16 days in France and Italy
May 29th, 2017, 12:19 PM
#21
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It is not a "fact" of travel that a traveler loses a half day or full day moving between cities. What is a fact is that some people have packing habits and fixed ideas about sightseeing & eating that cost them that much time, and others don't. In particular in Italy the daily clock is different for locals than it is for many tourists who don't understand how the Italian day is structured.
If you need to unpack & pack in certain time consuming ways, need to stick to a 9-5 mentality or some other personal clock in arranging your day & which hours you want to be in transit, you might find that if you try to move between several destinations the time you have "leftover" for sightseeing suffers. But many people think about it differently, and pay attention to which hours sights and stores in Italy are open, etc etc. and they "lose" a lot less time than the people who continually "lose" a half a day and even full days simply relocating to a new hotel.
If you need to unpack & pack in certain time consuming ways, need to stick to a 9-5 mentality or some other personal clock in arranging your day & which hours you want to be in transit, you might find that if you try to move between several destinations the time you have "leftover" for sightseeing suffers. But many people think about it differently, and pay attention to which hours sights and stores in Italy are open, etc etc. and they "lose" a lot less time than the people who continually "lose" a half a day and even full days simply relocating to a new hotel.
May 29th, 2017, 12:21 PM
#22
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(If you've ever done any multi-city business travel you probably know how to move between cities without losing a day or half a day every time you move. Few companies will keep an employee who out of commission that much while business traveling.)
May 29th, 2017, 02:37 PM
#24
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I am no longer looking forward to this trip! I broke down each leg of this trip- door to door. Yes, looks like I'm losing 3 days and on the go sunrise to sunset. I only allotted for losing one day. Even more disappointing, I gave the green light to the travel agent to book hotels this weekend and when I received my confirmations they have no cancellation options. totally bummed.
May 30th, 2017, 02:26 AM
#26
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<<>>The pass I was thinking about is The City Pass Paris Le Passlib with Travelcard.<<
DON'T get this. Just get a carnet.
And I was wrong - there IS a 2-day Museum Pass, which might work for you.
Really bad idea to have used a travel agent for stuff you could easily have arranged on your own, but water over the dam I suppose, unless you can deal with the unrefundable hotels in person. There is sometimes some wiggle-room.
DON'T get this. Just get a carnet.
And I was wrong - there IS a 2-day Museum Pass, which might work for you.
Really bad idea to have used a travel agent for stuff you could easily have arranged on your own, but water over the dam I suppose, unless you can deal with the unrefundable hotels in person. There is sometimes some wiggle-room.
May 30th, 2017, 02:40 AM
#27
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Eva don't fret. Your trip will be wonderful!!! Our first trip was 16 days and we stayed in 7 different cities over Italy and Germany. WE LOVED IT! And we were in our early 50's.
Just enjoy the train travel you have planned as Annhig suggested.
Once you are there you will enjoy!
Just enjoy the train travel you have planned as Annhig suggested.
Once you are there you will enjoy!
May 30th, 2017, 03:12 AM
#28
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Your trip will be great.
I like the idea that moving may cost a lot less (in time) than anticipated.
My next trip to Isanbul for example, I lose hardly any time. I land at midnight so I have no traffic jam going to the hotel. I'll be in my bed at say 2 am top, then I have a meeting scheduled at 7 am, so not much time lost in checking out etc.
Seriously, these things can be arranged - travel late or early and you'll get most of the day. Adjust to jetlag for traveling, it will help. Make themax of your days. HAve breakfast in trainstations not at hotels etc. Time savers.
I like the idea that moving may cost a lot less (in time) than anticipated.
My next trip to Isanbul for example, I lose hardly any time. I land at midnight so I have no traffic jam going to the hotel. I'll be in my bed at say 2 am top, then I have a meeting scheduled at 7 am, so not much time lost in checking out etc.
Seriously, these things can be arranged - travel late or early and you'll get most of the day. Adjust to jetlag for traveling, it will help. Make themax of your days. HAve breakfast in trainstations not at hotels etc. Time savers.
May 30th, 2017, 06:00 AM
#29
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Eva--don't be bummed.
Your trip is far from the worst we've seen on this forum, and for a first time trip, it will work. As you're taking the train, you'll see some things en route. And you've chosen my favorite country in the world--Italy!
You will have a great time! So buon viaggio!
Your trip is far from the worst we've seen on this forum, and for a first time trip, it will work. As you're taking the train, you'll see some things en route. And you've chosen my favorite country in the world--Italy!
You will have a great time! So buon viaggio!
May 30th, 2017, 07:53 AM
#30
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Just pack light and go with the flow! It will be great.
Since you'll be in Milan in any case, here are some suggestions.
Visit the Duomo and get a ticket to go up to the terraces. Mindblowing medieval gargoyles and other gewgaws!
If you like art, check if there are any shows that interest you in the Palazzo Reale, to the right of the Duomo as you face it. They often have great temporary exhibits. We've seen Van Gogh, Chagall, Manet, and many others. Sometimes they have three shows going on at once, although that is usually one too many for me to absorb. The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) belonged to Italy's now-dethroned kings.
If you want to do some shopping, visit La Rinascente, a high-end department store next to the Duomo, on the opposite side to the Palazzo Reale. There is a sort of food court on the top floor of La Rinascente, where you can eat with a view over the terraces of the Duomo.
Walk through the overpriced Galleria. There is a little glove shop I like at the far end from the Duomo, but otherwise I don't even window shop.
The piazza at the far end of the Galleria faces La Scala, perhaps the world's most famous opera house. They have tours, and you might check if there's some sort of concert or dance performance on when you're there.
Just this zone alone can occupy half a day or more. In the evening, I suggest you go to the Naviglio Grande, one of the few remaining of Milan's canals. The banks of the canal are lined with bars and restaurants, and it's quite lively and nicely lit up at night. On Saturday mornings, there's a flea market on one side of the canal.
Again, if you like art, I highly recommend the Brera Gallery, with a wonderful collection put together in the 19th century for the benefit of students at the Brera art school.
If you have time, you should visit the Castello Sforzesca, a castle that once belonged to the powerful Sforza family. It's an imposing castle, one of Italy's largest, right in the middle of the city. There are now several museums inside, but the castle itself is the main draw.
Since you'll be in Milan in any case, here are some suggestions.
Visit the Duomo and get a ticket to go up to the terraces. Mindblowing medieval gargoyles and other gewgaws!
If you like art, check if there are any shows that interest you in the Palazzo Reale, to the right of the Duomo as you face it. They often have great temporary exhibits. We've seen Van Gogh, Chagall, Manet, and many others. Sometimes they have three shows going on at once, although that is usually one too many for me to absorb. The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) belonged to Italy's now-dethroned kings.
If you want to do some shopping, visit La Rinascente, a high-end department store next to the Duomo, on the opposite side to the Palazzo Reale. There is a sort of food court on the top floor of La Rinascente, where you can eat with a view over the terraces of the Duomo.
Walk through the overpriced Galleria. There is a little glove shop I like at the far end from the Duomo, but otherwise I don't even window shop.
The piazza at the far end of the Galleria faces La Scala, perhaps the world's most famous opera house. They have tours, and you might check if there's some sort of concert or dance performance on when you're there.
Just this zone alone can occupy half a day or more. In the evening, I suggest you go to the Naviglio Grande, one of the few remaining of Milan's canals. The banks of the canal are lined with bars and restaurants, and it's quite lively and nicely lit up at night. On Saturday mornings, there's a flea market on one side of the canal.
Again, if you like art, I highly recommend the Brera Gallery, with a wonderful collection put together in the 19th century for the benefit of students at the Brera art school.
If you have time, you should visit the Castello Sforzesca, a castle that once belonged to the powerful Sforza family. It's an imposing castle, one of Italy's largest, right in the middle of the city. There are now several museums inside, but the castle itself is the main draw.
Jun 4th, 2017, 08:10 AM
#31
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Thanks! Such great ideas for Milan Bvlenci! Losing 3 days for traveling on the train is still bothering me a bit. The easiest way to alter the plan without rebooking most hotels, would be to lose the Nice leg (although I was looking forward to it) Should I:
Stick with my original plan
1 extra night in paris, overnight train, 1 extra night in Milan
1 extra night in Paris, overnight train, 1 night in Venice
2 extra nights in Paris fly to Milan- 1 extra night in Milan
2 extra nights in Paris fly to Venice for 1 night
Thoughts?
Stick with my original plan
1 extra night in paris, overnight train, 1 extra night in Milan
1 extra night in Paris, overnight train, 1 night in Venice
2 extra nights in Paris fly to Milan- 1 extra night in Milan
2 extra nights in Paris fly to Venice for 1 night
Thoughts?
Jun 4th, 2017, 10:26 AM
#32
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Overnight train to Venice (or Milan but Venice anyday over Milan) saves the most time -flying still takes much of a day- but overnight trains may not be for all -depends on how well you sleep with always a modicum of noise from outside and inside the train.
www.thello.com for booking your own night train -discounts available -you also save on a night's hotel cost. Bring any food or drink aboard -get a private compartment and have fun!
www.thello.com for booking your own night train -discounts available -you also save on a night's hotel cost. Bring any food or drink aboard -get a private compartment and have fun!
