My husband and I are planning a month long vacation to France and Italy..mid February to mid March (first time to Europe). Any suggestions on an itinerary. We love architecture, good food and charming towns and/or cities. Thanks much!

You might want to start south and move north to maximize the chances of having more spring like weather.

Hi

Have you booked your airfare? If not, best to fly into one city and fly home from final city, to avoid backtracking.
You mention France and Italy, where did YOU have in mind for stops or cities you feel you must include?
Do you want to drive some, or take trains and buses?

Wow--that is tough. That is not a good time to travel---I assume you have no choice. I would start in Rome and end in Paris and include 5 to 6 other stops between. Considering the weather, I would skip the lakes and coast and concentrate in the art cities. Venice is a must--plan at least 4 days--5 is better. I would also include Siena and Avignon in the itinerary. You fill in the gaps !

Let me amend my post. After more thought, I would rent an apt. in both Rome and Paris for a week each--that eats up 2 weeks right there. By adding 5 nites in Venice, 3 nites in Florence or Siena, and some time in either Nice or Avignon you have a good start.
Good luck !

Being winter, I like the idea of basing yourself in cities and renting apartments. I would certainly include Paris and Venice. I would suggest travel place to place on the train since you have plenty of time.

>We love architecture, good food and charming towns and/or cities< you must be talking about Dijon capital of the dukes of Burgundy! ;-) (2 or 3 days to see most of it)
and only 1h30 by TGV from Paris

Have a great trip!
corinne

I forgot, just to give you an idea...
http://www.kodakgallery.fr/BrowsePho...id=43499444733

I would plan to spend more time in Italy than France Better food, better landscape and more beautiful cities! (sorry France)

I agree that the weather is likely to be a bit better in Italy.

My suggestion would be to fly to Rome and stay there a week. There is more than you will be able to see, so you will have to be selective.

I would then train to Florence and stay a week. Don't fail to visit the Musee d"opera, which has a lot of displays showing how the famed Duomo was built. Many people think a week is too long for Florence (I don't), but there are a lot of interesting day trips from there if you tire of the many museums and great buildings, including, if you choose, Pisa and some of the Tuscan countryside, with superb food almost everywhere.

From Florence I would train to Venice and stay a week there, just because it is so charming. I like the food in Tuscany more, but Venice is a magical experience, and their food is good, too.

After your week in Venice, the most direct route toward Paris is through Switzerland. I think Lucerne, Bern, or Geneva would all be interesting places to see, but I would only stay there a day or so, then on to Paris. An alternative would be to route to southern France before going to Paris.

I would then spend a week in Paris. Again, there is much more there than you will be able to see in one week, especially if you take a day trip or two, such as Versailles or Chartres, but I think I've spent all your time, and probably money, too.

I would absolutely agree that Venice is a must. The food, however, is not great for Italy - too many tourists for too many centuries! In Tuscany, however, and especially around Siena, the food IS great.

The best food i have ever eaten was in Bologna - rich, golden pasta, lightly dusted with parmigiano, chicken simple grilled with herbs, the best ragu - heaven! Lovely city too.

Another thought -- aim for Carnivalin Venice. It is not a wild festival like Rio, but there are outdoor concerts and the city dresses up for the holiday. Kids and grownups walk around in costumes at all hours.