Need help with Europe itinerary
May 27th, 2015, 12:59 PM
#1
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Need help with Europe itinerary
We are a family of four, with two daughters ages 12 and 14.
We are planning on visiting 3 countries in 3 weeks in Mid June 2016, but not sure if I am craming in too many cities. Please advise if I should maybe not go to a particular location I have added to my list or I should add more days to a particular city or less.
Also, I want to add that my wife and I have visited Rome, Florence/Tuscan landscapes and Paris once before. Will be first time for kids. All of the connections will be by train.
3 nights in Capri, Italy
3 nights in Rome "
3 nights in Venice "
3 nights in Milan "
3 nights in Lucerne, Switzerland
5 nights in Paris
I have 3 weeks I can play around with.
Thank you in advance
We are planning on visiting 3 countries in 3 weeks in Mid June 2016, but not sure if I am craming in too many cities. Please advise if I should maybe not go to a particular location I have added to my list or I should add more days to a particular city or less.
Also, I want to add that my wife and I have visited Rome, Florence/Tuscan landscapes and Paris once before. Will be first time for kids. All of the connections will be by train.
3 nights in Capri, Italy
3 nights in Rome "
3 nights in Venice "
3 nights in Milan "
3 nights in Lucerne, Switzerland
5 nights in Paris
I have 3 weeks I can play around with.
Thank you in advance
May 27th, 2015, 01:28 PM
#2
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Rome is a large city, with many things to see. Staying only three nights really condemns you to spending most of your time in a dense pack of your fellow tourists, unless you're willing to forego some of the most popular sights. Most of the people I know who didn't care for Rome didn't give themselves time to break out of the pack and see the charming city that's not on the overly beaten path.
If you can stay only three nights, I would recommend seeing only one of the famous "must-see" sights and spending the rest of your limited time seeking out the hidden gems.
If you can stay only three nights, I would recommend seeing only one of the famous "must-see" sights and spending the rest of your limited time seeking out the hidden gems.
May 27th, 2015, 01:36 PM
#3
Unless you are planning to venture to sites nearby I would reduce the number of nights in Milan, and I might even reduce the nights in Lucern by at least one BUT that all depends on why you are going TO these particular locations. Three nights in Capri and ONLY in/on Capri? Sure, possible but seems excessive somehow.
May 27th, 2015, 01:37 PM
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Is there something special you want to see/do in Milan? I ask because I find it the least compelling of the cities you have listed. If you cut one city, you could add a day or two to Rome and one other city. Overall, it is a good plan, though too little time in each place for me, as three nights is just two full days in each city.
May 27th, 2015, 01:57 PM
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The main reason to go to Milan, who most would agree is the least desirable, is to get a train to Lucerne, which is impractical from Venice. To Lucerne and then to Paris includes two long travel days [including at least an hour on either side of each train ride when changing hotels] for only 2 days on the ground. One could skip Milan and Lucerne for more time in Italy, Easyjet from Venice to Paris.
May 27th, 2015, 02:27 PM
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You can't take a train to or from Capri; it's an island. Where are you arriving in Italy? Is it a long overnight or longer flight? Capri would be a good place to get over jet lag -- once you finally get there.
Swiss Air flies Venice to Zurich. From Zurich airport you can take a train direct to Lucerne in about an hour. Might be an alternative to going through Milan.
Swiss Air flies Venice to Zurich. From Zurich airport you can take a train direct to Lucerne in about an hour. Might be an alternative to going through Milan.
May 27th, 2015, 03:35 PM
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thank you for the responses, but I did make a mistake in my scheduling.
Venice and Milan were originally scheduled for 2 nights each. I had forgotten to add Florence for 3 nights. That would come after Rome.
Venice and Milan were originally scheduled for 2 nights each. I had forgotten to add Florence for 3 nights. That would come after Rome.
May 27th, 2015, 03:44 PM
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We were flying out of Los Angeles (hell). Planning on going to Naples first. By the time we get to Capri by boat it will be getting dark. So I figured 3 nights would be good.
I'm curious as to why so many people are against visiting Milan? Is it just not as nice a place to visit? Wife and kids would get a kick out of seeing an opera at the famous opera house there.
I'm curious as to why so many people are against visiting Milan? Is it just not as nice a place to visit? Wife and kids would get a kick out of seeing an opera at the famous opera house there.
May 27th, 2015, 04:42 PM
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Have you checked to see if the opera season runs into the dates you will be there/
Agree you are trying to get to too many places and will be spending alarge part of your trip just in transit from one place to another. (Our first trip, with DDs 11 and 14, was for 2 weeks - one London and one Paris, with a day trip from each.)
I would have your DDS do some work on this itinerary to see what places they would like to see (ours did a bunch of work on both sites and restaurants) so they are more invested in the trip and you don't mis places they would love to see.
Agree you are trying to get to too many places and will be spending alarge part of your trip just in transit from one place to another. (Our first trip, with DDs 11 and 14, was for 2 weeks - one London and one Paris, with a day trip from each.)
I would have your DDS do some work on this itinerary to see what places they would like to see (ours did a bunch of work on both sites and restaurants) so they are more invested in the trip and you don't mis places they would love to see.
May 27th, 2015, 05:18 PM
#11
>>I'm curious as to why so many people are against visiting Milan?<<
Milan isn't bad -- a great place to visit . . . but just not on the same level as Rome or Venice.
You itinerary looks more like a laundry list - not an itinerary. 3 nights everywhere except Paris. All cities are not created equal.
3 nights only nets you 2.5 days and sometimes less. So you are allowing 2.5 days for all of Rome . . . and 2.5 days for each Milan and Lucerne. That really doesn't make sense. Start out listing what you want to see/do in each place and use that to determine how long you need in each. I'll bet my house that you'll end up w/ a longer list for Rome than for Milan or Lucerne.
Paris -- 5 nights is a decent taste but still only 4+ days. Rome requires the same. So instead of dividing your days equally - divide them up so you had enough time. . . . which may mean cutting one or more of your destinations.
Milan isn't bad -- a great place to visit . . . but just not on the same level as Rome or Venice.
You itinerary looks more like a laundry list - not an itinerary. 3 nights everywhere except Paris. All cities are not created equal.
3 nights only nets you 2.5 days and sometimes less. So you are allowing 2.5 days for all of Rome . . . and 2.5 days for each Milan and Lucerne. That really doesn't make sense. Start out listing what you want to see/do in each place and use that to determine how long you need in each. I'll bet my house that you'll end up w/ a longer list for Rome than for Milan or Lucerne.
Paris -- 5 nights is a decent taste but still only 4+ days. Rome requires the same. So instead of dividing your days equally - divide them up so you had enough time. . . . which may mean cutting one or more of your destinations.
May 28th, 2015, 06:07 AM
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If you expect to get to Capri by the time it's getting dark -- in mid-June -- the ferries Naples to Capri may not be running that late.
I'm impressed your 12- and 14-year-olds would enjoy the opera. Unless they're also fans of Renaissance art and architecture, I'd consider giving more time to Venice and take some away from Florence.
Both Venice and Florence will be crowded. But mid-June is better than farther into the high season.
I'm impressed your 12- and 14-year-olds would enjoy the opera. Unless they're also fans of Renaissance art and architecture, I'd consider giving more time to Venice and take some away from Florence.
Both Venice and Florence will be crowded. But mid-June is better than farther into the high season.
May 28th, 2015, 08:21 AM
#13
Some great advice above. I think you are now saying
3 nights in Capri, Italy
3 nights in Rome "
3 nights in Florence
2 nights in Venice "
2 nights in Milan "
3 nights in Lucerne, Switzerland
5 nights in Paris
June is good, not too crazy. I think as well as the questions asked above I'd also check if the Pope is in town when you are there. If he is away the Vatican is often a bit easier to get into, but if he is around and having visits from people it can make that massive square more difficult.
Milan at 2 nights is ok, like others I'm not that excited but you have the Duomo, the Michael Angelo stuff, the old shops, football maybe. The opera, well make sure it is on one of those nights. Venice 2 nights is a bit of a flying visit and I see the adults have not been there while you have done Florence, I might discuss it with the kids and maybe move a day from Florence (hush now) and give it to Venice.
Capri, I assume is just chill time, 'cause after the blue cave/grotto and a look at the sea, what else do you do? Well you go to Villa Jovis for half a day. http://www.cir.campania.benicultural...ri-villa-jovis
3 nights in Capri, Italy
3 nights in Rome "
3 nights in Florence
2 nights in Venice "
2 nights in Milan "
3 nights in Lucerne, Switzerland
5 nights in Paris
June is good, not too crazy. I think as well as the questions asked above I'd also check if the Pope is in town when you are there. If he is away the Vatican is often a bit easier to get into, but if he is around and having visits from people it can make that massive square more difficult.
Milan at 2 nights is ok, like others I'm not that excited but you have the Duomo, the Michael Angelo stuff, the old shops, football maybe. The opera, well make sure it is on one of those nights. Venice 2 nights is a bit of a flying visit and I see the adults have not been there while you have done Florence, I might discuss it with the kids and maybe move a day from Florence (hush now) and give it to Venice.
Capri, I assume is just chill time, 'cause after the blue cave/grotto and a look at the sea, what else do you do? Well you go to Villa Jovis for half a day. http://www.cir.campania.benicultural...ri-villa-jovis
May 28th, 2015, 12:51 PM
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If you think your kids would enjoy the opera, consider overnighting in Verona and take a day trip to Milan if your family would like to visit the city -- but if you want to see the Last Supper, you will need to make a reservation soonest.
I am not familiar with all the train routes that run from northern Italy into Switzerland but it might be possible to take a scenic one to Lucerne from Verona, or possibly see some attractions in Milan en route from Verona to Lucerne, just by stowing your luggage in the train station for a few hours.
I am not familiar with all the train routes that run from northern Italy into Switzerland but it might be possible to take a scenic one to Lucerne from Verona, or possibly see some attractions in Milan en route from Verona to Lucerne, just by stowing your luggage in the train station for a few hours.
May 28th, 2015, 01:05 PM
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You are going to spend a tremendous amount of time checking in and out of hotels and traveling between cities. If you are relying on train travel exclusively then you are going to have even more time spent in transit.
Your trip would be
Arrival - Capri
Capri - fun day
Capri - fun day
Capri - leave for Rome - it will take 8 hours between boats, trains, and taxis to get to the next hotel
Rome - fun day
Rome - fun day
Rome - travel to Florence - at least 4-6 hours
Florence - fun day
Florence - fun day
Florence - travel to Venice - at least 4-6 hours
Venice - fun day
Venice - Travel to Milan - at least 6-8 hours
Milan - fun day
Milan - travel to Lucerne - is this overnight train?
Lucerne - fun day
Lucerne - fun day
Lucerne - travel to Paris - whole day
Paris - fun day
Paris - fun day
Paris - fun day
Paris - fun day
Paris - depart for US
Honestly, I'd drop Milan - opera or not add one day to Rome and the other to Florence. I know others are passionate about Venice, but I'd consider dropping that two. Use the time for day trips out of Florence, spend the day on shore to see Pompeii before you head north. Something other than checking in and out of hotels.
Your trip would be
Arrival - Capri
Capri - fun day
Capri - fun day
Capri - leave for Rome - it will take 8 hours between boats, trains, and taxis to get to the next hotel
Rome - fun day
Rome - fun day
Rome - travel to Florence - at least 4-6 hours
Florence - fun day
Florence - fun day
Florence - travel to Venice - at least 4-6 hours
Venice - fun day
Venice - Travel to Milan - at least 6-8 hours
Milan - fun day
Milan - travel to Lucerne - is this overnight train?
Lucerne - fun day
Lucerne - fun day
Lucerne - travel to Paris - whole day
Paris - fun day
Paris - fun day
Paris - fun day
Paris - fun day
Paris - depart for US
Honestly, I'd drop Milan - opera or not add one day to Rome and the other to Florence. I know others are passionate about Venice, but I'd consider dropping that two. Use the time for day trips out of Florence, spend the day on shore to see Pompeii before you head north. Something other than checking in and out of hotels.
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