London/Paris/Rome - How is this for a basic itinerary?
 

My husband and I have decided on London/Paris/Rome for our big trip in September 2007! It will be our first trip to Europe and we may not be able to go back for a while. We have only just begun the research. Here is what we are thinking right now:

Saturday - Travel Day
Sunday - London (jet lag day)
Monday - London
Tuesday - London
Wednesday - London
Thursday - Travel to Paris
Friday - Paris
Saturday - Paris
Sunday - Paris
Monday - Travel to Rome
Tuesday - Rome
Wednesday - Rome
Thursday - Rome
Friday - Travel Day (back to US)
Saturday and Sunday - recover for work on Monday!

Any comments, advice, etc. would be appreciated? Do you see any big problems with this type of schedule? Anything I should consider before booking the flights? We know it will be a lot and it will be busy, but we will prepare for that and that's the way we like it, especially as we're not sure when we can go back. Thank you!

Hi M,

I would do any two of the three, but your itinerary is perfectly OK.

How are you getting between cities?

((I))

Actually, this looks pretty good to me.

Just a suggestion: consider leaving Friday night and making Saturday your "jet lag day." Also -- we used to cut our vacations short for a rest day at home -- but we don't do that anymore. We leave on a Sunday flight around noon. We've found jet lag isn't too bad when flying west -- the worst that happens is you wake up early for work on Monday. Think about it -- it will add three days to your trip.

See your posting on tripadvisor for a way to get an extra day out of your holiday, save money & be a friend to the environment

I think it looks good. I like the idea of having a Sunday jet lag day. Enjoy your trip.

I, also, would not schedule two jet lag days at home at the end. We'd rather have that extra time on vacations, and we, too, find the jet lag on return isn't as bad (or at least is different from) the jet lag on the way over.

Yes, even though you don't know when you'll be able to get back, you've scheduled yourselves for three major cultural high-impact experiences. Will you possibly get tired of big-city noise and bustle and/or art and culture? You don't want to experience so much that you aren't appreciating anything by the end of the trip. Think about your vacations in the U.S. - have any of them been 12 days spent entirely in big cities?

Consider whether you might want to vary the trip a bit by visiting two big cities and one location in the countryside. That way, you can experience a different part of France, England or Rome (whichever countryside you choose).

Your plan is very hectic but definitely doable.

I personally would cut back to London/Paris or Paris/Rome and not try to rush through three of the best cities anywhere. Your head may be spinning by the time you got on the plane home.

The easiest would be a week in London and a week in Paris taking the Eurostar from one to the other. During the London week you could take 1 or 2 day trips into the countryside - and a day trip from Paris to Giverney or the Loire Valley.

I vote for not having recovery days at the end. Its not bad flying to the West especially if you are nr the EAst Coast. You will make it thru work on day 1 and fade at 3pm. So you might as well go in nice and early :-)

A splendid itinerary, monalua! I'm sure you will enjoy yourselves. It is exactly my itinerary on my first trip to Europe nearly 40 years ago.

My only suggestion would be to consider altering your flight pattern, if possible.

You might consider situating Rome as the middle city of your itinerary. Thus, your 2 transatlantic legs will then be as short as possible.

Bon voyage! Let us know how things turn out for you when you return.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! Can't wait to start the "official" planning!

We are doing this trip in the reverse order: fly into Rome, overnight train to Paris, Eurostar to London, home from Gatwick.

We are hitting all three in about 16 days because this is the first Europe trip for 16-year-old granddaughter and her friend. My logic in planning is to give her a primer, hitting high spots.

Were it just wife and myself, I would cut it WAY back, and follow suggestion of earlier poster, doing Rome and Paris or Paris and London -- no more.

In '08, if the travel gods permit, we will do precisely that: concentrate on two cities over a two week period, or just drive around Ireland and soak it in again.

Regardless, you will have a great trip, I'm sure!

Jim

Watch out for hotel prices in Paris - the rugby world cup has started in September, and prices are going to be high. I have some friends who do apartment rentals (www.tripseurope.com), and they said everyone will be hiking the prices up, although if you're quick there may be still some people who haven't cottoned on and you can get a regular price.

The other thing they mentioned was that if you get a eurostar ticket well in advance, then it can be as low as 35 euros one way!

brassc - Awesome advice, thanks so much for your reply! Had no idea about the rugby world cup!

i think it looks ok....my husband and I did 5 cities in 3 weeks this past september...it ended up being pretty tiring. If anything, since you're only going for the two weeks, pick 2 cities and concentrate on those...we had alot of delayed flights because we flew "budget" flights (ie. Ryan Air, Easyjet) and that cut into our time spent in each place. Also, book early...esp for Paris as september is also conference season. Hope that helps!