Paris to Rome via Venice?
 

I am planning a trip from Boston to Paris. I'd like a few days in Paris and then we plan to drive to Rome, but via Venice. Its 10 hours straight from Paris to Venice. I want a couple of days in Venice, Then a few days in Rome. I have 14 days total (including travel days from Boston to Paris, Rome to Boston. Anyone done a trip like this? What are some of the must sees. Is heading to Venice too must to back into one trip?

This is planned for 1st two weeks in July 2016. Nothing is set yet so if there are better times of the year to suggest, please do.

Fly to Venice---cheaper and faster.

Viamichelin show Paris to Venice at more than 12 hours with no stops - so a realistic at least 14 hours on the road. Train is no better.

This makes sense only if you will be spending a couple of days on the road seeing sights in other places. Otherwise agree that you should fly this and then train from Venice to rome.

I agree with the others, senseless in so many ways to drive if you have no destinations planned along the way or time to see them. Fly.

14 days total means only 12 days on the ground.
You could spend 4 days (5 nights) in Paris.
Fly to Venice - 1/2 day
Venice 2 days, 3 nights.
Train to Rome - 1/2 day
Rome, 4 days (5 nights)
Fly home

Thanks everyone. We are looking to drive because we wanted to make a road trip, stopping in places along the way. Its not set in stone yet as we are beginning research now. If there were fantastic places of interest along the way, we will drive. If not flying is probably the best way. Still looking for suggestions. Keep them coming!!

You do not have time to stop and see any places along the road and see Paris, Venice and Rome as well.

If you really want a road trip, consider a different itinerary and focus for the trip.

There are, of course, wonderful places to see on a road trip. But if you want a road trip and you have a finite number of days then something must go. Do the road trip in France and visit Italy another time. Or fly from Paris to Venice and take the train to Rome, as suggested above. Either way, or run yourself ragged. You've come here for advice so take it and avoid a beginner's biggest mistake.

>>Thanks everyone. We are looking to drive because we wanted to make a road trip, stopping in places along the way.<<

Then you need 3 or 4 weeks -- not 11.5 days (which is all you have on the ground after accounting for the travel to/from Europe). 11+ days is rushed but doable for Paris/Venice/Rome -- but leaves no time at all for an extended road trip. The drive from Paris to Venice is 3 full days if you want to see anything at all.

Even if it wasn't <i>totally</i> impractical, the cross-border drop off fee will double the cost of your rental car.

Thanks for the feedback! We will reconsider the itinerary and I'm sure I'll have more questions. I appreciate everyone's time and input.

In addition to not having time, you would also have a big drop fee (can be several hundred euro) for picking up a car in one country and dropping in another. You would also need a vignette for Switzerland. Much easier to fly Easy Jet from Paris Orly to Venice or Rome.