Cowboy, you are quite correct — I forgot that Greece is one hour ahead of Italy, so it's only two hours flying time from Rome to Athens, then — even better. :-)

To the OP: are you a super-young nana or not?

If you're at the narrowest edge of a two-generation gap between yourself and grandkid (40 years), then you're 58+ and PalenQ's suggestion for overnight trains and ferries is poor - granddaughter could hack it because she's a kid and they can sleep anywhere but you'll be uncomfortable. Take planes if the train trip is more than 5-6 hours. There are ton(ne)s of discount airlines in Europe.

Don't underestimate sizes: Spain and France would each be the third largest state in the US - both are more than 20% larger than California. Italy would be the sixth largest state (between New Mexico and Arizona). It's not like you're visiting places as small as the various states in New England (whose six states are just over 1/2 the size of Italy) so you can just bop about with no effort or travel time.

Not only is Big Russ right about geographical size, each of those countries, IMHO, has hundreds more places to visit and thousands more things to see than our states. It is estimated that 40% of the total art work (paintings, sculpture, mosaics, architecture, etc.) in the Western World is in Italy.

Thank you all -- I appreciate your sensitivity to this grandma, who while young at heart is certainly no super-nana! I'm sort of at the "comfort" stage of my life, so will definitely take your comments into consideration! And, clarification regarding the size of the countries is also something I need to take into consideration.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

OCaTG, just want to say that I hope your trip is the most wonderful event of your life and that your DGD has memories for a lifetime. It is a joyful thing you are doing.

PalenQ, if you look at the ANEK timetables you will see that ferries take one day + 10 hours (34 hours) to sail from Venice to Patras. Example: depart Venice at 1400 on Tuesday and arrive Patras at 2359 Wednesday, then drive through the middle of the night and arrive in Athens on Thursday morning. That's two nights without a bed unless you take a cabin on the ferry, which would probably cost more than the flight from Rome to Athens. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, much less a grandmother and her granddaughter. :-(

http://www.ferries.gr/anek/defaultEN.htm

Heimdall - I did not think it would be that long so go from Bari or Ancona - about 10 hours I think but only if it is near where you are going in Italy - otherwise the train from Rome, Florence, etc would take some hours to get to the port.

Flying makes sense but is less adventuresome IMO.

I recommend you to use www.megabus.com to buy the train and bus tickets in UK, you cannot imagine the money you can save in this web...

My favourite cities in UK are London, Manchester, Liverpool and Brighton (very funny during the summer).

To travel around Europe, I recommend you vueling.com, easyjet.com and ryanair.com

PalenQ, when you go by ferry from Venice to Patras you are travelling the length of Italy <i>at about 30 mph</i>. That's why I prefer flight over ferry except for short distances. Is the OP likely to be near Ancona or Bari? ;-)

No the average traveler will not be near any port that is closer to the Greek boats.

For younger folk the travel distance is not such a drag and if they have a railpass then they can actually travel free between Italy and Greece on those boats - deck passage that is as I did several times when I was young - kind of a party atmosphere with lots of folks in lounge chairs on deck and later at night in the bar/disco - so that could be very cheap and exciting for younger folk - perhaps, probably not so for oldsters - flying makes much more sense for them.

Me I still at an older age enjoy doing such boats - still an adventure for me but I understand that would be a complete hassle for others.

National express is also excellent in the UK. There are promo codes for trains, too.. google for them

www.nationalrail.co.uk has all the various fares of each rail franchise - from deep discount tickets to full fare - and it is easy to book. If taking several longish trains and wishing full flexibility then consider some kind of BritRail Pass or BritEngland Pass, Days Out of London Pass, etc.

Thanks, everyone! After talking with my GD, we've narrowed the field to England (London-based), France (Paris-based), and Italy (Venice/Florence/Rome/Milan/Tuscany?)-not sure on Italy quite yet. Plan to take day trips and tours to various places within those countries. Will keep you posted as I continue to plan, as I am sure I will have more questions. Thanks again. :)