chicagolori

Y&R; Please do let us know what you decide - and then please do post when you get home and let us know about your trip. The nice thing is - no right or wrong answer, so no matter what you decide, it will be great.

111op

You might have mentioned how you're doing this, and I missed it as I read the thread very quickly. How are you flying between Rome and Madrid?

Are you using Vueling Air? (I got this from checking whichbudget.com.)

Just curious. Thanks.

youngandrestless

chicagolori--I will let you all know what I end up with. I should be cementing it the next couple of days as I want to get my lodging arrangements set up (with Fodor's recommendations gleaned from other threads of course).
111op--Actually I used www.itasoftware.com and found sometime from Aircomet, but now that you mention whichbudget.com I see that it does have vueling for cheaper. They both fly out of Rome FCO. But Aircomet flies at 11 am while vueling flies at 8 pm. I haven't booked yet, so I'll have to weigh the pluses and minuses of each and then decide. Last week I found an even cheaper fare on itasoftware.com but it's already gone. If I don't book soon I'll lose out on these good fares too.

111op

Hi young, as far as I know you can't book a ticket directly with ITA. You must use an online website or a travel agent. I don't know anything about Vueling or Aircomet in any case. But since I don't recall reading about how to fly from Rome to Madrid, I took a look myself.

It sounds like you've bought your openjaw. But if you haven't try pricing your entire itinerary with Orbitz or Expedia and see if using budget airlines will really save you much money.

BowenLinda

Young, my vote is with those who are encouraging about your first plan.

It's eminently doable - just prioritize your "wish list" along with cafe/vin breaks.

My only other comment would be that you are only seeing cities, not towns/villages and the countryside. You could eliminate Florence and substitute a (much) smaller Tuscan town for two nights which would also allow for some down time.

Have a wonderful holiday.

LoveItaly

Hi youngandrestless, at your age you two will be able to handle as many places as you want as long as you keep travel time between cities in mind, which you are obviously are doing.

You asked about gifts for people at home. I have a collection of leather bookmarks various people have brought back from Europe for me (everyone knows I love to read). I love them, and think of each person when I use the one they gave me. I even use them to bookmark places in magazines. They would sure be easy to put in your luggage and nonbreakable.

Have a wonderful time in Europe..hope you will file a trip report afterwards.

111op

By the way, it looks like you can use EuropebyAir for Rome to Madrid. The airline code is "A7." I wonder if that's AirComet. I've not checked if AirComet has a website.

The coupon on EuropebyAir is $99 + airport taxes. You should compare this with another price you can get and book the cheapest source.

Chele60

Normally, I wouldn't have any problems with your original itinerary whirlwind though it seems to be. However, you do realize that you will be in Madrid solely over Easter weekend, right? I'm not sure what will or will not be open or what Madrid will be like during that weekend. Perhaps you're already aware of this and maybe that is why your husband wants to go there at this time.

Anyway, with this in mind, I would opt for the 3 biggies: Paris, Rome, Madrid. It just seems like both you and your husband will be getting the most of the time you have.

youngandrestless

111op--yes, that is the only downfall of itasoftware.com, you find the best deals, and then have to search around for where to buy them from. I used it to find my open jaw flight (American Airlinies) out of San Diego, but I couldn't get the same price in conjunction with the shortest trip times on aa.com, I had to use Orbitz.com. I did try entering all my cities in the "multi-city" option, but the price tripled, which is why I'll be trying out some budget airlines.

bowenlinda--Thanks for the encouragement and the cafe stop reminder! When DH and I get low on blood sugar we get snippy with each other, which would really take away from the romantic aspect of the trip.

Loveitaly-- What a wonderful gift suggestion. I know it would be perfect for some of the bookworms in my family. I'll have to post a trip report afterwards so all the young crazies like me will know it's possible and fun (and I'd even post caveats for any learning experiences they could avoid).

youngandrestless

111op--yes, I checked on europebyair.com for a flight on the same date and the flight number matches the flight I found on itasoftware.com. Thanks for helping me find the website I can buy the tickets from.

youngandrestless

Chele--I had a sneaking suspicion that we'd be there over Easter, but I didn't plan it that way on purpose. I'd better check if any of the museums and restaurants we'd planned to see will be closed. That could put a damper on things, but there could also be neat Easter events to attend. Thanks for the heads up. Have you ever been there over Easter?

yellowrose477

Hi - I think that your first itinerary is very doable. If you are like me, when you are on vacation, you are on the move! The only times I relax on vacation is when we go to the beach. If you like art, you must try to stop by Florence. The David alone is worth a stop! Good luck - no matter where you decide to go - you will have a fabulous time.

111op

Normally, it will be cheaper to use budget airlines, but I was surprised when I just bought my JFK -> FCO, FCO -> CDG, CDG -> AMS and AMS -> JFK ticket on Orbitz. It wasn't cheap, but it wasn't too bad and I didn't have to use any budget airlines.

I'm actually going to Europe for three days, and I'm flying to a different city every day. So I think that your trip is quite leisurely by comparison.

Anyway sounds like you've done your homework and enjoy your trip!

111op

By the way, looks like there's a www.aircomet.com, but I don't know if it's functional, but you've EuropebyAir as your backup site.

annabelle2

I flew Air Comet Rome-Madrid last June and it does have a website (I had never heard of it and wanted some details; it was fine).

Flew Easyjet London-Venice earlier on the same trip, and the above poster is correct, Easyjet flies to Marco Polo but Ryan uses Treviso. Check the actual websites of whatever budget airline you end up using; all the details about the luggage are spelled out clearly.

As I recall, on Easyjet only a VERY SMALL handcarry can be carried on. Our roll-on suitcases (not big and not heavy) were checked. Easyjet did allow 5 more kilos than Ryanair, by the way.

youngandrestless

annabelle2--I'm so glad that you flew Aircomet and had no problems. It gives me confidence to do the same.

youngandrestless

111op--Thanks for your interest and advice. I wish you well on your race through three countries! If I ever feel too frazzled on my trip, I'll just think of you and count my blessings (all those extra minutes!).

LoveItaly

Hi youngandrestless, glad you liked the bookmark idea. For any special ladies in your life scarves also make a very special present (another thing I have received over the years) and again so easy to pack.

Just one thought. April 9th which is Palm Sunday is also Election Day in Italy as is April 10th. I mention that as one year we were in Florence on Election Day and discovered that no taxi's were operating and many places including restaurants were closed. So do keep in mind this possibility. I do not know if this was only true of Florence but assume it would be the same throughout Italy. Maybe someone else here has had experiences in Italy on Election Days and could advise of their experiences. BTW, we did find restaurants opened, just not all of them especially the smaller family run places. Best wishes.

youngandrestless

Loveitaly--Oh no! Not another Holiday conspiring to thwart MY holiday! Well, it is better to know now, and plan around it, than to find out then and really be in a pickle.
Scarves are another good gift idea. I think I should pick up a few for myself too.

Chele60

Regarding Easter in Madrid: No, I've never been to Spain during this time. However, Madrid also treats both Thursday and Friday (April 13 and 14) as public holidays. Shops and banks will be closed and evidently taxis charge an additional amount to their fare. Just a heads up. Not sure what else this might affect.

On the possible upside you and your husband might be in a good position to visit Sevilla (2 1/2 hours away via the AVE), which really celebrates the Holy Week and Easter. You wouldn't necessarily have to stay in Sevilla if time is tight - you might be able to visit for the day and see some of the processions. Renfe does offer deals on same day travel. Again, just a heads up, and perhaps a special treat for you and your husband.