My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Europe for 2 weeks in August. We have already purchased our plane tickets to Paris, and are planning to buy a Eurail 2-week pass. I've never been to Europe before, so I want to see a lot of different places. We're considering Amsterdam, Black Forest area, Lucerne, Rome, and maybe somewhere on the French Riviera or Barcelona. I know that is too much for the 14 days we will be there. Please help me limit my destinations!

Amsterdam is about 4 hours from Paris, Cote d'Azur is 3 (I think) from Paris, Rome is an overnighter as is Barcelona (unless you do it from Marseille, maybe). <BR> <BR>If you want to see a lot of places, I assume that you're willing to miss some things in each city to maximize the amount of cities you can see. Nothing wrong with that, however you'll be traveling A LOT. <BR> <BR>Paris is 2 (really quick) days, 3 with Versailles. I'd re-think Amsterdam, as it's SO out of the way. Check your map as to what's "do-able", and stick to France (which is 2 weeks EASY) or head south (Paris, Nice, Florence, Rome). But then you're stuck in Rome, having to get back to Rome (that's a lot of train time). <BR> <BR>Nice is a couple of days, maybe 3 if you want to relax a little before doing the Italy thing. <BR> <BR>I'd next go to Florence (Venice is on the east coast of Italy) for a few days. <BR> <BR>Rome is at least 4 days -- at least -- and a really fast 4 if you squeeze Pompeii into the mix (which I would do). <BR> <BR>It's quick, it's brutal, but you get to see a lot. <BR> <BR>Check out the train times on the web (raileurope) so you have an idea of how much time you'll have to give to travel. It may change your mind about some destinations. <BR> <BR>If you had your heart set on Amsterdam, concentrate on Germany and Austria as your travel destinations. <BR> <BR>But do consult a map -- things are farther away than they appear (which has shocked the heck out of me sometimes too).

Well, you could limit your trip by cutting out the Mediterranean region. That is, say 3 days in Paris, north to Amsterdam for 3 days, then down through Germany perhaps along the Rhine,into the Black Forest for 4 days and including a side jaunt to Strasbourg for a day to get a different flavor of France, then finish up with 3 days in Lucerne and head back to Paris for the trip home. I concur with a look at rail timetables!!

I agree with the above posters. You definitely need to re-think going to so many places. Even though you want to see alot of places, you don't want to be so exhausted trying to fit everything in, that you won't have any time to just enjoy your trip and have some relaxation time too. You should try to narrow it to a few places that are within general proximity of each other, and then focus on what you definitely want to see, etc. You'll have a much more enjoyable, memorable trip that way.

Michelle, <BR> <BR>I would definitly leave Italy for a seperate trip. It is a long distance, south to Florance then Rome and <BR>there is to much to see to go for less then a week. It will also be very hot in Florence and Rome. <BR> <BR>Some thing to consider is looking into inter Europe one way tickets. You may be able to find a $99 ticket from Paris to Barcelona. Then you could spend a week traveling on the coast to the French Riviera. Then take the TGV back to Paris. The only caution is that it may be difficult getting hotels in the resort towns. <BR> <BR>You could also try catching a flight to Munich or Salzburg and then working your way back to Paris via Germany and Amsterdam. <BR> <BR>Good luck with your trip. <BR> <BR>Aileen

We are spending just a little over 2 weeks in Europe in August (included Labor Day and an extra Friday) and also trying to see several places. Here's what we have planned so far: <BR> <BR> Arriving to Paris <BR>3.5 days in Paris <BR> Overnight train to Rome <BR>4 days in Rome <BR> Train to Florence in the am of the 5th day <BR>3 days in Florence <BR> Train to Venice in the am of the 4th day <BR>3 days in Venice <BR> Overnight train to Nice (departs late night of the 3rd day) <BR>3 days in Nice <BR> Departing Nice to (am of the 4th day) US (open jaw flight; via Paris) <BR>If you already have your tickets, you can take a morning tain from Nice to Paris (~3 hours) and fly home in the afternoon. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR>