We've gone back and forth, trying to decide where we want to go for our 20th-anniversary trip- early June 2019, 2 parents mid 40's 2 teen daughters (17 and 15 at the time of travel) with only 1 prior trip to Europe under our belt (London and Paris). I think we've finally decided that we'd like our primary focus to be Rome and Tuscany, and as the girls are both taking French in high school (as did I ages ago) we'd love to hit France again too- we're thinking south of France, as it seems like it would be reasonable to do with Northern Italy. We'd have 2 weeks (probably 12-13 days to allow for a rest day when we get back), and would be flying out of Chicago. We'd probably do an open jaw, with Rome as one and Nice or Marseilles as the other (we looked at Barcelona first, thinking that there might be better flights? But I don't really see a compelling reason to add that on- we'd love to see Barcelona, but it would be a much lower priority, and I think it might take too much away from the rest of what we want to see). My husband and 17-year-old love big cities while me and my 15-year-old like smaller towns, so we'd like a mix of those. We love historical sights and museums, and like keeping busy on vacation. We enjoy the beach, but in more of a "let's spend a few hours" rather than "let's spend multiple days." We're open to public transportation or renting a car (although neither of us drives stick). So- number one priority is Rome, #2 is Florence, #3 is the Tuscan Countryside (although we haven't ironed out where), #4 would be south of France (again, haven't ironed out where), below that would be Venice, and then Barcelona, if there were a compelling reason to fly into or out of there. Is this doable, or are we spreading ourselves too thin? (we'll iron out details in all of these places once we figure out our time line)
Posted by
1230 posts
In 12-13 days (full days? Not arrival or departure days?) I would probably plan for 3 places, especially if 2 of them are cities, but you could do 4 if you are there for a full 13 days. It sounds like you have a plan: fly into Rome, train to Florence, rent a car for Tuscany days, return car to Florence and train to Nice (long day of travel - possibly 8 hours or more. Check train schedule), and then a few days in Nice. Nice has several lauded museums, and is quite big for a beach town, but then also allows easy train access to smaller nearby coastal towns. Nice would be a long day away from Florence, while Venice would be much closer, but then you wouldn't get that experience of speaking French and being in France. I would not include Barcelona on this trip, thats for sure. So, how many full days do you have?
Posted by
OP
IL, United States
48 posts
It would depend on flight schedules. We could possibly leave on a Friday night, be there (jet-lagged on Saturday) be there for 2 full Sun- Friday weeks, and fly out Saturday. So if that worked, and not counting the first jet-lagged day we'd have 13 full days? Or 12, if we couldn't get that Friday night flight. Would you recommend flying into Rome or to Nice? We thought Nice might be a more relaxing jet-lag day...
Posted by
Washington DC
28450 posts
I agree that Nice is somewhat more laid-back than Rome, but if traveling in early June I'd tend to want to start in the south and move north, because of weather concerns. I'd check fares both ways, too. Sometimes there's quite a difference.
Posted by
seattle
2147 posts
Would consider skipping France and do an open jaw in Italy- manybe into Rome and out of Venice or Milan. Flying between European cities eats up most of a day, while taking a train between cities is part of the adventure. You could do Rome, then Florence, then a car rental to the Tuscan countryside, then train to Venice or Milan. With your car rental you could visit the Tuscan coast for a beach experience. By the way, I recommend Venice over Milan. Happy planning!
Posted by
1230 posts
Becky reminds me that youcould fly from Florence to Nice. Its true that a train is a great experience, but depending on flight schedule, you could travel from Florence to Nice much faster and get more time on the ground. We flew from Rome to Amsterdam, catching an early flight, and we were at our apartment in AMS midday and still had a long afternoon/evening to do things, so it did not take the whole day. Domestic flights can be inexpensive (ours were $50 from Rome to AMS).
Posted by
OP
IL, United States
48 posts
Good point on the weather- part of what made us look South for this trip is that we loved London, but it was chilly in early June! We generally prefer to be too warm over too cold (we've survived Orlando in August! :) ) but it would make sense to start South and move North.
Posted by
Boston, MA
1829 posts
My first choice would be to sub Venice for France.
If otherwise your furthest point is Florence than south of France is really not that easy to reach.
Would be a really long train ride or a flight to get there. Car doesn't make sense as you cannot really rent in Italy and return in France or vice versa.
Venice on the other hand would be a short and easy train ride away.
Personally I don't think you have time to see the Cote D'Azur anyway ; I think you would want 5 nights in the South of France and don't see how that can work with the rest plus you will lose more time getting there.
For example see below how it could work in my mind:
Rome (4 nights), Tuscany Countryside (3 nights) where I would rent a car, Florence (3 nights), Venice (3 nights). If you keep Venice 3 nights you may even have time for a quick day trip to Verona which your daughters may like.
That would be 13 nights total. If you have to lose one night you could choose to lose a night in either Tuscany, Florence or Venice. I think Rome needs the 4 and think it works best if you fly into Rome and fly out of Venice.
Would rent a car leaving Rome (might train to Orvieto and rent a car there personally) and return entering Florence. Use the train for the Florence to Venice part.
Car definitely helps for Tuscan countryside. Renting an automatic is not a problem ; it just costs more. With 4 fully grown in your party plus luggage you are going to want an upgraded car class/type anyway so the auto difference won't be as dramatic for you as it might be for a party of 2 trying to rent a car as cheap as possible.
Posted by
Boston, MA
1829 posts
Just thought I would add:
longer term thinking if you were to skip Venice on this trip but still want to see it at some point it would not make it as easy without returning to places you have been.
Compared to South of France easily still works on a future trip ; Cote D'Azur / Provence region of France and Barcelona would be a nice trip for the next time when you have a similar amount of time.
Posted by
OP
IL, United States
48 posts
So hard to decide. I've ALWAYS wanted to travel in France, but never really thought I wanted to travel in Italy until this weekend, when my daughter mentioned wanting to travel around Italy after watching a movie set there...and it occurred to me that I've watched and loved many movies set in Rome and the Italian Countryside (A Room with A View was my absolute favorite book/movie in high school- and I fell in love with Shakespeare around the same time)...so it makes sense to spend more time in Italy (also, we're Catholic, so hitting the Vatican is a no-brainer)
Posted by
1230 posts
The nice thing is, you have so long to plan. I agree with staying in Italy, and saving France for a France trip. 12 days is not a lot. So maybe re-watch some of those movies and get excited about being there. Similar to your daughter, I just watched Call Me by your Name and am now fantasizing about renting a villa in N. Italy next summer. Another wonderful, transporting movie is called The Best of Youth. Its very Italian, but beware -maybe, or excited-, its 6 hours long, -- and highly regarded: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-best-of-youth-2005
Posted by
Boston, MA
1829 posts
Once you go to Italy ; all you will want to do is return.
There are so many places to see in Italy ; many not far from each other just never enough time to see as many as you want ; it is absolutely mind blowing.
I have been to Italy many times and this year planned a France trip (Cote D'Azur and Provence). Paris as well but been there recently so that is just a couple of nights this time.
Like you I planned it early ; got anxious and so I already have planned our trip for 2019 back to Italy no surprise, but to some parts we have yet to see. Anyway ; I am already regretting my plans for 2018 and wishing I had done the 2019 one to Italy instead! I am more excited about those places to see.
Hopefully I will not feel that way mid trip while in France.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12044 posts
For what is in essence a 2 week trip, I would suggest confining it to Italy.
Take the time to enjoy 'being there', rather than spending too much time "getting to another 'there' "