Travel to Italy and Paris. How many days to spend in each city?

Hi Sonia,

I do believe that you have too many cities for a 12-day trip. Rick's Italy Guidebook will answer many of your questions with suggestions for itineraries, hotels, and restaurants. For this trip, you might consider concentrating on either Italy or Paris with some side trips--rather than both. You could easily spend 4-5 nights in just Paris or Rome.

What about Rome, Florence (with day trip to Siena) and Venice--3-4 nights each? Travel by train between your destinations. Fly into Rome and home from Venice or Milan.

I am so glad I found this forum! You guys rock!! I think I will cut Volterra and Luca. But not Pisa. We won't stay there though. Thanks so much for clearing this out.
Here's the updated trip. Please answer my other questions regarding accomodations etc. Thanks!!

Rome (3 days)
Florence (2 days)
Siena (1 days)
Pisa
Cinque Terre (2 days)
Paris (4 days)

Actually, with that said, I am not sure how to spend 4 days in Paris? Any suggestions how to break it down to make it count and have an awesome experience in the city of Lights?

With your revised itinerary: Rome (3 days) Florence (2 days) Siena (1 days) Pisa Cinque Terre (2 days) Paris (4 days)...

I'd look at staying in either Siena or Florence for 3 nights and taking a day trip to the other rather than moving to a new hotel/new city for one night. For a more relaxed trip, I'd still consider saving Paris for another trip and adding the time the the destinations you have picked--Rome, Florence/Siena, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. Especially considering that you are traveling with a baby.

I took the train from Florence,,stopped in Pisa for 1/2 day, put my stuff in the left luggage room, and went to see the Leaning Tower, then continued by train to the CT.

I would lean toward dropping Paris unless your heart is set on it. You mention you hope to go again soon... Maybe that would be the time to focus on Paris and other things north.

Sonia,

Your revised itinerary looks very doable.
For budget apts. in Rome, Florence and Paris check
out... http://www.cross-pollinate.com
In the Cinque Terre, any of Ricks' suggestions are
good...one point...this is very hilly...if baby has a stroller, make sure you have easy access to your accomodations. You Do NOT want to hike up stairs
with 2 heavy objects

Have a great trip

Paris is wonderful. Make sure to do a hop on hop off bus tour or the Rick Steves public bus #69 so you can see the sights. A boat cruise on the Seine is great. Make sure you group your sights in the same area for the same day so you don't criss cross the city too much. For example, if you want to go to Notre Dame, you are so close to the Conciergerie and Saint Chappelle so you can hit them all the same day. I made that mistake because I didn't have a definite itinerary when I went and looking back, I wasted too much time going back and forth. The metro is very convenient and easy to use. Make sure you get Rick Steves' Paris book, it is so helpful.

I too would lean toward dropping Paris, especially with a 21-month-old. Are you planning an overnight train from CT to Paris? If the baby can't sleep you'll arrive exhausted. I'd find a lovely Italian beach and let the baby have a couple of play days, while you & your husband relax and soak in your surroundings, rather than rushing from country to country.

Thank you so much everyone! Your responses so far have helped me a lot. There is a slight change in our trip. We are planning to add 3 more days! So, we have 15 days in total.

Could you please recommend out of the line up I have, what should I add and what can be done next time? For eg: I would like to visit Tuscany (Florcence, Siena and Pisa) and not miss it because it is on the way between Rome and CT, but something which is way far out and can be done next time, I would be ok with leaving it this time around.

Thanks.