missinform

My fiance bailed, I'm going on my honeymoon without him. I arrive in Venice 11/2, Venice to Paris 11/10, home 11/19. I can go anywhere by train. I've seen Venice, I've seen Paris--I'd like to go places I haven't been to yet. What would you do, and where would you go?

elaine

Hi
sorry about what happened, good for you! that you're still going.
Is the Venice to Paris part already booked, as in a plane ticket?
Or, could you meander other places from Venice, and just end up in Paris in order to fly home?

elaine

there is a duplicate thread where responses are being posted

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34695361

missinform

Elaine, the plane tickets are bought already, SFO to Paris, connecting flight to Venice the same day, back to Paris 11-10. I could skip Venice if I thought of a reason to...

rex

You can't just "skip" the PAR-VCE segment without the airline re-issuing the ticket and giving you their blessing (possible charging a supplement, though they might give some eympathy to a bride-to-be with a canceled wedding day!)

Simply failing to continue on the PAR-VCE leg would normally be expected to result in the airline deciding to cancel your return travel.

missinform

Sadly, Air France is not in a very sympathetic mood. They won't do anything for me, despite my considerable charm. The only concession they will allow is an early return from Paris, with a $200 penalty. I hadn't thought of them cancelling my return if I skipped Venice. But I don't mind using Venice as a base of operations for other excursions.

elaine

So, you have about 8 days after landing in Venice, before you have to go to Paris.
From Venice you could: take a train to Rome (4.5 hours) either immediately or after a day or two; take a plane to, say, Prague or Swizerland; take a train from Venice to Verona and then the Lakes; from Venice take a plane or ferry to Dubrovnik; from Venice fly to Athens and then one of the Greek Islands.

missinform

Elaine--those are GREAT IDEAS! Any thoughts on the Paris part, 11-10 to 11-19?

suze

I replied to an earlier post of yours suggesting Switzerland, but didn't know you have to fly Paris to Venice, then Venice back to Paris... correct?

My itinerary worked for arriving Venice, departing Paris, and traveling by train in between.

So you're looking for ideas of what to do for 8 days out of Venice + 8 days out of Paris?

Sorry if I'm being dense, Missinform, but am interested in your interesting dilemma.

nonnafelice

Get the Rick Steves book on Italy and look at his day trip excursions from Venice. He has excellent itineraries for Padua, Vicenza, Verona, and Ravenna. We visited all those towns on our recent trip (click on my name above to bring up my report) and found his suggestions extremely helpful. He has good directions for getting from the train station in every town to the places you might want to see.

I think he probably has similar ones for Paris, but I haven't looked at his France book lately.

missinform

Suze, yes, that is correct: I have to fly SFO-Paris, same day Paris-Venice, then fly back Venice-Paris, home Paris-SFO. At this point, I have booked two nights in Venice for arrival, two nights in Paris for the middle section, and gotten no further. I liked the idea of going to Switzerland, although Trenitalia won't let me book to Lausanne, Montreaux etc online. I liked the idea of taking the ferry to Dubrovnik too, but it looks like I need a travel visa to enter Croatia, and I am not sure I have time for that.


< replied to an earlier post of yours suggesting Switzerland, but didn't know you have to fly Paris to Venice, then Venice back to Paris... So you're looking for ideas of what to do for 8 days out of Venice + 8 days out of Paris?>

suze

You are much much closer to Geneva area from Paris then Venice. It's only ~4 hours on the fast train from Paris down to Lausanne or Geneva (then on to Vevey or Montreux).

missinform

Suze--right again. Its only about four hours from Paris to Lausanne. A much better plan than going from Venice.

itsv

Missinform, you have to get a copy of the book "Honeymoon with my Brother" for you to read on the plane and during your trip. I just finished reading it and loved it and it would be perfect for your predicament. Its written by a guy (Franz Wiser) I think who used to work for Senator Pete Wilson. His fiance bails too right before his wedding (which is suppose to take place in northern california) and he calls his brother whom he is not particularly close to. I don't want to give away the rest of the book but let's just say Franz still goes on his honeymoon as well as other adventures. It is very inspiring about life and I know it will cheer you up during this time and put everything in perspective (after all this is cheaper than a divorce.) If you can't find a copy, let me know and I'll hunt down my copy.

As far as travel you could also do Austria from Venice, but I think Prague or Greece would be more interesting. From Paris you could do Brugge, Brussels or Amsterdam, they have special trains that run from Paris to those locations that are pretty fast. If you need hotel recommedations for those cities i can give those to you since I am planning a trip there.

Hang in there. I have my own crappy boyfriend paris story (which can be found on a post about terrible trips.) Good luck, itsv

suze

missinform, I think you need a map ;-) just kidding...

I am not extensively traveled in Europe myself but have done the Switzerland, Venice, Paris combo route so feel comfortable recommending it for its incredible beauty, along with easy solo travel logistics, plus it fits in with your general whereabouts nicely.