OK, DH and I have decided Paris to Venice is the trip we will take. Starting
Oct. 25 - Depart Orlando
Oct. 26 - Arrive Paris
Oct. 27
Oct. 28
Oct. 29
Oct. 30
Oct. 31
Nov. 01 Depart Paris via train to Venice
Nov. 02
Nov. 03
Nov. 04
Nov. 05
Nov. 06
Nov. 07
Nov. 08 Depart home

Help us to fill in the blanks. Hotels/B&B around $200us.

What kind of "blanks" are you looking for?

You want us to help you plan your entire itinerary?

My only suggestion is you should look into staying at apartments at both cities, given that you'll be at each place for 1 week. You can get something decent for your price tag, and a whole lot more space than a tiny hotel room.

www.voyages-sncf.com to snatch elusive discounted berths on overnight trains but only perhaps if act far in advance. No direct day trains but similarly you can get so-called Prem fares Paris-Milan then at www.trenitalia.com Milan-Venice

That said both sides are extremely frustrating it seems if legions of Fodorites are to be believed.

Buying tickets in Paris means however you could face a sold out train and pay much higher. You can also book in the U.S. thru RailEurope and at times they have discounted tickets as well - but usually not as cheap as thru the French and Italian railway sites - but if those sights cause you to pull out your hair then book here so you will be sure of getting on. (I always recommend www.budgeteuropetravel.com for any Raileurope product because of their personal service by phone and expertise or try www.raileurope.com but some Fodorites have said that site may give deceptive info and may e-mail back a higher price - one reason i suggest talking to someone and being sure of the lowest fare.

Hi

Well, if you want some info on Paris feel free to check out my Paris trip report with pictures and links : http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm We also went to Venice a few years back and here is the report http://gardkarlsen.com/italy_venice.htm . Have a great trip.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

You should keep on the same thread, not do a new one. That would be helpful

Shebalnu,
If you don't already have the train tickets you might consider flying.
I've done MyAir between Paris and Venice. The train would have been at night...so I figured I wouldn't be seeing much scenery!

Are you thinking of going to other places while you're in Paris and Venice? If you haven't been to either destination...I think yo may be surprised at how much there is to see and do!!

I'll be in Venice the same time as you...it's a perfect time of year for both Paris and Venice!!

That's a LONG train ride, I would only do it by overnight train in a private compartment.

Venice
www.lacalcina.com
Paris
www.parisdacialuxembourg.com

...are where I stayed and in that price range.

MyAir's schedule doesn't seem to be the most accommodating on that particular date. As stands, their flight out of Orly is at 09:40 on Nov. 1st while the flight out the day before is 17:40. Not the best way to minimise time lost in two beautiful cities IMHO. Perhaps this is one occasion where the train is the better option.

Shebalnu, I just finished up my planning for a trip that includes Paris and Venice for this fall. I found the train from Paris to Venice would be a costly waste of time.

We ended up taking Air France because of the schedule we needed, but Veuling has really good air prices.

I'd also add that 7-8 days in Venice seems like a long time, unless you're planning to do some day-tripping. Personally, I'd add on to the Paris portion.

Regarding hotels, we're using an apartment in Paris, but for Venice we're staying at Locanda Le Vele (La Calcina was booked).

Have a great trip!

Hi S,

I would fly into Venice and out of Paris.

I think that you get better schedules.

You can also get SmartPrice fares at
www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html

Don't forget that taking the overnight Artesia train Paris to Venice means you save a night's hotel cost and wake up right in the heart of Venice - could be most cost effective, depending on how much you pay for the variable train or plane fares of course. A private double compartment can also be romantic - indeed a friend of mine said his son was conceived on this overnight train!