Planning a 10-14 day trip with an 18 year old. She'd like Paris and Spain, I'd like Italy. Any advice on what we can see in that time. I don't want to do "if its Monday, this must be Paris" thing. My hope is to fly into Barcelona 3 days, fly to Rome - 3 days, Sienna (and Florence) 3 days, fly (or night train) to Paris - 3 days and home. Is this totally insane? Will this trip break the bank?
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
893 posts
Carol, my concern would be that you will be spending a LOT of your time in airports and/or trains. Your 18 year old may come home with an impression that travelling is exhausting. I suggest picking a country or at the most two. Our first trip to Italy was 2 weeks, and we came home still wanting more time there. After 2 weeks in 1 country you will just be getting used to the tourist language, signs and some local customs. Make it easier and more relaxing by picking a country.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Don't make light of Mimi recs. The trip may not break the bank but it will be exhausting. Barcelona to Rome to Paris is a LOT of ground. Why Barcelona?
Posted by
Freedonia
16303 posts
It can be done. Think of it as a highlight tour and plan to return because you will only get a sampling of these places.
Fly to Barcelona (3 days). Fly to Rome (3 days) Train to Florence & Siena(3 days), fly to Paris.(3 days).
If you plan far enough in advance, you should be able to get cheap airfares.
Contrary to what others will post who have been to Europe many times and can spend a week in a small town, I believe that each traveler should be helped to travel the way they want. If the 18 year old wants Paris & Spain, and you want Italy, then I have given you that.
Do not even think of trains between Barcelona and Rome or Florence and Paris. It will take too long. ( I wouldn't even bother with the night train between Florence and Paris. Look for a cheap flight from either Florence or Pisa to Paris.
Posted by
Clifton Park, ny, usa
109 posts
I personally would stick to one country, but if that is not an option for you,why not have your 18 yr old pick either Barcelona or Paris and you get Italy.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Carol Lynn,
Frank (USA) suggested a very workable Itinerary (although it would be a very rushed trip).
The key to making an Itinerary like that work will be careful planning! You'll have to pre-book all of your trips by budget air (pack light!) and research each rail trip. You didn't say what time of year you would be taking this trip, but if it's either shoulder season or summer, pre-booking lodgings would be a really good idea.
Happy travels!
Posted by
sarasota, florida, usa
16 posts
Carol Lynn,
While you wish to do Italy and Spain and Paris, may I respectfully suggest choose either Italy or Spain and end in Paris.
Trip 1. Start in Barcelona, spend 5 days taking side trips to Monserrat and Stiges, go via the train to Nice and from Nice to Paris. You have a chance to see some of the countryside while traveling between cities.
Trip 2. Fly into Rome,spend 3/4 days take the train to Venice and Sienna, maybe stop in Milan take in a performance at La Scala take the train to Paris.
Airports tend to be outside the city whereas train stations tend to be within. You have a chance to see parts of the country that your not stopping in and you won't be so exhausted at the end of the trip.
Mer
PS Check the archives of the New York Times Travel section, just google 36 hours in Insert city name here. They have great suggestions for a"weekend stay" in each place.