This June I will traveling to England with my 18-yr old son visiting family in London, then to France for more family. At the end we will be with an old friend in Florence. However, it's what to do with the week between France and Florence, roughly June 23rd to the 28th. I would like some ideas on how to best travel to Berlin, Poland, and then thru Austria to Italy. A bit overwhelmed between flying and train - and what's best to visit. Thanks!
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Five days will not be enough time to go from France, to Berlin, Poland and then go thru Austria to Florence. Where will you be in France?
Posted by
OP
Clown Point, IN
5 posts
Yes, I know it's a stretch...but I'm thinking of flying as well. We will be in NW France.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2671 posts
Even if you fly, you're trying to get to Berlin, Poland, Austria and to Italy with basically 4 days. You'll spend your entire time transiting. I'd pick one or two spots, max. What's your closest airport in France? Choose a city with a budget airline connection from there that also flies to Florence or is close enough to train. Venice comes to mind since it's close to Florence, maybe Budapest, or check the flights to Berlin and then another flight from Berlin to Florence.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I would say go to Koln or Berlin, easy transportation in and out.
Posted by
OP
Clown Point, IN
5 posts
Thank you all!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32318 posts
With only a very short week, I'd suggest limiting the other stops to just two cities, such as Berlin and somewhere in Austria and skip Poland this time. You're covering some longer distances and even a flight will take at least six hours when all is considered, so you'll need to allocate time for travel as well.
I'd suggest a budget flight from France to Berlin (train would take about 8.5 hours from Paris). Where in northwest France will you be staying? You'll probably have to return to Paris to connect with the flight. Which city in Austria were you planning to visit? For a visit to Salzburg, the trip by train from Berlin will be a minimum of about 8.5 hours. You could possibly use a budget flight (I haven't checked), but will probably find better options to Munich (which isn't far from Salzburg).
For the trip from Germany / Austria to Florence, again travel by train is going to be about 8 hours. I haven't checked flight options from Munich or Salzburg to Florence.
Posted by
Lower Slower Delaware, USA
66 posts
Mitch,
After France maybe straight to Venice then on to Florence. Could do a couple of day trips from Venice via train.
Just a thought.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7777 posts
My current favorite place in all of France is Nice, and if you were going by train towards Milan/Florence, you might be passing thru Nice anyway. Worth a stopover for 2-3 days and nights.
It seems more and more there are cheap, quick flights around Europe. Some use smaller planes and have tighter luggage restrictions. Airport security and requirements to arrive extra early for check-in can make flying a bit more of a hassle in some ways than taking the train, but speed and relative cost can make flying an appealing option.
Posted by
105 posts
I think you feel a bit overwhelmed because what you want to achieve is overwhelming! I agree with others to choose one, maybe 2 spots at most. Not sure what is your goal, but I do think you will have to prioritize. Trains are nice if your goal is to see the countryside. For long distances, probably quicker to fly, especially if you can get nonstop flights.