Quick 15 day travel...First Time to Europe

Mia, if you haven't done so, get Rick's Europe Through the Back Door. Check your library. It has so much info and can answer alot of your questions. As far as carrying the convertible carry on, try filling a back pack with as much as you can, maybe 20 pounds or so worth and try walking around the block a few times with it. You have to try it before you go otherwise you may be miserable and have a sore back which wouldn't be much fun. If you do get a roller, make sure it's one that has all 4 wheels that turn individually so you can tow it behind you, next to you, or in front of you. That's what I plan to do my next trip. Anyway, do some research then come back to the board and ask specific questions. I've gotten alot of help from these folks and just from reading it.

Two things to keep in mind for winter travel are to make your plans less ambitious than you would in summer and to favor cities over rural areas. The short daylight hours limit how much you can see outside of the cities. You may want to keep your plans flexible. Snow isn't too likely in the places you listed, but not impossible.

The Eurorail pass may not be the way to go. I think many people (if not most) agree that there is no real value in the Eurorail pass. Many times trains require a reservation or assigned seat. Versus just hopping on and sitting anywhere. This is especially true of th fast "bullet" trains. When this happens, in addtion to your rail pass, you must also pay for a seat reservation upon arrival at the station. Making the pass no real value, time saver and in some instances - more expensive.

To compare, check your point-to-point ticket purchase on this site:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

And then the cost of the railpass here:

http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu.htm

The best way to get from Paris to London in the Eurostar train which goes through the chunnel. quick and easy.

I would also watch Rick's Travel Skill 3 part series. I show it to my first time student travelers and their parents. It's great at getting the basics down.

The best way from Paris to London is by Eurostar. The train stations at both ends are near the city center and are easily accessible by metro or taxi. You only need to get to the train station about 30 minutes before departure and the journey is just under 2.5 hours. If you buy your tickets online in advance (about 3 months) you can get them at a considerable discount (nearly half off). I don't know your age, but over 60 and under 25 qualify for reduced fares.

Most everything is closed on Christmas, probably much closes quite early on Christmas eve. I would guess that much of London is also closed on Boxing Day (Dec 26). Given your choices I would spend Christmas in Paris, where there is much to see just by walking. I expect the churches are all open and each is a museum in itself.

You need to travel from Rome to Paris, then from London back to Florence. Or Rome to London, and Paris to Florence.

I would start by finding flights out of Rome and back into Florence. I don't think you have enough time to spend a couple of days riding the train just to get from place to place, and as noted above, the days are short, you will have much more to see and do in the cities. I reckon you have 13 full days for your trip, which only gives you 3-4 days in each city LESS about 1/2 day traveling to each. Flying just eats up time - the airports are far from the city centers, you have to arrive at least 2 hours before your flight and you have to wait to collect your luggage if you need to check it. Beware - some European flights have WEIGHT limits on carryons, perhaps 8-10 kgs. A sturdy wheelie (empty) can weigh 3-4 kgs!