Thanks all! After looking through some options, I think it's Venice or Bust. Either Venice for a day or two or an extra few days for day trips outside Paris and Rome (Ostia Antica, Versailles, Dijon--where my mom's family is from, Cassis--where BIL was raised, etc.).

That didn't come out clearly. Either Venice for a few days or 6 nights in Rome, 6 in Paris and a few little day trips within that time. That way, we have less "travel" time--checking in/out of hotels, packing, etc.

We took the trains in Italy last year and really loved them. So easy to use and cheap! I think I'd rather stay in areas closer to Paris and Rome or on the way. You guys were right again!

Hi dahlie,

here's another vote for Venice.

you can maximise your time there by donig as the other poster suggested and getting the train to Venice, and then the overnight train to Paris.

there are plenty of hotels within walking distance of Santa lucia station in venice along the rio terra de spagna; stay in one of these and you can be checked into your hotel and be out again exploring Venice within 30 minutes of arrival.

by taking the train to Paris, again you can time your departure so that rather than spending 2-3 hours getting to the airport, at least an hour in the air, then another hour at least travelling into central paris, you spend the maximum time in Venice, then sleep on the train.

A Vaporetto along the grand canal [if you get the No 2, it only stops a few times and is less busy than the no 1] will get you to st. Mark's square in less than an hour. they leave from right outside the station.

if you can, stay at least 2 nights and try to get three days actually there- then you won't be trying to cram everything into too short a time - one of the joys of Venice is just wandering around.

good luck,

regards, ann

Thank you Ann and everyone else. We've decided to just go for it! We will spend 5 days/nights in Rome, leave the morning of the 6th by train and arrive in Venice by 1pm. We'll spend the rest of that day in Venice and the next two. We'll take the overnight train to Paris and stay for 4 days/nights in Paris.

That way, we'll get 5 days in Rome, 2.5 days in Venice and 4 days in Paris. We arrive early in Rome and leave on the morning of the 5th day in Paris, so, even though we'll be tired that first day, we'll still have mostly full days.

Thanks again!

That's sounds wonderful!

Have a great time!

Venice is great!

It's magic at night when it's not so crowded.

Seeing the Duomo San Marco with the interior lights on was one of the greatest sites of my life. It's gold glass, when lit it's as if the entire church is made of golden mosaics.

I will return again and again and always plan to stay at least one night.

hi again, dahlie,

I'm so pleased you've decided to go for Venice - I'm sure you'll love it.

one surefire way to get to see the lights on the mosaics of St. Mark's is to go on a sunday or feastday, when they are on all day.

Failing that, they are illuminated on sat pm and from 11.30 to 12.30 every day.

other beautiful mosaics are to be found in the basilica on the island of Torcello - take the boat to Burano, and then the shuttle boat to Torcello. I realise you may not have time for this, but if you make one boat trip to the islands, let it be this one [much better than Murano, IMO and Burano is very pretty, with lots of nice restaurants in the main street.]

if you get the boat back to the fondamente nove, you can walk back via the Gesuiti church [amazing marble curtains] and through Cannaregio, which is where Venetians live.

this would amke a very nice day, and be a change from the crowds of Vencie.

Another "off the beaten track" activity [insofar as anything in Venice can be thus described] is an early morning visit to the Rialto markets - the fish market is particularly interesting but it's all amamzingly fresh and lots of fun. you could even buy your picnic to eat on Torcello if you were so inclined.

if you click on my name, you should find my trip report from our visit at easter.

regards, ann

I'm so glad you're going to Venice!

A couple of years ago we did a similar trip and spent lots of time researching the best options to get from Italy to Paris. As it turned out, Venice was the best departure point---both convenient and economical.

We considered the overnight train, but opted for one of the direct flights on MY AIR. Nice plane, not a puddle hopper. They fly direct from VCE to Paris ORY. Orly is a nice option---you can be at your Paris hotel no more than an hour after arrival.

The last day in Venice we packed and left our bags with the hotel. Spent the day in Venice, returned to hotel around 3:00 to go to the airport. By 8:30, we were at our Paris hotel, heading out for a late supper.

My Air's current schedule departs Venice 6:10pm, arrives Orly 7:50pm. I just priced two tickets: 83eu total for 2--w/ 2 checked bags.
http://www.myair.com/docs/cust/en/index.shtml

I am in no way discouraging the train trip. Just wanted to make sure you knew of this option. We liked it. Arriving in Paris at night was magical!

Wonderful ideas! Since we just went to Rome last November, I feel like I know what to do there...but studying up for the trip to Venice is overwhelming. I don't know why, I guess just trying to get everything in in 2.5 days and not knowing a thing about the city. Keep the ideas coming!

We are so excited to go back. We're really lucky to have the chance again. I never thought we'd go to Italy (or maybe once we were retired), so getting a chance to go at age 29 and again at 30 is amazing.

So, Mom, if you see this post while researching: Thank you, Mom and Dad. We love you!!!