My husband and I are going on a 14 day trip to Europe in December. This will be the first time either of us has been to Europe (except for U.K.). As such, we are looking at this trip as an overview trip, a chance to see a few different places so we can decide where we want to return. (Our plan is to make another trip next summer). We are both young (late 20's) and like to be constantly on the go. Our usual vacations are active, with lots of hiking, biking, skiing, etc.<BR><BR>So far this is what we have planned and I wanted to get opinions on whether this itinerary was too strenous. It works out to 2 nights in Amsterdam, 3 nights Paris, 2 nights Venice, 2 nights Florence and 3 nights in Rome. We plan to buy Eurarail passes to travel between cities and we have found open jaw airline tickets. Opinions?<BR><BR>Day 1 - Overnight flight to Amsterdam<BR><BR>Day 2 - Flight arrives in the morning in Amsterdam. Rest of the day for sightseeing<BR><BR>Day 3 - Sightseeing Amsterdam<BR><BR>Day 4 - Morning train to Paris, rest of the day sightseeing Paris.<BR> <BR>Day 5 & 6 - Sightseeing Paris. Night of the 6th, overnight train to Venice.<BR><BR>Day 7 - Arrive in Venice in the morning, rest of the day for sightseeing<BR><BR>Day 8 - Sightseeing Venice<BR><BR>Day 9 - Morning train to Florence, rest of the day for sightseeing<BR><BR>Day 10 - Sightseeing Florence<BR><BR>Day 11 - Morning train to Rome, rest of the day sightseeing Rome<BR><BR>Day 12 & 13 - Sightseeing Rome<BR> <BR>Day 14 - morning flight from Rome back to US

I think you might be biting off a little too much for a two week trip...and perhaps too much of the BIG tourist stuff. Your head will swim with all of the art, architecture, churches, etc., It is hard to find many of the off-the-beaten path things in a city if you are there only for a day or two, but you feel cheated if you go to Paris and don't go to Notre Dame or the Louvre. Many of my favorite memories in Europe have been in places other than the big attractions - on the island of Burano near Venice, in the medieval town of Bruges, Belgium at Christmas(not too far from Amsterdam), at a little jazz club (Le Caveau) in the Latin Quarter in Paris. Also, in many of the big cities, certain attractions are closed on specific days of the week (usu. M or Tu.) You could conceivably get to Florence and miss the Uffizi, or Paris and miss the Musee d'Orsay or the Louvre. You might want to think about dividing your proposed itinerary into two trips, and spending two weeks in December on one more limited geographic area where you can really explore and get a feel for the wonderful places you will be, and then do the second half in the summer. Bon voyage.

I think it's a fine itinerary for a young couple who like to keep moving and want just a taste of everything. I take these kind of vacations at this point in my life because there is so much to see and so little vacation time at my age! The only thing I might suggest is leaving Florence in the afternoon of the 10th and sleep in Rome to give yourself the full day in Rome. Have a great trip!

Well personally I would not do it but if you think it will not tire you then do it.

I also think it is a fine itenerary for a young couple on their first trip to Europe. Years ago I took one of those dreaded bus tours to Europe where "if it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium". I still don't regret it because I was able to get a good overview of where I wanted to return. Her itenerary seems actually better than my first trip, because they will be in every city for 2-3 nights. Also unlike the bus trip, the train trips aren't that long, except for the Paris - Italy portion. And they don't have to back track at the end. I remember spending most of the last 48 hours of my tour on a bus trying to get back to London! <BR><BR>Have fun - you will love it!

If you guys are active - and like stuff such as biking, hiking, and skiing - then you should absolutely include a destination or two that fits some of your hobbies. I can speak for Switzerland: forget one of the Italian cities - instead, go to Zurich or Geneva, and from there it's maybe 2 hrs. by train, bus or car to a mountain resort - from Zurich: Flims/Laax, or Arosa, or Lenzerheide; from Geneva: Gstaad/Sch&ouml;nried, Villars, or Chamonix (France). Zurich is more interesting than Geneva, although Geneva may serve your purposes better of getting from Paris to Italy. <BR><BR>From Paris, there are "TGV" trains (very fast) to Geneva, the trip takes 3hrs. From Geneva, you can take trains to Milan and further, even to Venice and probably Rome.<BR><BR>So - get a flavor of the Alps, you may decide later on that it's the way to go in the future!!