GiacintaG

Hello Fodorites!! We are planning our next trip to Europe for May or June next year. We are fairly set on Barcelona but not sure about the rest. We will have 15 days, not including our departure day. Some information about us: we are in our early 50's and have loved our previous trips to Vienna, Prague, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and the Amalfi coast. We enjoy the architecture, the history, the food and the beautiful vistas. We love old churches and will also visit a couple of museums and art galleries. As much as we love the cities, we also fell in love with Positano simply for its incredible beauty. I could never get tired of that view! We really are not the outdoorsy type and while we don't mind hiking, it wouldn't be our favourite thing to do.I was thinking we would spend 5 nights in Barcelona and 4 or 5 on the French Riviera. Then we either continue on to Provence for the balance or spend 2 or 3 nights in both Venice and Florence. We are also open to other ideas as well! I'm sure neither choice would be a mistake but I would love your advice! Thank you!

burta

Venice and Florence are so out of the way on this itinerary, and there is already so much to see from Barcelona then along the Cote D'Azur, that they would be better saved for another trip. Fodorites and Provence experts can help with suggested itineraries for you to see a variety of sights. I might suggest Carcassonne, Arles, Avignon, Aix, Nice, St. Paul de Vence, Eze, to name a few places.

kja

I'm inclined to agree with burta, although of course, it depends on what you want to see and experience.

You have any number of stunning options in and around Barcelona and in and around Provence. For some of the former, you might want to take a look at the trip report I filed after visiting Barcelona and other parts of the area. It's long, but searchable -- you might want to find the section about Besalú and read on from there....
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-catalunya.cfm

And of course, consult some good guidebooks... No matter which you have already examined, guidebooks are so different that you are likely to find more enticing options the more you consult!

Debs

I would recommend you book as early as possible if you're heading to the French Riviera, especially if you plan on staying in or around Nice. The Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix are 2 big events happening around then, and prices will soar.

For Barcelona, make sure you purchase tickets ahead of time (to skip the line) for Sagrada Familia. Easy enough to do on-line, just decide the date and time of your visit. Something you can do say a month or two ahead of your trip.

5 days in BCN sounds about right, as do 4 on the Cote D'Azur. Save Venice and Florence for another trip!

Traveler_Nick

If you're flying the Italian stops aren't out of your way. They're actually easier then getting to Provence.

You might need to fly into Pisa instead of Florence.

It's not like you'd want to drive to Nice with a rental car. The cross border drop fee will hurt. It's not an exciting drive even if it's easy. It takes awhile.

StuDudley

Agree with Berta & kja. Visit Barcelona for 5 nights. Then take the TGV to Nimes. Departs at 9:25 & arrives at 12:52. Rent a car & spent 5 nights in Provence, then drive 2 1/2 hrs to Nice & spend 5 nights there. Fly home from Nice. It makes no sense, IMO, to try to fit in Florence & Venice.

Don't expect the Cote d'Azur/Nice to look like Positano.

Stu Dudley

GiacintaG

Thank you all for your input and suggestions! And thank you Debs, we will take our trip closer to early June to avoid the film festival and the Grand Prix. I understand that geographically speaking, it would be more convenient to tour Provence but we don't mind hopping on a flight, as you suggest Traveler_Nick. I'm just trying to figure out which destination would be best suited to our interests. I will definitely spend some more time looking through guide books and looking at on-line posts. Thanks again!

vipsha

The train ride from Nice to Florence may have been a long one (6 hours?) but it was enjoyable enough that I still remember it from 20 years ago. Florence is one of my favorite cities, as is Rome and Paris, and Vienna. I would possibly like Prague. Other than for some good shopping, Barcelona is my least favorite; I was there again for work recently and tried to like it but could not.

GiacintaG

Thanks Vipsha. Rome and Paris are our two favourites as well. And Prague was just stunning - a feast for the eyes! Well, I have heard good things about Barcelona from others so I hope we will enjoy it but of course, you never know! And still thinking about flying to Florence and then taking the train to Venice. I know it may not make the most sense in terms of geographical location but I think it would be nice to see a bit of Italy on this trip. We'll see!

massimop

If you can't get a good price on a flight to Florence, check out flying to Bologna. The Bologna airport is 30 minutes from the Bologna train station, and from there you can be in Florence in 40 minutes on the fast train.

If your main attraction to Italy is not Florence in particular but to see more of Italy, bear in mind that you can have fantastic experiences of Italy without huge numbers of tourists by sticking closer to Venice. For instance, a flight from Barcelona to Milan (Linate is the easier airport) opens the door to amazing smaller towns with fantastic architecture & history all along the route between Milan & Venice: Bergamo, Verona, Vicenza, Padova, Treviso to name the easiest to reach. Plus you have the opportunity to see the stunning vistas of Lago di Como (May would be ideal).

I've nothing against the French Riviera, and would particularly recommend it to anyone interested in 20th c. European modern art. In that respect it makes an interesting pairing with Barcelona. But if you would like to see Italy and have any worries about spending so many days around mobs of tourists -- unfortunately cruise ship season begins in May, and there are busloads who make their way to Florence from Livorno -- there are other options.

I also want to add that I believe Florence to be the most beautiful European city for its harmony of architecture, so if you shrug off being among tourist crowds, don't let me discourage you from going.

GiacintaG

Thanks massip. While I am not a fan of massive crowds, Florence and Venice are definitely on our bucket list. I have been to both as a child, but really just passing through,and my husband has not been at all, so we would like to be able to spend some time there. I'm hoping if we stay in both locations for at least a few nights, we will be able to enjoy a bit more once the daytrippers have left. Your suggestion sounds lovely though and is something to consider for Italy.

jan47ete

I will say that except for being in our 60s instead of 50s like you, I could have written your question. Have been to all your desired cities/areas many times.

Barcelona: years ago spent 3 weeks in Spain and avoided Barcelona like the plague. Thought I would hate it--too Gaudi. Stopped there on a cruise and LOVED it and have gone back a few times since for a day or two at a time. That said, don't believe it needs 5 days especially when you have other places you would like to visit on this trip.

French Riviera/Provence: our many trips to France either by land or sea always include the coast. Beautiful, lovely, Avignon, Carcassone, little ports on the coast.

Venice/Florence: spent 2 months in Italy on retirement with 10 days in Venice and a month in Florence--do I need to say more! Murano, Burano, Torcelli and the cemetery island off Venice, plus Verona and Vicenza. Florence is fabulous!

Enjoy.

docdan1

So, Jan47 and others, this is the second time I have heard travelers report a pleasant surprise with how enjoyable Barcelona is. Am planning a two week visit to Spain and Portugal with 20-something adult kids next year, (All experienced US travelers) and am trying to flesh out an itinerary. If one was to have 4 night,3 day visit to Barcelona (with next day mid-day departure to another Spanish city TBD) what would you say are top things to visit. (suggestions for day trips outside city are acceptable)

TDudette

Just seeing this but please add me to the list of those who suggest you make Florence/Venice a separate trip.

My DH and I trained from Barcelona to Montpelier and use that town as a base for trips to Arles and Avignon. Montpelier has a lovely pedestrian area, good tram system and a modern train station. TGV added after our visit so that is another option.

An artist friend suggested seeing the town of Collioure, home of the artists called the Fauves. We ran out of time so didn't check how to travel there.

We trained to Nice from Montpelier and took day tours to the famous beach towns in the area.

Have a great trip and please share what itinerary you end up using.

Traveler_Nick

Flying into Pisa is easier then Florence. More flights. The train or bus from Pisa to Florence isn't a huge issue. About an hour. Or reverse your choices and fly into Venice.

For Barcelona. Sagrada familia has become famous. Personally I like the older cathedral better. It's dark and classical.

You can follow the tourists to the Ramblas but other then the almost mandatory stop at the market the Ramblas doesn't have much more then crowds going for it. There are other less touristy markets if you just want to see a market.

Plaça d'Espanya is worth a visit.

You can wander the beach promenade if you want. Or even see the beach.

But things really depend on your interests.