If you really want to go to Noma, then 2016 is the time to go (Although the team is in Australia right now). It is scheduled to be closed on Dec. 31, 2016. Plan your time, in Copenhagen and then fill in the rest of the trip.

janis suggested this
In your time -- Copenhagen > Rome > Florence > Paris (and no driving ) makes sense.

Although, I would allow more than a couple of days for Copenhagen, just to allow full justice for your meal at Noma.

Just had lunch with the wife. Nova is no guaranty we'll get a reservation. We're pretty set now on doing Switzerland (4 nights), Florence (4), Rome (5) and Paris (4). With a day trip to Pompeii from Rome. I know it'll be hot but I live in Texas where it's 104 in the summer so I'm thinking we'll be okay. One more question, what order do y'all think would be the best?

Also, hetismij2, why book asap and what is Black Saturday?

The order you have it is OK. Or put Paris first and fly home from Rome at the end.

In July, Rome and Florence are likely to be the hottest -- although you never can tell. But I think I would like a break from sightseeing and tourists in the middle of the trip. (Switzerland will have loads of tourists but it is easier to get away from them in the mountains if you like to hike up hills. Then I would go to Paris for the finale.

So I would fly to Rome or Naples, go to Florence -- head for Switzerland, finish up in Paris.

I'm sure you've heard about taking water, hats, sunscreen to Pompei in summer. No shade there. Go as early in the morning as you can.

Thanks to all who've replied. This has been a big help!

end of July beginning of August is also peak time for European holidays. France still experience Black Saturday around the start of August, when the motorways turn into one huge traffic jam.

Because of returning local vacationers.

Europeans generally get much more vacation than americans and it's very common to get the entire month of august off. So the first Saturday of August a massive number of families trek all over europe heading for their vacation homes or taking RVs to camp grounds or just heading for resort areas.

So you can get traffic jams that are bumper to bumper miles long heading from major cities to resort areas. Google what the worst day willl be this year and stay off the road (or just do local driving) on that day.

That two days of driving from Cinque Terre to Paris would be hellish for me. I do not like this idea one bit. For someone who is an avid hiker, you sure you want to spend two days straight in a car? There is almost no hiking on your trip! The whole trip sounds like a nightmare to me. I can move around a lot, but this is silly. Fly transatlantic and spend two night and then fly and drive and spend another two night...and then drive and fly again... that's already a bad idea. Too much transportation.... you are spending most of your trip just getting on.