Lanee

My fiance has never been to Europe and I only have once on a school guided trip as a child. We are having a VERY hard time planning the trip (information overload). I signed on almost a year ago on here and still just get overwhelmed when I read all the forums so I apologize if I'm duplicating questions that have been answered.

We have 2 weeks and don't know if we are trying to cram in too much or have time for more. Could you please give me your thoughts on this itinerary? This is our honeymoon and would like a relaxing vacation as well as an opportunity to see the "big" sights . Also we have given varying opinions regarding budget for the trip. Since we are on a budget, our only real concern is to stay in places that are safe and clean. Ideally, we would not want to stay in a hostel due to possible communal sleeping quarters and any sort of curfew...and well, it's our honeymoon. We were wondering if $300 (US) a day is reasonable or not (total for the both of us). This would include travel between cities, hotel and food (not flight there and back). I have friends that live in Europe and they think my budget is high but a travel agent basically laughed me off the phone.

Here is what I think our realistic itinerary is and below I'll show a "dream" itinerary which I know is way too much but input is still appreciated if you think we can add anything from the 'dream' to make it reality.

How much time do we need to spend in each place to see the sights and leave? My philosophy is that I'd rather leave a location wishing I could stay just a little bit longer rather than stay too long wanting to get on to the next place.

REALISTIC:
1. Fly into Naples and go to Almafi Coast (Postiano) We would love to add Capri to this but don't know if it will be a rush?
2. Rome
3. Cinque Terre
4. Venice (we have heard so many mixed reviews on this one but I feel obligated to go)
5. Paris

DREAM (no budget, more time):
Naples to AC
Capri
Rome
Siena
Florence
Cinque Terre
Venice
Bellagio
Nice or Cannes
Paris (plus time spent at Versailles)

Also, I have been on the trenitalia website and do you think this is the best way to travel on a tight budget? I'm so sorry for all the questions. We are typically people that just get up and go to a location and figure it all out when we get there but I'm too afraid "budget wise" to do this.

Thanks in advance.

Lanee

One more thing. We were looking at going in MAY but then heard July might be better for Italy?

StCirq

Why would July be better for Italy? It will be very hot and crowded.

Go with your realistic itinerary. The dream one is a trip for a month or two.

greg

July is hotter, more crowded, the accommodations are more expensive, and usually also the airfare. About the only thing I can think of favoring July are Sons-et-Lumieres shows at French castles.

Where did your source, who told you about July, get the idea?

Let's see $300 is about €211. Whether this is enough to give you "honeymoon" grade of accommodations or dining experiences depends on individuals. It will be best to have whoever says enough or not enough to give you the breakdown on reasons behind the recommendation.

You can start from the biggies to test your expectations. Make list of possible hotels at destinations using any of the sources. Triangulate the evaluations using www.tripadvisor.com, www.venere.com, etc. You probably can get a realistic range of hotel type of accommodations you can accept.

In your budget range, you probably should not dismiss hostels, convents, or rooms in private homes. Of course, there are restrictions, but hotels that fits within your current budget also impose other restrictions you might not want to deal with.

Lanee

May it is!
We are thinking B&Bs and pensiones. We basically don't want bunk beds and one bathroom for 8 people. We have lived together for about 4 years so we don't require a typical honeymoon suite or anything of that nature.
We also heard that it's much more expensive to book in advance and should just contact the "hotel" the day before we arrive at earliest (besides the first location we stay at). Do we need to research all of the hotels before we arrive or can we go to a Tourist Center with suggestions (as well as our trusty guide books)?

thanks for your input.

kybourbon

Flights usually cost less in and out of major cities so flights into Naples may be a bit high.

I think your travel within Italy for your realistic list will cost about $250 per person including public transport from the airport in Naples (shuttle bus to Sorrento, bus to Positano). I would book a budget flight (EasyJet?)from Venice to Paris as that is usually cheaper and much faster than the train. The more you change locations, the more transportation expense you have and time you lose (spending your time on trains instead of seeing the cities).

You've picked some of the most expensive places to stay such as Positano, Venice and Paris. Are you open to staying elsewhere along the Amalfi coast where the rooms are cheaper than Positano? What time of year are you going?

You can day trip to Capri from Positano by ferry depending on time of year. Ferry would cost around 10-15€ per person each way.

If you make a list of entrance fees to sights you must see and transportation costs then you will know how much you have left per day for food and hotels.

kybourbon

>>>We also heard that it's much more expensive to book in advance and should just contact the "hotel" the day before we arrive at earliest<<<

Can't imagine where you would have heard that. Do you really want to spend valuable vacation time in Europe trying to find a room?

Lanee

We have been saying May all along until I read one book that suggested otherwise. I think we are sticking to May.
We have just 'heard' that Postiano is a must-see and very romantic. If we can stay in a similar area at a much cheaper price I'm sure that would be fine as well. We are open to any and all suggestions. If a budget of 300US is too tight, how much do you all suggest?

cathies

I think you should go with Option 1, but drop Venice (can't believe I just wrote that!). Otherwise you are going to spend too much time travelling. You are ambivalent about going to Venice so it's no drama to drop it. Amalfi, Rome, Cinque Terra and then Paris is more logical. Although I'm not sure how you will get to Paris, other posters will be able to sort that out. Also, the more times you change accommodation/towns the more expensive the trip becomes. Unless you have your heart set on it, I would drop Paris and stay in Italy, it will help make your $ stretch much further.

You could spend 5 days on Amalfi Coast and yes, you could squeeze in Capri as a day trip. 5 days in Rome with a day trip to Florence or orvietto if you want some day trips, then off to CT for some hiking. See, 2 weeks will fly by and you won't have spent most of it on trains. Don't forget that you will be jetlagged when you arrive (assuming from the US) and you need to allow time to travel between Amalfi - Rome, Rome - CT, CT - airport & home.

Definitely May. Which crazy loon told you to go in July?? it's hot, expensive and crowded!!

Lanee

Kybourbon, regarding booking the rooms, we have heard this from nearly every source that has travelled to Italy and from friends that live in Europe until now. I'm not concerned about the cost of the flight into Naples, as I have "miles" that are paying for one of our plane tickets. The price difference btw Naples and Rome were only a couple hundred dollars.

Lanee

Cathies, It was one single travel book out of 10 that we have read that mentioned July was the best time to go. I don't know why I let it hold any weight but it just got me thinking enough to wonder. May it is! YES! One decision down, 4000 to go!

Is 4 days in AC (incl. 1 daytrip to Capri), 3 Rome, 2 in CT, 2 in Paris doable? Seems like a rush but he really wants to see Paris. It's definitly not a must-do but would be ideal. We might be able to add a day of travel in there if we need to in order to get Paris in.

fmpden

You seem to be listening to some unusual people. May is far better than July. I agree with all of kybourbon comments. Naples is not the best city to fly into. And Paris is going to add a very expensive leg. You budget is only 200E a day.I would view that as barely adequate for lodging, meals, and few local sights. Europe has become expensive and the weak dollars adds to the problem. You need to budget closer to 300E/day.

kybourbon

>>>Kybourbon, regarding booking the rooms, we have heard this from nearly every source that has travelled to Italy and from friends that live in Europe until now.<<<

I can assure you if you try to book the nicer budget places TODAY in these major locations, most will already be booked for May. If you don't care where you stay (outside the city center) or how much you spend, then wait until the last minute, wander around trying to find a room, but don't count on getting a bargain.

As for flights, if you haven't looked at FF flights yet, you might find non of those available at this late date either and not very likely into Naples. I think you will find if difficult to even find an ff award ticket into Rome in May unless you pay high miles. People book their ff tickets 330 days in advance (the earliest you can book).

macdogmom

We have not been to the Amalfi coast yet (going this May) but going to the Amalfi coast and Cinque Terre seems a little bit redundant. I would go to one coastal area and then add Venice back in or go to Florence/Tuscany area. And Paris is worth a week, 2 days seems almost undoable and just not worth all the effort. Maybe do Amalfi coast, Rome and then fly to Paris for 4 or 5 days.

Lanee

>>>As for flights, if you haven't looked at FF flights yet, you might find non of those available at this late date either and not very likely into Naples. I think you will find if difficult to even find an ff award ticket into Rome in May unless you pay high miles. People book their ff tickets 330 days in advance (the earliest you can book).<<<

My FF rewards just reimburses me for the amount, there are zero restrictions. I have priced out the flight and not concerned about that. I will start looking at accommodations, however if my friends are all just "lucky" in their bookings.

Leely2

Okay, just my opinions and I am probably at least a decade older than you:

1. May, yes, definitely.

2. I love Paris but if this is a budget trip I'd make it Italy-only to save on transportation costs. You can have a phenomenal, beautiful trip just within Italy. Also you can devote a little time to studying Italian and it might conceivably make your trip more enjoyable. Then, next year year or the year after, take a crack at France.

3. I have been to both AC and CT and prefer CT (but admittedly I only went to the Amalfi Coast as a <i>very</i> young lady in a rush so perhaps I would feel otherwise nowadays; I visited CT in a leisurely, relax-between--big-cities trip so very much appreciated it). I wouldn't go to both given how brief your time on the ground will be. Choose one or the other.

4. Don't cut Venice. It's your honeymoon!

Good luck and congratulations on your marriage. You can do this--people here can really help.

kybourbon

>>>My FF rewards just reimburses me for the amount<<<

Which airline would that be? I don't know any ff program that just reimburses. Perhaps you aren't talking about ff awards at all, but some points program. FF = frequent flyer.

Lanee

Thank you all for your input. So in discussing everyone's input, it looks like AC is on the chopping block. Flying into Rome directly, CT and duke it out over Venice vs Paris or just suck it up and cut time in other locations and spend more money and make Paris happen.

Day1 Arrive in Rome
Days 2-4 Rome (total 4 days)
Day 5 travel to CT (4-5 hr train ride)
Day 5 afternoon arrive in CT
Day 6-7 CT
Day 8 train to Venice
Day 9-11 Venice
Day 12 fly to Paris (2 hr flight, 5 hr travel time)
Day 12 arrive Paris noon
Day 13-15 Paris
Day 15 fly home from Paris
arrive at home next day +1 day of recovery before going to work.

I see how Paris and Venice are proving to be very difficult. I think I need to cut something somewhere, but the fiance say's it works for him....however he's never traveled abroad before.

Lanee

>>>Which airline would that be? I don't know any ff program that just reimburses. Perhaps you aren't talking about ff awards at all, but some points program. FF = frequent flyer.>>>

my apologies. You used the term Frequent Flyer and I just went with it. They are "Miles" however not frequent flyer. They do reimburse me for whichever airline I choose at whichever dates I choose.

Lanee

...
Day 13-15 Paris
Day 16 fly home from Paris
arrive at home SAME day +1 day of recovery before going to work.