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London-Paris-Rome (Italy)

Planning Years Ahead for 50th wedding anniversary trip to Europe. Last trip we did in 2015 drove ourselves in Germany-Austria-Switzerland.

Trip I am planning NEXT I want to predominately see Italy with areas such as Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Venice, and either rail travel or air to Paris area and then London area to see normal sites. Trying to decide whether going London first and then Paris and Rome? I realize we could start with Paris, and use the Chunnel to Lindon? Anyone done this type of trip? Thanks for any insights. TC

Posted by
5137 posts

How many days and what month?
I would compare all of the options on Google Flights and see what works better--London first or last. If coming up on summer, you might want to go to Italy first to avoid hot weather for example.

Posted by
5137 posts

At that time of year, I'd head to London and Paris first, then finish with Italy (weather should be quite nice into October). You will need the full three weeks unless you plan to cut something. Congrats!

Posted by
8398 posts

2-3 weeks,

If it is only two weeks, recommend sticking to Italy, you will need that much time to see Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Venice.
Three weeks, you could consider doing London or Paris.

Get an open jaw flight flying into Rome, then do Pompeii, then Florence and Venice. Then take a flight to Paris or London, or train, check for overnight sleeper trains.

Depart from Paris or London

Posted by
14885 posts

To me your list of locations is too much for 2 weeks but might work for 3.

Here's how I would break things down in to days "needed":

  • London: 5 nights minimum for 4 full days, more would not go amiss
  • Paris: 5 nights minimum for 4 full days, also more is better because, well, Paris is always a good idea, lol.
  • Venice: 3 or 4 nights - that only gives 2 or 3 full days
  • Florence: 3 or 4 nights - also only 2 or 3 full days
  • Rome: 4 nights, or 5 nights if you do Pompeii as a day trip.
  • Pompeii: There are day tour companies from Rome that do this as a day trip. I've not been, no idea if they are any good but it's a possibility. The other possibility is to go to Naples or Sorrento for 2 nights and see Pompeii on the full day you have in the area.
  • Transit days over and back: You'll have 1.5 days going over, so one night on the plane and one full day coming back.

Looking at what I would want for minimum days for seeing these locations that puts you at the end of 3 weeks at best.

I, too, would do as Valadelphia suggests and go North to South starting in London, Eurostar train to Paris, fly to Venice and work your way down.

Since Italy seems to be your interest you might want to look at Rick's Best of Italy in 17 days. That tour does not go to Pompeii but you could add a few extra days in Rome and do it then.

Posted by
40 posts

Same as above. To be helpful we need more information about how long you plan to travel and approximately when.