Taking 17 yo granddaughter to Italy and Paris-need ideas
Oct 17th, 2018, 10:50 AM
#102
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You don't have a lot of time in any place so I wouldn't do any major museums which will take a big chunk of your limited time. Even places where you can get reserved tickets you still have some line to wait in, and seeing the museums themselves takes at least a few hours. Seeing the Mona Lisa in July will just be frustrating. Why, it's a beautiful piece of art but there are so many quality reproductions. I was fortunate to have seen it years ago, in the evening, in the off season and even then it was crowded and I was disappointed. I've enjoyed most of the major museums in Europe at one time or another, but for a first trip, and in high season I'd skip them.
You don't need hiking boots for even the upper trails in the CT. Sneakers work. I did some of them in Teva sandals. You also don't need to do complete town to town hikes, you can hike just a ways out of each town for the views. It will be super crowded in July so I'd limit yourself to two nights. I'd add that night and the Pisa night to Rome or Paris or Tuscany. Since you want to stay in both Florence and Siena maybe you could do one before and the other after to break up the trip from CT to Venice.
Here's my photos of the places you are talking about - https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f739967755
https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f667172952
You don't need hiking boots for even the upper trails in the CT. Sneakers work. I did some of them in Teva sandals. You also don't need to do complete town to town hikes, you can hike just a ways out of each town for the views. It will be super crowded in July so I'd limit yourself to two nights. I'd add that night and the Pisa night to Rome or Paris or Tuscany. Since you want to stay in both Florence and Siena maybe you could do one before and the other after to break up the trip from CT to Venice.
Here's my photos of the places you are talking about - https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f739967755
https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f667172952
Last edited by isabel; Oct 17th, 2018 at 10:52 AM.
Oct 17th, 2018, 12:04 PM
#103
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other after to break up the trip from CT to Venice>
Quickest route CT to Venice however would not go thru Florence and backtracking there would add time. Go more direct route CT-Venice without going back to Florence.
Quickest route CT to Venice however would not go thru Florence and backtracking there would add time. Go more direct route CT-Venice without going back to Florence.
Oct 18th, 2018, 04:10 AM
#104
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What direct route, Palenq? From Vernazza, the quickest route passes through Florence, or sometimes Parma. The trip almost always involves a change in La Spezia, Pisa, and Florence (or La Spezia, Parma, and Bologna, which is not faster). In theory, you could pass through Milan, but it's less direct and takes longer.
Given the complicated itinerary, it's essential to keep your luggage to the minimum.
Anyway, they're planning to spend a night in Pisa, to break the journey (which I think is an excellent idea), and from Pisa you always have to pass through Florence.
Given the complicated itinerary, it's essential to keep your luggage to the minimum.
Anyway, they're planning to spend a night in Pisa, to break the journey (which I think is an excellent idea), and from Pisa you always have to pass through Florence.
Last edited by bvlenci; Oct 18th, 2018 at 04:16 AM.
