3 Week Honeymoon in October...Italy-France-Spain...need advice please...
May 29th, 2012, 11:11 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
3 Week Honeymoon in October...Italy-France-Spain...need advice please...
Ok so its my first European extravaganza and I want to make sure I'm not over-extending ourselves. Here's the loose plan...
We fly into Venice on Oct 11 and then fly back from Madrid on November 2. We plan to do Venice, train to Florence and then Rome; fly to Paris (possible day trip to Provence) and then fly to Barcelona, train to Madrid.
My gut is telling me its a little too much, although we do have 23 days altogether. Right now, if I had to cut anything it would be Barcelona, and I'd just go straight from Paris to Madrid.
Also trying to nail down how many days to spend in each place. Here's what I'm thinking:
4 nights in Venice, Florence and Rome
5 in Paris (provence day trip)
and then 5 in Spain
This is still very loose and the only thing set in stone is flying into Venice and out of Madrid. Any advice would be very appreciated!
We fly into Venice on Oct 11 and then fly back from Madrid on November 2. We plan to do Venice, train to Florence and then Rome; fly to Paris (possible day trip to Provence) and then fly to Barcelona, train to Madrid.
My gut is telling me its a little too much, although we do have 23 days altogether. Right now, if I had to cut anything it would be Barcelona, and I'd just go straight from Paris to Madrid.
Also trying to nail down how many days to spend in each place. Here's what I'm thinking:
4 nights in Venice, Florence and Rome
5 in Paris (provence day trip)
and then 5 in Spain
This is still very loose and the only thing set in stone is flying into Venice and out of Madrid. Any advice would be very appreciated!
May 29th, 2012, 12:02 PM
#4
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
illnative - Totally agree. Member since April.
Second post in same day. Third post 5 weeks ago, all asking the same thing.
This cookie doesn't like the responses she gets, so the same questions keeps repeating. Sounds a bit petulant to me.
Tell her she done good and let it go at that.
Second post in same day. Third post 5 weeks ago, all asking the same thing.
This cookie doesn't like the responses she gets, so the same questions keeps repeating. Sounds a bit petulant to me.
Tell her she done good and let it go at that.
May 29th, 2012, 12:13 PM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sanrock, snarky comments aside, the reason it's preferable to continue with a single post thread is that it makes it easier to see what kind of responses you've already received, your reaction to them, and build from there. If you start a new post, the process starts from the very beginning all over again.
I, for one, have not read your other posts. But what you've provided here prompts me to ask a number of questions in order to even begin to help you. Perhaps you've already provided that info elsewhere; perhaps one of your other posts is more explanatory. I wouldn't know unless you include links to those older posts within this one (or tell us what you've already determined).
So... What is it that you're looking to do in each of these places? What are your interests/priorities, overall and in each place?
Your itinerary isn't entirely clear. Do you mean 4 nights total for those three cities? Also, Provence is an entire province, and farther from Paris than just a day trip (as you can see on a Google map). What do you want to do there for a single day?
IMO, roughly 4-5 days in a city is a little brief, but at least it's long enough that you won't entirely feel like you're running around the whole time. Again IMO, but spend longer in Paris and Rome, less in Venice and Florence (unless you plan to venture to Tuscany from the latter)...
I, for one, have not read your other posts. But what you've provided here prompts me to ask a number of questions in order to even begin to help you. Perhaps you've already provided that info elsewhere; perhaps one of your other posts is more explanatory. I wouldn't know unless you include links to those older posts within this one (or tell us what you've already determined).
So... What is it that you're looking to do in each of these places? What are your interests/priorities, overall and in each place?
Your itinerary isn't entirely clear. Do you mean 4 nights total for those three cities? Also, Provence is an entire province, and farther from Paris than just a day trip (as you can see on a Google map). What do you want to do there for a single day?
IMO, roughly 4-5 days in a city is a little brief, but at least it's long enough that you won't entirely feel like you're running around the whole time. Again IMO, but spend longer in Paris and Rome, less in Venice and Florence (unless you plan to venture to Tuscany from the latter)...
May 29th, 2012, 12:17 PM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
However, given your additional comment, I'm tempted to just leave it at that. You do know that people come on these boards and help out other people out of their own generosity - it's not like anyone gets paid for answering your questions and helping you plan a honeymoon you'll be happy with! The harder you make it, the less people will want to help you. And, since we're all real people, you'll get plenty of personality in the responses. Roll with it - or look for help elsewhere...
May 29th, 2012, 12:23 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Sanrock. First of all, congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.
<i>I can post as much as I'd like thank you.</i>
It's sort of considered bad form here, and a waste of bandwidth. It's all right that you didn't know before, but now you do. Okey-doke.
<i>My gut is telling me its a little too much, although we do have 23 days altogether.</i>
I'd say it's do-able, but not especially relaxing. Your gut may be right in that regard.
But honestly, the most serious reservation I have with your plan is that it's too city-centric for my taste. If I had 23 days in those countries, fully half of them would be in a rental villa in one or more places like Tuscany, Provence, the Dordogne, or the Italian Lakes. Especially on a honeymoon trip.
City after city after city gets to be a bit of a grind, IMO.
<i>I can post as much as I'd like thank you.</i>
It's sort of considered bad form here, and a waste of bandwidth. It's all right that you didn't know before, but now you do. Okey-doke.
<i>My gut is telling me its a little too much, although we do have 23 days altogether.</i>
I'd say it's do-able, but not especially relaxing. Your gut may be right in that regard.
But honestly, the most serious reservation I have with your plan is that it's too city-centric for my taste. If I had 23 days in those countries, fully half of them would be in a rental villa in one or more places like Tuscany, Provence, the Dordogne, or the Italian Lakes. Especially on a honeymoon trip.
City after city after city gets to be a bit of a grind, IMO.
May 29th, 2012, 01:26 PM
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, based on your lack of the slightest degree of appreciation of the advice that people are taking their time to give you - and your incredibly entitled attitidue - we ARE NOT paid travel agents - you've lost me.
My only suggestion is to hire AND PAY a travel agent you can bully as much as you want. (And, by the way, is that you on the most recent arc of Bridezillas?)
My only suggestion is to hire AND PAY a travel agent you can bully as much as you want. (And, by the way, is that you on the most recent arc of Bridezillas?)
May 29th, 2012, 01:49 PM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks mr_go. I am a city girl at heart but maybe we should work in something more scenic and relaxing. Any suggestions for someplace that's not too far from say Venice or Florence? A stop in between perhaps?
May 29th, 2012, 03:41 PM
#12
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, wherever you decide to land, you might want to consider prepaying your hotels as soon as possible, or hedge your bet and purchase Euros now. The Euro will not stay this low forever. It was 15% higher at this time last year.
May 29th, 2012, 05:43 PM
#13
Provence is not a day trip from Paris.
I also love cities, but I agree with mr_go that city after city and four airports in three weeks is not very appealing. If it were my trip, I'd drop France and spend a few days in the countryside in Italy or Spain. That would eliminate one plane ride and provide a little contrast to all that city time.
I also love cities, but I agree with mr_go that city after city and four airports in three weeks is not very appealing. If it were my trip, I'd drop France and spend a few days in the countryside in Italy or Spain. That would eliminate one plane ride and provide a little contrast to all that city time.
May 29th, 2012, 06:52 PM
#14
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sanrock,
I am going to take a stab at this. I wish I knew what your interests are: art architecture, food, etc. but haven't read all your other posts.
Others are correct. Provence is not a good day trip from Paris.
You are heading in the right direction by dropping Barcelona.
You have a good start by flying into Venice.
This is your Honeymoon, so you want some romance. This is only a suggested start, a structure to work with. Add or subtract days depending on your interests. The beginning is rushed, but you are young and it is doable.
Oct 11,12,13: Venice (3nts) one day trip to Burano or Padua.
Oct 14,15,16 Florence (3 nts) If bored, could do day trips (Siena, Lucca, Pisa, etc. or see option below
Oct 17,18,19 Tuscany country area (3nts), rent car? or see options below
Oct 20,21,22,23 Rome (4nts) (Day trip to Ostica Antica or Orvieto)
Oct 24 fly to Paris
Oct 24,25,26,27,28 Paris (5nts) (Day trip to Versailles, perhaps a second day trip)
Oct 29 fly to Madrid
Oct 29,30,31, Nov 1 Madrid (4 nts) (day trips to Toledo and Segovia)
Nov 2 fly home
Options:
Take one day from Tuscany, add it to Florence and day trip to Siena/Lucca, etc. Take the other two days from Tuscany and one day from Madrid (cutting out Segovia) and spend three days in Seville.
You could either fly to Seville from Paris or fly into Madrid and take the train directly to Seville. Spend all your time in Madrid at the end.
I love Venice and would also consider taking a day from Paris (or Tuscany) and adding it to Venice to give you time at the beginning to get over jet-lag, etc.
You have the bones for a trip. Now, make it yours. I hope this is useful to you.
Many people on this forum are much more travelled than me. They are really travel savy and want to help.
I am going to take a stab at this. I wish I knew what your interests are: art architecture, food, etc. but haven't read all your other posts.
Others are correct. Provence is not a good day trip from Paris.
You are heading in the right direction by dropping Barcelona.
You have a good start by flying into Venice.
This is your Honeymoon, so you want some romance. This is only a suggested start, a structure to work with. Add or subtract days depending on your interests. The beginning is rushed, but you are young and it is doable.
Oct 11,12,13: Venice (3nts) one day trip to Burano or Padua.
Oct 14,15,16 Florence (3 nts) If bored, could do day trips (Siena, Lucca, Pisa, etc. or see option below
Oct 17,18,19 Tuscany country area (3nts), rent car? or see options below
Oct 20,21,22,23 Rome (4nts) (Day trip to Ostica Antica or Orvieto)
Oct 24 fly to Paris
Oct 24,25,26,27,28 Paris (5nts) (Day trip to Versailles, perhaps a second day trip)
Oct 29 fly to Madrid
Oct 29,30,31, Nov 1 Madrid (4 nts) (day trips to Toledo and Segovia)
Nov 2 fly home
Options:
Take one day from Tuscany, add it to Florence and day trip to Siena/Lucca, etc. Take the other two days from Tuscany and one day from Madrid (cutting out Segovia) and spend three days in Seville.
You could either fly to Seville from Paris or fly into Madrid and take the train directly to Seville. Spend all your time in Madrid at the end.
I love Venice and would also consider taking a day from Paris (or Tuscany) and adding it to Venice to give you time at the beginning to get over jet-lag, etc.
You have the bones for a trip. Now, make it yours. I hope this is useful to you.
Many people on this forum are much more travelled than me. They are really travel savy and want to help.
May 29th, 2012, 07:18 PM
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just read part of your original post where you said you loved art and culture.
In Venice, you can skip the actual museums and see lots of wonderful paintings in churches, hanging in the exact spots for which they were painted. You might really want to add that one day to Venice and visit Padua to see Scrovegni chapel or visit Vicenza to see Palladian architecture. Both short train trides from Venice.
Tons of Art in Rome, of course. Do visit Borghese Gallery
Florence: so much art you could send all the Tuscany days there.
Paris: too much to mention
Madrid: The Prado - fantastic, Toledo has the El Grecos.
Seville is lovely, but if that doesn't interest you, add time where there is more art you are interested in.
In Venice, you can skip the actual museums and see lots of wonderful paintings in churches, hanging in the exact spots for which they were painted. You might really want to add that one day to Venice and visit Padua to see Scrovegni chapel or visit Vicenza to see Palladian architecture. Both short train trides from Venice.
Tons of Art in Rome, of course. Do visit Borghese Gallery
Florence: so much art you could send all the Tuscany days there.
Paris: too much to mention
Madrid: The Prado - fantastic, Toledo has the El Grecos.
Seville is lovely, but if that doesn't interest you, add time where there is more art you are interested in.
May 30th, 2012, 07:38 AM
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sanrock: <i>Any suggestions for someplace that's not too far from say Venice or Florence?</i>
Honestly, my answer wouldn't deviate too far from what Sassafrass posted last night. That's a really good starting point / outline for planning a full and memorable trip, IMO.
Honestly, my answer wouldn't deviate too far from what Sassafrass posted last night. That's a really good starting point / outline for planning a full and memorable trip, IMO.
May 30th, 2012, 03:07 PM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the great info!!! Adding more time to Venice sounds like a good idea, especially considering jet lag.
After a long discussion last night, we may cut-out France altogether (save it for the anniversary) and spend equal amounts of time in Italy and Spain. I just do not want to be running around, as tempting as it is to try and see as much as possible. It took quite a bit of convincing on my part..but he's starting to come around.
So at this point I think we know all the stops in Italy...now just to decide where to go just outside Madrid..I see some interesting suggestions, just need to do a little research.
I'm sure I will have more questions as the plans progress...thanks so much for all the awesome advice!!!
P.S. So excited to break open the Rosetta Stone/Italian...it looks really really awesome
After a long discussion last night, we may cut-out France altogether (save it for the anniversary) and spend equal amounts of time in Italy and Spain. I just do not want to be running around, as tempting as it is to try and see as much as possible. It took quite a bit of convincing on my part..but he's starting to come around.
So at this point I think we know all the stops in Italy...now just to decide where to go just outside Madrid..I see some interesting suggestions, just need to do a little research.
I'm sure I will have more questions as the plans progress...thanks so much for all the awesome advice!!!
P.S. So excited to break open the Rosetta Stone/Italian...it looks really really awesome
May 30th, 2012, 03:13 PM
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Getting my hands on some Euros ASAP!!
Also what sites are y'all using to find good hotel deals? Just the basics or are there some well kept secrets?
I think we may splurge while in Venice since its our intro to the trip...so any romantic B&B type places you can recommend would be great!
Thanks
Also what sites are y'all using to find good hotel deals? Just the basics or are there some well kept secrets?
I think we may splurge while in Venice since its our intro to the trip...so any romantic B&B type places you can recommend would be great!
Thanks
May 30th, 2012, 03:37 PM
#19
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're going to skip France on this trip (Paris is very romantic and grand, but France could, as you say, be saved for another trip), you'll certainly be able to enjoy Italy and Spain a little more without spending so much time in airports.
You'll want to add Barcelona back into your itinerary. It is a very unique city in many ways: food, architecture, language, and more. You'll find it very interesting.
Near Madrid, you could take a day trip to Toledo, and ancient city which is doable in a day if you start off early.
If you're doing Rome, Venice, and Florence, you may also want to do a day trip to Pisa. There is lots to see in and around all three cities, so give yourself enough time in each place.
You'll want to add Barcelona back into your itinerary. It is a very unique city in many ways: food, architecture, language, and more. You'll find it very interesting.
Near Madrid, you could take a day trip to Toledo, and ancient city which is doable in a day if you start off early.
If you're doing Rome, Venice, and Florence, you may also want to do a day trip to Pisa. There is lots to see in and around all three cities, so give yourself enough time in each place.
