tickets in advance instead of getting the rail pass, for 2 week trips like ours. These tickets are for travelling between the cities only though? Is walking the only way for us to get around within the city? Are cabs expensive?
We really appreciate your help! Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Collin,
I’m happy to hear that this information is helpful, as I enjoy researching and preparing it. I think your itinerary looks excellent.
If you are going to spend half a day visiting Pisa from Florence then that doesn’t give you much time in Florence. You might consider only spending one night in Venice and 3 nights in Florence, but two and two will also be great. As I’ve written elsewhere, Venice is quite small, expensive, and crowded. But it’s also probably the most amazing looking city in Europe, so you won’t get bored on that second day.
As for getting around within the cities, in Paris you’ll want to take the Metro (subway), which has stops every few blocks all over the city. It’s cheap and quite easy to use once you get there. You should also think about doing the hop-on, hop-off bus and even the Paris Pass. That bus is an excellent look at Paris and it stops near just about every major attraction.
You can walk everywhere in Interlaken, and if you want to go into the nearby mountains you’ll take a train to Lauterbrunnen and then a bus and then a cable car up the mountain, all in one ticket. It sounds a bit confusing but it’s easy once you are there.
Lucerne is small enough to walk everywhere, and you should also take a boat tour on the lake, which allows you to hop off and on at any of the stops.
Milan has a Metro as well, but you can walk from the train station to the area around the cathedral, which is where the sights are all located. If you get a hotel somewhere within those areas you’ll be fine on foot.
In Venice you’ll take a vaporetto (canal ferry) from the train station to the main island, and after that everything is easily reachable on foot.
Florence is a larger, but all of the main sights are within walking distance of the train station, and most of the hotels are as well.
Rome is much larger. There is a Metro that takes you to the Vatican and a few other places, but it’s not as useful as the one in Paris. Still, you can walk from the train station to many hotels and sights. Taxis are not too expensive there, and may come in handy. Let me know if you have any other questions. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful trip. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Wow you have listed down each city that we have mentioned in our itinerary and described how to get around them respectively! That’s just amazing. We had no clue. Thank you so much!
After considering your recommendation for extending our Florence stay, we’re now thinking if maybe we should skip Milan and stay 3 nights in Florence instead. Initially though we thought of skipping Milan and spending 4 nights in Paris. Which option should we go for you reckon?
With only 3 nights allocated for Rome, is it advisable to spend the last one at Sorrento instead to explore Naples/Pompeii/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, as recommended? Would a daytrip from Rome instead, suffice? Or should we perhaps skip those places altogether and just explore Rome?
Thanks so much for your help Roger!
Collin
Collin,
I’m happy to help. If you’ve got 3 nights in Paris and 2 nights in Florence, and you can add one night to one of those by skipping Milan, you can’t go wrong either way. I’d say adding the night to Paris might be the slightly better choice, but only if you’ve got a pretty long list of things you want to see and do there. Most people can see the main highlights of Paris in two busy days and three memorable evenings. Still, Paris is absolutely stunning and the food is amazing, so you’ll have a wonderful time on that extra day if you spend it there.
You can see the main highlights of Florence in one full day and two evenings, but it’s also a great town with plenty to see, great food, and many very worthwhile day trips you can do, including Pisa and Cinque Terre, plus some Tuscan hill towns. I don’t know if I’m making this choice any easier.
Maybe you can add a day to both because I really wouldn’t recommend Sorrento for 1 day. To get there you take a high-speed train to Naples and then a slow, suburban train for another 70 minutes or so. For stays of 2 to 4 nights it’s worthwhile because Sorrento is the best base to visit Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and Capri. But to go in one day and back out the next wouldn’t allow enough time to do any of those, except for perhaps a stop at Pompeii. I’d save all of those for a future trip. So you could spend that extra day in Rome, but frankly I’d use that extra day in Florence and just do 3 nights in Rome. You can’t lose with any of these options. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
My husband , me and my son, 13 of age, are palnning to travel Europe from Japan from Dec 23 to Jan 8 for 16 days. I am very excited about our 1st trip to Europe….and really lucky to know your website qw well!!
Dec 24 arrive in London in morning , since it is winter time and plus the christmas holiday. I am not sure about the stops due to weather condition in London & paris. Please help me take a look at it , thank you in advance!
London (3 days, 25th is the x-mas)
Paris (3 days,Eurostar train to Paris(2.5 hrs))
Nice ( 2 days, stop by Cannes)
Milan (1 day)
Venice ( 2 days)
Florence (2 days, stop by Pisa)
Rome ( 3 days, fly back to London in morning)
Should we add one more day in Paris , just do 2 days in London since it is expensive and cold? I am thinking to take the train to transport between each city and fly back from rome to London at last. Do you think this is a good plan, or we should take a plan between Paris to Rome, then going up to Venice? .I am trying to pucharse the train tickets once it nailed down. Really appreiciate your help!
Thanks and regards
Jennifer,
I think your itinerary looks very good as it is. The winter weather in London and Paris will be chilly, but it’s rarely below freezing or snowy, and most of the attractions are indoors anyway. I encourage you to keep the 3 days in London and Paris, as that is really the minimum stay to really be able to hit the main highlights of each.
Nice, France is a slightly different story. It is a fairly large city with hundreds of thousands of residents, but it’s also a famous beach town so many of the best things will be hard to enjoy when it’s cold. In other words, I’m sure you’d enjoy it in winter, but you’d enjoy it MUCH more any other time of year. So you might consider saving it for another trip and flying from Paris to Milan. The train rides are pretty long from Paris to Nice and then to Milan, and the scenery won’t be great that time of year.
The weather should be more pleasant in Italy, of course, so you could even extend your stay there. That is part of the flooding season in Venice, so it might not be ideal. Still, Venice is amazing (and fairly crowded) any time of year, so I definitely recommend you keep it on the list. You just might want to cut it to one day, depending on what you think about the flooding situation.
Florence is really pleasant (as opposed to Rome, which is beautiful but kind of stressful), so it would be a good place to add a day or two. There are several other good day trips from Florence as well.
So I think your plan works fairly well as it is. Think about my comments and you might change things just a bit. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger, really thank you for your expertise. OK, I will cancel the 2 days at Nice, France. My husband mentioned about stopping by somewhere Switzerland. Do you suggest to visit geneva Switzerland since we have total 16 days? I don’t know about transportation between Paris – Geneva – Italy (Milan or Rome) , can we take scenery train between 2 countries ? which article I should read to learn more about travel between countries in Europe?
Great thanks & Happy Holidays!
Jennifer
Jennifer,
I’m happy to help. Switzerland could be a wonderful addition to your trip, but I would not recommend Geneva or any other larger city other than perhaps Bern. I get this question a lot so I wrote a detailed article about where to go in Switzerland on a short visit. The short version is, head to the Interlaken area and also Lucerne if you have more than 2 or 3 days. But the weather in the Alps above Interlaken can be unpredictable in winter, so make sure you keep that in mind.
If you do decide to include Switzerland then a train from Paris to Interlaken will be great, and the part once you reach Switzerland is very scenic. Then a train from Interlaken (or Lucerne) to Italy (Milan is the main transport hub in the north) is one of the most scenic train rides on earth.
You won’t benefit from or need a rail pass of any kind. The further in advance you book your tickets, the cheaper they will be. The domestic trains in Switzerland only go on sale 30 days in advance and prices don’t change. But the international trains start off with cheap fares and get more expensive as more seats are sold. Here is an article about buying European train tickets in advance, with links to the official country rail sites that offer the best fares. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Dear Roger, I am so grateful that being helped from your website! I still wanna to take your suggestion go up to interlaken area by train. not sure if the winter time will be so foggy up there? and please help me take a look at my train schedule see if it make sense to you or not. On Jan1st morning, we are planning to take train fromBergamo to Milan to Switzerlan. I am not sure if we can take train from bergamo to milan than change to another train to Spiez ?? here is the time & table& link. 6:00am–6:50 bergamo-milano-centrale, https://loco2.com/journey/bergamo-milano-centrale-mlllz1?outbound=d40620-140a99. 7:23am – 9:50am milan-spiez https://loco2.com/journey/milan-spiez-cziwkr?leg=outbound&time_shifted_search=milan-spiez-1og464m&outbound=09ca79-aeef8e&inbound=7528ff-235e09 . So the half hour inside the milan central train station will allow us to catch the one to Spiez, correct? Please help! Thanks …Jennifer
Jennifer,
The weather can definitely be foggy near the peaks above Interlaken at any time during winter, but not all the time. So unfortunately it’s a bit of a gamble and it could go either way. Generally speaking, even if it’s foggy up top you can still appreciate the area and you’ll be blown away by most of what you see. But for trips like the Schilthorn cable car or the Jungfraujoch railway, it’s best to check the visibility right before you are ready to go. If it’s foggy up there it’s really not worth the considerable sums to go.
As for the train schedule, that’s a mixed bag as well. The Italian trains have a deserved reputation for being late on a regular basis. A couple years ago I was sitting on a train in the Milan station about 10 minutes before it was scheduled to leave. It departed about 20 minutes late, even though it was just sitting in the station the whole time. On the other hand, Switzerland deserves its reputation for the most punctual train system in Europe.
It looks like there is another Milan to Spiez train scheduled at 8:23am, requiring a change in Brig for the last segment, and then another direct train at 11:23am. All of them require reservations, but if the first one is late and you bought your tickets through the official Italy rail company, you should be able to get on the later ones. On a bright note, those early-morning trains tend to be more on time, so I’d say a 90% chance that you make it no problem. It’s the later trains that are late and cause delays on other lines that become a problem. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Me and my niece, 23 of age, are palnning to travel Europe from Japan from Dec 27 to Jan 7
Dec 27 arrive Rome at around midnight but we plan to start the tour at
Naples (2 days)
Pompei (1 day)
Rome ( 3 days)
Floence (2 days)
Milan (1 day)
Nice ( 1 day)
France (1 day)
Paris (2 days)
Planning to purchase Eurail, do you think it will be cheaper with it? How much do you think it will cost us?!
Thanks and regards
Cecilia Famador
Cecilia,
Train tickets in Italy are surprisingly cheap, especially if you buy them at least a month in advance. And since you have a tight schedule it makes sense to buy all of your tickets as soon as you are sure of your itinerary. The tickets into France and then within France will be a bit more expensive, but still they will be cheaper online than buying a Eurail Pass. Buy ASAP from the official rail websites of each country for the lowest prices.
Your itinerary looks like you’ll be moving quickly so you’ll be spending a lot of time on trains. If I were you I think I’d do as few of those 1-day stays as possible because it usually means arriving in the late afternoon and leaving again the following morning, so you have almost no sightseeing time.
I’ll also recommend that you spend those first three nights in the wonderful town of Sorrento. It’s about an hour from Naples by train, and about 30 minutes from the Pompeii ruins on the same train. The main thing is that Naples is kind of a “gritty” city with virtually no green space and more of a pickpocketing problem than almost anywhere else in Europe. Sorrento, on the other hand, is lovely and very tourist friendly, plus it’s close to Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and Isle of Capri.
The train tickets within Italy will average maybe €20 to €30 if you buy them in advance. Is that what you were wondering about? Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi,
Fantastic itinerary which almost matches ours 🙂 Really appreciate your genuine replies to every comment and question.
We are planning a trip for 14 days to both these countries and the places we plan to visit are:
Paris(4 nights)
Nice(2) – attending the nice carnival & visit to Monte Carlo
Florence(2)- including pisa
Amalfi-positano(2)- including capri tour
Rome (2)
Venice(2)
Milan – half a day and return flight to Mumbai.
Q1. We would be there from Feb 20 – March 6. How would the climate be in both these countries? Considering it is the off season, anything to worry about or any tips to be be prepared for?
Q2. I am fretting that the 14 days would not be enough.. and its our wedding anniversary so want this to be perfect. Should we extend the trip? p.s. the tickets are already booked… n now i m worried!!
Q3. We have planned 2 nights in amalfi? would that suffice?
Q4. What would be your take on the hot water springs in Florence. Is it worth the visit?
Q5. We are both above 26 and will opt for II class train travel all over, should we opt for the eurail pass or just book point to point tickets? (After reading above comments, i m not sure if Eurail would save a lot of money)
Looking forward to your guidance! 🙂
Ushma
Ushma,
I’ll be happy to try to help.
Q1. It’ll be quite cool in these countries in late February and all of the beach places will be partly closed for the season still. Amalfi will be very quiet, although it’s still a nice place to see in the cold months.
Q2. I think 2 weeks is pretty much ideal for this. You’ll be moving pretty quickly and seeing a lot, so after 14 days of that you’ll be tired of sightseeing and such. And you are seeing all the highlights of both countries, so you’ll be fine.
Q3. Instead of staying in Amalfi I’d recommend staying in Sorrento and visiting Amalfi by bus or hiring a car and driver. Amalfi and Positano will be very quiet that time of year, but Sorrento will still be quite lively and it’s a wonderful town on its own. It’s also much easier to reach, so your day trip will be easy.
Q4. I haven’t done the hot springs in Florence so I can’t really say.
Q5. Particularly for the shorter train trips within Italy, they are quite cheap, and especially if you buy in advance. A Eurail Pass is only ideal for longer trips where you want flexibility. Buy your train tickets about 2 months in advance online from the official Trentalia.com and sncf.com (Italy and France, respectively) and you’ll find that tickets are cheap.
Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
First of all Kudos for your wonderful and helpful site. I admire the patience
you put in answer everyone’s queries meticulously. I’m sure you have made thousands of people’s vacation a wholelot better and enjoyable because of your knowledge, experience and expertise 🙂
I will be traveling with my 73yr old mom this dec 12-30. My initial itinerary is as follows:
dec 12-17 paris
dec 17-19 nice ( unsure if i should take train or flight from paris-nice)
dec 19-20 venice
dec 20-22 florence
dec 22-28 rome
dec 28-30 back to paris until departure
please feel free to comment and even omit unecessary stops or add better travel options.
Thanks Roger 🙂
Che
Che,
You’ll see that I answered your previous comment as well. I’ll add a couple more thoughts here. As mentioned, I’m on the fence about visiting Nice in winter. You could take trains to get there and then to Venice afterward, and I think you’d enjoy it. It’s just that Nice is sort of a summer holiday city, and you don’t get the real vibe of the place in the winter months when much of the outdoor part of Nice is shut down. But again, it is a nice place with great food so as long as you keep the above in mind, I still think you’d enjoy it.
And Rome is kind of a hectic city, which will be busy during Christmas with probably high hotel prices. It’s the kind of city that you’ll love while you are there and you’ll never forget, but not the kind of place you want to linger in. So I usually recommend people spend 3 or maybe 4 nights there, and then move on to the more relaxed places such as Florence or Sorrento. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger