Nuna13

Traveling to Europe for the first time in mid July, we would like suggestions on what to see, what are good stops between Paris and Rome. Like the TGV or Eurostar schedules but not sure about a doable itinerary.
Would like to include Florence.
Have 7 days and no clue...
Traveling all the way by train seems a long(12hours) time and have not heard great experiences on the sleeper train.

MrNuke

You have 7 days to travel in between Paris and Rome or your total trip is 7 days? And if the latter have you been to Paris and or Rome before?

Nuna13

Our total trip is 16 days. We have seven days to see, anything between Paris and Rome.
Flying back home from Rome.We have Paris planned already. After Paris, is the part of where we do not know where to go. We would like to see maybe one or two more places in France and then head to Italy.

Nuna13

And never been to France or Italy before

tailsock

I think you've made things easy on yourself by limiting your maiden voyage to 2 neighboring countries. The only thing you really have to decide is where? With the time you're working with it makes the most sense to stay in France and Italy unless you REALLY want to see Switzerland. If we're including Florence in Italy it might be a good idea to pair one more place, say in France. Dijon maybe? It's connected to Paris via TGV

leuk2

We have taken the TGV from Gare de lyon( 08:00) to Milan. arrive about 2:30pm. Nice trip on the train, through the Alpes. From Milan- easy to connect to a train to Florence. I'd Give Florence 3 nights, and then an easy train trip to Rome. From Florence It would be easy to take bus to Siena. I'd spend 2 nights in Siena. You could then return to Florence to catch train to Rome, or you could take train from Siena, but it would be a much slower regional train. The bus station is right beside the train station in Florence. Lyon is also a city often overlooked in France Can be done on TGV. would have to backtrack to get to Milan but wouldn't take that much Time

leuk2

oops. Gare de lyon is a train station in Paris. Serves the areas south and east of Paris. Major train station. The TGV is a great experience. You don't realize how fast you are going until you go along beside on of the "freeways". You can be assured the cars are going 120-150 km/hr (70-100 mph). you pass them as if they are standing still. The TGV trains are very comfortable. 2nd class is fine on the TGV.

leuk2

Or you could go to Beaune. One of the nicest towns/cities I've seen,. I'd give it 2-3 nights. TGV to Dijon, and then short regional train to Beaune ( 20-30 min.) If you wanted to go to Milan or Lyon Would have to go back to Dijon to catch TGV. Not a big problem. I'd Go to Beaune before Siena, but that is my own personal bias. Like comparing apples to oranges.

Nuna13

Great advice, exactly the kind of info we needed. thank you leuk2
One more question, Where did you buy the TGV tkts, website or raileurope?

leuk2

Through Website Sncf.com or Voyages.sncf .com Sncf is the france rail system. You can also just get them when you are in Paris through any train station Or SNCF office. They have some deals on their website called Prems Can be difficult to book in N. America unless you can read French. If you ask for English language you are forwarded to Rail Europe website. You pay a premium to book through Raileurope.I'd buy my ticket at a local train station(through easy to use ticket machine), before using Raileurope. I'm sure many other people will comment on your plans and rail Europe. SNCF is easy. Trenitalia , THe Italian train system is even easier to use. Get Off the train in Milan, go to ticket machine , buy tickets to Firenze(Florence), you will probably be on a train within an hour.