Paris/Italy in October itinerary help, please
 

My husband and I will be flying into Paris and out of Rome and spending approximately 30 days in October. I've been to Europe before, but it's been 30 (gasp!) years, and my husband has never been.

I'm thinking 5-6 nights in Paris, probably in the 6th or 7th arr., then we would like to spend about a week in another region of France. I'm thinking Provence as it is further south and might have better weather that time of year, but we're open to suggestions.

We would perhaps take a train to the area and then rent a car for exploring.

We would then like to go to Italy and spend some time in smaller towns--perhaps Tuscany, perhaps Cinque Terre, perhaps ____?--before going to Rome for 3-4-5? nights before our flight home.

As my husband has never been to Europe, he would like to see a couple of the major cities, such as Paris and Rome (or Paris and _______?), but I would greatly appreciate any suggestions for how to spend our time in between.

We don't enjoy traveling at a hectic pace and would rather thoroughly enjoy a few places than try to see it all.

(or Paris and _______?): VENICE

perhaps Cinque Terre, perhaps ____?: ISLE OF CAPRI

Nice to have 30 days! We did a barge trip for a week a few years ago through Burgundy which was wonderful. Got to stop in the tiny towns each night, find a local restaurant for dinner, slept on the boat and in the morning DH would bike to the town bakery for croissants. Then spend a few more hours stopping when and where we wanted. Stopped at wineries and very little towns along the way.... very stress free. Might not be your type of 'thing'..but just a thought.
I know this is the Italy forum... so they do have the same type of thing around Venice. I'll find the info if you're interested.

Paris ... take the TVG to the Loire if you'd like the chateau. Or, take the TVG to Nice (I'm one of "those people" whose experience it is that the Parisiennes are not like the rest of teh French!), get your car and tootle around..dump the car and train to Rome... why not take a day or 2 for Venice?
We were in the South of France last October and the weather was wonderful.

Perhaps fly into the south of France (Nice?) Take a week to drive to Paris. Stay almost a week in Paris (without the car of course!) Train to Venice. 4 days in Venice, rent a car outside of Venice and drive into/around Tuscany for 4 dyas and the the rest in Rome. Fly ho,me from Rome.

Save the south of Italy for another trip. Just my 2 cents.

Make you reservations for the major cities soon. Paris is tough in October because of a World Rugby Championship. I know I found it hard to reserve an apartment for the first week in Ocotober.
I also recommend the overnight train from Paris to Florence where you can rent a car and tour Tuscany. I love Chianti especially, but there's a lot to like.