heiwa2007

first three weeks in september doing paris, chamonix, venice, florence and rome. i am wired for tropical climate. what should i bring? we are taking public transportation.

appreciate your advice.

Therese

The weather is always unpredictable in the mountains, so you'll want to have some warmer things, especially at night or if you're going any higher than Chamonix. Fleece layers are great, as they're lightweight, cozy, and dry quickly if they get wet (either from rain, or if you wash them). A waterproof top layer is good, and will come in handy if it ends up rainy anywhere else. I'm very sensitve to the cold, so I'd pack fleece gloves and earmuffs if you're planning much in the way of outdoor activities (hiking around Chamonix is great). You can store them in a day pack while you tour, just in case. Appropriate shoes also important, but these needn't be hiking boots if you're sticking to established trails.

From the length of your trip I'm guessing that Chamonix is just a stop off en route between Paris and northern Italy. I'll point out that this is, IMO, entirely too many destinations to pack into three weeks.

heiwa2007

thank you therese. yes, i've been told it's a lot. i wish i could make it less packed. but we may not be able to do this again together. what would you take out?

Therese

It really depends on your tastes, and on the travel plans you've made to date as well. If you're already committed to an open jaw that arrives in Paris and departs Rome, then you're seeing them for sure. If you're not, I'd probably drop Rome and Florence, and just do Paris, Chamonix (which you're presumably really interested in if it was included in your original itinerary) and Venice.

Were you planning on doing night trains among these three? The day versions of these trips are longer than most people want to spend on a train, and will use up the day.

Tim_Barnett

Hi! Great you are taking in Chamonix. Super spot under the shadow of Mt Blanc. Definitely cagoule and balaclava country, even in September, especially if you plan to head into the hills. Very good walking boots are a must (and not new, but something you'd comfortably worn in to friendship). While the locals would always say ice ace and crampons are de rigeur, the reality is that, especially in September when the snow at a minimum, you can do some great lower walks without specialist gear. It's a great time of year to visit Chamonix, but be prepared for temps well below freezing up on the tops.

heiwa2007

thanks, therese and tim.

actually it's my mom who wants to go to the snowy mountains. i think i should pack winter clothes and use them even in rome.

could we get around chamonix even without a car in sept? is it worth it to stop by courmayeur and see the other side of mont blanc? am thinking of taking a sleeper train to venice. looks like we need to take a bus to aosta and take the train from there?