First time traveling to Europe (4 cities in 14 days)

I would cut out Amsterdam and fly between London, Paris and Rome. You can get great deals through the many budget airlines such as Easyjet and Ryan Air to travel by.

comments: 4 cities in 4 days isn't too much. However they're all big cities (except for Amsterdam); have you thought about adding a stay in a smaller city or region?

Nite trains are fine; I've taken one and would happily do it again. But make sure your nite train is direct (no changes of trains at 3am somewhere). You are, I hope, planning on booking sleeping compartments.

Rome to Florence by hi-speed train is only 1.5 hours, so you can do both. Can your nite train end in Florence?

Jason,

Given the fact that you only have 14 days, I'd also recommend dropping Amsterdam on this trip, as it's a bit "out of the way" from your other destinations. Open-jaw flights would be a really good idea (inbound to London, outbound from Rome).

In these circumstances, I'd probably structure the trip along these lines:

> London - 4 days (you'll lose the first day in flight times and time zone changes)

= EuroStar to Paris (departs from St. Pancras station)

> Paris - 4 days (plan touring carefully - you might consider a Paris Museum Pass to minimize queues, perhaps the two day version - you can buy the Pass online or at CDG airport when you arrive - check their web site for details).

= Train or flight to Florence (travel time via night train about 12 hours - make sure you choose a train with no changes, or you won't be getting a good sleep - note that Couchette and train reservations will cost extra - you should be able to get a flight from Paris CDG to Florence via Air France, Alitallia or Lufthansa with flight time about two hours - be sure to allow enough time for the trip from Paris to CDG airport via RER or Shuttle).

> Florence - 2 days (If you're planning to visit the Uffizi or Accademia, be sure to arrange reservations - your Hotel may be able to do this for you).

= Train to Rome (about 1H40M if you choose a EuroStar Italia direct train - reservations compulsory)

> Rome - 4 days (again, plan your touring carefully! Rick's books have some great tips on how to avoid queues at sites such as the Colosseum - usually pack the Italy book along).

The trip from Roma Termini to Fiumicino airport is very easy via the Leonardo Express (about 30 minutes) and no worries about traffic jams.

Good luck and happy travels!

If you insist on those 4 main cities, then use planes more than trains...London to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Paris, Paris to Rome.

You could add a day or two in Florence (train from Rome), but both Florence and Venice may be too much.

OPen Jaw flights would also be best.

The reason I'm not recommending night trains is that many report not getting enough sleep..and with this hectic schedule, you'll need all the sleep you can get.

I'll echo the previous posters. Drop Amsterdam and use cheap flights to get from London to Paris then Rome. This will save money and reduce your travel time so you can enjoy your destinations more. Using the cheap flights means using only one carry-on bag so pack appropriately.

Have you checked train schedules to see if the trip is feasible? It might be that you'll spend so much time on trains, you'll have hardly any time left for the cities.
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

London, Amsterdam and Paris makes sense, but Rome is an awfully long way from Paris.

Actually Rome is most out of way,, but I too would drop Amsterdam,, but hey, young folks like Amsterdamm , I know I did 25 years ago,, and it wasn't just the Anne Frank House, LOL

I would also look at flights instead of trains. Trains tend to be more expensive and use alot more time.
I flew Paris to Rome on Vueling this summer, it was waay cheaper then the overnight train. Just make sure when bookign discount airlines that the airports they use are convenient, some are , some aren't. Check here or any travel forum for advice on that, you want one with easy public transport into city.

I think you could do 4 days in 14 days, but I really hope you cut it to 3, and just daytrip out of Rome or Paris for variety.

PS. You didn't mention budget, but I find London accomadations most expensive, and found cheapest in Rome and Paris.

I'd say, London, Paris, Amsterdam to get the most travel thrills in that time period.

Rome is great, but getting there and getting around there will be time consuming. And time is something you do not have tons of.

To maximize value on the ground in a short itinerary, read guidebooks and plan like mad before you go.

Four cities in 14 days is not too many, in my opinion. Instead of going to Amsterdam, I would go to Cologne, which is also really cool, but I understand the fascination. :^) Back to your trip. Instead of going to Rome, I would go from Paris to the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland, and then take the train from there to Vienna. I would fly home from Florence. The rail trip from Paris to Vienna is breathtaking. BTW, I don't recommend night trains. Instead, get up early and travel using the 6 AM trains. You can be almost anywhere by noon.

Thanks for all the feedback everybody and hope everybody is having a good new year. I finally book my trip, landing in London on the 14th of May, and leaving Rome on the 31st. One of the purpose of going to Europe is to check out Amsterdam. I was able to find a flight (BMI)that leaves at 10:40am from London and arrving in Amsterdam 12:55 for only $67 per person on Expedia. I'm only planning to stay in Amsterdam a day in half just to check out the Red Light District =) and maybe Anne Franks House. From Amsterdam, I was looking into going to Paris. Do you know what's the fastest or cheapest way to get to Pairs from Amsterdam? With the time constraint, i dont' mind flying to Pairs from Amsteram, and flying from Pairs to Venice or Florence. Most of the European airlines i've seen only fly from Pairs to Venice. So I might just go to Venice instead and leave out Florence. Frome Venice, i can take a train ride to Rome. Does anybody know how long the train ride is from Venice to Rome, and where i can book the tickets? The people i have talked to have told me that Florence is better a place to visit than Venice. I just wish i had more time to travel to all these cities.

I also have a question regarding transportation within the city. Am I going to use the train/subway majority of the time or am I going to use buses and taxis to get around to the tourist spots? Thank you.

Hello Jason. I guess you will want quick transportation in the big cities. Therefore : in Paris ride in the METRO (underground) trains. In Rome ride in the METRO trains. In London ride in the London "Tube" trains to go to some places. Some places in London are not near a "Tube" station, therefore you may want to ride in a Taxi car to your next place. For example, some tourists choose to ride in a Taxi from the British National Gallery (of Art) to Covent Garden for lunch and people watching. When you leave Covent garden ride in the London "Tube".

Jason,

I still feel that it would be a good idea to drop Amsterdam, but that's certainly your choice.

Regarding the questions in your last Post:

• Fastest/cheapest way from Amsterdam to Paris is train, high speed if possible (reservations required - I usually buy tickets/reservations the at the station a day or so before I travel). "Time constraint" will depend on which train you choose and how many changes. I wouldn't bother flying from Amsterdam to Paris.

• Flying from Paris to Venice or Florence is probably a good idea, although you could check fast or night trains (I haven't looked). Be sure to note which airport your budget flight departs from, and allow for time and cost to reach that airport!

• Train ride from Venice/Florence to Rome is only about 4 hours as I recall (using fast train of course, with no changes). You can "book the tickets" and compulsory reservations at the station (again, I usually do this a day or two before I'll be travelling).

BTW, don't be caught without a reservation on a train where this is required, or you'll be FINED on the spot! Check the ticket carefully so that you board the train specified.

Whether Florence or Venice is better is somewhat a matter of individual preference. I like both but will probably return to Florence before Venice. Given the short time frame of your trip, Florence might be a better choice as it will reduce your transportation time somewhat.

Cheers!

There is one overnight train (#771) that leaves Venice right around midnight and arrives in Rome early the next morning (about 7). It's a shorter ride, so it's not a great night of sleep--particularly if it's your first overnight train of the trip...but if you'd like to save the travel time to maximize your days, it might be a good option. Just exhaust yourself the last night of Venice and then maybe you can sleep!

I'd choose Florence over Venice hands-down...but, unlike the other posters, I'd happily pack in more cities into the 14 days...particularly since it's your first time so you'll have enough energy and excitement to push you through! DO BOTH! =)

Jason, in Paris I suggest forgoing the Metro and instead taking the buses that go around town. Why? First, the metro requires three flights of concrete steps down and then up for each train transfer. It is a massive waste of time and energy. The bus system is just as reliable and clean, but you get to see the city as you travel, instead of looking at the tunnels. It is also easier to use, and when you are waiting for a transfer, there is something interesting (PARIS!) to look at. Learn from my mistake. Every Parisian I met (and by the way, they were very friendly) told me to take the buses but not the Metro, but I didn't listen until half of the day was over.

When you enter the city and go to buy your transportation pass they give you multicolored maps with the station info on it, which makes the travel pretty easy. Have fun!