Looking for France/Italy Itinerary Advice - Allocating Days
 

Hello,

We've been garnishing ideas off of this great forum for some time and would like to post our itinerary for your review.

We are traveling in June and we have exactly 21 days on the ground (+2 days of travel). We prefer slower travel, but have limited vacation time - so it is a balance. My wife would be happy to just shop and lounge so that is a balancing act indeed.

Paris - 6 nights
Varenna - 4 nights (Italian Lakes via Flight to Milan)
Florence - 5 nights
Venice - 5 nights

We are travelling with friends in Paris so that portion is pretty much set. We are wondering if we should skip the Italian Lakes on this trip and head straight for Florence - dividing up all of our "Italy Time" between Florence and Venice.

How would you allocate your time on this length of trip?

How long would you estimate it takes to get from Varenna-Milan-Florence? It looks like about 4hrs, but I'm not sure if that take into account train changes etc.

Thank you,

Naxos

I meant to say we have exactly 20 days on the ground plus two travel days for our international flights.....just doing the math.

Naxos

I commend your "balance" (and pace).

I'd not skip The Lakes because it would be a nice contrast amongst the more urban settings on your agenda.

Do you plan to take day trips into the Tuscan countryside and hilltowns from Florence? I think that'd be a good idea...

Hi Naxos,

No, don't skip the lakes, they are lovely! I agree with Tuck about the balance between cities and country, that's my style too.

Personally, Florence is not my favorite out of all the places I have visited in Italy. I would either spend only 2 days there with the rest in the Tuscan or Umbrian countryside; or spend the whole time in the countryside with a daytrip or two into Florence. - especially in June when it's hot and crowded.

Buon viaggio!

What they said !
The lakes are my favorite destination in Italy, and that is after 14 trips. With your long day getting there I would add a day and steal it from Florence.

Venice is beautiful but it is rather small. You probably would not need more then 3 nights there (I would add them to Tuscany)

HI N,

I think that I would take a night from Venice and add it to Paris.

((I))

I would not cut out the Lakes - and in Varenna I'd recommend the Eremo Gaudio for its stunning views. This is assuming you are fit and mobile (unless you take your car out daily, which I wouldn't recommend) as there will be a lot of walking, including inclines, to get back and forth to this hotel.

I'm on the fence about advising you to cut out time from Venice. It's so unique and beautiful and you can surely fill 5 days - especially if you take little day trips to the nearby islands or even Verona.

If you do cut out a few days though, definitely add them to Tuscany.

I too commend your pace! If you've never been to Paris before, I would perhaps take 1 day from Venice and add it to Paris. There is so very much to see and do there. Venice is lovely, but much smaller. We had 4 nights there on our last European trip and felt it was just about perfect. We could have had less time there and still have "seen" everything, but we don't like rushing around and we enjoy spending some time just strolling around, sitting in cafes, and people-watching to get a real feel for a place.

Or... I might also suggest taking that Venice day + one from Florence and using those to explore some lovely towns in Tuscany. You could either base yourself in Florence and train out to some hilltowns, or you could base yourself in Siena or a smaller town and rent a car for 2-3 days. (Training would definitely limit you more than renting a car.) Tuscany along with the Lakes would be a really nice contrast to your time in Paris, Venice, and Florence.

Hello,

Thank you for your prompt replies.

We have been to Paris before (we love Paris), but neither of us have been to Italy.

We do intend to do some day trips from Florence. San Gimignano and Siena for sure....I would also really like to go to Montepulciano or Voltara. That leaves us a day and one evening for Florence itself though...so perhaps we will cut one day trip. We have considered staying in Siena, but want to facilite quick tranfer from Milan and then on to Venice. Still, Siena is a "must-see" for me and appears to be a better base for our selected daytrips. Any thoughts on this?

Of the day trips selected which do you think is least marred by hoardes of other tourists (of which we will be contributing)? We are a bit concerned that in June San Gimignano will be untenable.

I am encouraged by your comments regarding the lakes. I think we will keep them after all. I am glad the pace looks good - there is nothing worse than leaving before you are satisfied (or at least satiated)

Great comments so far,

Thanks,

Naxos

> We are a bit concerned that in June San Gimignano will be untenable. <

Don't be concerned! Even if there are a few others besides yourselves, so what? It's a GREAT town to visit...

I suggest staying in Siena or a smaller Tuscan town instead of Florence.

In hindsight, my husband and I wish we would have done this.

Thank you both for your feedback. I think we will seriously consider Siena as a base.

I am happy to hear your positive comments about San Gimignano Tuck - I think we will just go with the flow when it comes to other tourists.

Regards,

Naxos