Flight coordination

You do not want one way flights -- these are crazy expensive. What you want is an open jaw ticket; on web sites of airlines these are listed as 'multi city' flights you could even do all 3 flights on one ticket that way i.e. US to Paris/ Paris to Rome/ Rome to US.

We have been flying this way for years -- have done into Paris and out of Madrid; into Viena and out of Paris; into Rome and out of Amsterdam. This spring we fly into Paris and out of Berlin -- the cost is about the same as the average of a round trip to each place especially if both legs are on the same airline.

To coordinate the trip to Paris you book separately but at the same time and then choose your seats together. I'd sit down with the computer and do it together. She can book round trip and you open jaw and when you get to the part about choosing seats, just pick two next to each other.

I have seen those costs - I saw some inexpensive ones from TAP airlines - never flown them - I was thinking of doing a train to Rome but probably smarter to just fly -

We are taking the train from Amsterdam to Berlin I think rather than flying but I think I'd fly Paris/Rome -- we have done it by train and it is really long. I would probably fly on a budget airline; you have to pay attention to the weight of luggage and book hold luggage in advance, but if you can meet their requirements it is fine. WE have flown both Easyjet and Vueling intra Europe.

Is your cousin also departing from Chicago? So assuming you want to travel together, do some coordinated shopping [I would suggest Expedia initially] to determine the flight to Paris. She would book a round trip, while you would book an open jaw/multiple cities flight on the actual airline's site.. Be mindful that the airline [or its codeshare partners] to Paris fits your needs for the flight back from Rome with your husband. Just be sure you can make seat selections at the time of purchase so that you can sit together.

And here's what may seem to be a radical idea in this day and age - use a travel agent. They could put you both on the same flight, reserve the seats, and issue both tickets for a very reasonable fee.

Price out just the two transatlantic legs as a multi-city flight, plus a standalone one-way flight from France to Rome (if you decide to fly) as well as the complete three-leg trip. There may be quite a difference in the total fare. Since you will be traveling from France to Italy weeks after you fly to Europe, there's no risk to having the short hop on a separate ticket.

in 2014 my friend and I flew from SFO - Paris (2 1/2 hr. layover) - Rome. The return trip was both of us from Venice - Paris, he connected to his return flight to SFO (2 1/2 hr. layover) and I stayed a week in Paris then off to SFO. All flights on Air France and booked on the same tickets (there & back). Did not want to change airlines in CDG to Air Italia or another carrier. Easier to stay with one airline/carrier incase of any issues.

Enjoy your trip.

I suggest you and your cousin be on your laptops and phones at the same time after you decide on flights. Then you can book seats together if you are on an airline that doesn't charge for that.

Congrats on retiring! Wheeee!! It's awesome!