Karey

My husband and I are spending 4 weeks in Italy and France. We fly into Rome next week and plan to spend 3 days in Rome. Then rent a car. We have 4 days to drive from Rome to Milan where we meet up with a wine tour group at the Malpensa airport. After a week, the tour group will drop us off back at the Malpensa airport. From there we have 4 days where we plan to drive (or should we take the train?) from Milan to Avignon where we pick up a Viking River cruise which we extended into Paris for 3 days and decided to stay another 3 days before we fly out of Paris. I have two questions. One: how do you pack when the weather in Rome will be in the 70's and Paris in the middle of November will likely be in the 40-50's. Two: Any suggestions for routes from Rome to Milan and Milan to Avignon?

ellenem

Pack clothing you can layer. For example, pack short-sleeved and long-sleeved tops, a lightweight sweater, and a lighter-weight jacket or coat. Then wear the appropriate top for the current weather, and add the sweater or jacket or both depending on the temperatures.

His_Dudeness

First of all congratulations on the wedding and 4 weeks for a honeymoon trip!

Where will the wine tour take you? Rome to Milan is only a 5 - 6 hour trip by car so to have 4 days to do it brings up pretty much endless possibilities and without knowing where the wine tour takes you it's hard to suggest meaningful destinations without duplicating what you'll already be doing.

As far as Milan to Avignon, it's really a matter of what you prefer. Do you want to go along the Riviera or through the mountains?

adrienne

There won't be a 20 to 30 degree change in temps between Paris and Rome. Historically, the October average in Rome is 62F; in Paris it's 55F. In November Rome is 54F; Paris is 47F.

Before renting a car, check the drop off charges for renting in Italy and returning in France. Drop off charges are often significant. An option is to take the train from Milan to Avignon where you can rent a car and explore that area before your cruise. There are lots of lovely towns to explore and very scenic drives.

annhig

from Rome you can either go up through Umbria [via Viterbo or Lake Bolsano] and thence through the Val D'Orcia to Siena, or alternatively up the coast to Orbetello [ancient city set on a lagoon] then head inland to Massa Maritima, then up to Pisa & Parma to Milan or a combination of both of these routes.

if you use google maps you can put in endless permutations, to give yourselves an idea of routes, timings, etc.

this time of year, with two of you there is really no need to book.

Karey

Thank you for your replies! From Rome we are thinking of driving to Asissi, over to Perugia, on to Firenza, Cinque Terre then on to Milano. The wine tour is based out of Alba, with a day at Lake Como before returning to Malpensa. Still debating the best way to Avignon; train to Nice to get to France; then either car or train to Marseilles or all the way to Avignon. My biggest question right now,should we rent a car or use trains and buses? Having never been to Europe, I am wondering how easy it is to navigate public transportation when we don't speak the language. Any suggestions?

adrienne

<< how easy it is to navigate public transportation when we don't speak the language. Any suggestions? >>

The places you're going will have English speaking people at the train stations and rental car locations. To ensure you get the train you want write the origin, destination, and time on a piece of paper and hand it to the clerk. Very easy.

Or you can book on line and print your eticket.