Trip to France and Italy in summer 2012

Thanks Steven for your valuable feedback... Day 3 - Will be sightseeing in Paris Do you think I can include more places to my itinerary?

Jag, To begin with, NO, you can not add any more places to your Itinerary. This is quite "busy" enough for a 10-day time frame! Also, there's MORE than enough to see in Rome, so I wouldn't suggest adding "places to visit nearby Rome"! Regarding the two "late night" trains, I'd suggest either spending the night in Venice or Florence, or make the trip in the late afternoon. I've found that it's better to arrive in a new city in the afternoon, as that's both more convenient for Hotel check-in (many small Hotels lock the door at night) and also I prefer to to do an "orientation walkabout" during daylight hours. Have you used any Guidebooks to plan your touring in any of the locations? I'd suggest planning very carefully, as you don't want to waste ANY time! Also, have you travelled in Europe before? There are a few "caveats" to be aware of, especially when travelling by train in Italy. Happy travels!

Jag, Do you plan to return to Rome on another vacation? You'll need more than 2 days if you like history. Check Easy Jet for flights from Paris to Venice. Paris: Day 1 Louvre, Eifel Tower, Champs Elysee. Day 2 Versailles
Day 3 ?? Florence: Must see are the Accademia (real David statue) and the Uffizi Galery (Italy's greatest art museum), two scoops of gelatto/day. Have fun and know you'll be back! Post more about what you like to do and find interesting; museums, art, technology, cusine, etc.

I would definitely add the 5 days. As it is, you will be spending a disproportionate amount of time in getting from hotel to hotel. Even a 1 hour flight will take half a day - checking out, getting to airport, going through security etc., then getting from the destination airport to your hotel (assuming you have only carry-on, so you don't have to check luggage or wait for its arrival). Make sure you know the carry-on limitations for your Paris-Venice flight. The budget airlines, and even the major ones, often have strict carry-on rules, not just for size but also for weight. Even in Italy, going by train eats up time. You have to allow enough time to get to the train station, then you have to get to your hotel to drop your stuff . . . I don't think you are spending enough time anywhere. Day 1, you still ahve to get from the airport to your lodgings and by midday you may be running on empty. You aren't likely to get more than 3-4 hours sleep (on most flights it's a couple of hours in the air before they finish clearing away the dinner trays, then they wake you at least 1.5 hours before landing for breakfast) on the plane and you'll be jetlagged. You will have one full day in Paris after that and an evening. Day 4-5 a day and a half to sightsee in Venice is enough for the highlights, no more. I think you should plan on a late train to Florence, so you don't lose the morning in traveling. Days 6-7, again, enough for the highlights in Florence, no more. Again, evening train is better than morning. Days 8-9, Rome. not even enough time for the highlights. Adding 2 days to Rome and 1 to each of the other stops will give you time to enjoy each.

Besides Easyjet check out prices on Vueling I have used them and they are fine. Be aware when checking out cheap flights from Paris on various inter Europeon airlines that Orly and Charles De Gaulle airport are best served by public transport, Beauvais is almost 100 kms from Paris ( I think Ryanair uses them , so I would avoid that) No, do not add more sights,, add days,, think about it, airfare from home is a big chunk of cost of trip, and its about the same whether you go 10 days or 20,,, so go more! In all the years on forums I have never ever read that someone wishes they had spent less time in Europe on a visit, but i have read many posts by people who wish they had stretched budget and stayed longer.