My daughter and I finish a group tour in Italy in Rome. Then we plan to meet my husband and son in Paris, 3 days later. Should we take the train or fly to Paris? (Italy itinerary includes flight into Milan, then touring Venice, Florence, Sorrento, and Rome. After 10 days in Paris/Normandy/Loire, my husband and son fly back to US from Paris, but my daughter and I have to travel back to Rome (since that's where the group departed--need the quickest cheapest way nd will probably need to stay overnight in order to catch the home flight). Any suggestions on trains, cheap flights?
Paris to Rome: Yes, it would be wise to be back in Rome the day before you fly home. If you book ASAP, flying on a budget airline would be cheapest as well as fastest. You can fly either CDG-Fiumicino on Vueling or Orly-Ciampino on easyJet.
Rome to Paris: If you want to save the cost of a night in a hotel and have more daylight hours for sightseeing both before you leave Rome and after you arrive in Paris, take the direct night train. A scenic--but long--day route would be Roma-Milano-Domodossola-Geneve-Paris, leaving Rome at 08:15 and arriving in Paris at 20:49. See the timetables at www.bahn.de. Otherwise, fly.