My congratulations to Mr. Muffin for doing all the right things. The two of you are going to have an absolutely wonderful time. Please remember the adage I follow most when I travel with students: THE ONLY THING WE CONTROL WHEN WE TRAVEL IS OUR ATTITUDE.

Jean I woud like to stay under $200 USD/night.

Muffin2514,
At the risk of the whole world now knowing how anal I am, here is how my binder is separated.

Every # represents a tab.

1. Calendar of vacation month with cities and hotel/bb typed in correct dates.

I have a second calendar just behind that. This one is weekly and just for the dates of the trip. In each of those days I have wrote what I think we might consider doing that day. I'm not the type to plan every second of every day, but this way I can easily show the girls what their options are. Everything I want to make sure they do/see is there, but it's all pretty much interchangeable. (except if something is closed on certain days, some museums are. I highlight that so I remember.)

On the front of this insert is taped a Time Schedule showing regular vs. military time. (for train info, etc.) I was never in the military, 22:00 means nothing to me!

2. Paris - A colored map of paris is first. This came off the internet. Any important city information I might like to know and will never remember is here.

I also have a "Rick's Steeves Highlights" here. It's Paris in one, two, or three busy days.

3. Paris Hotels - I used this for keeping track (also comparing) of hotels/B&B's when I was trying to decide, and then final conformation of hotel we chose. Also, any hotel info I might find and want later. (or maybe not!)

4.Tour Guides - I'm hiring guides in some cities. This is one.

5.Air to Italy - I was debating on flying from Paris vs. the train. I use this to keep track of different low cost airlines popular in Europe that I never heard of before this forum! Complete with their web addresses.

6. Sight Seeing Ideas - Things I definetly want to do in Paris with the girls. Also, things I think they might like and again I want to make sure I remember (whatever I'm trying to remember) even exists. Example: certain streets for shopping.

7. Train transportation. I was confused about the different trains previously. The Fodors gang straightened me out. Here I have prices, scheules, etc.

That's pretty much repeated per city. I just eliminated what I didn't need.

There is a final tab and that holds all copies of airline e-tickets.
and seat guru layouts of the plane. (I know, I know, anal.) But, I've had a flight cancelled before and they put us on a different flight with different seats. Easy to look up where they put me as long as the plane type is the same.

I have "Post It's" taped to the inside front pocket of the binder so when I find something I want to remember I don't have to search for them.

I know it's excessive, (or obsessive!) but it works for me. I planned a two and a half week trip for my family to Alaska a few years ago and did it this way. It worked great. All we had to do was be in a certain town on a certain date (because the hotels/B&B's were reserved) and then all the other info was there. That was the ONLY thing that was mandatory, we had to make it to the hotel/B&B we prepaid for! The rest was open for discussion/group voting. I did get one nice compliment. We met a woman who owned her own travel agency in Montana. After looking over my file (I used a purple, soft, multi-pocket folder, all labeled of course! LOL) she offered me a job!!!!! lol.

Sorry I wrote a book. Hope this helps.

I'm Morgiesmom,
Robin

Morgiesmom thank you so much for all the information!!! WOW is all I can say.

Start researching Rome hotels now. A budget of $200 or less is definitely possible, but you'll want to book as early as you can to get what you want.

You could also consider staying in a convent in Rome. The rates can be quite reasonable. Just note the curfew at some, if that's an issue for you.

www.santasusanna.org/comingtoRome/convents.html

I have no personal experience at any of the convents, but other posters here have recommended this alternative for travelers on a budget.

Thanks Jean,

I decided to go ahead and use points for my hotel in Rome. Although the hotel is not the ideal location as we will have to shuttle to and from all the hot spots it is not costing us anything and that leaves more money for fun.

What hotel are you staying at in Rome? We're also using points in Rome. We're booked at the Sheraton Roma. I really didn't want a "Sheraton", but I paid $140 for 5 nights (I had to buy some points, as I wiped out the majority on the round trip business class airfare for 3.) Sometimes you have to be sensible.

Morgansmom.

Morgiesmom that is where we are staying. I didnt' want to stay their either but i also didn't want to use 25K pts per night at the others. It will be fine I think. The reviews I have read said the shuttle service is quite efficient and I figure for the most part we will not be going back and forth anyway. Maybe to come home and change to go to dinner but we can manage.

We check out on the 8th...

I wanted to add that we are flying coach :( I told my husband I would cut him some slack an not wipe out all his continental miles too. Bless his heart he spent 5-days a week for 6 months away from to earn the points I am using and he isn't even getting to go on the trip.

muffin2514-

I feel really guilty that I'm going and my husband is staying home again. I went with DD#1 when she graduated from high school 3 years ago (with her school) and set a precedent. Now DD #2 (and last) wants the trip her sister had with mom. Hubby offered to take her, and she very kindly turned him down. Awkward moment!

DD #2 is looking at a college in Alaska. If she's accepted (chances are very good) I've made it clear that he can take her to tour the school. (we ALL love Alaska.) I have UA miles sitting there doing nothing at the moment, Thank You God. Otherwise I might have to allocate some Europe $ to Alaska.....

Thank goodness for miles. I told my husband all those many shopping trips have paid off :) I am not sure he see is that way!

Why not Paris and then Rome/Florence? I think that's better than Florence/Venice anyway--Rome is a lot of fun for a 21 year old! (or, if it comes down to picking just two, I think I'd chose Paris and Florence.)

Okay everyone I spoke to my daughter and questioned her about her request for a trip to Italy for graduation. What she wants to do is enjoy good food and wine. Ha!

After thinking about it more, I am wondering if she may get bored with seeing the same thing over and over. She is ADD by the way. I am not sure after a couple of days of seeing museums and churchs she is going to be tired of that...now matter how beautiful they are.

I was kind of thinking, although we would miss some things we certainly could see the highlights in particular cities.

Keeping in mind she is ADD what do you think of this itinirary???

Arrive 5/29 in Paris
Leave Paris June 1 for Rome by plane
Leave Rome for Venice by plane June 4th
Leave Venice for home 6/8.

I am open to suggestions. Thanks

I say this in all kindness and with sincere respect: If you think your daughter will be "bored" or "tired" of the sights of Paris, Rome and Venice after the briefest of time in each city, there is a larger problem than her ADD.

Jean - no offense taken. But, right now I am planning on Paris 5 days and Rome 5 days. My thoughts were that maybe the alternative schedule would be a better schedule for her. It is a little more fast paced.

I would prefer 5/5, Paris and Rome.

If you go with the Paris/Rome/Venice itinerary, then don't fly between Rome and Venice. The train will take you from the center of Rome to the center of Venice, and you'll get the bonus of seeing some of the countryside. Just make sure you get off the train in Venice at the Santa Lucia station and not the Venice Mestre station.

Well, ADD is different in everyone and you would know your daughter best, but here a few things to consider:

One: Paris and Rome are big cities with lots of people, traffic, and stuff going on day and night. Venice is smaller, pedestrian, and from what I gather virtually dead at night. I've seen people use the words "magical", "romantic", and "other-worldly" to describe Venice; I haven't seen anyone use the words "dynamic" or "lively".

Someone who enjoys high stimulation might prefer Paris and Rome over Venice. Someone who is easily overwhelmed might prefer Venice and want to forget Rome.

Two: One less destination means one less time having to pack/unpack, one less time waiting around in a train station or airport, and one less adjustment to a new bed/room. Transition between cities can be both dull and stressful even for people without ADD.

Three: There is so much to see in Paris and Rome. Everyday will be completely different. With 5 days in each city, you can be flexible and more spontaneous with your time. One day you can be on the go non-stop. The next you can be as lazy as you like. If something really captivates you, you can devote almost as much time to it as you want. You can spend more time doing frivolous things, like shopping.

Three destinations means less time in each city, and that usually means a more tightly structured itinerary and more pressure to check things off the list in the most efficient manner possible. By having fewer destinations, you give yourself the room to be a little less structured.

It can also be extremely frustrating to miss out on must-sees, or to have to have leave a place much sooner than you would like. For anyone who tends to hyperfocus on things they are really interested in and enjoy, the frustration can be magnified.

I think I would recommend doing one daytrip from Paris and one from Rome instead of fitting in a third overnight destination. If you went to Chartres and Orvieto, for example, you would get a bit of a small town/village feel in both France and Italy.

Thanks so much. My husband feels she will be fine doing the Paris/Rome trip as long as I mix up the sightseeing daily so that we are not doing all the museums in one day, etc. So I am sticking with that agenda.

I think you will have a lovely time!!