Hello, my husband and I are 70, in good health, and planning a 16-day trip starting in Paris on September 9. I would like input and any advice on the itinerary while in the planning stages. The flights in and out of Paris are already booked (in hindsight I would have flown out of a different city). Some of our lodging is reserved but can be canceled.
9-12 Paris, Hotel Sainte-Beauve (3)
12-15 Train (2.5hrs) to Colmar, Hotel St Martin (3)
15-18 Train (2.5hrs) to Lucerne, Stay in Weggis Wanderlust Guesthouse (3)
18 Train (2hrs) to Chur, Drie Konige hotel (1)
19 Bernina Express (4.5hrs) to Tirano, Ostello hotel (1)
20-21 Train (5hrs) to Verona (2) No hotel booked
22-24 Train (1hr) to Venice (2) No hotel booked
24 Flight to Paris (1) No hotel booked
25 Flight to NY from CDG 2015 hrs
Seats are reserved but not the train ride on the Bernini Express or any other trains. It looks like a rail pass would not save a significant amount.
I feel like this is a lot to pack in for 16 days but my husband has never been to Europe and really wants to see Venice while I might prefer to save that for another trip.
What are your thoughts? Any advice?
Posted by
Florida
49 posts
I would cut Verona and add those nights to Venice.
Posted by
Portland, OR
1151 posts
What time do you land in Paris? If it’s early enough, I would opt to fly to Venice that day and do your trip in reverse order. This is a lot to pack into 16 days. Of these I would cut Verona and add that time to Venice if that’s is what your husband really wants to see. As of now you only really have one day in Venice.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
12002 posts
I agree with Espo. Relax a little on those last days of the whirlwind you will be on. People who stay in Venice longer tend to enjoy it more than those that only stay a couple of nights. You can get away from the crowds given time.
Posted by
Wengen
3112 posts
I would not stay one night in Chur and then another in Tirano. You could actually do Luzern - Chur - Tirano - Varenna in one day. Gives you a nicer place to stay, and an extra night to add to any of your other destination.
I don't understand your "seats are reserved but not any other trains". Only the Paris - Colmar train has compulsory reservation, and that comes automatically with the ticket.
Posted by
8951 posts
Agree totally with Wengen.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7135 posts
I agree that you are woefully short in Venice. Verona, while quite nice, would be the city to drop. Wengen has a great idea, or if you could even add a day or two to the trip.
Airfares have dropped recently. I rebooked a trip I am taking in September. You might just check to see if you could fly into Paris and out of Venice or vice versa. It could save you money, or even if you break even or pay a bit more you would save the time and money to get back to Paris.
Unless you can construct a circular route, it generally makes sense to fly into your first city and out of the city at the end of your itinerary. (Open Jaw, booked as "MULTI CITY" on a flight search)
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2800 posts
I would also recommend flying out of Venice instead of backtracking to Paris. It gives you an extra day to work with.
On the 19th I would not stop in Tirano, I would continue to Varenna for 2 nights. Skip Verona. Now you have three extra nights to work with! I would add a stop in Wengen or Murren Switzerland.