Next summer, I will be taking my 15 year old son on a 17 day trip to Europe. Our family has traveled in Europe before but this time it will be just me and my teenage son. I plan to visit Paris, Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Orvietto, and Rome. Would it be practical to add Madrid and Barcelona into the mix? Thoughts and suggestions are welcomed.
Posted by
OP
Hamilton, NJ, USA
132 posts
It is ambitious, but would it change your opinion if I mentioned that I have been to every place on the list (with the exception of Florence)? I guess my concern is wanting to show my son these places that I have been to but at the same time trying something new (like Madrid or Barcelona). My son has only been to Venice but definately wants to return there on this trip.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32456 posts
Richard,
I'm with the others in suggesting that you skip Madrid and Barcelona this time. While it might be theoretically feasible, for a 17-day trip it would make for a busy and hectic trip. Keep in mind that you'll be travelling in summer and Europe will be hot and crowded. Rushing about in conditions like that will not exactly provide a "pleasant" travel experience for your Son.
Is that the order you were planning to visit the various places? You might consider using the route Paris - Venice - Florence - Cinque Terre - Orvieto - Rome. Use open-jaw flights (Inbound Paris, Outbound Rome) and EasyJet from Paris CDG to Venice and then train (air fares currently as low as €52.99 PP on that route). Taking train from Paris to the Cinque Terre (the nearest stop in Italy) is about 12-hours, so that would be a waste of your short travel time.
Good luck and happy travels!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15807 posts
I'm with Steve.
And even though you've been there, HE hasn't. Give him the time to savor and enjoy. Changing hotels and getting to train stations eats up time and energy. Unless you are driving, then maybe it works with Paris.
Another reason to skip Paris is that you're likely to be tired and jetlagged when you arrive. Venice is a better place to decompress, especially since you've both been there before. If you do go to Paris, I'd make that the last stop, not the first.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10921 posts
I agree that it is a lot of places in a short time. I would not add anything, and even though Paris is my favorite city I would skip it on this trip. It would just add a lot of travel time (and expense) and take away from your time in Italy. Let your son really experience Italy instead of rushing through it. As it is you would have 5 places in 17 days. Is that excluding or including your travel time?