Europe Itinerary Help! (UPDATED)

Old Jul 26th, 2015, 04:35 PM
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Europe Itinerary Help! (UPDATED)

I was getting a lot of the same comments so here is an updated post:

Hello all,

I have been planning a surprise trip to Paris for my mother (and me) for 3 months now. I have 21 days in Europe which means 19 FULL days of experiences to be had. (2 days lost time to traveling and jet lag) Originally I was planning the 19 days in Paris alone but I got to thinking... why not do some time in Italy too!

A little background of my mother: She planned a trip to Paris many years ago but never went because she was restrained by finances and 3 children. I am the youngest and I have grown up seeing my mom look longingly at pictures of Europe, especially Paris. Well now that I have a stable job - I have finally saved up plenty to take her!

She loves (wine and) art and is an artist herself - painting, sculpting, sketching, you name it she does it. Lately I have been secretly fishing information out of her of places she would like to visit besides Paris and she gave me Venice and Rome so of course those will be areas we will base out of in Italy.

So here is what I have dreamed up so far:

SEPTEMBER 2016
09/11/2016 ------ 10/01/2016
Day 1: Depart from US
Day 2: Arrive in Rome (JET LAG) Relax. Rest. Recover - Moderate exploring
Day 3: Exploring Rome
Day 4: Rome (Day trip to Tivoli)
Day 5: Exploring Rome
Day 6: Exploring Rome
Day 7: Exploring Rome
Day 8: Depart Rome to Venice in the AM (Train)
Day 9: Exploring Venice
Day 10: Exploring Venice (Murano)
Day 11: Exploring Venice
Day 12: Venice to Paris in the AM (Flight) Exploring Paris
Day 13: Paris
Day 14: Paris
Day 15: Paris
Day 16: Paris
Day 17: Paris
Day 18: Paris
Day 19: Paris
Day 20: Paris
Day 21: Depart Paris back to the US

I'm not planning anything TOO solid because my mom will want to plan everything with me. I will tell her on her birthday and then we will have 1 year to plan and save up money to spend on gifts and souvenirs in each area. But I am paying for all of the travel costs (Planes, trains, etc) and accommodations (Apartments, hostels, etc) so all she has to worry about is food and shopping.\\

I do not want to rush around trying to see everything because I want the trip to be relaxing and not all in a blur.

Does my Itinerary seem good or should it be amended?
Any advice?
Any good day trip ideas from Paris/Rome/Venice?
General tips?

Tell me your experiences!!!

Thank you so much!!!
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Old Jul 26th, 2015, 04:44 PM
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>>I was getting a lot of the same comments so here is an updated post:
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Old Jul 26th, 2015, 05:34 PM
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What a lovely thing you are doing!

You trip is pretty slow paced, so including another stop or day trips should not make it a blur.

Since your Mom is so into Art, I would absolutely take two or three days from Paris and include Florence, between Rome and Venice, maybe even a day trip from Florence to Siena.

Rather than Murano, look at Burano. Also possibly Padua and/or Vicenza as a day trip from Venice. Your Mom might have a preference after she reads about them. For me, it would be a tough choice between Burano and Vicenza.

Include the Borghese Gallery in Rome. It is gorgeous. It is timed entry. You need to book ahead.

Once you tell your Mom, if there are any other places she has some special interest in, bring them back to your post for how to make it happen.
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Old Jul 26th, 2015, 05:55 PM
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You probably are already aware of this but just in case. Make some time for the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice, she had a great collection in her home.
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Old Jul 26th, 2015, 05:57 PM
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You are a good daughter. Sounds like a great trip. The fun part be planning together after her birthday. I love all the time you have planned for Paris. Your updated plan looks great.
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Old Jul 26th, 2015, 06:21 PM
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I agree that it sounds like a great trip but I would also try to add Florence. It sounds like you both will have a great time!
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Old Jul 26th, 2015, 06:55 PM
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That is what I meant -- folks are suggesting you add places that you originally included abut decided to delete on the other thread.

Sort if reinventing the wheel . . . .
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Old Jul 26th, 2015, 09:10 PM
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OK, just looked back at your other posts.

I would put Florence back in the itinerary, only for 2 or 3 days (depending on your Mom). You are not going to use up much extra travel time stopping there, since it is between Rome and Venice, and you will get a lot of sight seeing bang for your buck.

Any interest at all in sculpture would make her want to see Michelangelo's David. In Florence, perhaps because the center is so intimate and easily walkable, you are continuously reminded that you are walking where so many great artists walked.

The Ponte Vecchio is like nothing else you will see on your trip.

One or 2 days to explore Florence and one day for Siena would be amazing, memory-making days.

You might want to get your Mom a copy of the book, Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King. It is a fantastic read about many of the artists in Florence during that time.
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Old Jul 27th, 2015, 12:39 AM
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I think you need to bring your mum into the picture now that you have the basics sorted out. For instance, near Venice are a bunch of nice cities (Verona, Padova etc) you can do day trips to. Rome itself is the draw, while Paris also has stuff near it.

Much as we are trying to offer ideas I suspect she needs to see what is on offer and say I want that and that and that.

So 3 bases, tick
Rome, Paris, Venice, tick

Now you need a some travel books, one for each of the three areas and sit her down on her birthday with a target of deciding in a month, roughly what she wants to do so you can plan the number of days (not make detailed plans). Then make bookings then go as you will.
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Old Jul 27th, 2015, 06:01 AM
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UPDATE:

Okay I really REALLY don't want to take away from Paris so let me amend this a little to put some time in for Florence. I understand we wont be able to see everything which is okay with me. How does the updated update look? Haha

SEPTEMBER 2016
09/10/2016 ------ 10/01/2016 (ADDED A DAY)
Day 1: Depart from US
Day 2: ARRIVE IN ROME. Recover from Jet lag. Moderate exploring.
Day 3: Exploring Rome
Day 4: Exploring Rome (Day Trip to Tivoli)
Day 5: Exploring Rome
Day 6: Rome to Florence - Exploring Florence
Day 7: Exploring Florence
Day 8: Exploring Florence (Day Trip to Pisa)
Day 9: Exploring Florence
Day 10: Florence to Venice - Exploring Venice
Day 11: Exploring Venice
Day 12: Exploring Venice (Morning in Burano)
Day 13: Venice to Paris - Exploring Paris
Day 14: Exploring Paris
Day 15: Exploring Paris
Day 16: Exploring Paris
Day 17: Exploring Paris
Day 18: Exploring Paris
Day 19: Exploring Paris
Day 20: Exploring Paris
Day 21: Exploring Paris
Day 22: Depart from Paris
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