- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
10-14 days in Italy and France
Posted on 5/9/21 at 3:25 pm
Posted on 5/9/21 at 3:25 pm
Wife and I are getting ready to plan trip next spring. What would be everyones ideal. What are everyones ideas and cities or areas to not miss( include beaches in Normandy). First trip to Europe.
14
Posted on 5/9/21 at 3:40 pm to kjntgr
I wish I’d spent more time in Florence
ETA...I really enjoyed touring Pompeii. But I geek out on history so might not be your thing.
ETA...I really enjoyed touring Pompeii. But I geek out on history so might not be your thing.
This post was edited on 5/9/21 at 5:27 pm
Posted on 5/9/21 at 3:59 pm to kjntgr
I enjoyed the smaller cities and towns in Italy the most.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 4:08 pm to kjntgr
In the spring of 2019 we went to Paris and Normandy. We flew in to Paris, stayed there for a few days, then rented a car and drove to Bayeux in Normandy. We stayed at the Hotel d'Argouges, a nice little boutique style hotel a short walk from the town center. Highly recommended.
We took an all day tour of the D-Day beaches with Overlord Tours with Yannick as our guide. It was outstanding. We went to Gold Beach (British sector)which was about 6 miles north of Bayeux, then from there went to the two American beaches, Omaha and Utah. We saw Pont du Hoc, the American cemetery, St. Mere Eglaise and many other sites.
Bayeux is the perfect base from which to explore the Normandy beaches. It is a quaint little town with good restaurants and a beautiful cathedral. It is the only place around there that was not bombed in WWII, so the old town is in tact.
The next day we drove to Mount St. Michel which was well worth visiting.
We drove back to Paris, spent a few more days there, then flew home.
We took an all day tour of the D-Day beaches with Overlord Tours with Yannick as our guide. It was outstanding. We went to Gold Beach (British sector)which was about 6 miles north of Bayeux, then from there went to the two American beaches, Omaha and Utah. We saw Pont du Hoc, the American cemetery, St. Mere Eglaise and many other sites.
Bayeux is the perfect base from which to explore the Normandy beaches. It is a quaint little town with good restaurants and a beautiful cathedral. It is the only place around there that was not bombed in WWII, so the old town is in tact.
The next day we drove to Mount St. Michel which was well worth visiting.
We drove back to Paris, spent a few more days there, then flew home.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 4:08 pm to kjntgr
Are you trying to do Italy and France in that time? Seems like lot of area to cover in short amount of time. We went to Italty several years ago and did Venice, Florence and Rome in 10 days.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 5:09 pm to jfw3535
We have done that too - Venice, Florence Rome.
The thing we did in 2018 was 10 days in Tuscany (three days in Florence after a week here La Canonica di Cortine ) then we took the train from Florence to Venice.
This may be my favorite trip.
LINK Better link.
The thing we did in 2018 was 10 days in Tuscany (three days in Florence after a week here La Canonica di Cortine ) then we took the train from Florence to Venice.
This may be my favorite trip.
LINK Better link.
This post was edited on 5/9/21 at 5:18 pm
Posted on 5/9/21 at 7:13 pm to kjntgr
Italy and France is too much.
Pick one. Focus on one and you’ll enjoy it more.
France: I’d do at least 5 days in Paris. Then there are several options for the rest; Normandy, Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace etc.
Italy: this really depends on how many stops you want. Rome, two nights max. See the things you have to see and get the frick out. Florence: as much time as you want. It’s great. Spend a couple of nights in a smaller place like Cinque Terre or Amalfi or Tuscany. Venice: 2-3 nights max.
Pick one. Focus on one and you’ll enjoy it more.
France: I’d do at least 5 days in Paris. Then there are several options for the rest; Normandy, Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace etc.
Italy: this really depends on how many stops you want. Rome, two nights max. See the things you have to see and get the frick out. Florence: as much time as you want. It’s great. Spend a couple of nights in a smaller place like Cinque Terre or Amalfi or Tuscany. Venice: 2-3 nights max.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 8:02 pm to Fun Bunch
Not everyone loves Paris. I mean, if you're going to France, you have to spend at least a couple of days there, but I personally wouldn't recommend five. In France for a week, I'd personally spend three in Paris, two in Normandy, two in the Loire Valley south of Paris.
In Italy, I personally love Rome, but I know that love isn't universal. It's the same with Venice -- some love it and some find it a fake place. If I were giving advice for someone who wanted to "see Italy" in a week, I'd say to spend three days in Rome, two in Venice, and two in Florence.
I agree that trying to see both France and Italy in that short of a time isn't the best plan, but I also understand that sometimes that first trip is something that people feel that they need to maximize, because they don't know if they'll get back, so it becomes the "trip of a lifetime."
In Italy, I personally love Rome, but I know that love isn't universal. It's the same with Venice -- some love it and some find it a fake place. If I were giving advice for someone who wanted to "see Italy" in a week, I'd say to spend three days in Rome, two in Venice, and two in Florence.
I agree that trying to see both France and Italy in that short of a time isn't the best plan, but I also understand that sometimes that first trip is something that people feel that they need to maximize, because they don't know if they'll get back, so it becomes the "trip of a lifetime."
Posted on 5/9/21 at 8:19 pm to GOP_Tiger
quote:
agree that trying to see both France and Italy in that short of a time isn't the best plan, but I also understand that sometimes that first trip is something that people feel that they need to maximize, because they don't know if they'll get back, so it becomes the "trip of a lifetime."
Well said. On my first trip to Europe, I was on the go and wanted to see as much as I could. But I knew I’d be back so I wanted to dip my toe in several countries to find out what I liked. My 2nd trip to Europe included Italy. In 6 days we hit Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi, Pompeii. Did not care for Venice and don’t see a reason to go back to Rome. But I’ll be back in Italy and spend a few days in Florence and a few on the coast. That being said, I’m glad I spent 24 hours in Venice and so on.
A week in Italy and a week in Paris is fine if you are an efficient traveler and just trying to hit the highlights and get a sense of the culture.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 8:21 pm to kjntgr
As others have said you are biting off way too much. I could spend a month in Italy and not come close to seeing and doing what I want to do. Do you want to say you were there and check off boxes or do you want to experience the country? I say country because those two in that timeframe makes zero sense.
Don’t do a drive by tour. It’s a waste of a lot of money.
Don’t do a drive by tour. It’s a waste of a lot of money.
This post was edited on 5/9/21 at 8:24 pm
Posted on 5/9/21 at 8:56 pm to VABuckeye
quote:
Don’t do a drive by tour. It’s a waste of a lot of money.
I generally agree spending more time in a country and really exploring an area is the way to go. But you never the circumstances.
For instance, the Italy trip I mentioned earlier was not my trip. It was some family members who were going for a week and asked if I wanted to join. I was departing from another city and for some reason my flights were outrageous. However, it was the same price to fly to Rome as it was to fly to London, spend two nights, then meet them in Rome. So I went to London by myself for a few days and it was great.
Sure, I wanted more than 3 days and 2 nights in London, but it was better than nothing. OP can easily enjoy a week in Italy and a week in France without feeling rushed. Can’t explore each country in it’s entirety obviously
Posted on 5/9/21 at 9:12 pm to GOP_Tiger
quote:
Not everyone loves Paris.
quote:
I personally love Rome
We can never agree on anything ever then.
3 days in Paris is criminally short. You cannot get the feel for it in that time and it’s very much a city you need to get the feel of. To let it linger. To take long walks and wander.
Rome on the other hand is a hot chaotic shithole beehive mess. Get in, see the shite you need to see and get the frick out.
Recommending 3 nights in Rome and 2 in Florence borders on negligence on your part. Florence is a significantly more enjoyable city.
In my opinion of course.
Posted on 5/9/21 at 9:22 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
3 days in Paris is criminally short. You cannot get the feel for it in that time and it’s very much a city you need to get the feel of. To let it linger. To take long walks and wander.
I have question for you. I’ve never been to Paris. We are planning a trip to Maldives and looking to avoid the 25-30 hours of travel. I can fly direct to Paris, spend 2 nights, then fly direct to Maldives. Should I pick another city for a stop over or hot up Paris for a few?
Posted on 5/9/21 at 9:34 pm to kciDAtaE
You need to decide if it’s 10 days or 14 days...that is a big difference on designing the trip.
If you just want to see Paris, then fly into CDG and spend 3-4 days there. You’ll be able to cover a lot of ground and get a vibe for French culture. Cheap fly over to Rome or Florence and spend the rest of the time in Italy. If a 14 day trip, then this is very feasible. I’ve been to Italy three times and spent over a month there in total. Florence three times and it’s still my favorite. Rome was a lot better my second trip than my first - needed to find the foodie area by the River that I missed on the first trip. I’ve been through Milan and Bologna area and while it’s cool I wouldn’t recommend for a first trip to Italy. It won’t be warm enough to experience the beaches but I would think Amalfi Coast would be a good way to close out the trip.
So in summary...14 days: Fly into Paris, 3-4 days, fly into Florence...3-4 days...train to Rome...~3 days...Almalfi Coast for a couple...back to FCO to fly out.
If you are going to do that much moving around then need to be a reasonably seasoned traveler. I think that itinerary is very feasible but I’ve been to Europe a lot and international travel with complex itineraries is something I’ve handled.
If you just want to see Paris, then fly into CDG and spend 3-4 days there. You’ll be able to cover a lot of ground and get a vibe for French culture. Cheap fly over to Rome or Florence and spend the rest of the time in Italy. If a 14 day trip, then this is very feasible. I’ve been to Italy three times and spent over a month there in total. Florence three times and it’s still my favorite. Rome was a lot better my second trip than my first - needed to find the foodie area by the River that I missed on the first trip. I’ve been through Milan and Bologna area and while it’s cool I wouldn’t recommend for a first trip to Italy. It won’t be warm enough to experience the beaches but I would think Amalfi Coast would be a good way to close out the trip.
So in summary...14 days: Fly into Paris, 3-4 days, fly into Florence...3-4 days...train to Rome...~3 days...Almalfi Coast for a couple...back to FCO to fly out.
If you are going to do that much moving around then need to be a reasonably seasoned traveler. I think that itinerary is very feasible but I’ve been to Europe a lot and international travel with complex itineraries is something I’ve handled.
Posted on 5/10/21 at 4:42 am to Fun Bunch
quote:
Rome on the other hand is a hot chaotic shithole beehive mess. Get in, see the shite you need to see and get the frick out.
Yeah, that's what Rome is like in July and August, which is why you shouldn't go then. The OP is taking a trip in spring, and he'll have a chance to actually enjoy the city.
Rome is awesome -- my favorite big city in Europe.
Posted on 5/10/21 at 6:36 am to kciDAtaE
quote:
Sure, I wanted more than 3 days and 2 nights in London, but it was better than nothing.
Nothing wrong with that. On our last trip to Italy we ended it with two nights in Madrid. It gave us a taste of Spain and a want for more.
My point is more to try not to do everything. If the trip must be to both countries the OP should pick a base in each country and explore that region. If your factor in jet lag and travel time into the trip he originally mentioned there simply isn't a lot of time to do anything other than to continue to travel from place to place.
Posted on 5/10/21 at 6:58 am to kjntgr
Some great points raised upthread--but I'll add: know thyself. Some regular posters & frequent travelers on this board are quick-visit, easily bored folks who aren't interested in a deep dive, don't speak the local languages, and are content to simply "look" at a monument/church/castle/scene and check it off of their list. To each his own.
Others prefer slower, deeper dives into a place. Time to see how locals go about their daily lives, to watch some sunrises/sunsets, to eat a variety of local food, see "minor" sights that would otherwise go overlooked in a more rapid-paced trip. Rent an apartment rather than a hotel, cook from trips to the market, drink some of the wine you bought at a vineyard rather than have it shipped home.
In 10-14 days, I'd pick either France or Italy, because I'm the second kind of traveler. In any Euro trip, I like to balance some city with some country/less urban life.
I have suggested this in the past, but it bears repeating--you & spouse each make lists of what you "must" do. Then build a trip around what YOU most want, with compromise.
Others prefer slower, deeper dives into a place. Time to see how locals go about their daily lives, to watch some sunrises/sunsets, to eat a variety of local food, see "minor" sights that would otherwise go overlooked in a more rapid-paced trip. Rent an apartment rather than a hotel, cook from trips to the market, drink some of the wine you bought at a vineyard rather than have it shipped home.
In 10-14 days, I'd pick either France or Italy, because I'm the second kind of traveler. In any Euro trip, I like to balance some city with some country/less urban life.
I have suggested this in the past, but it bears repeating--you & spouse each make lists of what you "must" do. Then build a trip around what YOU most want, with compromise.
Posted on 5/10/21 at 7:13 am to kjntgr
Have zero idea about Italy, but have traveled across France. Paris is not France, although Parisians think it is. Spend 3 days there, but get to the country.
Carcasonne for walled city and castle, Normandy beaches, Oradour for WW2 stark reality and Versailles for understanding their royalty.
My favorite town was Arles. From Arles, I has a stone age village, the great aqueduct, and a good Med beach to visit within an hour drive. Arles boasts Roman theatre, arena, and bath; plus being home to Van Gogh's sites he painted (yellow cafe, etc)
Carcasonne for walled city and castle, Normandy beaches, Oradour for WW2 stark reality and Versailles for understanding their royalty.
My favorite town was Arles. From Arles, I has a stone age village, the great aqueduct, and a good Med beach to visit within an hour drive. Arles boasts Roman theatre, arena, and bath; plus being home to Van Gogh's sites he painted (yellow cafe, etc)
Posted on 5/10/21 at 7:29 am to kjntgr
I would go to Paris and base exploration of France out of there for 5 days, then go to Rome and explore Italy out of there for 5 days. Use the rail system to take day trips out of each city. There's no way you can see everything so concentrate on where the train can get you to and back from in a couple of hours. On your next trip you could decide which place you liked best and what else you would like to explore. From Rome day trips by train to Ovieto and Naples/Capri are easy and we'll worth it. From Paris the Normandy coast is an hour and a half away. We did an all day tour of the American sector from Paris in a day. It was an incredible day. I agree with another poster here who said Rome is his favorite city. It is animated and you can just watch people and be entertained. Paris is great but Parisians are not friendly generally.
Posted on 5/10/21 at 8:17 am to kjntgr
We’re planning one for late next summer, except we want to do the coasts of Spain, France, and Italy. Still in its infancy.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News