PARIS-ITALY-SWITZERLAND-AMSTERDAM
 

Hello - would love to run an itinerary by those experienced travelers out there! I have spent forever sorting and paring things down. And HOPE I am getting close! Any advice for more paring down?

Aug 5 & 6 - Paris
Aug 7 first thing in the AM - Fly to Rome
Aug 7 & Aug 8 - Rome
Aug 9 first thing in the am - train to Florence
Stay one night in Florence
Aug 10 first thing in the am - train to Venice
Stay one night in Venice
Aug 11 - all day scenic train to Zurich
Aug 12 & 13 - Zurich
Aug 13 pm - night train to Amsterdam
Aug 14 & 15 - Amsterdam
Aug 16 - Brussels on way to London to fly out on the 17th

Honestly - this looks exhausting and more a tour of train stations.

You will have 1.5 days in Paris
1.5 days in Rome
A bit over half a day in Florence
3/4 of a day in Venice
2 days in Zurich (why?)
2 days in A'dam
A few hours in brussels

You aren't counting the time it takes to get between places. 2 nights = 1 full day. Every time you move you lose about 1/2 day to the logistics of getting to and from hotels to train stations and airports, waiting for transit, being in transit etc. you will lose first day to jet lag and logistics most likely and the last day to getting to the airport etc. nso you gave 10 days and want to visit 7 cities. That's 3.5 days list to travel leaving you with 6.5 days to actually see anything.

You can see the issue here...what you have us really unrealistic as it stands, next to impossible.

With 12 days you should pick 2-3 locations max to give yourself a chance to actually see what you are paying all the money to come see...

Why don't you scrap Italy and Switzerland and enjoy your time in France, Belgium and Netherlands?

Thanks for replies. And I agree! How's this instead - since this may be my only trip ever in my life to Europe, what would be the top 3 doable places?

Out of your list Paris, Amsterdam and Rome. Start in Amsterdam, take a train to Paris and then fly to Rome and fly out of there.

Or London Paris and Amsterdam.

Depends on your interests...

Even places not on my list - too 3 that we can see - suggestions appreciated very much!

3amigos...the cities of Europe are very well connected by rail and flights. You should do some research and pick the 3 that you find the most intersecting. I usually do thus by going to a bookstore and looking through guide books. The combos are endless and we don't know you. Only you know what interests you in Europe.

Thanks. Unfortunately the list contains many! I was hoping to see Switzerland thus me trying to stick it in there lol. That's why I thought I'd ask which three would be most worth it and could be reasonably squeezed in. We are sightseers !

Exactly the lovely problem all of us need to solve...limited time and budget and unlimited choices. The trick is to not think this is your one and only trip and plan too much so you end up seeing nothing but trains and stations. You can't go wrong so just pick the top three. If you have a top 5 then pick the 3 that make the most sense logistically...like the options rodarte and I suggested above...

Thanks do much. Now I don't feel guilty cutting back. This gives me a much better starting point. Now to decide! Lol

OK - appreciate everyone's input! have narrowed it to two possibilities - Of these 2 which is best?!

Aug 7, 8 and 9 - Paris
Aug 10 Fly to Barcelona
Aug 10, 11 & 12 - Barcelona
Aug 13 Fly to Rome
Aug 13, 14, 15 & 16 Rome (and surrounding areas)
Aug 16/17 fly out of Rome back home :)

Scenario number two

Aug 7 & 8 - Amsterdam
Aug 9 fly to Paris
Aug 9, 10 & 11 - Paris
Aug 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 Rome
Fly home Aug 16/17

IN SCENARIO NUMBER TWO MISSED FLIGHT HERE IS # 2 AGAIN....

Aug 7 & 8 - Amsterdam
Aug 9 fly to Paris
Aug 9, 10 & 11 - Paris
Aug 12 FLY TO Rome
Aug 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 Rome
Fly home Aug 16/17

You won't be flying from Amsterdam to Paris... unless things have changed very recently there are no flights... taking the train is faster anyway as you go city center to city center. Tickets at http://www.thalys.com are cheapest 3 months before travel.

Needless to say, I'd do the Amsterdam option of your 2 scenarios.

Just pick one - decide if you'd rather visit Amsterdam or Barcelona. We can't decide that for you.

But as mentioned, you'll want to take a train between A'dam and Paris

Based on your limited time I would pick Amsterdam as you don't waste as much time on the train as you would a flight to Barcelona.

I think you should add an extra day to Amsterdam though or I wouldn't bother aNd just split the time between Paris and Rome. Your first day will mostly be lost to getting to your hotel and through the airport and jet lag leaving you only 1 full day. Considering the time and money it took to get there that hardly seems worth it.

Be sure you book your flights into your first city and out of the last.

I responded to your new thread.

THANKS! No I don't expect anyone to pick for me - just that we like both and if one is easier than the other, that will be the winner!

thank you all!

I would personally spend the time Barcelona over Amsterdam but that is personal choice. If you decide to choose Amsterdam I would take the train and have a couple hours in between trains in Brussels. One of Europe's best squares to have lunch, a beer and suck in the beauty. The square is right by the train station no cabs needed and trains run regular schedule

Squeezing a lot in. Keep in mind the first couple of days you are going to be in a fog from jet lag.