Always wanted to see Rome, but tis not the Season recommendations?

I should add a note, that I would be going from Paris to Rome. Are the night trains a part of Eurail? If it helps, I am flying in and out of Paris. I wanted to do Paris for 4 days, Rome for 4 days, and then Munich for 3 days (small day-trips as necessary to surrounding areas) I realize this is a lot of train time, but I sleep like a rock.

In response to the first reply, when you say crowds are bad, do you mean Disney World bad, or just crowded?

September would absolutely be better than August. The heat is usually unbearable, and some restaurant and shop owners ( along with a large part of the population ) leave Rome and go to Ostia or anywhere else that's cooler for the month. You might also consider October which is usually a fine month to see Rome. Enjoy!

Overnight trains will require that you pay a supplement in addition to your Eurail pass. You can check RailEurope to see what it will be by cheking the "Click this box if you have a rail pass" box when you enter your starting and ending point for your trip. You can probably get a better rate by calling Trenitalia, the Italian railway system, direct. But spots for Eurail passholders are very limited, and these overnight trains are VERY popular, so book ASAP by whatever means you can. Extra charges on RailEurope range from $46 for a small T-6 couchette in second class (a bunk in a compartment holding six people), to $201 more for a bed in a two-bed first class compartment.

Kent, I think you swayed me. I know southern Italy is bad, but what about the north? Venice and Milan?

When it comes down to it, I have 11 nights to budget in Europe (with Paris as a definite) and have looked at so many itineraries my had has spun.

What would you suggest in a 3-4 city trip?

Thanks Kent. I am going to Europe in August anyway. I know France Germany Benelux are better during this time than Southern Europe. The British Isles I want to save for a 2 week trip some other time. What does that leave me? I considered Paris (4 days), Munich (3 days), and Berlin (4 days) but that seemed like a lot for those Germany cities? Any suggestions?

I'll be hosteling this journey with my brother. So, does that still put Rome out? I was thinking of doing a night train from Paris to Rome. Is that terribly expensive? Keep in mind, I have to fly OUT of Paris.

As a further follow-up (I am sorely tempted by Paris and Rome divided into 5 and 6 days).

I looked at round trip airfare within europe and it is really cheap. Ryanair has a flight roundtrip for 100 per person. Seems almost to good to be true. Ryanair planes have engines right?

This way, I could also save money and instead of getting a Eurail pass, I could simply to point to point in France and Italy. Something like this:

France:
Paris-Rouen-Bayeux (point to point as needed)

Italy:
Rome-Naples-Etc. (point to point as needed).

Hi Kent,

Thanks for all the posts. As hell-bent on Italy as I seem, the 90-100 degree heat does give me pause. However, this post has helped narrow my options. It will more than likely end up being Germany or Italy. I am warming to the idea of using local flights in Europe.

I would like to go to Spain too, but I assume heat will pose the same problem (as elsewhere in Southern Europe).

RD: There is no predicting weather more than a week or so out. That being said, in August Spain is hot, Italy is hot--if you want to play you gotta pay. The coolest locations in August would normally be areas in northern Europe and near large bodies of water.

Gliders huh? I thought they would simply strap you to a rocket and hope for the best (hence the landing could be within 40 miles of London...).

I have decided on France and Italy. I go to India in some summers and it is blazing hot (100-110 with humidity) and there is zero AC. Plus, I am more in love with Italy.

I have also heard that August is no longer a month were Italy shuts down. My friends who went have said that tourist traffic keeps it running. I don't mind crowds anyway. India is REALLY crowded (and that is just the Indians... :).

At this point, I would appreciate any help with points of interest. Here is my initial thought:

4 days in France:

At least 2 days in France. I want one side-trip. Is Mont St. Michel as great as advertised? How about Bayeux? Rouen?

7 days in Rome:

3 days in Rome. 2 in Florence. The other two days, I don't know.

I appreciate everyone's help (especially you Kent).

Sorry Kent, I meant 2 days in Paris.

My personal preference only: Paris and Rome should get same # of days. I'd do 5 nights in France, with 4 in Paris and 1 night and 1 day for D-Day beaches or Mont St Michel.And 6 nights in Italy with 4 in Rome and 2 in Florence.

Thanks Ken.

What do you think about Bayeux, Caen, and Rouen? Bayeux seems to be all about the tapestry. Caen is lumped in as well (on itineraries I see). Rouen seems to be a short trip too from Paris.

I have a passing interest in the D-Day beaches, but it is not a priority. Are they worth seeing (for non-military buffs?).

What I would rather do is spend 3 days in Paris, and 2 days in Normanday. I was hoping to do Rouen as a day trip and then Bayeux or Caen that night. The second day in Normandy would be Mont St. Michel. I would then need to get back to Paris from MSM for my flight to Rome. A bit whirwind, but it is just me and my brother (both young 20 somethings).

Yes, what you suggest in your last post is feasible. The D-Day Beaches are poignant and thrilling to those with an interest in that, but if you don't then you could pass on them. I will go ahead and add that you can walk through the American Cemetery above Omaha Beach and see where ten thousand American young men your age, or younger, some just out of boyhood really, had their young lives terminated after storming machine guns (as in the first 15 minutes of the film Saving Private Ryan)--they never got a chance to see more than a few hundred feet of Europe. I was a soldier once and--this is just me--I couldn't go to Normandy without stopping off to honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion for us and for their comrades in arms.But there's no rule that says you gotta go.

Hey Kent I want to apologize. I wrote my post at 3 a.m. eastern time and didn't notice that it came off sounding like the events that occurred at the D-Day beaches were no big deal. I have family members that are veterans. Almost all of my friends are military guys, so I totally appreciate what you guys do (and its always tense for me when my friends are deployed).

What I really meant was what the complexion of the beaches must be like after all of these years. I personally would like to see the beaches (and if it were possible, walk around St. Mere Eglise where the 101st dropped in if that is close by).

My only concern (after visiting some Civil War battlefields) is that people can sometimes make these places too touristy. The entire battlefields are graveyards, and they should be respected. It ticks me off if they put gift shops or the like near them.

Sorry if it came off the wrong way. It was my last post before I slept.

Hi RD,
You've done a great job (with Kent's help) of narrowing your focus for your trip. Half of your alloted days in France and half in Italy--flying Ryan Air between the two. I've done a similar trip (taking Ryan Air from London to Rome) and it works well--you'll just have to pack light. While weather could be a factor in August, if that's the only time you can go, I'd go for it. You may want to leave some flexibility in your schedule and decide along the way whether you take a day trip to Normandy, Mont Saint Michele, or another destination in France or Italy. Keep the focus and enjoy quality time in both cities! Sharon in Atlanta

You can't go all the way to Italy and not see Rome!!!! Thats like going to Italy and not eating pizza or pasta!!!! Rome is beautiful!!!!

Here is a revised itinerary:

I need some input on my Normandy side trip:

Day 1: Paris
Day 2: Paris
Day 3: Paris
Day 4: Mont St. Michel/ Bayeux
Day 5: Rouen (and Caen?)
Day 6: Milan
Day 7: Florence
Day 8: Florence
Day 9: Rome
Day 10: Rome
Day 11: Rome

Those of you that are familiar with Frommer's 1 week itinerary in France, I am basically trying to squeeze that into 5 days. 3 for Paris (and Versailles). However, I then plan on heading to Mt. St. Michel first (for 1/2 day) then Bayeux for 1/2 day (spending the night in Bayeux). The next day I am debating whether to visit Caen. Anyone been there? I definitely want to spend at least half a day in Rouen (a full day if Caen is not that great). I must leave Rouen to go back to Paris because my flight to Milan leaves from Paris in the morning (though I have not booked yet).

As far as the D-Day beaches go, are they far from Bayeux? If not, I would like to at least see them. I don't think I can fit in all the museums (one maybe). Here are three Normandy itineraries you can critique:

Option 1:
Day 4 Mt. St. Michel/ Bayeux
Day 5 D-Day Beaches/ Rouen

Option 2:
Day 4: Mt. St. Michel/ Bayeux
Day 5: Caen/ Rouen

Option 3:

Day 4: Mt. St. Michel/ Bayeux and D-Day Beaches
Day 5: Caen/ Rouen

Option 3 fits all three, but might be hurried.

Let me know what you think.

Here's what I recommend:
Day 1 -5 Paris with side trip to Versailles (remember you're first day is recovery so you really only have 4 full days in Paris).
Day 6 Fly to Rome from Paris
Day 6-10 Rome with side trip to Orvieto, Pompeii or other nearby cities. (You can easily spend 5 days just in Rome!)
Day 11-Fly from Rome back to Paris
Day 12-Fly home to Atlanta
This simplifies your trip, makes for less expensive travel costs within Europe, gives you time to settle in and enjoy. You'll return again and again.