6 days in Italy...where to go!?

Thanks Steve! I think I am so worried that I will not be able to return that I want to do everything! Any suggestions on eateries, hostels, etc.?

I would just do Rome and Venice if you're sure you're going to fit Italy into this trip. Sorry, I know there are a lot of Florence lovers out there, but between Florence and Venice, I felt like I got more of a cool experience out of Venice. This trip sounds like a ton of time spent traveling between spots though.

Blair, You will return.

You are the rare exception to my usual prohibition against suggesting a Euro Train Pass.

Paris to Venice.
Venice to Rome.
Rome To Florence.
Florence to Paris.

Or the other way around.
Just make sure you are sleeping on these trains cause these over night trains are your hotel.

Are the overnight trains any more comfortable than sleeping on the plane?

If you get a bed/cabin -- certainly more comfortable. Whether you get a "good" night sleep is another question. But if just riding in a coach seat it still will be far more comfortable than a coach seat on airplane. A second class seat on train is very similar to a business class seat on a plane.

Rome and Florence or Rome and Venice. Allow more time for Rome than Florence or Venice.

Blair,

Given that you only have six days, my suggestion would be along these lines:

Use budget airline from Ireland to Rome - spend 3 days or so in Rome

Use train to Florence - spend two days or so there. You'll also need to allow for some travel times, so that's why I allotted the time like that.

Instead of Florence, you could easily substitute the Cinque Terre, as it's an easy four hours from Rome, and also puts you a bit closer to Paris.

After your last stop in Italy, take the train to Paris. I haven't checked the routes or times, but if your last stop in Italy was the C.T., you'd probably travel from there to Milan, and then to Paris. Travel via Genoa to Nice and then to Paris might work also? If you want to research routes, use the bahn.de website.

I didn't suggest Venice as it's on the opposite side of the country from your next stop, and therefore the travel times will be greater. With only six days for sightseeing in Italy, it's important to minimize travel times!

Happy travels!

Hi Blair- A word of advice for the overnight train. I took one from Munich to Florence last August and purchased only a coach seat. I was sure the train wouldn't be full, but it sure was. There were 6 of us packed into the car and numerous others standing in the hallway because there weren't enough seats. Granted, it was August (peak tourist season), but there were also numerous locals on the train, as well. If you do end up taking an overnight train, I would suggest paying extra for the cabin.

Thanks for such wonderful advice! As for the over-night trains, I have bought a Eurail Pass... are they included in that or are they extra on top of it?

Thanks!