Hello - We will be flying into London October 16, and leaving Venice October 30. Our current idea for itinerary includes 3 days in London, early morning flt arriving Tues morning in Rome, 4-5 days in Rome, 3 days or so in Florence, 2-4 days in Venice. (we plan approximately 11.5 days in Italy total, including travel time between cities, but not travel time to country). Still trying to figure out the best ballance of time, and if we should try to squeeze in Cinque Terre or Sienna.
One other possibility would be to take the train from London to Paris, spend a few hours in Paris, and then take the overnight train from Paris to Rome (because we like train travel). This would cost us a day in London or Italy. Any suggestions you all have would be great!
Thanks, Karyn
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10608 posts
If you have never been to Paris, in my opinion it would not be worth the expense and losing one of your days to go there for only a few hours. For that matter, I don't think it would be worth it even if you HAVE been to Paris. And Paris is my favorite city, so it pains me to say that!
We leave in 4 weeks for our first trip to Italy, so I can't say how long you should plan for each place. I'll let the Italy experts help you with that.
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1162 posts
I've been to London and Paris and going to Italy for the first time in October. I'm doing 5 days in Rome, 2 in Florence and 2 in Venice then 3 days in London on the way home. For your trip, I would say yes, stop in Paris but a few hours won't do it justice. Keep 3 days in London, travel to Paris on the 4th day, stay overnight, then leave on an overnight train to Rome or Florence. I would cut Florence and Venice to 2 days each (but make sure you spend 2 nights in each city so you have a full day in them) then the rest in Rome. I've never been to Cinque Terre so can't offer any advice there. Don't forget that Day 1 of your trip is really a travel day and you won't be doing much that day you arrive in London.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I think you have allotted the perfect amount of time for London (3 days), Rome (5 days), Florence (3 days) and Venice (3 days). I wouldn't add any other cities to the list. You'll find that there is so much to see and do in these cities that you won't be able to cover most of it.
Adding more will just take up travel time and you won't be able to have a relaxed trip. Spending a few hours in a city like Paris is a waste of a few hours. You won't be able to do anything. Same thing for the Cinque Terre or Sienna. Without spending a few days in each you really will just be wasting time.
Stick with your original plan and you'll have a better trip. The next time you travel you can visit those other cities. That would make a fantastic trip on it's own.
Donna
Posted by
naches, wa, usa
182 posts
how cool. i have been to all of the above areas. my thoughts. 3 days in london probably right. could be more but who cares. 5 days in rome probably too long. a day or two to see the sights downtown, a day in vatican city, done. florence in 3 is good. my favorite european city, i could spend all year there. venice is awesome, but can wear you down. three days, two nights probably fine. find the time to go to siena. you can carve out two nights and one day and have siena be the highlight of your trip. really. it is that relaxing and beautiful. paris in a day would be a riot, then a night train to rome? but it might be hard to leave paris. have fun, be safe.