Would love to hear comments on best way to fill in the middle of our itinerary (Italy to Paris. Here's what we have so far...
May28: arrive in Milan, see some stuff, stay the night.
May29: take train to a bike hotel near Rimini where we will cycle for four days.
June03: take train to Venice, spend two nights there.
June05: train to Varenna (Lake Como), spend two nights there (maybe 3?)
....this is where it gets fuzzy....
June07: either stay third day/night in Varenna, or head to???
Cinque Terre....then on to Paris by way of what?? Would Chamonix be a good place to visit. Is there enough time?
or...
Into Switzerland for a few days, then on to Paris. The mountains, and hiking both appeal to my wife and I, but I am a little scared about what I've read about prices in Switzerland!
We check in to our apartment in Paris on June11.
Fly back to US on June20.
Thanks!
Jerry
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15164 posts
From the Cinque Terre you can reach Paris by the way of Pisa airport (or Genoa airport).
Posted by
Los Angeles
1825 posts
Even though they are close on a map there is a reason they are separate countries. It is difficult to travel by land to get from France to Italy. Italy to Paris is at least four trains and Robert's suggestion to fly is the best option. If you have the time and budget Switzerland is the natural way to go unless you opt to stay South till you get to Provence and then head North. You can also fly through Florence.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
If you choose train via Switzerland (with stops for hiking), then you might cut the Cinque Terre to avoid backtracking. A regional train straight north from Varenna will take you to Tirano, making your entree to Switzerland through Bernina Express territory. See Milan-Varenna-Tirano schedules at www.trenitalia.com, not reflected on the mostly-comprehensive DB train schedules.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
4 posts
Thanks everybody. Very helpful. I think we've decided to just stay in northern Italy, do Florence for a couple days, and take the TGV train from Milan to Paris, or maybe the Thello night train. We might see Switzerland from the train, but will visit another time.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8141 posts
I would suggest taking the one hour train from Florence to Pisa, and taking EasyJet to Paris.
Overnight train trips can be pretty miserable, and it's a long way from Northern Italy to Paris. Budget air carriers can allow for another day in your destination city, and they're downright cheap ways to travel in Europe.