Llmfmo

We have done Venice, Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Pisa, Amalfi Coast. Our daughter will be studying in Arricia so we will return to visit Rome/Arricia and catch a few things we missed last time then get a car and head to Tuscany. Looking at Orvieto, Montepulciano/Pienza/Montelcino, then onto________________.

We enjoy the highlights of any area but want this to be a varied trip. Some have suggested Siena/Chianti region/San Gimignano/Volterra/Lucca, some have said pit stop in Siena then head off to Italian Riviera or Lake Como then to Paris. 14 non-travel days total, will be in Rome for three. The kicker is we are talking about mid-March.

I would like suggestions on where we should go from here. We will fly out of Paris so need to end up there eventually(have never been). Lots running through my head. How much is too much time in the hill towns? Is Lake Como too cold/empty in March? Is this whole trip going to be cold? Is the French or Italian Riviera a consideration? Is Cinque Terre closed up this time of year? Best travel methods. Can we fly out of Pisa on low cost air with heavy luggage? Had hoped to enjoy the train travel this trip. Travel agent suggested 3 days Rome,3 days Tuscany, 2 days Italian Riviera or Como, 3 days Paris, high speed train and 3 days South of France. That itinerary is starting to sound like too much as I research. Ideas on itinerary? We loved Venice and Amalfi last time, as well as Rome. Had hoped to return but so much more to see! Open to any and all ideas.

tuscanlifeedit

Do I understand correctly that you start in Rome and finish in Paris, and have two weeks?

I don't think I would visit the Italian Riviera or the Lakes in March. These are summer resorts, designed for sunny days.

If you are not too weather conscious, I think you could spend a week in Umbria and Tuscany. You mention Orvieto, which I think is OK, but I would prefer to go a bit more in to Umbria, and see Assisi, Perugia, and nearby little towns to Assisi (Spello, Montefalco). Three or four days, then move to Tuscany; you mention Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza, and there are other nice little towns nearby (San Quirico d"Orcia and others).

Then I would fly to Paris from the nearest discount airport. Checking whichbudget.com, there seem to be plenty of low cost flights from Florence to Paris. Which of those airlines have reasonable luggage charges would need to be investigated.

I would want 4 or more days in Paris for a first visit, but that's me.

PalenQ

3 days Paris, high speed train and 3 days South of France.>

For train info Milan to Paris and Paris to Avignon or Nice (south of France) check www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com - same trains same fares - latter is said to be easier to actually get to work for Americans - deep discounts if book really early and do not need to change nor refund (not allowed I think) - and there is an overnight train Milan to Paris (www.thello.com) - for lots of general info on trains check www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com - latter great info on discounted TGV tickets in France and from Italy.

Jean

Would you be staying in Arricia or in Rome? If Arricia, how will you get to/from central Rome, and will 3 days be enough when you factor in transportation?

I too would drop the idea of the Cinque Terre and either Riviera in mid-March. If you haven't been to Paris before, 3 days isn't much time. But start thinking in terms of the number of NIGHTS in a place, rather than days. In order to have 3 full sightseeing days somewhere, you need to spend 4 nights there. Some hotel/city changes will eat up several hours.

You haven't stated any actual interests or sightseeing goals, so it's hard to make suggestions about where to go and how much time to stay. For the places in Tuscany you mention (and others in Umbria), you need to rent a car.

Depending on your final dates, take note that Easter Sunday is March 27th, and the clocks change the same day.