Need help with London/Paris/Venice itinerary
 

My husband and I are trying to plan a 2 week trip to London, Paris and Venice this Fall (late September/early October). We've only been to Europe once before -- a trip to Italy that was part business for my husband.

I've been doing lots of research on these boards and other places online, but I'm still not sure of the best way to do this trip. Which order would work best for visiting these cities? Since we've been to Venice before, we only plan to spend about 2 nights there, with the rest in London/Paris. I've been thinking of starting out in Venice, flying to London on a discount carrier, and then taking the train to Paris. Other thoughts and ideas would be appreciated!

Are you flying from the USA? If so, I personally prefer to fly to the farthest destination first. Then, when flying home, my flight is shorter vs longer.
So, I'd start out in Venice, work my way back to Paris and then London. I woldn't go east-west-east as you are suggesting, if I could help it.

The autumn is a lovely time to travel.
I have long files on Paris and London; if you'd like to see them, email me at
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I wonder why you want to go back to Venice if you've been there before. You can certainly fill your 2 weeks up with just London and Paris.

Flying from Venice to London (or Paris), even though it's a pretty short flight, can easily "waste" 1 entire day (traveling to/from the airports, getting there early for check-in etc).

If I were you, I'd stick with just Paris/London. Save Venice for your next trip to Italy.

Hi Elaine ... thanks for the quick reply. Yes, we'll be flying from the West Coast of the US. How would you recommend getting from Venice to Paris? I looked at flights on RyanAir, but was concerned about the airports used and the travel times involved.

Yk, you bring up good points ... I've been wondering if it's worth trying to squeeze in Venice. We just loved it so much there we were anxious to return. But on the other hand, I don't want to waste a day in travel just to do it. I was also considering Amsterdam in place of Venice, but maybe we really should just stick to the two cities.

I agree - I would do a week each in London and Paris with one or two day trips from each - depending on your interests - and if you actualy have 14 days or 16. (Windsor, Hampton Court, Bath, Stonehenge, Versailles, Chartres?)

Why not just an open jaw ticket into London and back from paris?

I vote to keep Venice! My husband & I are going to Paris, Florence & Venice to celebrate our anniversary. We've been to all three before-Paris many years ago, but Florence & Venice 5 years ago together. I was in Florence & Venice 3 years ago with my sister, but I wanted to return with my husband now that I am more familiar with them. It will be more relaxing. We won't have to worry about seeing all the sights, and can just get into the mood of the place...I want to spend days wandering back streets in search of the Rialto and nights on Piazza San Marco relaxing and listening to the chamber orchestras. IMHO I don't think you can ever get enough of Venice!

Hi Kim,

Your plan is a good one.

You can fly Venice Marco Polo to London Gatwick on easyJet or to Heathrow on BMI for as little as 40GBP.

I would skimp on London and spend a full week in Paris.

((I))

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Like CyberTraveler, we originally wanted to include Venice because it would be the "relaxing" part of our trip. We've been there once before, so we can skip trying to see all the sights and just soak everything in, wander the streets, etc.

What do you think of this rough itinerary if we decide to keep Venice? Are we trying to cram too much in? What about the order?

Day 1: Arrive in Venice
Day 2: Venice
Day 3: Leave Venice, fly to London in afternoon/evening
Day 4: London
Day 5: London
Day 6: Day trip from London to Stonehenge/Bath
Day 7: Train to Paris in afternoon/evening
Day 8: Paris
Day 9: Paris
Day 10: Paris
Day 11: Train to Bayeux, night in Bayeux
Day 12: WWII landing beaches tour (Battlebus?), train back to Paris in evening
Day 13: Fly home

Venice is exquisite and I can't believe I am about to say this but I would skip Venice if you only plan less than 2 full days. It is a long way out of your way for such a short time. I would stay 3 full days, not counting the day of arrive and departure if I go all of that way.
London and Paris are also fabulous and well worth a week each. There is so much to see and to and a week allows time for a day trip or two from each city. If you have only two weeks, fly to London, stay 5 days, travel to Normandy and stay 2 days and on to Paris for 6 days. Fly home from Paris. What ever you decide, you are interested in visiting 3 of the most wonderful cities in the world so you can't go wrong.

I also would allow 3 days for Venice if you plan to keep it as part of your trip. I also fly from the west coast and I would do the trip roughly this way: Fly to Venice via London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam or Munich on a one stop itinerary. Fly from Venice to either London or Paris. Train from London to Paris or vice versa. Open jaw return from either London or Paris to home.

Hi Kim,

Good revised plan.

Enjoy your trip.

((I))

Just a quick note - I would skip Stonehenge and spend the full day in Bath. There is lots to see/do there, and Stonehenge I feel is disappointing.