We're traveling this summer for a few weeks with our kids (age 14, 17, 19) from Paris to Florence and Rome via Geneva. Suggestions on trains as well as lodging would be welcome

You might want to consider flying - - see www.easyjet.com and www.airlibexpress.com<BR><BR>Otherwise see www.raileurope.com - - just don't buy from them - - big markups!<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

up to the top, for david<BR>

I am afraid I am no help on lodgings. <BR><BR>The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable: you could phone to ask.<BR><BR>Paris Geneva. Table 347. High speed trains (TGV) with buffet cars leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 0710, 0840 (Mon to Fri), 1030 (to 28 March not Sat: from 29 March daily), 1340 (not Sat), 1438, 1740, and 2245. They take 3 ½ hours to Geneva<BR><BR>Geneva Florence. Table 82. In second class the Roma Express has 2-berth sleepers and 6-berth couchettes. It leaves Geneva at 2118 and reaches Florence at 0654. There is a note on enjoying sleepers and couchettes at http://www.twenj.com/tipsnighttrains.htm. By day you change at Milan. Leave Geneva at 0905, 1018, 1218 and 1418 on a train with a restaurant car or buffet car, change to a restaurant car train, and reach Florence 7 hours after you leave Geneva.<BR><BR>Florence Rome. Table 620. Fast Eurostar Italia trains with restaurant cars leave Florence at 0854 and hourly: they take 1 hour 36 minutes to Rome. But you have a better view of the mountains on the slower and cheaper InterCity restaurant cars from Florence at 1217 or 1244 to Rome in 2 or 2 ½ hours to arrive at 1416 or 1527<BR><BR>I can advise on booking by phone in the US.<BR><BR>Please write if I can help further. For example, for your youngest I have a note on disc on Paris for children. Welcome to Europe.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR><BR><BR>

In my humble opinion, you are planning to do too much in just 2 weeks or so. Especially with 3 teens. Personally, I would stay in Paris for 4 or 5 days, using some of them for trips to Chartres, Versaille, etc. Then I would take the overnight train to Rome - booking couchettes so you can sleep lying down - a treat for the kids. There is plenty to do in an around Rome for another 5 or 6 days - especially Pompeii for all 5 of you. Don't take a bus tour - use the train. That way getting there is part of the adventure. The catacombs are also interesting for all 5. If you can't live without Florence, make it a day trip. I know that's not enough time to see everything but you can get a good feel for the place and anyway, how many museums can any young person stand at once. I have several other ideas about things to do in Paris and Rome with teens. Please feel free to email me if you're interested. Most of all, have fun.

I guess I read your posting as your having more than two weeks.<BR>Can you provide some ideas on what you would like to spend on lodgings, and what amenities you require? A/c for example? I'm assuming you will need at least two rooms, one with a bed for two (most likely to be an American double rather than a queen or king), one with two twins, and an extra bed or sofabed in one of the rooms?