I like the Palenq itinerary too but would fly from Paris to Venice as I don't sleep well on night trains. Also would take a night from Florence and add it to Paris or Rome. Just all Italy also would work because it frees you in the future to explore other parts of Europe.

I said Germany because they were interested in WW11 history. Paris, you could do this:https://liberatedtraveler.com/2013/0...-bank-circuit/

You could do Paris and take a day tour to Normandy but would be rushed.

I would skip Venice or Rome for Amalfi coast. My niece just spent three nights in Positiano renting an airbnb apartment overlooking the ocean. They loved it there. They drove and she was a little stressed but her partner is a great driver so did ok. It is your honeymoon. Salerno has WWll history also.

Thanks flpab. I think we're narrowing it down to Paris and Italy. Now we just need to nail down locations. All your responses have helped us become more realistic with our trip. I think we'll have to go back again and visit Germany separately from this trip, paired with Amsterdam, Brussels and Bruge.

For a first trip to Europe you have to go to Paris. I have been 3 times and would go again tomorrow if I could. Rome is also important as is Venice, another city I will never tire of - it is unique. I have been travelling to Europe for 16 years and only went to the Amalfi coast last year for the first time. It is lovely but can get very busy with cruise ship passengers nowadays. If you can fit it in as a place to chill for a few days then do it instead of Tuscany. It all depends what you want out of your holiday. After 4 days in Maiori on the Amalfi coast last year we caught the bus to Salerno and after an overnight stay the train to Rome. If you are flying out of Rome perhaps you could fit it in that way.

If you decide on Paris, then no, you absolutely do not have time for the AC unless you gave up Venice or Tuscany and I would not give those up. If you choose Paris, then give up the AC. Here is why.
Even though the Amalfi Coast is one of the most stunning landscapes anywhere, there are others. Venice, however, is one of the most unique and romantic places in the world. There just is no other place even close. So keep Venice.

Since Florence/Tuscany is right between Venice and Rome, it makes the most sense logistically. Besides, it is gorgeous. The medieval hill towns are really beautiful and the history of each is Interesting. In Lucca, you can see how the new "medieval" city was built on the foundations of the Roman city. Tell your wife to look at images of Siena and Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

As to Amalfi, yes, it has gotten really touristy. However, it is not just a sit at a beach area. As a matter of fact, I don't think much of the beaches, but there are many things to do and see. The great archeological sites of Pompeii, Herculaneaum and Paestum are enough to attract thousands each year. The Path of the Gods, Capri and even Vesuvious appeal to hikers, and there are music festivals in Ravello. It is also one place where ferries are a great means of transportation with continuous picturesque views of Positano, Capri, etc.

So, Armando, if you do your trip this time with Paris, plan on adding a week in Amalfi at the end of another trip - just not in heat of summer. You will have time for more research to make sure you do and see everything you want there, find a perfect place to stay, etc. Your wife might enjoy doing that. BTW, nothing wrong with chilling in the AC, sitting all day by a pool looking out to sea, or on a terrace at night with lights and sails of boats making the water glitter. The Amalfi Coast is for experiencing, which takes time and a willingness to relax.

When you do go to the AC, the Naples airport is relatively small, easy to fly in and out from other places in Europe and easy to get to city center, busses, trains, etc.

Thank you tons Sassafrass. You really know a lot about these places and are playing a great part in making a decision. How does the following itinerary sound?

- Bruges -> Paris -> Venice -> Florence -> Rome -> Chicago

or vice versa.

No to Bruges as it takes too much time on an itinerary that is already tight.

Thanks. Maybe I am just more opinionated or what I like corresponds to what you like. You mentioned architecture and got my attention. Had you said Disney in Paris, I could have contributed nothing. Many people here know much more about how to do things, times, ferry and train schedules, events, hotels, etc. than me. Some live there and have better and up to date info. Count on their help. I tend not to keep good records about those things. If something is really important to me, I make sure to get there. Otherwise, I often meander without much of a schedule.

I have, however, been to your places of interest several times each, and a week or more at least once for each of them. I still feel very much I have just had a glimpse and always learning lots of new things from other posters here. No right or wrong either, only opinions based on individual experiences and travel style. We are all biased, but I think try to give advice that seems appropriate for the traveler asking.

Unfortunately, no, you do not have time to include Bruges without it being a mad rush. Bruges is charming and certainly worth a day (more if you are into Flemish art), but Paris and Rome are already short on time, so you can't take anything from those.

Open to disregard by young or older traveler's who want only a quick walkabout in a city and to move on, my rule is to maximize sightseeing time and experiences and minimize travel and cost from place to place by seeing a lot in one area if possible rather than flitting from place to place seeing less. On a driving or train trip, going from place to place with one or two night stays or places close together that take little time to see, makes sense. It does not make sense when going to major cities like Paris, Rome, Venice.

Rather than trekking to Bruges before or from Paris, go to Versailles.

Since Italy was your first choice, focus there. It has unimaginable variety.
At least 3 or 4 day trips from Rome would give you different experiences: Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Orvieto.
Vicenza, a few minutes from Venice would show you the architecture of Paladio, including Teatro Olimpico, a divinely inspired space, IMHO. It doesn't take long to see it and it is often overlooked while people order tickets months ahead for other things. I mention this because of your interest in architecture, and because it is the only public space I have sat in and been moved to tears. There are many towns similar to Bruges, but only one Teatro Olimpico. However, if you had no serious interest in architecture and spaces, I would not recommend it. An afternoon in colorful Burano would be just as lovely, maybe better.

I mentioned Barcelona before, also based on your interest in architecture. Love it or hate it, you will want to see Gaudi's work in person someday.

Start blocking out your itinerary
You can plan by nights or day by day.

September 16-19, Paris, 4 nights, 3 days
September 20-22, Venice, 3 nights, 2 days
Etc.
Or

September 15, depart Chicago
September 16, arrive Paris. Walk relax. Get oriented.
September 17, 18, 19, Paris 3, whole days with possible day trip to Versailles
September 20, fly to Venice
September 21, 22, Venice 2, whole days
September 23, train to Florence, etc. maybe car, maybe not.

There are other ways of doing things, departing a city late in the day to have longer the next day in the new city, etc. but not overly important.

Important thing. Have fun planning. Whatever you do will be memorable and fantastic!

I've taken that Thello night train a few times and yes I can sleep very well but some can't and there is always a modicum of noise from inside and outside the compartment - like when trains are in stations (night trains stop a lot for a long time sometimes) with PA announcements, etc. being heard.)

Hello all, when booking, do you recommend booking a package (flights, hotels, transfers, tours) or booking flights, hotels, transfers and tours separately? The first option, where you don't get to see how much each hotel costs per night, seems to be more expensive. Can you please let me know what you usually do when booking? We want to be as economical as possible, but get everything we need. Much appreciated!

Don't try to cram too much into your trip. You will end up feeling too rushed. I would choose 3 main cities and do day trips out of each.
We did Amsterdam (day trips to Delft and The Hague), Brussels (day trip to Bruge and we didn't but you could also go to Antwerp), and then Paris (day trips to Versailles and Giverny). All connections were by train.

We also did Venice, Florence (trip to Siena) and Rome (Ostia Antica and the beach at Ostia). Also all connections by train.

Thanks dro. My most recent question however is from a booking standpoint. Trying to see what the most economical way of booking is. I was quoted almost $9k from Liberty travel for 15 nights for 2 people, which includes flights, hotels, transfers and tours (no trains or buses). I think that's too much if you ask me. They weren't able to let me know price per hotel per night because it's a package deal. I feel like it would be more economical by booking everything separately. Please share your experiences and how you booked and what was the better way/most economical way?

$9K is ridiculous, IMO. I could do it for half that or less for 2 people, including nice hotels and train travel and good food. I also can't imagine booking with anyone who can't tell me where I'd be staying and how much it would cost. But then, I've never let anyone else plan/book my trips for me. I realize lots of people do, but for me half the fun is doing every bit of my own planning.

Book everything separately. Start with the transatlantic flight, preferably open jaw (now, it is called "multi city").

Book your accomodation using the usual booking machines:

- Hotwire
- tripadvisor with sub-machines like booking.com etc.

Use booking machines to find intra-European flights, but book directly with the airlines (sometimes the booking machines seem to offer better fares, but often they add hidden fees - when you book directly with the airlines, you will be better informed about changes etc.).

Book your train tickets exactly 90 days before travelling, using the websites of the railway companies (in your case http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en).

Book rental cars directly with the rental car companies (I had very bad experiences with AutoEurope).

Have picnic lunches and eat inexpensive food from street stands.

BTW, Italy and Paris belong to the most expensive destinations in Europe. Germany would be considerably cheaper. But that ship has sailed by now, I am afraid.

Any more booking experiences? What should I expect to pay for 2 people (flights, hotel, transfers, tours)...will also purchase train tickets later.
16 Days (from Chicago)
- Paris 3 nights
- Venice 2 nights
- Florence 3 nights
- Rome 4 nights
- Sorrento 3 nights

If you're going to focus on Italy, I'd suggest to go to the Dolomites from Venice. A stunning place with great historical value.

Any more booking experiences? What should I expect to pay for 2 people (flights, hotel, transfers, tours)...will also purchase train tickets later.>>

what's your budget, Armando? I can't help with the cost of trans-atlantic flights but so far as hotels are concerned, you'll need at least £100 [say $145 or €130] per night for anything decent in a convenient location, and in Paris and Venice, probably more than that. if you run to $200 per night you'll have a lot more choice and after that, the world is your oyster. I would start with booking.com, put in your destination and dates, and see what comes up. You can select for location, or lowest price first...your choice. If you come up with a shortlist for each location, I'm sure people here will be able to advise you on whether they are in good locations.

as for food, tours, etc. we reckon on spending another £100 per day on average. so a 15 night trip would generally cost the two of us about £3000 [say $4500] plus the cost of getting there and getting about, both of which are too trip specific to predict.

hope that helps!

Annhig, I would like to stay around $6k

Even less, as from some of the replies it looks like that is very possible.

Very possible when not paying a middleman to make all the arrangements.