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Paris/Rome--15 days in December/January

My wife and I are going to Paris/Rome in late December-early January and we're looking for some help for our itinerary--
We need suggestions for day 6-9/10 (should we skip pompeii?) A few places in mind: Lyon, Rouen, Reims, Strasbourg/Colmar, Umbria, aix-en-provence/avignon (logistics seem difficult for this one?) Will Lyon and Umbria be too cold to explore?
Day 1 (Dec 22) Paris (flight arriving at 1:30 pm)
Day 2 Paris Day
Day 3 Paris Day
Day 4 Paris Day (Christmas)
Day 5 Paris Day
Day 6 TBD
Day 7 TBD
Day 8 TBD
Day 9 TBD
Day 10 Pompeii
Day 11 Rome Day
Day 12 Rome Day
Day 13 Rome Day
Day 14 Rome Day (flight to Copenhagen at 7:45 pm)
Day 15 Copenhagen Day
Day 16 Copenhagen to DC (12:30 pm)

Posted by
3239 posts

How many nights are you in Paris? Paris needs a minimum of six nights. There are lots of terrific self-guided walking tours you can take. Is day six a travel day? How are you getting to IT? Rome could also use another night if you visit Vatican City.

Posted by
1360 posts

lynchburghoo,
MaryPat has made a good point. Both Rome and Paris have so many things to see and do that I would add two days to each, especially because it will be dark earlier and this will affect your sightseeing decisions. (the Colosseum and Forum in Rome, Pompeii; In Paris, the Eiffel Tower, Tuileries, Jardins de Luxembourg,

Of the places you mentioned, Reims could easily be day trip from Paris. Rouen as well, but to me that would be better as an overnighter. Both are on the wrong way between Paris and Rome. Lyon would be more logical.
However, I still opt for more time in Paris and Rome.
Whatever you decide, enjoy yourselves!

Posted by
12 posts

What a great trip! Just chiming in with a vote for Pompeii if it's not pouring rain. We went last December (fast train from Rome to Naples). It was great. There were very few people on the site, and the temperature was just fine for us. We used the Rick Steves Audio Europe Pompeii tour and found it entertaining and informative.