katie4

Hello seasoned travelers! I'm taking my first European vacation this summer, leaving August 14th. I have a roundtrip ticket to Paris from Orlando, returning on August 31st.

I've been doing tons of research on the web to plan my own trip (including reading Rick Steve's stuff) and I'm going nutso!

I'm going over to meet my roomate who's singing in an opera festival on Belle Ile en-Mer (off the coast of France). So I'll fly into Paris on the 15th, don't know if I'll continue on to the island or stay a night near the airport first and continue on the next day.

She finishes on the 17th and our plans were to head back to Paris. From there, it's a bit fuzzy.

I've never been to Europe (and I'm in my 40's!), so my first thoughts of an itinerary included Eurail tix and 4 countries! I've since been clued in that that's crazy in the timeframe I have, and I've downsized myself to Italy and France.

I was thinking of maybe taking a domestic flight out of Paris to Florence for a couple/few days (always wanted to go there- love art, culture, museums), maybe take a train to Venice for a couple of nights and then head back to Paris (train or air?) and spend the rest of the time in and around Paris before flying out on the 31st.

Does this sound sane?

What are the domestic flights like to go from Paris to Florence and how do I find out the airlines/make reservations?

What is Florence, Venice and Paris like around August 19-31st?

Does anyone have any better itinerary? I had wanted to hit Austria, Germany, and Switzerland too! But..next time.

I'm open to your learned comments/suggestions.

Thank you so much..

slangevar

What a great first trip to Europe! I'll actually be in Paris at about the same time... just be aware that a lot of restaurants and shops will be closed for the August holiday. But the main tourist attractions will be open.

The south of France will be packed with French tourists, and Italy will be full, as well, but if you don't mind crowds and some heat, you'll probably love it.

Florence was much different than I pictured it... busier and full of vespas. But the art is wonderful (as long as you make reservations for the museums ahead of time).

I personally would recommend spending more time in Rome or in one of the small villages like San Gimignano than Florence or even Venice. You definitely have time... and the mix between the country and cities makes for an easier and more interesting trip.

Have a fantastic time!

StuDudley

>>What is Florence, Venice and Paris like around August 19-31st?<<

Florence & Venice will be shoulder to shoulder people, & very hot - not a good time to visit these cities.

You have only 13 days - I would not leave northern France. You're trying to see the top spots in Europe on one short trip. If you've followed other's suggestions on Fodors, you'll discover that that's not a good idea.

I don't know where that island is, but I would stick close to Paris. Rent a car & visit parts of Normandy & especially beautiful Brittany. End your trip with at least 5 days in Paris. Many shops & restaurants in Paris close in August, but some will start to open the last week in August.

I have a very customized itinerary I wrote for a friend on Normandy & Brittany - e-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy.

I would be leary about visiting parts of Normandy in August - specifically Mt St Michel & the d-day beaches. I would concentrate mainly on Brittany. I would stay away from the Loire also, unless you like crowds. Provence would also be too crowded for me.

Alsace would be a nice area to visit - I have an itinerary for there also. We've been in Alsace the last half of August & the crowds were not bad at all.

You can take the TGV to/from Strasbourg for Alsace, & to/from Rennes & other cities in Brittany.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

I'll repeat myself - 13 days is not much time. Paris deserves 5 days, Rome a minimum of 4, Venice 3-4, Florence 3 days, and you're enjoyment of Europe would be greatly enhanced by visiting the small villages and beautiful countryside - which would take 3 days minimum. You will loose a half day each time you change locations - so if you do Paris, Florence, Venice, & Rome, then back to Paris - You've lost 2 of your 13 days. 11 days is not nearly enough time to visit all you want to visit.

Stick close to Paris - there's lots of great stuff there.

Stu Dudley

gshlaw

I'm with Stu on this one! Paris deserves at least 5 days, and if you're like me & my 2 sisters, even that long will still leave you wanting to go back. Easy train rides from Paris also include Rheims and Chartres. My advice is to stay away from Venice in the heat of the summer. It's a fabulous city, but I'm afraid that the crowds, the heat and the not-always-pleasant summer smells would leave your memories less pleasant than they should be.

Have a wonderful time!

TuckH

I too think you'd be best off staying within the Île-de-France region, or thereabouts.

However, I can also offer this suggestion for a dramatic change of pace: The attractive town of Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc. Ride the funicular up for a beautiful hike and a taste of the high Alps...

Underhill

Spend as much time as you can in Brittany, which will be cooler and quieter--most tourists will be in Normandy or the Loire Valley. Brittany is beautiful, has many historic sights, there are flowers everywhere, and the traffic is mostly calm.

ira

t

2010

I would like to echo the thoughts of others who recommend limiting your visit to northern France. Simply too many days devoted to travelling in your current itinerary. Consider splitting the time between Paris and Brittany or the Alsace. This may be your first European trip, but hopefully it won't be your last!!!

mr_go

Listen to Stu. Seriously.

JeanneB

Belle Ile en-Mer looks intriguing.
http://z.about.com/d/gofrance/1/0/D/...le-en-mer2.jpg
I'd never heard of it before this post. I wasn't even aware the French had summer homes on the islands off the Brittany coast. Here's some info on its annual opera festival:
--------------------------
During the summer the island's population increases dramatically, with many people owning a second home on the island, because of its secluded location and beaches.

Lyrique en Mer/Festival de Belle Ile is the largest opera festival in western France. Founded in 1998 by American opera singer Richard Cowan, the Festival produces two staged operas every summer, conducted by Music Director Philip Walsh and directed by Mr. Cowan, the Artistic Director. Additionally, there are sacred concerts in all four of the island's historic churches, as well as many smaller concerts and Master Classes. Lyrique en Mer has wide support from the French business community as well as from the Conseil General, the Conseil Regional, and the Paris Senate.

It is the setting for a portion of The Man in the Iron Mask, an adventure novel by 19th century French writer Alexandre Dumas, père. It is also where Porthos, one of the characters of Dumas' "The Three Musketeers" dies, close to Locmaria.
----------------------------

As others have said, you can't do Italy justice with so little time. Better to head straight for Brittany. Either continue on to the island or meet up with your friend when she's done with the festival. Stay in Brittany a few days (with car), then spend your last 5 or 6 nights in Paris.

slangevar

Katie4 - it really depends what kind of traveller you think you are. My sister and I have enjoyed a few 2-week whirlwind trips to Europe (London-Paris-Venice-Florence-Rome, and London-Scotland-northern Spain). While we left exhausted and with aching feet, we had a fantastic time on both and were glad that we'd managed to see so much in so little time.

I'm about to go to France for several weeks this summer, and I'm not sure I would have appreciated it as much if I hadn't seen a bit of everyplace else first.

So it's your choice - Paris, some of northern France and a bit of Italy can be done (and done well) if it's really what you want to do.

Parrothead

You have 13-14 days which I think is plenty of time to see Paris, Rome and one other destination--I'd choose Venice. I'd fly to Rome for 4 nights, take a train to Venice for 4 nights then take a train back to Paris for 5 nights total. For a first visit, I'd concentrate on cites where you don't need a car. Wear your walking shoes and just get out there everyday and soak it all up. Two fab 40 somethings in these 3 great cities would be a trip to remember, I guarantee it.
I'd save countryside and more remote places for your next visit.
You could use Expedia or Orbitz for sample flight costs, then you could consider EasyJet or another European discount airlines for booking.

StuDudley

Parrothead

Have you ever visited Rome & Venice in the middle of August?

We haven't, but friends who live there (Italy) say it's not a good idea because of the heat & crowds. Perhaps someone from Orlando might not have a problem with the heat, however.

It's still too much traveling & too much "city" for me - but everyone's different. I prefer a mix of city & country.

If you take the train from Venice to Paris for your flight home, this will be a 12-13 hr trip with 2-3 train changes, unless you want to get to Paris around midnight. It will also reduce your trip from 13 usable days to 12 usable days. Fly instead, but now you're starting to put together an expensive trip with flights from Paris to Rome, and from Venice to Paris. You could probably get some cheap flights, but the schedule might not be to your liking.

I still say stick with Brittany/Normandy/Paris. Belle Ile en Mer sounds lovely - you may not be ready for large cities (Paris followed by Rome) after a few days there.

Stu Dudley

tuscanlifeedit

Belle Ile en Mer sure looks nice:
http://belleisleenmer.free.fr/English/Eindex.htm

But as you said, you have always wanted to Florence. If there was somewhere I always wanted to go, I think I would go there.

Yes, prepare for heat and crowds. Pre plan your itinerary carefully; reserve museums and anywhere else you can ahead of time.

Try to fly from Paris to Florence itself, and if that isn't possible, consider Pisa which is close, a larger airport, and has good connections to Florence.

Some places to look for air are
easyjet.com
Ryanair.com
and whichbudget.com

The latter gives you a wider selection of airlines, mostly at discount prices, but not always.

You could land in Paris on the morning of the 15th, at CDG. Some less expensive flights leave for Italy from Orly. Maybe spend a night or two somewhere before your flight to Italy.

You could also fly Paris > Venice. Check the above websites to see which plan works best.

Again, hot and crowded, but,it's Venice. And this is your chance to be some places that you always dreamed of visiting.

Anyway, you could fly to either Florence or Venice, train between, and fly back to Paris.

I totally agree that the last week of August will see reopenings. However, although some places will be closed, I've been to Paris in late August and there was plenty to see and do.

Have a great time planning and come back to ask more questions!

Parrothead

Actually Stu, I generally don't schedule travel at all in August because I prefer Sept-October. But if I were to find myself in Europe for the first time, I'd go for the gusto and visit the world class cities mentioned, in a heartbeat.
I don't let rain, heat, crowds or pickpockets stop me from going anywhere. My motto is "Anywhere, anytime if I have the time and money to do so"
I'd go to Tulsa if the opportunity arose. Not that I'm slamming Tulsa, just telling it like it is.

sarge56

Sorry, Stu. I'm with Parrothead.

katie4...IF it has taken you this long to get to Europe, you might not ever get back. Some people have the time and the means to travel when they want to Europe. If you are like me, and this may be your only trip...do the whirlwind. Exhausting, yes. Unforgettable? You bet!!!

I am 50, my daughter 29. We are arriving Paris a.m. Spending that day and part of the next in Paris. THen flying MyAir Paris Orly to Venice. It's a 2-hr flight and VERY inexpensive. (I think I paid less then 200 dollars for the two of us.) We are doing 2 nights Venice, 2 nights Florence, and 2 nights Rome before flying back to Paris for one night.

Yes, we are aware that everyone says not to do it. But I don't know if/when I'll be able to come back. I was a single mom for 20 years and it took me 10 years to save up for this trip after my kids left home. I'm doing the whirlwind and preparing myself for it. Long walks every day, plenty of Aleve for the knees and breaking in some excellent walking shoes!

I say go for it! But you will have to book NOW for hotels. We are staying at Hotel Casci in Florence (in the heart of the city and great reviews on TripAdvsisor and here.) Venice we are at the Corte 1321 B&B. Rome is Hotel Giardino. If you want to just do two of those, (and much as I'm going to love Venice), I'd take Florence and Rome, and linger some in Tuscany!

Have fun! I know about the "nutso" doing research. It is a FULL TIME JOB!! But I know I won't have one wasted moment when I get there!

JeanneB

Like the OP, Florence was high on my lifelong list of destinations. I just couldn't wait to sample its offerings. Sadly, I don't feel the same about it after we choose poorly on our time to go there.

We arrived during a bitter cold/rain snap in late January. It was so cold, we couldn't enjoy strolling the (empty) streets. When I recall Florence, the the first image that comes to mind is the inside of restaurants---where at least we didn't have long waits~!

I just offer this as a warning. Going at a time when sightseeing will be difficult can lead to disappointment. I'm still of the opinion the OP would do better sticking closer to Paris.

romana

I agree with many of the others. I live in Rome and do not think it is terrible in August (especially not for someone from Orlando). It is hot, of course, but no more so than in June and July. Plus, many Romans are away for at leats part of August, so traffic is calmer and I generally have time to enjoy the city more. However, each year more restaurants and shops remain open in August and there are lots of outdoor cultural events throughout the whole month (jazz concerts in Villa Celimontana, outdoor opera at the Caracalla Roman baths). Katie - if Florence is your dream, by all means go! It's beautiful at all times of year. Buon viaggio!

namaka

katie4- I finally went to Europe last summer for the first time in 30 years (at 42). I too wanted to see alot of cities but took the advice of the very regular fodors experts and didn't try to overdue it. With that said, I'm with Stu on every level. Like you, I thought that since it took this long to get there, that I had better see all that I can because this was going to be my "one in a lifetime trip". Not so! I ended up disappointed that I did not get to see enough of Paris and am now going the same time you'll be there. In fact, next year we're planning to visit Italy. Trust me, you'll be much happier if you go with a quality visit instead of just saying you went to this or that "city".

Parrothead- you said:
"I'd save countryside and more remote places for your next visit."

I believe that katie4 has to go into the countryside for her friends singing commitment!

sarge56- you say that you agree with parrothead but it doesn't even sound like you've made your "trip" yet. I say that because you may feel quite different about it once you've actually gone.