I am planning a 14 day trip to northern Italy and France for next September. We have been to Italy 5 times and want to visit the following: Portofino, Como, Turin, Monte Blance, Chamonix, Paris, Charters, Mont St. Michel and Loire Valley. Any suggestions?
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
Hi Paul. That's 9 destinations in 14 days in 2 countries, which comes out to 1.5 days per location without taking travel time into account. You might want to revise your itinerary. Do you have 14 days on the ground or do you have 12 days plus 2 travel days? That will make a big difference in how you plan.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23290 posts
My suggestion is DON'T -- That is crazy. Reduce it in half or acknowledge that you are doing a drive by vacation or train by. You have no allowance for travel time, check in/out of hotels, orientations in new locations. We always plan on losing a half day plus travel time when we change locations. But with five trips in your past, I surprised that you don't recognize that.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2367 posts
I also agree that this is too much in such a short time just the travel alone from one place to another will take up a lot of time. Since you have been to Italy 5 times, why not just France this time. As other poster said, is it really 14 days or 2 days for travel and 12 days to tour? If you do just France, you can have 4-5 days in Paris and then the rest to Normandy, MSM, Loire Valley etc. You would not need car in Paris, just rent after you are done. Just my idea.
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
Paul, I agree with the others; your itinerary is too ambitious. I would focus solely on France & leave Como, Turin & Portofino for another trip.
Posted by
OP
Gulf Breeze, FL, USA
14 posts
I agree w/all replys. It's too ambitious. We're trying to accommadat another couple who haven't previously seen Como, Portofino, etc., and aren't keen on going back to Paris for a 3rd visit (I don't know why, we love it!). I think we may go ahead and do France in 14 days(+ 2 travel days) and then meet them in Italy for a third week. What the heck, I'm retiring next year anyway, so I'll have lots of time.
Thanks for all your replys, they were helpful.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
IMHO, if you stick to France for 14 days you will be plenty busy. Since it would be awkward to see all the French places by train, it looks like a car rental after Paris might be a good idea. You could start in Paris, circle around to see the other places, then return to Paris for departure. There is no such thing as spending too much time in Paris!