ira

Hi E,

>The aim of our trip is to have a short romantic European getaway. To walk around and enjoy where we are, see beautiful sites, immerse ourselves in the new environment, enjoying great food. <

Why do you want to spend two nights on trains?

Stay in Paris.
OR
2 nights Venice, fly to Paris.

Enjoy your visit.

StCirq

Folks, Emma doesn't really want our help. Her mind is made up. Time to move on, I think.

Robert2533

"Time to move on" It is!

DeborahAnn

Emma, I'm very sorry to say that with the pace of your trip the first thing that is likely to disappear is the romance. I think the posters here have given you suggestions for a romantic and memorable trip. I've been to all those cities but not in the same trip and frankly can't imagine any way to fit three cities so far apart into the few days you have. Maybe you should post this question on a different travel site that might be geared to fast and frantic travel Good luck, Deborah

Jean

Just a point of correction... Flights Paris-Venice and Venice-Barcelona are not "international" flights. No checking in hours in advance (just whatever the airline requires), no going through immigration and customs, etc., although there could be a random passport check. The three countries are within the Schengen Zone.

cathies

Thanks Jean, I didn't realise that. So my time frame could be reduced to say 5 hours. It's still a big chunk out of so few days.

EmmaWilliams84

Actually, I do want help but only from those who want too actually help rather then slam my nativity in travelling. If I want help I wouldn't be posting my questions.

I have not yet booked our flights, the TA has them on hold.

I 100% agree with the hectic madness we're contemplating. Key word - contemplating. My husband thinks we can do 3, friends from Australia who have been to Europe think the same....

So hence I'm torn STILL.

EmmaWilliams84

* naive
** didn't want help

jamikins

Depends...do you want to waste time in transit to see glimpses of places or spend quality time in a couple of places.

I would pick one place myself...Max two.

But we like to take long lunches, drink wine a people watch, relax and enjoy the places we are visiting rather than runs from place to place.

Personal preference maybe but I would never consider what you are...too much wasted time!

Can you do it...probably logistically. Up to you what you find rewarding.

ekc

If you are Still Torn after all of the advice you received in the previous 27 replies to cut down your trip to 1 or 2 cities, then I don't see how we can help.

Robert2533

Forget sage advice. People in their 20's simply have to learn by experiencing it themselves. It's something most of us are guilty of at one time or another, even if you're no longer in your 20s.

As noted, logistically you can do three cities, allowing 1-1/2 days (36 hours) for each. The other day and a half will be spent on the go (airport, train station, taxi, bus, checking into and out of hotels). If you plan it all out carefully, it might happen, or not.

Doing a destination in 36 hours is fairly common if you believe what you read in the New York Times Travel Section and other travel publications. Of course they are being paid not to get the full enjoyment out of the destination.

kakiebell

1. You are young 2. You are entitled to make mistakes 3. You will learn from your mistakes
A. fly into Paris (been there 6 times, prefer Rome)
B. go to Venice (a once in a lifetime experience)
C. Have not been to Barcelona (going there in April)

Go with your gut instincts, if you want more information on Paris or Venice, let me know.

ekc

<<<Doing a destination in 36 hours>>>
At least 8 of which will be spent sleeping/getting showered/eating breakfast, leaving 28 hours.

Robert2533

If you only have 36 hours, there's no time to sleep and forget the shower. You eat on the run, just like being in an ER (which is usually 72 hours at a pop).

PalenQ

Can't you add a few days to your trip - then using overnight trains between Barcelona and Paris and Paris and Venice you would have adequate time in each city - and for young folk overnight trains can be a real experience - usually other young travelers doing the same thing.

socaltraveler

I think we appreciate that you are young, and have 3 children under 5, and have been given the gift of childcare for 8-10 days to take this trip. Please understand that most responders do not intend to be rude when questioning your judgment. My daughter has 3 under 5, and has flown with them from CA to Oz where her in-laws live. They all return feeling like zombies; your trip is longer. And if you really plan to race around Europe for 8 days, consider how you will feel when you return. Jet lag can take days.

I honestly think you will have a much better experience if you pick 2 destinations, fly into one and out of the other. You choose. You will return, even if it takes years.

If your friends are so insistent you can, and should, race around, and the advice of seasoned travelers here contraindicates THEIR advice, then perhaps they should be planning this adventure for you. It's your trip, but you are coming from a long distance and do not have a whole lot of time on the ground. 2 destinations will be lovely, and you will have just enough time to relax and smell the coffee, drink the wine. Good luck.

janisj

>>Actually, I do want help but only from those who want too actually help rather then slam my nativity in travelling.<<

Everyone has been trying to help you -- no one wants you to have a frantic/expensive/dash around and see little sort of experience. Everyone has given you suggestions and reasons why - some quite detailed . . and you come back w/ 'We really want to to the 3 cities".

So we try again and you don't give any feed back except you are still torn. It seems like you are upset w/ anyone who has taken the time/trouble to give advice.

We really ARE trying to help - I think you just aren't quite ready to hear it. Make up your mind and book the tickets.

travelnut265

Hi
You must be tired just dealing with your young three chidren so doing 3 cities in 8 days will be a breeze for you.
I didn't find overnight train travel the least bit romantic and with your timeframe a complete waste of time. Please fly

rhon

Ultimately, Emma, this is your trip to make of it what you will. The resounding advice here is to keep it to, ideally , one place but you could do two places. Yes, your friends are saying three days in Paris, three days in Barcelona, two days in Venice is enough. Have they actually done what you are considering in the time frame you have ? Probably not.

You are spending a lot of money on this adventure. Seeing more places is not going to make for better value if the time spent there is only as long as the time it took to get there. There is nothing romantic in an airport waiting for a plane . There is romance in an evening stroll along the Seine or a boat ride to see the Eiffel tower light up. I have not been to Barcelona or Venice so cannot offer romantic suggestions.

Your precious children are going to be so happy to see Mum and Dad home. They will not know or care that you are so tired you would do anything for sleep!!

In all honesty, in your situation [ and when we had three children under six, no-one offered to babysit for two days let alone ten ], I would be finding a nice place to stay closer to home, booking a massage, seeing a show, a movie, some dinners and enjoying quality time with my DH, reading that book I have not had time to read. And mostly, catching up on sleep.

But if you are set on this, listen to what people are telling you.

justineparis

Hmm I had three under 6 at one time.. three under 5.. you were a busy couple weren't you , lol

Ok just teasing.

Please Emma.. you cannot arrive home a bloody tired wreck,, those kids will want you "on" the minute you walk in the door. You have been warned the jet lag will be pretty bad.. but please.. do not add TRAVEL FATIGUE to that .. come home fairly rested.

Visit two places.

Paris and Venice,or Paris and Barcelona. But just choose two. Tell hubby his rushing about frantic pace is why you already have 3 kids under 5. lol..

I think if you push it to three cities you will end up not really having the romantic holiday you imagine. Travel is tiring..and you are likely already tired..

Both Venice and Paris can be so romantic,, just wandering the streets. soaking up the atmosphere.. eating the food, drinking the wine and coffee.. ( I will tell you , ,Venice is not cheap.. we had some pricey not great meals there.. ) but it is Venice.. so beautiful. I have been twice and liked it, but to me its easily enjoyed in 2 days. PAris oh my so many choices of what to see and do.. bike tour ( suggest you google Fat Tire Bike tours, they are a hoot and easy peasy for anyone,no hills etc, and guides are humorous) a visit out of Paris to Versailles perhaps? I have spent 100s of day in Paris over many years.. and still never find myself bored or out of things to do ..

I have only been to Barcelona once so will leave it to others ( er, not my fave place)