Hola Fodorites, I'm planning a honeymoon to Europe in August (11-27). You all seem so seasoned and thought you might have suggestions/thoughts on my plans thus far:

12th-17th Santiago de Compostela, Spain...We'll be staying friends and hope to explore some history and nightlife.

17th-21st Paris, France...We've booked a room at the Hotel Louvre Forum. Any thoughts on the hotel? I'm an artist so we'll be hitting alot of the museums (Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Pompidou, Picasso). We'd also like to see the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffle Tower, and take a day trip to Versaille. I know I can't see everything, but since it's my life's dream to visit Europe, I know I won't be able to sit still. I'm in the process of learning some French phrases, but am nervous that I'll offend someone. Any thoughts/advice?

21st-23rd Sleeper train (not booked yet) to Florence, Italy. Really confused on what train, how to get tickets, basically everything about it. We've booked a room at the Hotel Bellettini for the 22nd. Any thoughts on this hotel? I'm also trying to learn some Italian. Any thoughts/advice?

23rd-27th Want to take a train from Florence to Rome (Monday night-23rd), but again confused on how to go about it. We haven't booked a room in Rome yet. Any suggestions? We're on a budget, of course. I was thinking about the Margutta as suggested by my Fodor's book.

What will the weather be like, hot I'm assuming...

One more question...what should I wear? JUST KIDDING, I saw what you did to that poor "sealady" ;-)

Thanks in advance,
Ang

Hi ang,

I suggest that rather than a sleeper train to Florence, you take www.volareweb to Venice.

1. It's faster and cheaper.
2. Venice is better for a honeymoon
3. volare doesn't fly to Florence

Train schedules and prices can be found at www.trenitalia.com/en.

You can purchase tickets online, if you wish. See this link
Trenitalia Tickets Online
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34465647


Also, how important is Paris? You seem to have a nice trip to Spain and Italy.

Enjoy your trip and don't wear pink sweats.

A pretty good plan, but I would not personally attracted to an overnight train when a (very) low cost option exists to fly - - on www.volareweb.com (into Rome; you could re-arrange the order of these two, or make an overnighter train trip Rome-Florence roundtrip; the train is only 95 minutes).

There are numerous good budget choices for Rome; see www.eurocheapo.com for a list. I recommend staying in the Centro Storico - - near the Pantheon is particularly good (though perhaps harder to find lower cost choices). An interesting alternative might be in the Trastevere.

And I am curious what thoughts you have given as to how you will get TO Santiago de Compostela, nor FROM there to Paris. There is also service from Bilbao to Rome, so you could move Italy immediately AFTER Spain, then finish in Paris. Otherwise, I am not sure what good options you have for SdC to Paris.

Whatever your decisions, congratulations on your new life in marriage... and...

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi Ang-
Congrats on your upcoming marriage!

A few thoughts:

Paris- Hotel Louvre Forum - there are several reviews on the "Rants & Raves" section here on fodors.com.
Also if you haven't done so, check tripadvisor.com
Sounds like you will benefit from the Paris Museum Pass.

Italy train tickets - explained by Ira already. Just remember you cannot buy tickets more than 60 days in advance.

Your itinerary looks perfect, you've done your homework.
English is spoken more in Italy than it is in France. If you just want to learn a little of ONE language, choose French (learning two at once would confuse me at least).
In Rome, if you are using the Fodor's website, I would look at areas: "Campo de' Fiori", "Piazza Navona", and "Pantheon" instead of the Margutta. These areas are a little pricier, but oh so worth it. You can still find something comparable in price to THE Margutta in these zones.
Rome in particular will be HOT, make sure you get A/C for uyour room and do most of your walking either early or at night. Look at the weather forcast just before you arrive in Rome and plan to spend the hottest days indoors.

i disagree with ira. if you are an artist, you will probably get more out of florence than venice.

My flight plans are unfortunately already set in stone. We'll be flying to SCQ (Santiago de Comp airport), then from SCQ to Paris. We'll fly out of Rome. As for the sleeper train, we thought that traveling and sleeping at the same time would give us more time to sightsee, not to mention save money on a hotel room for that night. No?

English is spoken more in Italy than in France? Good to know...

Are we talking HOT as in 85 degrees or 97 degrees?

Good input so far...thanks!

"English is spoken more in Italy than it is in France."

Since the only place you are visitng in France is Paris, I will respectfully disagree with this statement. The vast majority of people with whom a tourist comes into contact in Paris speak at least some English, or can locate someone else who does.

Although the same is essentially true in Florence or Venice. It is when you venture into the coutryside that less English is spoken.

French people will often voluntarily begin speaking English if they see you struggling with their language. In my experience, they generally appreciate the effort on your part, and will not be at all offended at your attempt at French.

<< As for the sleeper train, we thought that traveling and sleeping at the same time would give us more time to sightsee, not to mention save money on a hotel room for that night. No?>>

It depends on if you are actually able to sleep on the train. Also, some of these really cheap flights are much cheaper than an overnight train. Decide what is important to you.

Not just quality of sleep but quality of the first few hours of the morning (important on a honeymoon, in my mind... wink...)

I have no interest in a bed that disappear when the train arrives at the station. And remember that a hotel may not be accessible to you between your arrival time and the mid-afternoon when the room is ready for check-in. So a half day, tired and wanting for a shower is what you might be in for.

Good point, rex...

So, what do you suggest? Keeping in mind my hotel and flight arrangements. Isn't there a bag check somewhere? maybe at the hotel or train station?

Your hotel will hold your bags, even if your room is not yet ready. Also, the train station in Florence has a left baggage window (for a per-bag fee).

Hi ang,

There is a left luggage office in the Florence SMN station. It is to the right as you face the trains.

>if you are an artist, you will probably get more out of florence than venice<

OK, so Titian, Caravaggio, Canaletto, Tiepolo and Tintoretto were minor artists.

After speaking to my other half, the train still seems neat. Am I missing something?

After we get off the train, go to the hotel, check our bags, and begin our day.

We took the overnight train from Paris to Venice on our honeymoon. Being on a budget we shared with 6 people. It wasnt so bad. It was kind of fun! About 10:30ish we all went to bed. You all have to agree, because the seats turn into beds, so if everyone decides to go to bed..you have to as well. And it is soooo noisy. There were a bunch of teenages on our train up partying all night long. No privacy!! But it got us there!

Perhaps I have watched to many old black and white movies but I still have a fantasy of a sleeper car in Europe.
I think it is as much a part of the cultural exchange and an adventure as, well...museums and cafes. And my oh my, I bet it is romantic...expensive but romantic.

I was under the impression that you could book a private car for two. Would you do it again, jamikins? If not, do you have anther suggestion?

You can book a private for two. We didnt have the cash to do that. I think there is something great about trains, you get to see the countryside, and getting to and from airports is such a hassle. I certainly dont regret the decision to take the overnight. I wouldnt rule it out if presented again with the situation. If it was the most efficient and reasonably priced I would do it in a second. If the flight was alot cheaper I would fly to save the time.

Good luck with your decision!

Based in part on Europe's recent climate, and the responses I received to related questions I posed here, I'd suggest checking if your hotels are air-conditioned.

Paris around 85 degree F. Rome around 95 degrees F (was last year on those dates).