sccollett

This is my first attempt to plan my own trip abroad. Would anyone share a successful itinerary for Germany, France and Italy within a 30-day time frame? Thanks in advance

Michael

Without knowing your mode of travel and interests, it is impossible to say anything constructive. You should look at the guidebooks for the respective countries, take a look at maps of the various areas, decide on a mode of travel, and you will have taken the first rational step in planning.

christycruz

As you look at guidebooks, look for a mix of big cities and small towns. You'll want a mix (I'm guessing).

sccollett

Thanks christycruz. Once in each area, I think I would perfer train travel. Have you done so?

sccollett

Thanks Michael. I all collecting electronic guide books at this time and have bookmarked some interactive maps. I hoped one of the sophisticated Fodor's travelers might have already done something like this and would be willing to share his/her travel plan and what might be done differently if doing it again.

mamcalice

Museums, historic sights, food, scenic wonders, cities, countryside, active travel? Give us some idea of your interests and we can give you some ideas of places to visit. When are you going?

We've spent 2 weeks in Germany, 14 weeks in France and 12+ weeks in Italy over several decades. It is pretty hard to boil that down to 30 days if we don't know your travel history or interests.

sccollett

Sounds like more thought is needed on our part. Interested in "tourist" type things...Castles, historic places, food and such. thanks

Travelforbeer

How does Paris, Nice, Rome, Florence, Venice, Munich, Berlin (all by train) sound?

StCirq

Many of us have done something like this, sometimes many times over. But it's irrelevant without knowing why you chose those countries, who's traveling, what ages, what experience, language skills, preferred mode of transportation, preferences for mountains, lakes, beaches, woods, cities, towns, villages, mix of all, walkers or hikers or bikers or sports enthusiasts, what kind of history interests you, etc., etc. etc.

annhig

do you know that you can fly into one city and out of another?

It's called an "open jaw" or a multi-city trip. it shouldn't cost much more than a "round-trip" ticket. this would make the sort of itinerary suggested by TravelforBeer work vey well, as you wouldn't have to retrace your steps to Paris.

TFB's itinerary is a very good one, IMO. my only comment would be that, depending on the time of year that you're hoping to travel, it might be nice to spend some time in the countryside. you could walk, cycle, sail, swim, ski, take boat rides.... - there is loads of choice.

msteacher

Since you are in the gathering-information stage, a helpful place to start will be by reading trip reports on this site. If you go to "view by country" and click on the name of each country you want to visit, you can browse through and start getting ideas. Many folks have done similar trips to yours, in lots of different ways. After you've done a little reading, you will be able to form some questions about your specific itinerary.

michele_d

Hi sccollett,
It would also be helpful to know what time of year you plan to travel so we can recommend north to south or south to north travel.

There is sooooo much to see in these three countries. We have spent a month in each and barely scratched the surface. We really need to know how long you would like to stay in each location. Do you want fast paced or slow and easy? Hotels or apts? Train travel or car, or combo?

Along the Mosel and Rhine are some great castles, France has an abundance of beautiful small towns as well as (you know) Paris. Italy, where do I begin...so much to see there.

Be sure to plan as annhig says to fly open jaw.

bobthenavigator

Here are some sample itineraies that I did some years ago thta may trigger ideas for you---both in Italy and other parts of Europe. You could easily combine 2 of these.

BOB the NAVIGATOR’S FAVORITE ITINERARIES

Here is an updated version of my favorite itineraries & my “Bella Italia” photo gallery. I hope you enjoy.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3827

1. BELLA ITALIA: Five destinations in 15 days—car & train travel
* Arrive in Milan[MXP] & depart from Venice[VCE]or vice versa.
* Itinerary to include the Italian Lakes, Ligurian coast, rural
Tuscany, Florence, & Venice. Suggested timing is 3-2-4-2-4.
* Option: Drop the coast & rent a villa in Tuscany[ 3-7-2-3].
* Best time to go: May & June or Sept. & Oct.

2. LA DOLCE VITA: Three destinations in 12 to 14 days-car & train
* Arrival & departure from Rome[ FCO] or arrival in Naples
* Itinerary to include Rome, the Amalfi coast, and Tuscany
* Best time to go: Easter to end of October
* Option: Fly into Naples & stay at 2 locations on the coast

3. CLASSIC ITALIA: Three destinations in 12 to 14 days-car & train
* Arrival & departure from Rome—may start trip in Florence
* Destinations to include Florence, Rome & Tuscany/Umbria
* Best time to go: Anytime, but May & Oct. are my favorites
* Option: Consider a weekly rental in Tuscany/Umbria

4. SICILIAN CHARMS: Five destinations in 15 days—car travel
* Connections to Catania & Palermo via Rome or gateway city.
* Itinerary to include Taormina, Siracusa, Palermo & more.
* Best time to go: March to November—May is best for flowers
* See: http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=634

5. THE VILLAGE SAMPLER: My favorite venues for those who enjoy natural beauty and quaint, small villages. Arranged north to south.
* Arrive Milan & depart Rome—car travel-- 3 nites per location
* Itinerary to include Lago Orta, Castelrotto/ Ortisei[Dolomites],
Portovenere[Liguria], Montalcino[Tuscany], & Spello[Umbria].
* Best time to go: May to October for the lakes and Dolomites
* Option: Pick 3 out of 5 and stay longer in Tuscany/Umbria.

NOTE: These are only intended to be SAMPLE ITINERAIRES.
BOB the NAVIGATOR’S FAVORITE ITINERAIRES
FOR OTHER DESTINATIONS IN EUOPE
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/83999/index.html


1. OF ALPS AND LAKES: Four destination in 12 days---train travel.
* Arrive & depart from Zurich---June thu September.
* Itinerary includes Bern. Oberland, Lugano, Luzern, Lago Como
* Option: You could rent a car in Lugano to tour Italy lakes.

2. MAGICAL FAIRYLANDS: Four destinations in 12 to 14 days.
* Arrive & depart Munich---car travel---May thru Sept.
* Itinerary has Salzburg area, Dolomites, Lago Garda, Bavaria.
* Option: Add Venice to the itinerary and drop Lago Garda.
* Bonus: Renting car in Germany versus Italy saves about 30%

3. FRENCH HIGHLIGHTS: Three destinations in 12 to 14 days
* Arrive Paris and depart Nice---car & train travel preferable
* Itinerary to include Paris, Provence, & Cote d’ Azur [5-4-3]
* Option: Can be done by train, but will limit Provence options.
* Bonus: AVG train to Avignon to get car for Provence.

4. ANDALUSIAN TREASURES[Spain]: Five destinations in 15 days.
* Arrive & depart Madrid---car and train travel
* Best time to go: April & May are best—avoid hotter months
* Itinerary to include Madrid, Seville, Ronda, Nerja, Granada
* Option: Substitute Toledo for Madrid & drive the entire trip
* NOTE: It really takes 4 trips to see Spain—this is just one.

5. THE WONDERS OF PORTUGAL: Four destinations in 12 days
* Arrive and depart Lisbon---car travel---2 varied itineraries
* Best time to go: Spring or Fall---avoid summer months
* Portugal North: Lisbon/Cascais, Obidos, Minho, Marvao
* Portugal South: Lisbon/Cascais, Obidos, Evora, Algarve
* Option: Combine north & south in 15 days
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3832