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Two week Spain-France-Italy itinerary

Hi all! Group of 3 - well versed travelers age 37, 33, and our mother 62
All in very good shape
I am looking for any tips or recommendations on our upcoming trip to Europe.
I am sure most will say this is too much but we are going to give it our best shot (as it is already booked)
All travel will be on the Eurail with exception of renting a car in the Dolomites to see family.

this was pulled from EXCEL
fly out Friday
arrive Barcelona 10:25am Saturday - Saturday night in barcelona 1-Jun sat
Sunday night in barcelona 2-Jun sun
leave barcelona monday 930am arrive Nice 530pm 3-Jun mon
Tuesday and Tuesday night in Nice 4-Jun tues
leave Nice Wednesday 800 am for Milan 5-Jun wed
leave Milan for Belluno 6-Jun thurs
leave Friday 600 am to venice then to Rome 7-Jun fri
rome Saturday 8-Jun sat
rome Sunday 9-Jun sun
leave Rome 730am for positano arrive around noon 10-Jun mon
Monday night and Tuesday night Positano 11-Jun tues
Wednesday and Wednesday night Positano 12-Jun wed
leave positano for naples Thursday night in Naples 13-Jun thurs
fly out of naples Friday 14-Jun fri

I know this is a lot but most is already all planned and booked
Milan/Dolomites/Belluno was added because we were able to coordinate time with family that we have never seen over there before and could not pass up - with a hopefully quick trip to Lago de Braies/Lake Misurina on our way down to Belluno
This is where we will have the vehicle, which we will pick up in Fortezza/Franzensfes on the 6th and drop off in Venice on the 7th
Other than that all travel will be through Eurail

any tips, tricks or recommendations will be much appreciated!
Grazie!

Posted by
680 posts

I'm not sure what you are looking for from us. Yes, your trip is very very rushed, and I would never ever suggest that someone spend two nights in Positano and only a part of one day in Venice and an overnight in Naples. Both of these deserve much more time! But, like you said, everything is booked.

Posted by
160 posts

Sounds like a lot fun! Ah, driving in Italy! I both loved it and found it maddening (especially in cities.) Watch out for traffic tickets-- I got snared myself!

Have a great time!

Posted by
10208 posts

Just because it’s booked doesn’t mean it can’t be changed. Even if you have paid in advance, you might want to consider eating the loss and revising.

For me, such a harried itinerary would be an unfortunate waste of time and money.

If you had come here before, people would have explained better options than Rail Europe. I would have said to fly from Barcelona to Nice or just directly to Milan, skipping Nice this time. Those are two full days lost in trains. There's more you can do to pull this together if you want to ask questions and have people help you.

Posted by
1201 posts

vms729, your style of travel is the same as your style of writing. Very few stops or pauses; only one period in a long run-on sentence. In my opinion, I would find your trip as exhausting as trying to read your post. Good luck.

Posted by
160 posts

Sorry to see that even after the OP expressly stated that the itinerary was set and instead they were looking for tips that nigh all the responses have been tip-free and instead have been harshly critical of the itinerary--even to the point of telling them to lose money and cancel. I may be wrong but I believe the forum guidelines suggest we all be unfailingly polite. I understand that many have strong opinions on travel pacing and not shortchanging certain stops. Passion when discussing traveling is a good thing! The insights of regular posters on what is not to be missed and how to effectively get the most out of trips is valuable indeed!

In any case, I look forward to hearing the follow up trip report! Have a great trip!! Italy is a fantastic country!

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you all for the advice, I do truly appreciate and take into consideration all feedback negative or positive.
I am going to try and go back to the drawing board and possibly take out the Nice stop all together. Adding to Milan/Belluno.

There is a method to the madness, the trip was originally Barcelona, Nice, Rome, Positano and we have done this before and while it is alot it was still quite enjoyable.

We have a cousin in Milan and family in Belluno that we have never met that contacted us, so that is the reason for the additional travel.

I know it is not ideal but for the sake of family and learning of our Italian heritage we do not want to miss this.

I appreciate all the advice
Gracie

Posted by
189 posts

If you're going to see the Colosseum and Vatican Museums in Rome you need to get those booked in advance to avoid long lines or not getting any tickets at all. Good luck.