Hi all..I have some dear friends who are travelling to Europe for the first time. They will fly SFO TO LONDON then take the Chunnel to Paris. They will take the train..after 3 nights in Paris..and head to Rome..from where they will fly home. The trip is 3 weeks. They would like to stop and stay along the route..I am asking for your help as to what suggestions to give them. I have been to France and Italy several times but have not done this..so seasoned RS travellers..could you enlighten so that this is a lovely trip for them. They are 50. Great shape..love to wander..maybe a museum or church or 2..interested in small towns as well. They have said they don't have to do it all..as they will return. Thank you!!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4049 posts
French and Italian train lines compete with high-speed trains. The complete manual for European trains is www.seat61.com
But why waste time and money by connecting through London to Paris? Just fly to Paris. By the way, the British avoid the nickname "Chunnel".
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Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3165 posts
Train route would take them to Lyon, Turin, Milan, Bologna and Florence. I would spend I would spend 3 nights each in Lyon, Turin and Florence. Alba is a good day trip from Turin. Florence is great for visiting Pisa and Lucca. Orvieto would be a nice 2 nights between Florence and Rome.
Posted by
Washington DC
27137 posts
Point out to them that including destinations that aren't stops on the express trains (French TGV and Italian Freccia) will mean switching to a much slower train into and out of each smaller city, which will considerably increase the time spent sitting on trains. I'm not saying they shouldn't do that; I love smaller cities myself, but it will eat into the time actually spent at the chosen destinations.
Here's one example:
Florence to Rome via express train...1:30 to 1:50
Florence to Orvieto to Rome via regional and/or Intercity train...3:25 to 3:56
Sticking to such major cities as Philip mentioned will keep them moving rapidly toward Rome. (I do really like Orvieto, though, just as one example of a city not served by the fastest trains.)
Posted by
OP
california
288 posts
Great advice..thank you..yes..why waste travel time! And these are wonderful cities for them to see.