We are planning a 15th Anniversary/40th birthday trip to France and Italy next summer. This is the first trip to Europe for both of us. Our current thoughts are 4 days in Paris, 4 in Venice and 4 in either Florence or Rome. Any advice to help us would be appreciated expecially in regard to hotels, travel between the cities etc. <BR> <BR>Thanks.

What a wonderful trip. I don't know if I would make Rome on this trip. But make sure you have reservations in Venice since you have to usually walk with your lugage. The most romantic city in the world. Florence is wonderful because you can take side trips to Tuscany. That's why I would let Rome go for another time. Must see Luca and Pisa even though it's touristy. But you have to say you saw the Pisa. When in Florence besides shopping for overpriced jewelry be sure you see aMosaic factory. Absolutely amazing. If you are not driving the way to go is by train. Hire a good tour guide in Florence if price is no object.

For the hotels, what price range & what ammenities do you require?

For amenities all I eally require is air conditioning and a TV. We want to keep 2 of the 3 hotels in the $100 to $ 200 area and for the third I want a real WOW hotel. Not decided as to which city will be the WOW one yet. Suggestions all welcome.

Just two cents from a lowly veggie but I'd do one country or the other. 12 days would make a great Italy trip. <BR> <BR>4 in Rome <BR>4 in Florence/Sienna <BR>4 in Venice

With 12 days and the cities you listed, I would choose 5 days in Paris, 3 days in Venice, and 4 days in Rome. Use trains.

I agree with the previous person that Paris is worth 5 days, Venice 3. And in this itinerary, I think Florence is preferable. Definitely travel by train between cities; maybe checking out flights between Paris and Venice as well. As suggested, a day trip from Florence into Tuscany might be worth renting a car, but ONLY for that reason. There's no need to rent a car to travel between cities. <BR>Enjoy; it sounds like fun.

Having just returned from an extended trip that included all your choices, I'd say Rome over Florence. Florence & Siena were lovely, but far too touristy in a concentrated way for my taste. Venice is a must, as is Paris. <BR> <BR>For an affordable but perfectly romantic and nice stay in Venice, check out the Pensione Accademia. <BR> <BR>In Rome, we couldn't have been more suprised by the sumptuousness of our room at Hotel Celio, a stone's throw from the Colosseum in a quiet residential area with easy metro access. <BR> <BR>Our Paris hotel was ideally located, but not the most plush of our trip by any stretch, the Hotel du Quai Voltaire. For Paris lodging prices, I considered it a find (overlooking the Seine directly across from the Louvre), but if you want "special" it was more basic. <BR> <BR>We drove our entire time in Europe, so we were able to see the countryside and the cities. If you DO opt for the Florence/Siena area, I would highly recommend Lucca as a base, as it was much less overrun with tourists and had the "real Italy" charm I'd hoped for. There, we stayed at the Piccolo Puccini Hotel, across the street from Puccini's birthplace.