In mid-October, we're planning a week in Italy then a week in Paris.

We've never been to Italy, plan to see Florence and Rome. Trying to decide if there's any reason to do one city or the other first. Cost is virtually the same either way.

We can fly into Florence, spend 3 nights then take the train to Rome for 4 nights. On the 8th day, catch the 9:45 train to Naples for the the 3:30pm plane to Orly, arrive in Paris at 5:45.

Or: We can initially fly into Rome for 4 nights then train to Florence for 3 nights. We would have to take a very early (7:08am) train to Milan for the 1pm flight from Milan Linate to Orly, arriving in Paris at 2:25.

As for getting our "Italy legs" and recovering from jet lag, should I give any preference to Rome or Florence first?

I've read there are a lot of lost baggage issues at the Milan airport. We would fly through there if we fly into Florence...should that be a consideration?

Fodorites can always point out what I'm missing. Is there some consideration that makes this an obvious choice?

Is there any reason you can't fly into/from Florence or Pisa (one hour from Florence)?
Or fly in and out of Rome and just take the train between the Rome and Florence? Why do Naples and Milan come into the mix since you don't plan to visit them? Just wondering. . .

There are lots of flights from Florence into CDG on Air France/Alitalia. I didn't check availability from Rome. That would eliminate having to get to Milan or Naples. Just a thought.
Happy planning!
Judy

Hi Jeanne,

May I suggest fly into Venice for 3 nights, train to Florence for 4 nights, Train to Pisa. Fly to Paris.

Unless you must see Rome.

As best I can tell, the flights from FLR or FCO to Paris are $400-500 each. That's a big difference when compared to Easyjet's 19 euros.

I'm glad you reminded me of Pisa. I had taken it off the list because it's a late flight...doesn't get into Paris until 10:30pm. But now I'm thinking that might work. What are the logistics for getting from Pisa station to the airport? How long should I allow?

Oh, Ira! Now you're really going to flip me out. All I've heard here for over a year is &quot;You <i>must</i> see Rome!&quot;.

This may sound silly, but the reason we didn't put Venice on the list is because we're two ladies, leaving the guys at home. We both think of Venice as the ultimate romance city. Is that ridiculous?

I must say, Rome has not &quot;grabbed&quot; me yet the way Paris did before we went. Funny, but I think of Paris as a romance city too, as I'm sure you've noticed from my posts. We loved Paris. Venice? Hmmm. Have to think about that.

I've been to Venice twice, once solo, once with a platonic traveling companion. It is an amazing city. But I don't think of it as a particularly romantic place. Just stay out of the gondolas (smile).

So to politely answer your question &lt;Is that ridiculous?&gt; I'd have to say &quot;yes it is&quot;.

To get from Florence to Pisa airport take the Terravision bus from Florence train/bus station. www.terravision.it

Thanks, bourbon. Pisa is beginning to look like a good choice.

Your initial plan sounds fine. I would fly in/out of Rome. Take the train to Florence. Stay a few days. Then return to Rome for the remainder. Don't miss Rome if you have been.

Tam:

Thanks for that input. We've posted a new thread, adding one night to Italy and working Venice into the mix. It's not decided....we're still in the &quot;mulling over&quot; stage.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...nneB&amp;fid=2

Just got back from our first trip to Italy. We flew into Florence, which I think is an easier city to get your &quot;Italy legs&quot; in than is Rome. BUT definitely try to avoid flight changes in Milan's Malspena Airport. It is a mess and, according to our new Italian friends, is always like this. All passengers from all flights arriving from the US in the morning were channeled into one area that squeezed down to 3 security check points. The result was hundreds of people pushing and shoving to get in, climbing over the &quot;line keeping&quot; bars, etc. with no airport personnel in sight. We had 2 hr. between flights, and got to our gate at 11:15, for a flight that left at 11:15. Some flights seemed to be held late, but I'm sure many people missed their connections. That being said, I'd fly in and out of Rome, and take the train to Florence...very easy to negotiate and non-stressful. We spent several days in Venice also, and loved it, but it's the city I would skip if one of the three had to be left off the list.

My 2 cents; I love Paris and I really like Venice, but I REALLY LOVE Rome!
I'd start in Rome and finish in Milan. Arriving at 2:25 beats 5:45.