Does this 14 day itinerary make sense

Apologize for the poor formatting. Looks like the site program ate up my formatting.

Only you can decide. I'd pick anywhere in Italy over anywhere in Switzerland, so I'd drop Switzerland and go Paris to Venice by plane and add a day in each, but that's what I'd want to do, you're not me! Venice, Florence, and Rome are difficult without heavy walking. Venice especially can't be seen without walking through its back streets. All of these cities deserve many days. Is the point of the trip to see sights, or do you want to experience the cities? If you want to experience, I don't think it's nearly enough time anywhere. I spent 4 full days in Florence alone, it wasn't enough. I can't fathom only spending 1 day there, but lots of people do it. it's hard to answer your questions. yes it is of course "doable" - but it's not how I would want to do it. But we are all different - all the guidebooks and helpline members in the world can only help so much because they can't tell you what YOU want to do. I'm sure you will have a great time. Good luck and happy planning!

I think Debra is right on. Suggest eliminating Switzerland (in November!) on this trip and fly Paris-Venice, then by train to Florence, then by train to Rome and fly home. Four major sight-filled cities in twelve days is a lot.

Look NOW to find discount airfare Paris-Venice. Don't buy a railpass for the two train rides, as Italian train fares are generally less expensive.

I aggree with the people who posted their reply. I have been to Italy 5 times and have friends who take me around and it is still time consuming. Florence is wonderful and has lots of trememdous museums. If you fly at night, you will arrive in the morning and can be pretty tired. I would make your first day rather relaxed. Get a good night's sleep and them proceed. Research the museums as a lot are closed on Monday's. Figure what you would like to see in the cities you are going to visit and remember that 1 museum could take a few hrs to tour.

Debra has some really good suggestions. You've got too much even if you were both nimble and mobile. Travel that time of year must cope with reduced hours at museums and attractions and sometimes transit.

Also, a November trip argues for a more-urban itinerary (weather, daylight). I'd set as minimums 4 days each in Paris and Rome and 2 days each in Venice and Florence. No one-night stands. More would really be better, obviously.

I think you are going about this right reading up and testing itineraries. I hope you are having fun planing and I'm sure you will have a great trip!

Hello Ram,
You're receiveing good advice from the other posters. My two cents is that I recommend taking the open-top, double-decker bus tour in Paris (see Rick's book for details on the two competing companies). While it seems expensive at first, you receive two days of unlimited use. Plus, the company we used had four different routes, so it was easy to see a lot of Paris over two days.

I think this would be especially nice on your arrival day. Even with the excitement of being in Paris, you will be TIRED!! Being out in the open (or if the weather is bad, sit downstairs) will help with jet lag, and you'll get a nice overview of Paris. It's an especially good way to see a lot of the city without your wife needing to walk too much.

Otherwise, I agree with the others--every time you change cities, it eats up most of the day and can be exhausting. No matter what you choose to do, you'll have a great time. I wish I was going with you! Enjoy!!

I must agree with most of you and rightly so, I have changed my travel plans!!

I realized that I cannot do swiss in my such a short trip and I have removed that from my travel plans. I now have PARIS->VENICE->FLORENCE->ROME.

Thanks a lot for helping me decide. I think you guys saved me from overstretching my trip.

Your itinerary is too extensive for the amount of time you have.
My husband and I spent 18 days in Italy. Rome 2 nights, Venice 3 nights, Florence 2 nights, cinque terre 4 nights, then rented a car for 5 days and based in Orvieto, then back to Rome for 2 nights.
We were rushed in Florence and Rome; if you are going to see the museums. Rome sights take awhile to get to. You get lost, you spend more time in one town. You will only be traveling to and from a sight then have to leave. You won't have time in one spot to enjoy what you are wanting to see. Choose two or three places, slow down and enjoy.

I would probably skip Switzerland also.

One change I would suggest. Stay a night in Venice. It's beautiful, cheap this time of year and completely different at night.

I wouldn't skip Florence but the hotels seem to be the most expensive and worst quality anywhere (personal experience and the opinion of every foreign visitor we talked to). Either stay outside of Florence or take a long day on the way to Rome and plan ahead so you can see the big things that need reservations.

My diet is different than yours but I ignore it while traveling and eat what the locals eat. If you're not comfortable with that, you should prepare some note cards that state your dietary restrictions and ask for a recommendation in German, French and Italian. I'd rather have the cards than resort to restaurants that cater to tourists.

I am vegan and travel a lot, so, hopefully, I can help you a bit with that question. Go to www.happycow.com and check out their restaurant and grocery suggestions for the cities where you will be in Europe. Also, ask your hotel for suggestions. Next, take some basic foods with you in case you really can't find food one day/night. I usually carry soy bars for the protein and organic instant oatmeal for emergencies,as well as a small bowl and a spoon. Order the veggie meals on the transatlantic flights, but be prepared for the wrong food. AA translates vegetarian as including fish - I spoke with the counter attendants before the return flight and got vegetarian, but the same food was heated up for the next meal!! Tacky! Continental and Delta served good veggie food. Be prepared that many restaurants won't understand but will want to serve you so be patient and order what you can eat. Then have a protein bar back at the hotel. And - the real life saver - don't ask too many questions!

Cont'd: Also look for ethnic restaurants such as Indian. That helps, too. Vegetarianism is much more common in Europe than it was even 5 years ago. I have found great veggie restaurants in Dublin and Stockholm in the past two years. The "real" ones understand veganism, too. But the biggest help when I was in a pinch was not to talk about vegetarianism, but to talk about health issues. Everyone seems to understand that and want to help.

Have fun!