Paris/Venice-6.5 days in June
 

Hello all!

My fiance and I will be honeymooning in Europe, flying into CDG June 5 at 6:55am and out of VCE at 7:30pm on June 11. I have been to Paris for 10 days in 2010, my soon to be husband has never been anywhere in Europe.

My proposed itinerary is:

June 5-June 8 Paris, taking the Thello train the night of the 8th and waking up in Venice on the 9th
June 9-11 Venice, leaving the evening of the 11th with an overnight layover in Vienna.

I am wondering if we should try to squeeze any other places into the itinerary, between Paris and Venice. My concern is that I don't want to spend our entire trip catching trains and being pressed for time. Any good suggestions for day trips out of either Paris or Venice, or should I leave the itinerary as is? I know from experience there is plenty to keep us busy in Paris...is there enough to keep us busy in Venice?

Thanks for any advice :)

No.
You are landing with jet lag in paris, so you lose 1/2day just getting to accomodations, and you will fell crappy that day. So in in essence you have only 6-8th. Lots in Paris, no need to consider leaving to find more. Relax, walk, stop at a cafe, see the lights. Remove the 'going places' time, add to the 'being places' time.

Same with Venice.

Paris and Venice can be done in 6 days but I'm not sure you will find many on this site who will recommend such a trip. Depending on where you are coming from, you will likely be jet-lagged in Paris and feel rushed in both destinations. For a six-day trip, I would recommend either Paris or Venice. Since you have been to Paris, I suggest Venice. You can do day trips from either one. Under no circumstances should you try to find additional destinations.

It's your honeymoon, think about relaxed and romantic. Both cities fit the bill but think about limiting it to one. There is plenty to keep you busy in both Paris and Venice.

I think you have more than enough locations for a week, especially as it's your honeymoon and you would probably want a relaxing vacation.

What with getting from the train station and to the airport you realistically have 2 days in Venice. There's more than enough to do to keep you busy.

I personally would not want to take a night train on my honeymoon; I would opt to fly between Paris and Venice. And I think your itinerary is too rushed. I would choose one location for 6.5 days and relax and enjoy each other.

As a shout-out out those who have taken an overnight train on this route...how comfy/sleepable is it? I've always assumed it was not the 'Orient Express'

Others have said not to use train to replace a hotel room.

This could affect the Venice end of the trip

<< out those who have taken an overnight train on this route >>

I've taken this route, albeit a number of years ago and I'm sure today's trains are more comfortable. I booked a couchette and slept fine but I have no problems sleeping on trains. My caution is that when the train stops you will probably wake up from the lack of motion - that's what happens to me but then I go right back to sleep when the train starts up again. The other thing that could wake you during the journey is coupling and uncoupling cars - what a lout noise! There are 8 stops on this train (the train that has no connections).

Remember to buy your ticket for Venice Santa Lucia, not Mestre. Also bring some food/drink to enjoy in the evening and in the morning when you wake. Bring bottled water to brush your teeth.

The positive side of this particular train route is walking out of the Venice SL train station and being dazzled by your first sight of Venice; it's like living a dream!

<is there enough to keep us busy in Venice?>

You're not asking seriously, are you? There are perhaps four or five cities on this planet that are as rich, culturally, historically, artistically and atmospherically, as Venice. Two days are so pathetically short for Venice that it's hardly worth going at all. If you'd spend your entire 6 days in Venice, then you had a chance to scratch the surface, at least.