travlsolo2

Depending on your arrival time on the 18th and departure time on the 20th, it may be only one full day in Venice, which seems to be very little time, IMHO. And a half day to Pisa..
is that part of the day in Venice? An overnight train to Paris would likely maximize your time in Venice. Have a great trip!

travlsolo2

Depending on your arrival time on the 18th and departure time on the 20th, it may be only one full day in Venice, which seems to be very little time, IMHO. And a half day to Pisa..
is that part of the day in Venice? An overnight train to Paris would likely maximize your time in Venice. Have a great trip!

StCirq

I hope that trip to Pisa isn't part of the one single day in Venice, because as it is, that's not enough time for Venice.

I hope you realize (map?) how far apart Paris and the Normandy beaches are. It's hardly a day trip, although I guess some people enjoy 16-hour sightseeing tours. How do you plan to get to Normandy and back?

Do you really need to go to Disneyland? You're a grown-up, right? With all of Paris has to offer? Suit yourself, of course, but I think you could do better with your time (and spend a LOT less money. Same for the Moulin Rouge. I assume you're on a budget, given you're staying in that campground, so if you're looking to save money, forget the Moulin Rouge. Go take a snapshot.

janisj

>>Rome to Venice 7/18/16
-Train

-Venice 7/18/16-7/20/16
-Half day trip to Pisa

-Venice to Paris 7/20/16
-Flight?<<

Not good. You use half a day getting to Venice. Then on the 20th you fly to Paris. So one usable day for Venice.

Plus do you actually mean <i>Pisa</i>? Pisa is not a day trip from Venice - let alone a half day. It is west of Florence.

OR (your 'system' is a bit confusing) could you possibly mean taking half a day visiting Pisa <u>on the way to Venice</u>? If so that isn't really doable either. By train Rome to Florence is about 1.5 hrs. Florence to Pisa 1 hour, then another hour back to Florence and 2 to 3 hours (depending on the train) to Venice. So you will spend 6 to 7 hours JUST in transit.

medic1126

-Again, thank you all so much for the advice! As I get each of your insight I am editing and playing with everything.

-Just to reiterate, I have never been to Europe, so I have no idea what is doable and what isn't.

-From what has been posted so far, I think it is safe to say that I can scratch the trip to Pisa.

-Unfortunately I can only do the one day in Venice, so I'll just have to make and see the most of it.

-If Moulin Rouge isn't all it's cracked up to be, I'll scratch that too.

-Disney is a must do for me, as I was supposed to go there with my mother who recently passed away.

-And I would like to do some type of tour to the Normandy beaches, as I had several great uncles who landed there, and one who died.

Money isn't all that big of an issue, the camp just sound cool and was a good deal for San Fermin. Pamplona is the only thing booked, paid for, and set in stone. Everything else can be played with and changed as needed. I am not familiar with transportation methods, so I am hoping you guys can help me out there.

I will make a separate post for the Ireland leg of my trip as has been suggested. Thanks again

carolyn

We went by train from Paris to Normandy. We spent two nights in Bayeux and took an all-day, small-van tour from there to see the beaches, St. Mere Eglise, the U.S. and German cemeteries, Arromanche, and related sites. We also had time in town to see the Bayeux Tapestries and the Cathedral and walk around a bit. Also returned to Paris by train. As you don't have much time in Paris, you could stay one night and get a later train back.

dwdvagamundo

Like most of the commenters above, I have my doubts about a one-day day trip to Normandy. If it were my trip, I'd drop Moulin Rouge and Disney and take an overnite trip to Normandy. Much more interesting, as indicated above, and it's always a good idea to see some of Europe outside the cities.

janisj

I understand why you want to keep Disney -- a lot of Fodorites just don't understand the attraction. Keep it in your plan -- but do be realistic about how much time you have in each place.

It actually is more like:

-Arrive Barcelona on 7/5/16 train to Pamplona
-Pamplona 7/5/16-7/9/16
- Barcelona 7/10/16-7/12/16 (2.5 days)
-Rome 7/13/16-7/17/16 (4.5 days)
-Venice 7/18/16-7/19/16 (1.5 days)
-Paris 7/20/16-7/25/16 (4.5 days)
-London 7/26/16-7/30/16 (4.5 days)
-Ireland 7/31/16-8/5/16 (5.5 days)
-Fly home 8/6/16


W/ just 4.5 days in Paris you want to squeeze out a day to DL and one or 2 days to Normandy. Leaving very little time for Paris itself

Same w/ London - 4.5 days and you are taking a full day to visit Stonehenge. (Abbey road is just a cross walk in central London so easy to fit in.

With the musts you have in Paris/Normandy I suggest you cut somewhere else. I'd also recommend more time in London. So hard as it seems -- I would cut either Rome or Venice and add that time to Paris and London. (OR - cut both Rome/Venice and add time to Ireland too -- keep Italy for another trip)

medic1126

Excellent advice guys, thank you for the input. From what I gather, the consensus is that I have tried to squeeze too much into such a short time. Janisj I think I will follow your advice and cut out Italy. Not only will that give me more time in London and Paris, it will save me a plane ride. Also taking from the above advice, I think that an overnight trip to Normandy would be better suited. i had read about the small tour last from Bayeux, and I think that's something I will strongly consider. I will also be cutting out the Moulin Rouge. So far everybody has some awesome ideas, and I appreciate all the input. It really is helping me to create this trip!

janisj

That sounds great -- you will have an easier time and probably enjoy yourself more dashing about less and actually seeing more

medic1126

Does anybody have any recommendations for pre-organized tours from Paris to Bayeux/Normandy? Or is that something I have to create myself?

medic1126

I have adjusted all my dates based on everybody's input. I cut out Italy completely, and added more time for Paris, London, and Ireland. Once I get it together, I'll post an updated date itinerary. In the meantime, as suggested, here is a seperate forum for Ireland. Thanks in advance, so far the advice has been awesome!!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-itinerary.cfm

StCirq

There are organized tours from Paris to the D-Day beaches/museums in Normandy, but it's probably easier to take the train from Paris to Bayeux and either rent a car and do it yourself or get on one of the tours organized there starting in Bayeux or Caen. I would plan to spend the night, though. As a map will show, Bayeux isn't next door to Paris.

annhig

well done medic for taking the advice, which is kindly meant. We just want you to have as good a trip as possible, nothing else.

you sound well on the way to working out a great itinerary - congrats.

bilboburgler

just read through, great advice from all and well done the OP for getting a good structure.

You know need to dig out some train guidance, along with seat61.com to get a good understanding you need the metro in Paris, RER http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php

sncf for the french train system (but capitaine may be better for booking tickets)
https://www.captaintrain.com/en

UK public transport http://www.traveline.info/
London public transport https://tfl.gov.uk/

Travel_Nerd

<<Does anybody have any recommendations for pre-organized tours from Paris to Bayeux/Normandy? Or is that something I have to create myself?>>

You can certainly do it yourself, sure. I have done a tour previously and I am not a "tour" person. There are many tour operators but this is the one my family and I went with: http://www.normandy-sightseeing-tours.com/ Highly knowledgeable guide, small group (I think there may have been 7 max).

EuEu

Hi! have you thought about making the trip by train?? Since you are interesting on visiting a few countries maybe It is a good option to you. There are "special tickets" . Check on Internet "Eurail Train Pass". You can travel by night between the capitals and you save the money from hotels. And on the other hand, you do not have to take several flights and go to airports because most of the train stations are in the cities centre. It is just another idea that maybe suits you.

Many european youths make a similar trip once in their life "Interrail", but this ticket is to european people.

(sorry about my english)