I have an apartment booked for Rouen France June 1-30. From there I plan to travel down through France to Italy. I know I want to stay in Lucca for 2 weeks, and sorrento for 4 nights, but am unsure of spots in between. I’ll be traveling this by train, then flying to Porto from Naples for the final month. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7246 posts
I can't really help with location suggestions, since I've no idea of your interests. However, you mention being in Europe for 3 months. I hope you realize that you are limited to only 90 days, including your arrival and departure days into and out of the Schengen zone. Be very careful not to exceed the maximum 90 in 180 days allowed. Unless, of course, you hold an EU passport or have a long stay visa.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Yes thank you I should have said 2.5 months. As for interests, I’m not crazy about big cities, love history and architecture and nature and am basically trying to figure out a logical route by train that satisfies that. I’ll definitely be in Rouen for 1 month, and probably finish in Portugal for 3 weeks.
Posted by
Washington DC
30596 posts
There are unending possibilities between Rouen and Naples, though the maximum bang for the buck (and travel time) will come with a coherent itinerary that doesn't involve a lot of east-west travel. You've got a lot of time. I suggest picking up some guidebooks to France and Italy and reading about places in eastern France and western Italy. I spent 90 days in eastern France in 2017 and then 6 weeks in western France two years later. Neither trip included Paris. From the architectural standpoint I especially enjoyed the half-timbered buildings in Alsace (Colmar on that trip) and the Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings in Nancy. Neither of those is on the direct rail route to Italy, however.
I found Troyes a really cool city with lots of half-timbered buildings looking like they could tumble down at any moment. The city sees few foreign tourists. Not on the direct rail route, however.
Lyon is logistically convenient for your plans. For me it's sort of a mini-Paris in its variety of sightseeing options. I especially recommend it if you don't anticipate spending time in Paris on this trip. There's a lot to see there
In Italy, Turin and Milan are awash in Art Nouveau architecture.
Posted by
9960 posts
If. you like Italy, don't miss Florence. It is not a huge city. Also, consider visiting more in Tuscany and Umbria.
Siena, San Gimignano, Assisi, Orvieto, Spoleto, Perugia and more.
In France, consider Carracasonne and Bordeaux. Also, the Loire Valley. Porto in Portugal is wonderful, as well as the amazing Douro River Valley.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you so much for the wonderful suggestions!
Posted by
Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden 🇸🇪
1646 posts
Hi there, what fun! Assuming you're traveling north to south, it sounds like you will arrive in Sorrento in mid July.
I love Naples and the surrounding area, but not in July! It's going to be very hot by then, and Pompeii will be even hotter, as it's inland. Transiting around the Amalfi coast will also be difficult as it's peak tourist season. I would choose to spend that time in Northern Italy, there's just so much to see! Turin, Milan, Bologna, Sienna, & Florence to name a few, although the last 2 will be more crowded at that time of year. I would add some nights in Sienna, there are so many day trippers, it's delightful in the evenings and early mornings.
Personally, I would skip anywhere south of Tuscany. Have you already booked your flights? We've only flown out of Naples once, and it was horribly chaotic, never again! One comment at the bottom of our TR about Pompeii last December mentioned whenever they go to Naples, they take the fast train to Rome & fly from there instead! Ha. In case you wanted more details, scroll to bottom here. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/great-trip-to-pompeii-naples-over-new-years-december-26-january-2nd-2026