hits20

Hi...

Recently I came out with an itinerary but thru some help in this forum, I have make some changes. I need advise whether this itinerary work or not? I am travelling with my brother this coming April 2016 to Europe and Italy. We haven't buy any tickets yet but this is the plan. (We are not the kind that can spend 2-4 hours in a museum). Our interest is just to visit the places of interest, get some pictures, appreciate a little the beautiful architectural and sight seeing.

April 9, 2016 Home to ROME - 3 nights in ROME

April 12, 2016 Rome to Florence (by train) - 4 nights in FLORENCE

April 16, 2016 Florence to Venice (by train) - 2 nights in VENICE

April 18, 2016 Venice to Amsterdam (by air) - 4 nights in AMSTERDAM

April 22, 2016 Amsterdam to Paris (by train) - 5 nights in PARIS

April 27, 2016 Paris to London (by train) - 5 nights in LONDON

May 2, 2016 London to HOME

Is the itinerary looks okay or is it is too much/rush? Please advise. Your comment is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Whathello

Sounds ok to me. Did worse than that when young.
I assume you are young and fit.

Have fun.

thursdaysd

If you're not museum types why so much time in Florence? I'd switch some days to Venice.

kja

It is certainly do-able. I admit that I would want more time in just about every one of these cities, but it really depends on what you and your brother want to see and experience.

Your time in Rome, in particular, seems very short to me, especially if there is any chance that you might suffer from jet lag. With 3 nights, you might have as little as 2 days, and if you lose one of them to jet lag, well 1 day is really short for a city as rich as Rome. I personally wanted at least 4 full days for a 1st visit to Rome!

I, personally, would cut London (much as I love it) and add those days to Rome (so you have at least 4 full days there, not counting jet lag), Venice (so you have at least 2 full days there), and either either Paris or Florence, depending on your interests. JMO.

castlevisitor

If you aren't museum people, I'd cut 1 or 2 nights from Florence and add them to Rome. The rest looks fine.

Sassafrass

Are you doing day trips from Florence? If so, OK. If not, Florence is mostly all about art, so I suggest taking one day from there and adding it to Rome. So much to do there, besides museums.

I would also add a day to Venice and visit the islands or do a day trip.

neckervd

I agree with everything above. In all cities you mention, the main attractions are all kinds of museums, churches, palaces, archeological buildings and ruins....
As you obviously don't like this kind of stuff, it might be a good idea to change your itinerary a bit.
And don't forget that April can get very rainy, all over Europe.

nytraveler

I think you are short a day in Rome - which has a massive amount to see/do and could cut a day in Florence if you are not museum people. Rome has a much larger range of different things to do and if you are counting the day you arrive as one of the 3 days then you really have only 2.5 days there.

hits20

Hi...

Thank you to @nytraveler, @neckervd, @Sassafrass, @castlevisitor, @kja, @thursdaysd and @Whathello. Thank you for your kindness comment.

I am taking your advise to cut a day from Florence and put it into Rome.

One more question, should I cut a day from Paris or London to put it on Venice??? Is 4.5 days in Paris and London too much??

Hehehe... @neckervd true enough, we are not the artsy fartsy people. We just want to experience the beauty of it.

Booking all my tickets next week. I knew some of the museums I need to pre-book my tickets rather than queue in line for hours.

Is there any more tips that you guys can share? Love to hear it.

Once again, thank you very much and bless you people for helping me and my brother.

thursdaysd

No, especially if you want to do one of the many day trips.

I still think you need another day in Venice, though, and would take another from Florence or one from Amsterdam. Although it is only fair to say that in six visits to Italy I have yet to go to Florence, not wanting to fight the crowds for the art.

bilboburgler

I'd convert the time in Florence into getting out and about in Pisa/Siena/Lucca

I'd not take anytime from London I'd find a way to add to it.

If museums and art are not your thing I might even close Rome early

Kathie

I wouldn't cut time from either London or Paris - both have so much to see and do. And if you get bored (I can't imagine) there are excellent day trips from both places.

Given your interests, I'd cut two days from Florence and add one to Venice and one to Rome. Or maybe cut Florence all together. Take a look at a guidebook and see what it is you want to do/see/experience in Florence.

suze

I would skip Florence entirely, put one day each more to Venice and Rome... and call it GOOD!

PalenQ

About trains - book really early and you can save a ton - especially on Thalys trains Amsterdam-Paris and Eurostar trains Paris-London - book at www.thalys.com and www.eurostar.com - just show up and pay literally $100 or more more - but discounted tickets are non-changeable - non-refundable and as sold in limited numbers must be booked in stone weeks/months in advance to score.

www.trenitalia.com has discounts also for your Italian trains.

For lots of info on trains and tickets, etc (no pass would be good for your rail plans) check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; and for general info on trains www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

First-class tickets also come in discounted forms and at times may not be that much more than the cheapest available 2nd class fares - if not much difference first-class is IME more relaxed than 2nd class - easier to stow luggage - more empty seats - and other perks - the difference on Eurostar trains is greater IME than on other trains.

hits20

Hi ...

Thank you very much. You guys are such nice and beautiful people that give me so much tips. Thank you to @thursdaysd, @Kathie, @bilbobugler and PlaenQ.

Venice has nothing much to do during the evening beside enjoying the cool breeze and the lantern lighting. Unless I spend a day to island hoping like Burano, Torcello or Murano. I think I am much interested of going to Burano, such a colorful building they have.

I always wanted to go Florence. I think Florence is a very romantic place. I know there are a lot of museums and churches around but I think it would be nice to take a breath in a small city that has so much to offer even though I am not an art person. If I have time, I would go Tuscany for some wine tasting.

@Kathie, could you suggest to me those day trips in Paris and London? I want to keep my options open. We plan the travel itinerary, now I have to plan where to stay and where to visit in each city. Accomodation wise, I can search for Airbnb. I want to make use of all my days in each city.

@PalenQ, thank you so much for all your tips. I will be booking all my tickets next week. Is it worth to buy the Paris Pass? Looks like all the discounted tickets for the train are snatch up pretty fast. I guess I have to work fast too.

Thank you to all of you. If anyone has anything more to share, we love to hear it.