21days in london, paris, rome, florence/Tuscany

We went to Europe in February for skiing in Austria, and we about froze our tails off in Venice. London and northern France weather can really be tough in February.

We flew to Budapest this year on March 28th, and the winter weather had just left. Early Spring weather was better than normal this year.

Now as far as itinerary, London, Paris and Rome are all great European cities worthy of a week's travel each. You might want to consider picking 3 of the 4 cities mentioned above.

I know you cannot change your anniversary date, however your trip would be more pleasurable a month or so later.

I think it would be better to do three of these cities but you could fit in all four if you wanted.

I can just about guarantee that all of the cities you mentioned will be warmer than anywhere in Iowa that time of year. There is a slight advantage to flying into London and out of Rome money wise (in general). Predicting what kind of winter they will have in Europe is just as hit or miss as North America. Big cities will be very active culturally in Feb and Mar. Normandy will be a bit brisk. Flying from Paris (CDG or ORY) to Florence is very reasonable (~$100). Florence to Rome is a 1 1/2 hour train ride. This is doable.

I'd plan on at least 4 nights in London. Remember, you arrive after a long flight (and connection too?) and probably jetlagged. Then take the Eurostar train to Paris. If you want to save money buy those (no-refund, no-exchange) tickets about 4 months in advance, when they first go on sale. Figure on 1/2 day for the move.

I would spend at least 3 days in Paris. I believe seeing Normandy/Mont St Michel will require at least one night's stay. Also London and Paris are farther north, so you will have fewer daylight hours than at home.

When you look for flights from Paris to Italy, read the details! You don't want to end up flying from some remote airport that will take ages and cost tons to get to. Note the baggage limitations and prices. On most European flights, the limits for both checked and cabin bags are lower.

Pisa is an easy day-trip (well, probably 1/2 day) by train from Florence.

As it stands right now about 20% of your trip is getting from point A to B. Two days to Europe, a day to Paris, another to Rome, and finally one more to Tuscany and one home. That leaves you about 15 days. Travel by plane eats up most of the day (1.5 to 2 hours before, the flight, get the bags, to the city center and then check into the hotel) and a train somewhat less. I would reduce to three: London, Paris, and Rome or Tuscany. My wife and I first trip we tried to so it all and when we got home we realized we spend a LOT of time in airports. Less is more.

If you could leave a few days earlier and want a really unique experience you should consider going to Venice for Carnavale for a few days. Yes, it might be cold and misty and dreary but it is the most magical experience. We had that kind of weather but we also had a beautiful, sunny and warm day when we took the boat to Burano. It is a really unique time to visit Venice.

Carnivale this coming year in Venice is from February 7-17. My guess is that by now, there's hardly a room to be had and those only at very high rates. I booked mine for the first weekend back in May. When I went back a month later to try to change it to the second weekend, there was nothing available in my (fairly meager) budget.