Does this make sense?
 

I am planning a trip to Paris September 2015 for 11 or 12 days. I have been 6 times but this will be my friend's first time in Europe. I am wondering if it would be feasible to shorten the trip to Paris to a week and fly to Florence for 4 nights and then fly home. I am thinking about flying from Paris to Florence since it seems it would be quicker than taking the train.

Will doing this trip double my expenses especially food wise? I haven't been to Italy in years so do not know food prices, etc.

I am the crazy lady who wants to do a GTG for a haircut and dinner in Paris. Once I have confirmed my dates I will be looking for some dinner companions.

Any thoughts on this scenario would be appreciated.

I personally think 7 days in Paris and 4 days in Florence would be a terrific trip.

Food in Italy and France will be roughly the same, though you could get stung in the tourist cenre of Florence, it will not be too high.

So your extra costs will be the internal flight, the airport transfers and the cost of the open jaw delta.

Sounds good to me

No, it doesn't make sense to me. If I'd never been to Europe and, after Paris, was taken to Florence, unless I was a Renaissance art lover to the exclusion of everything else, I'd wonder if this was the best Italy had to offer. Why not fly to Rome, or Venice?

Regarding the price of food, you can spend as little or as much as you want to spend anywhere, a non-issue.

A lot of people really do like Florence, though, it's hard to predict who will or who would rather go to Rome or Venice. Maybe she wants to go there?

Of course it is doable, why not. YOu can get a cheap flight on Easyjet (my favorite budget) to Venice, Rome, Pisa, Milan or Naples from Paris. Pisa isn't very far from Florence, but if the idea is Italy, you might consider Rome or Venice unless she is dying to go to Florence.

The flight home probalby will cost more, not because it is open jaw but just becuase it is from Italy, and flights to/from Italy generally cost more than Paris, as it is a longer flight.

I think Paris and Florence would make a lovely trip.

A lot a people say they love Florence, but I always wonder why. Not all of them could be art lovers and I always wonder if it isn't just a case of follow the leader and they like it because they think they should. Now you know how I feel about the place, art aside. And the art is a pain to see given the crowds following the leader.

But since she didn't say what the reasoning was, just thought I'd ask. I think there are plenty of places with more charisma and I wouldn't include Pisa or Milan necessarily. Rome and Venice, while obvious choices, I feel do have more going for them than Florence, especially for a first visit to Italy.

Sorry, I didn't make it clear that I wanted to go to Florence. I missed David years ago and want to see him. Also, I have infamous feelings about it-was on honeymoon with hubby and 13 year old daughter and she and I somehow found the mafia and was taken to an empty building to buy Gucci bags. Thought we were going to be killed but all worked out rather well. Am not expecting the same thing to happen but guess I just wanted to go back.

My traveling partner just thinks we are going to Paris but started to think about somewhere else too. I know she would enjoy Rome since her brother studied at the Vatican years ago. And well Venice would also be great. Back to checking prices. Thanks for the ideas.

No reason the cost would double - food in France or Italy should cost about the same. Would obviously add the cost of the flight - and don't know what price hotel you can get in Florence versus Paris.

Just make sure you get open jaw flights.

Personally, I get more out of exploring some of the variety in just one country, especially on a shorter trip. So, rather than fly to another country to see only one city, I would choose another area of France, five in Paris, then take the train and four or five days in another place.

OTOH, if you do have 12 to 13 days on the ground, then shorten the time in Paris to five days at most, leaving 7 days for Venice and Rome.