3 cities in 10 days - Too crazy?
Sep 20th, 2019 | 08:33 AM
#1
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3 cities in 10 days - Too crazy?
Hey guys,
What do you think of my itinerary below? Too crazy or feasible?
I have 10 days off in October, and I'm trying to cram as much as possible.
I've already been to Paris and Madrid, but not to Florence.
Initially, I was planning on visiting Florence + Tuscan countryside but I'm worried the weather might be iffy in October. I thought big cities might be a safer bet, and I really miss Madrid and Paris.
October 3 Arrive in Paris at night
October 4 Paris
October 5 Paris
October 6 Paris
October 7 Arrive in Florence at 9AM.
October 8 Florence
October 9 Florence
October 10 Florence. Evening flight to Madrid
October 11 Madrid
October 12 Madrid (day trip to Toledo)
October 13 Madrid (leave at night)
What do you think of my itinerary below? Too crazy or feasible?
I have 10 days off in October, and I'm trying to cram as much as possible.
I've already been to Paris and Madrid, but not to Florence.
Initially, I was planning on visiting Florence + Tuscan countryside but I'm worried the weather might be iffy in October. I thought big cities might be a safer bet, and I really miss Madrid and Paris.
October 3 Arrive in Paris at night
October 4 Paris
October 5 Paris
October 6 Paris
October 7 Arrive in Florence at 9AM.
October 8 Florence
October 9 Florence
October 10 Florence. Evening flight to Madrid
October 11 Madrid
October 12 Madrid (day trip to Toledo)
October 13 Madrid (leave at night)
Sep 20th, 2019 | 08:53 AM
#2
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 30,533
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Nothing wrong with going to 3 cities but such ones so far apart? Look at Paris/Amsterdam/Luxembourg or Paris/Amsterdam/Strasbourg or Paris/London would make more sense. Not heard of flygskam? https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/49032117 Today is the day to start https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49767327
Sep 20th, 2019 | 08:55 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
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How about you pick EITHER Paris or Madrid to pair with Florence. I think all three is too rushed, too much transit time vs time 'being there'. I would extend Florence by several days.
But I don't think you need to worry that much about weather in October. And Florence is a city with lots of indoor stuff. In fact, I would probably schedule at least 6 days and plan to do day trips (Siena by bus, Pisa and Lucca by train, possibly a couple hilltowns perhaps by an organized tour). You wouldn't need to arrange them in advance so once you get there you can pick the best days for day trips and do museums, indoor stuff if you get rain on the other days.
But I don't think you need to worry that much about weather in October. And Florence is a city with lots of indoor stuff. In fact, I would probably schedule at least 6 days and plan to do day trips (Siena by bus, Pisa and Lucca by train, possibly a couple hilltowns perhaps by an organized tour). You wouldn't need to arrange them in advance so once you get there you can pick the best days for day trips and do museums, indoor stuff if you get rain on the other days.
Sep 20th, 2019 | 08:59 AM
#4
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Seems okay to me. Oct and Nov are the rainiest months in Florence, so I guess that makes sense, although temps will be fine.
It wouldn't be for me, I would not fly around so much and to such far points in only a 10 day trip, but you know what you are getting into and if you want to cram stuff in, why not. most of use don't have unlimited travel time, so there are always compromises. I don't think it's crazy, I just wouldn't enjoy it myself, but you may have more energy than I do and more tolerance for four flights in 10 days (counting your main one). I would not do an evening flight if I had a choice (I do not like arriving late in a city, and you usually get the worst room in a hotel), but have you checked to make sure you can do that? Skyscanner doesn't list any evening flights from FLR to MAD on that date. At least not nonstop, you aren't going to waste hours of time doing a connection, are you, with that schedule? There is one around noon.
It wouldn't be for me, I would not fly around so much and to such far points in only a 10 day trip, but you know what you are getting into and if you want to cram stuff in, why not. most of use don't have unlimited travel time, so there are always compromises. I don't think it's crazy, I just wouldn't enjoy it myself, but you may have more energy than I do and more tolerance for four flights in 10 days (counting your main one). I would not do an evening flight if I had a choice (I do not like arriving late in a city, and you usually get the worst room in a hotel), but have you checked to make sure you can do that? Skyscanner doesn't list any evening flights from FLR to MAD on that date. At least not nonstop, you aren't going to waste hours of time doing a connection, are you, with that schedule? There is one around noon.
Sep 20th, 2019 | 09:48 AM
#6
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Nothing wrong with going to 3 cities but such ones so far apart? Look at Paris/Amsterdam/Luxembourg or Paris/Amsterdam/Strasbourg or Paris/London would make more sense. Not heard of flygskam? https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/49032117 Today is the day to start https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49767327
Sep 20th, 2019 | 09:59 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,446
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With your time in Florence so tight, I wonder what you'd do if the flight from Paris was cancelled or delayed. You don't have any time to "lose."
FWIW, we usually travel in late October. There are no weather guarantees, but we have enjoyed good-to-great weather at that time in Florence and Tuscany. But you don't have time in Florence to see much of the Tuscan countryside. You could easily make a day trip to Siena and/or San Gimignano by bus and see some of the scenery along the way, but Tuscany is nearly 9000 square miles and the scenery varies significantly. What you'd see on a day trip to Siena doesn't compare to what you'd see in other parts of the region. If you do make a day trip, you'd have to plan the rest of your time in Florence very carefully and make entry reservations where possible. There's a lot to see...
The Museums of Florence
https://www.florence-museum.com/
FWIW, we usually travel in late October. There are no weather guarantees, but we have enjoyed good-to-great weather at that time in Florence and Tuscany. But you don't have time in Florence to see much of the Tuscan countryside. You could easily make a day trip to Siena and/or San Gimignano by bus and see some of the scenery along the way, but Tuscany is nearly 9000 square miles and the scenery varies significantly. What you'd see on a day trip to Siena doesn't compare to what you'd see in other parts of the region. If you do make a day trip, you'd have to plan the rest of your time in Florence very carefully and make entry reservations where possible. There's a lot to see...
The Museums of Florence
https://www.florence-museum.com/
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Sep 20th, 2019 | 10:04 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
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I'd only pick 2 cities but I hate to dash around and going thru airports is such a "waste" of time on the ground in Europe.
But no, there's nothing wrong with your plan as stated. No reason you can't do that, if that's your preference.
But no, there's nothing wrong with your plan as stated. No reason you can't do that, if that's your preference.
Sep 20th, 2019 | 10:12 AM
#9
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No idea where else you have been, but rather than spend time and money flitting from country to country to see one city, why not cover some of the beautiful and interesting places near to one of your preferred places. For example, in ten days, you could visit Seville, Córdoba, Toledo and Madrid, then take a fast train to Barcelona for a very different city.
Pair Rome with Florence and surrounding area, Etc.
Pair Rome with Florence and surrounding area, Etc.
Sep 20th, 2019 | 10:56 AM
#10
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No idea where else you have been, but rather than spend time and money flitting from country to country to see one city, why not cover some of the beautiful and interesting places near to one of your preferred places. For example, in ten days, you could visit Seville, Córdoba, Toledo and Madrid, then take a fast train to Barcelona for a very different city.
Pair Rome with Florence and surrounding area, Etc.
Pair Rome with Florence and surrounding area, Etc.
Was thinking to base myself in Madrid and do day trips to Toledo and Salamanca this time.
In Italy, I've been to Rome, Venice, CT, Lake Como (I've returned from Venice and Como just two months ago, actually) but have yet to visit Tuscany.
PS: Thanks to everyone for your replies.
Last edited by loacker_thegreat; Sep 20th, 2019 at 10:58 AM.
Sep 20th, 2019 | 12:15 PM
#11
Joined: Jun 2019
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I did once 16 destinations in 3 countries during 5 days while travelling by train from Budapest to London. Now, that was crazy, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I was young, full of energy and was travelling light. That was not 16 cities though, only 1 city and the rest smaller towns, villages, castles, monasteries. 
Sep 20th, 2019 | 12:27 PM
#12
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That helps. Salamanca is, IMHO, a bit far for a day trip. Toledo is really interesting at night, a nice overnight where you will be seeing mostly local families out for dinner. There is also Segovia, which is a good day trip.
You could add Granada. The gardens are pretty much gone by October, but the Alhambra is still incredibly amazing, the landscape is beautiful, and you avoid the heat of Summer. There is also music and caves to see in the area, good food too.
You could fly from Granada to Barcelona. There is a ton of beautiful and interesting things there.
Personally, I would wait for Spring for Tuscany, but if you decide to stick with Florence, then maybe see what tickets cost between Paris and Florence and do just that combo.
You could add Granada. The gardens are pretty much gone by October, but the Alhambra is still incredibly amazing, the landscape is beautiful, and you avoid the heat of Summer. There is also music and caves to see in the area, good food too.
You could fly from Granada to Barcelona. There is a ton of beautiful and interesting things there.
Personally, I would wait for Spring for Tuscany, but if you decide to stick with Florence, then maybe see what tickets cost between Paris and Florence and do just that combo.
Sep 20th, 2019 | 06:32 PM
#13
Joined: Sep 2017
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In early August you said you were doing a last-minute trip to Switzerland. Then a few days later it was Venice/Lake Como from which you couldn’t have returned any more than a month ago at the most.
I’m wondering if you actually do these trips or just ask questions for the fun of it?
I’m wondering if you actually do these trips or just ask questions for the fun of it?
Sep 20th, 2019 | 07:13 PM
#14
Joined: Jun 2017
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No idea where else you have been, but rather than spend time and money flitting from country to country to see one city, why not cover some of the beautiful and interesting places near to one of your preferred places. For example, in ten days, you could visit Seville, Córdoba, Toledo and Madrid, then take a fast train to Barcelona for a very different city.
Pair Rome with Florence and surrounding area, Etc.
Pair Rome with Florence and surrounding area, Etc.
Most of those options don't really save much traveling time. Florence to Madrid is less than three hours. Add in the time for security etc and it's not much worse than the options you've laid out. Paris to Florence is shorter.
To the OP if you're missing Madrid why are you doing a daytrip out of it? You only have one full day in Madrid.
Might be better to fly to / from Pisa. More airlines. More flights. Not much further from Florence.
Sep 20th, 2019 | 11:09 PM
#16
Joined: Mar 2007
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Most of those options don't really save much traveling time. Florence to Madrid is less than three hours. Add in the time for security etc and it's not much worse than the options you've laid out. Paris to Florence is shorter.
To the OP if you're missing Madrid why are you doing a daytrip out of it? You only have one full day in Madrid.
Might be better to fly to / from Pisa. More airlines. More flights. Not much further from Florence.
To the OP if you're missing Madrid why are you doing a daytrip out of it? You only have one full day in Madrid.
Might be better to fly to / from Pisa. More airlines. More flights. Not much further from Florence.
Last edited by Sassafrass; Sep 20th, 2019 at 11:16 PM. Reason: Realized OP had already been to suggested places.
Sep 21st, 2019 | 01:27 AM
#17
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Joined: Oct 2018
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In early August you said you were doing a last-minute trip to Switzerland. Then a few days later it was Venice/Lake Como from which you couldn’t have returned any more than a month ago at the most.
I’m wondering if you actually do these trips or just ask questions for the fun of it?
I’m wondering if you actually do these trips or just ask questions for the fun of it?
I usually travel to Europe 2-3 times per year because airfare is cheap to Europe where I live. I don't live in the States.
My Venice-Como trip was planned just a few days in advance, but It turned out to be great. It seems there are great deals to be had at the last minute. Will post a trip report later.
Last edited by loacker_thegreat; Sep 21st, 2019 at 01:30 AM.
Sep 21st, 2019 | 08:41 AM
#18
Joined: Jan 2010
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Why don't you work your way from Paris to Madrid and save Italy for another trip? I once took a night train from Paris to San Sebastian and then worked my way to Barcelona from San Sebastian. You could perhaps do Paris --> Barcelona-->Madrid if your focus is the cities but you could also have fun working your way from Paris to San Sebastian (stopping in Bordeaux maybe on the way) then going from San Sebastian to Madrid via Rioja? If you are up for it, trains and buses are a fun way to get around if you travel light. You could probably come up with some fun itineraries...
Sep 21st, 2019 | 01:55 PM
#20
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Perfect for a spontaneous trip.
