London, Paris and Italy
Jan 25th, 2014, 07:17 PM
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London, Paris and Italy
Planning on a vacation to London, Paris and Italy sometime this summer. Which is the week/month where the probability of good weather is the highest. Want comfortable (not cold) weather with no rain. I know UK weather is always a gamble, but still trying to schedule it based on best probability.
It would be a total of 8-10 days - yeah I know this is too short to move around 3 places, but this is how the wife wants it. In Italy, I'll probably visit 2 or more cities, not decided which yet. So what's the best way to travel between the 3 different countries? And is there a particular order of visiting these countries which would be better?
It would be a total of 8-10 days - yeah I know this is too short to move around 3 places, but this is how the wife wants it. In Italy, I'll probably visit 2 or more cities, not decided which yet. So what's the best way to travel between the 3 different countries? And is there a particular order of visiting these countries which would be better?
Jan 25th, 2014, 07:21 PM
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London to Paris from £39, www.eurostar.com
Paris to Turin or Milan by TGV train through the French Alpine foothills, from €29 at www.capitainetrain.com, departures at 06:41, 10:41, 14:41. You arrive at Milan Porta Garibaldi station.
If you take the 14:41 (arriving Turin 20:18, Milan 21:51) I recommend lunch at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant in the Gare de Lyon itself (www.le-train-bleu.com) before strolling across the concourse to the Milan Express!
Onward train tickets within Italy: Milan Centrale to Venice in 2h35 from €19, www.trenitalia.com
Milan Porta Garibaldi to Florence SMN, Rome Tiburtina & Naples www.italiatreno.it
Milan Centrale to Rome Termini by high-speed train in just 2h40 from €29 at www.trenitalia.com
Paris to Turin or Milan by TGV train through the French Alpine foothills, from €29 at www.capitainetrain.com, departures at 06:41, 10:41, 14:41. You arrive at Milan Porta Garibaldi station.
If you take the 14:41 (arriving Turin 20:18, Milan 21:51) I recommend lunch at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant in the Gare de Lyon itself (www.le-train-bleu.com) before strolling across the concourse to the Milan Express!
Onward train tickets within Italy: Milan Centrale to Venice in 2h35 from €19, www.trenitalia.com
Milan Porta Garibaldi to Florence SMN, Rome Tiburtina & Naples www.italiatreno.it
Milan Centrale to Rome Termini by high-speed train in just 2h40 from €29 at www.trenitalia.com
Jan 25th, 2014, 07:28 PM
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You have 8-10 days, and plan to see London, Paris and 2 or more cities in Italy. 4-5 places in 8-10 days. Does this include the travel days from wherever you live? I call this a tour of train stations and airports. And your biggest concern is the weather? Ai-yi-yi.
Jan 25th, 2014, 07:54 PM
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Your plan is insane for 8-10 days. And do you really think anyone can tell you the week or month when weather is the best? No, they can't. What the wife wants is a terrible idea. Sorry, reality check. You've got a week plus one day. Do one city plus a day trip.
Jan 25th, 2014, 08:04 PM
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> Does this include the travel days from wherever you live?
No. This is from reaching the first place till boarding the flight back home.
As far as weather goes, I am looking for a general idea of weather in London, Paris & Italy. In which month is it likely that I get the best weather?
No. This is from reaching the first place till boarding the flight back home.
As far as weather goes, I am looking for a general idea of weather in London, Paris & Italy. In which month is it likely that I get the best weather?
Jan 25th, 2014, 08:11 PM
#7
>>Want comfortable (not cold) weather with no rain.<<
>>As far as weather goes, I am looking for a general idea of weather in London, Paris & Italy. In which month is it likely that I get the best weather?<<
No one can tell you -- weather is what it is. Especially in London and Paris you could get just about anything any time.
If you like traveling this way you need to realize that w/ 8 days on the ground you will have
approx 1.5 jet lagged days in London
1.5 days in Paris and 1.5 days in each of the two cities in Italy.
W/ 10 days you can add about .5 a day to any two of the above
All the rest of your time will be spent moving.
>>As far as weather goes, I am looking for a general idea of weather in London, Paris & Italy. In which month is it likely that I get the best weather?<<
No one can tell you -- weather is what it is. Especially in London and Paris you could get just about anything any time.
If you like traveling this way you need to realize that w/ 8 days on the ground you will have
approx 1.5 jet lagged days in London
1.5 days in Paris and 1.5 days in each of the two cities in Italy.
W/ 10 days you can add about .5 a day to any two of the above
All the rest of your time will be spent moving.
Jan 25th, 2014, 08:20 PM
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Why don't you just Google the average temps for summer weather in those cities. This is not the Weather Channel. You will probably have to be more specific than 'Italy'. Since you have done these trips before and have had fun, then enjoy whatever week you pick. Oh, pack light since you and the wife are moving faster than sound.
Jan 25th, 2014, 08:37 PM
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> Since you have done these trips before and have had fun, then enjoy whatever week you pick.
Haven't done these trips in these countries before. But done hectic trips in other places.
> Especially in London and Paris you could get just about anything any time.
So a random day in December has as much probability of being good (not cold & not rainy) as any other month?
Haven't done these trips in these countries before. But done hectic trips in other places.
> Especially in London and Paris you could get just about anything any time.
So a random day in December has as much probability of being good (not cold & not rainy) as any other month?
Jan 25th, 2014, 08:52 PM
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Look,, I took a friend to Paris in August one year.. I have been many times, but this was her first trip. I told her to pack "sundresses, skirts and capris as its going to be hot hot hot".
It rained and was cool for 7 out of our 9 day visit. So much for averages.. and so much for what I had normally encountered.
I have been to London four times.. three times in either july or august. Every single time I went it rained. It rained in March, it rained in july and august. It was however not freezing cold in july or august. There were however some nicer days mixed in for our summer visits.. not hot.. just nice. I am going to London again this year,, twice actually , end of june and end of july.. we shall see what we get I go assuming little .
One thing I can be fairly confident promising you is this..
Rome will be HOT in any summer month.
I would visit ( and will be) either London or Paris any month from late may thru to early october.. I do prefer the longer hours of daylight in june and july, but I also prefer the lower hotel rates and slightly quieter traffic of August in Paris.
I would visit Italy in May, or October .
It rained and was cool for 7 out of our 9 day visit. So much for averages.. and so much for what I had normally encountered.
I have been to London four times.. three times in either july or august. Every single time I went it rained. It rained in March, it rained in july and august. It was however not freezing cold in july or august. There were however some nicer days mixed in for our summer visits.. not hot.. just nice. I am going to London again this year,, twice actually , end of june and end of july.. we shall see what we get I go assuming little .
One thing I can be fairly confident promising you is this..
Rome will be HOT in any summer month.
I would visit ( and will be) either London or Paris any month from late may thru to early october.. I do prefer the longer hours of daylight in june and july, but I also prefer the lower hotel rates and slightly quieter traffic of August in Paris.
I would visit Italy in May, or October .
Jan 25th, 2014, 09:19 PM
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Where in Italy, temps vary from north to south, is the question? Rome will be warm in June, as will Umbria and most of Tuscany, the lakes in the north cooler. I would be more concerned about a/c in the cars and trains you will sitting in.
Jan 25th, 2014, 09:27 PM
#14
>>So a random day in December has as much probability of being good (not cold & not rainy) as any other month?<<
Nope -- but since your OP specifically mentioned <u>summer</u> - that is what I was talking about. If you meant any month of the year including december - you should have said so.
Nope -- but since your OP specifically mentioned <u>summer</u> - that is what I was talking about. If you meant any month of the year including december - you should have said so.
Jan 25th, 2014, 10:47 PM
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Many of us have "been there/done that" at one time or another trying to cram in as much as possible when we travel. What most come to learn is that by trying to see more, one actually sees less.
Traveling to so many cities in such a short amount of time means you'll spend a bunch of money on transportation getting to Europe and on hotels once there only to spend much of your time in airports/airplanes and trains/train terminals rather than exploring sites. Between jetlag and unfamiliarity with these cities, it's fairly easy to get turned around and lose a few hours which is fine when you're in a city for a number of days rather than hours. Also, summer is peak season so you can expect to wait in lines to get into sights, further decreasing the number of things you'll see in each city.
You'll lose at least half a day each time you move from one city to the next so four cities in eight to ten days means you'll have about a day and a half in each city.
Day One- Fly to London, check into hotel, half a day of sightseeing while jetlagged and restless night
Day Two- See sights in London
Day Three- Eurostar to Paris, check into hotel, half a day of sightseeing
Day Four- See sights in Paris
Day Five- Fly to Rome?, half a day of sightseeing
Day Six- See sights in Rome
Day Seven- See sights in Rome
Day Eight- Train to ?, half a day of sightseeing
Day Nine- See sights in ?
Day Ten- Fly home
No more than three locations in two full weeks is a good rule of thumb in order to actually see some sights. For eight to ten days, I'd suggest eliminating Italy. Fly into London and stay four days or stay five days with a day trip to Bath or Oxford via a van tour or on your own via public transportation, take the Eurostar to Paris (2 hrs 15 min) for four days or stay five days with a day trip to Versailles.
A benefit to staying at least four or five days in each location is the abundance of apartments available to rent (www.vrbo.com or www.homeaway.com) most of which have a minimum number of rental nights required. Some apartments require a minimum of seven nights but a number only require four or five night stays. You have more room in an apartment at a lower price than many hotels and can easily make breakfast and pre-dinner snacks in your apartment further saving money.
August is when European children are on school break and when Europeans take their vacations, don't go then. I like "shoulder season of late May/early June when crowds are not as bad but weather is still good. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
Ann Marie
Traveling to so many cities in such a short amount of time means you'll spend a bunch of money on transportation getting to Europe and on hotels once there only to spend much of your time in airports/airplanes and trains/train terminals rather than exploring sites. Between jetlag and unfamiliarity with these cities, it's fairly easy to get turned around and lose a few hours which is fine when you're in a city for a number of days rather than hours. Also, summer is peak season so you can expect to wait in lines to get into sights, further decreasing the number of things you'll see in each city.
You'll lose at least half a day each time you move from one city to the next so four cities in eight to ten days means you'll have about a day and a half in each city.
Day One- Fly to London, check into hotel, half a day of sightseeing while jetlagged and restless night
Day Two- See sights in London
Day Three- Eurostar to Paris, check into hotel, half a day of sightseeing
Day Four- See sights in Paris
Day Five- Fly to Rome?, half a day of sightseeing
Day Six- See sights in Rome
Day Seven- See sights in Rome
Day Eight- Train to ?, half a day of sightseeing
Day Nine- See sights in ?
Day Ten- Fly home
No more than three locations in two full weeks is a good rule of thumb in order to actually see some sights. For eight to ten days, I'd suggest eliminating Italy. Fly into London and stay four days or stay five days with a day trip to Bath or Oxford via a van tour or on your own via public transportation, take the Eurostar to Paris (2 hrs 15 min) for four days or stay five days with a day trip to Versailles.
A benefit to staying at least four or five days in each location is the abundance of apartments available to rent (www.vrbo.com or www.homeaway.com) most of which have a minimum number of rental nights required. Some apartments require a minimum of seven nights but a number only require four or five night stays. You have more room in an apartment at a lower price than many hotels and can easily make breakfast and pre-dinner snacks in your apartment further saving money.
August is when European children are on school break and when Europeans take their vacations, don't go then. I like "shoulder season of late May/early June when crowds are not as bad but weather is still good. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
Ann Marie
Jan 25th, 2014, 11:45 PM
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Well, though I personally would not cram so much into such a short time (as others have said), you actually could have a wonderful time with this open-jaws trip:
3 days - London
3 days - Paris (via Eurostar)
4 days - Rome (via Thello night train from Paris)
Or, you could flip this and go south to north. Or, you could substitute Venice for Rome, and visit Padua too. In either event, using the night train is very time-efficient, and is kinda romantic too. And Eurostar is a breeze.
If must be summer, then June best, as Rome can be a cauldron in July/Aug.
3 days - London
3 days - Paris (via Eurostar)
4 days - Rome (via Thello night train from Paris)
Or, you could flip this and go south to north. Or, you could substitute Venice for Rome, and visit Padua too. In either event, using the night train is very time-efficient, and is kinda romantic too. And Eurostar is a breeze.
If must be summer, then June best, as Rome can be a cauldron in July/Aug.
Jan 26th, 2014, 12:13 AM
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Jan 26th, 2014, 07:16 AM
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Perfect answer by danlev above. Personally might not do it but that would indeed be a wonderful trip. In fact, I've done that very trip! Do a day trip to Florence or Pompeii/Naples and mission accomplished.
Everyone has their own personal preference/ constraints for any given trip and, while advice on a different approach is frequently very useful, OP has articulated a recognition of the pros and cons of his approach.... sometimes it is useful to then just answer the question actually asked. Well done.
Everyone has their own personal preference/ constraints for any given trip and, while advice on a different approach is frequently very useful, OP has articulated a recognition of the pros and cons of his approach.... sometimes it is useful to then just answer the question actually asked. Well done.
Jan 26th, 2014, 07:50 AM
#20
Thank you. How is Italy in early June - any idea?>>
Killm - do you REALLY not know what sort of weather you might expect in June in Italy? if that's the case then a 3 country/5 stop holiday in europe is going to be a real adventure.
of course anything IS possible, and taking your 10 days as being the time you've actually got after you land, you could do this:
Day 1 - land in London. [assume atlantic flight landing 9 am ish] . spend day in London on HOHO bus.
Day 2 - London. Sights as per the ones you liked the look of from the bus.
Day 3 - eurostar train to Paris.Arrive lunchtime. Check in near Care du Nord. HOHO bus/
Day 4 - Paris.
Day 5 - train/fly to Venice. Arrive mid pm. Vaporetto down the Grand canal for orientation and drinks in St. Mark's Square in the evening after dinner in one of the many restaurants where there are waiters outside inviting you in. A sure guarantee of quality.
Day 6 - morning in venice. pm train to Florence, check in. not sure if there's a HOHO bus, but evening in Florence.
Day 7 - Florence
Day 8 - early train to Rome, check in, HOHO bus.
Day 9 - Rome
Day 10 [not sure if this is going home day; if not, another day in Rome].
see - it can be done. i wouldn't want to do it, but the OP might.
Killm - do you REALLY not know what sort of weather you might expect in June in Italy? if that's the case then a 3 country/5 stop holiday in europe is going to be a real adventure.
of course anything IS possible, and taking your 10 days as being the time you've actually got after you land, you could do this:
Day 1 - land in London. [assume atlantic flight landing 9 am ish] . spend day in London on HOHO bus.
Day 2 - London. Sights as per the ones you liked the look of from the bus.
Day 3 - eurostar train to Paris.Arrive lunchtime. Check in near Care du Nord. HOHO bus/
Day 4 - Paris.
Day 5 - train/fly to Venice. Arrive mid pm. Vaporetto down the Grand canal for orientation and drinks in St. Mark's Square in the evening after dinner in one of the many restaurants where there are waiters outside inviting you in. A sure guarantee of quality.
Day 6 - morning in venice. pm train to Florence, check in. not sure if there's a HOHO bus, but evening in Florence.
Day 7 - Florence
Day 8 - early train to Rome, check in, HOHO bus.
Day 9 - Rome
Day 10 [not sure if this is going home day; if not, another day in Rome].
see - it can be done. i wouldn't want to do it, but the OP might.
