Travelling to France and Italy for the first time. NEED HELP!!!
Mar 3rd, 2016, 06:36 AM
#21
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Whathello,
you should read the Alaska threads. There, most OPs never come back.
Let us assume, OP does not reply because she has a case of sudden sickness. Or has canceled the trip. Or has gotten divorced yesterday (we had that on this forum!). Or.. (fill in what your fantasy creates).
you should read the Alaska threads. There, most OPs never come back.
Let us assume, OP does not reply because she has a case of sudden sickness. Or has canceled the trip. Or has gotten divorced yesterday (we had that on this forum!). Or.. (fill in what your fantasy creates).
Mar 3rd, 2016, 01:49 PM
#27
Is your daughter 8 months now, or will she be 8 months in June? I ask, because we took our son to France & Italy at 13 months and he'd already been walking for 3 1/2 months and was a walking and running terror. And that makes a big difference (to me) re: advice.
Like the others, best to base yourself in 1 or 2 places. You will need a crib or somewhere for your child to sleep that is safe. Hostels are not conducive to this. And B&B's may or may not be able to accommodate. Frankly, my husband and I stopped getting cheap digs with bathrooms down the hall when we started traveling with our baby. We needed water and a sink in the room. We needed to make sure our baby's periodic fussiness and cries didn't bother other people's trips.
And while it was easier traveling in Italy and going to restaurants with a baby, that was not really the case with restauranting in Paris. We knew that if our baby got fussy, we'd pick him up immediately and run outside so as not to bother other patrons.
So not only keep in mind your needs and making sure your baby is comfortable, keep in mind other travelers peace of mind and comforts, for which they are all paying for. It may cost you a little more, but I think it will make you be in a much happier place.
Like the others, best to base yourself in 1 or 2 places. You will need a crib or somewhere for your child to sleep that is safe. Hostels are not conducive to this. And B&B's may or may not be able to accommodate. Frankly, my husband and I stopped getting cheap digs with bathrooms down the hall when we started traveling with our baby. We needed water and a sink in the room. We needed to make sure our baby's periodic fussiness and cries didn't bother other people's trips.
And while it was easier traveling in Italy and going to restaurants with a baby, that was not really the case with restauranting in Paris. We knew that if our baby got fussy, we'd pick him up immediately and run outside so as not to bother other patrons.
So not only keep in mind your needs and making sure your baby is comfortable, keep in mind other travelers peace of mind and comforts, for which they are all paying for. It may cost you a little more, but I think it will make you be in a much happier place.
Mar 3rd, 2016, 05:23 PM
#28
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Since this is your first to France and Italy, my guess is that you will want to see major cities that you have heard so much about. If you are still early in your planning and are able to do it, please consider flying into Paris and out of Rome, or some other city in Italy that you would like to visit. That would give you more time in your short visit to see things without having to backtrack.
There is so much to see in France alone, but for a first trip, Paris and environs will give you a good introduction. When your husband's conference is over, head south by TGV and stop somewhere in the Loire Valley to see a few of the chateau for a day or two. Continue south to Venice for several more days, then perhaps Florence before heading to Rome. Big cities are generally more expensive than the countryside, but there are more economical options in each if you do your research and ask here. Despite what may appear to be rude or snippy responses, you will find the experts on this forum very helpful to the first time travellers once your questions are more specific.
This will be a great adventure!
There is so much to see in France alone, but for a first trip, Paris and environs will give you a good introduction. When your husband's conference is over, head south by TGV and stop somewhere in the Loire Valley to see a few of the chateau for a day or two. Continue south to Venice for several more days, then perhaps Florence before heading to Rome. Big cities are generally more expensive than the countryside, but there are more economical options in each if you do your research and ask here. Despite what may appear to be rude or snippy responses, you will find the experts on this forum very helpful to the first time travellers once your questions are more specific.
This will be a great adventure!
Mar 25th, 2016, 03:42 AM
#29
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Dear All: Thank you for your feedback and suggestions. Below is our tentative itinerary. Wanted to know what you guys think?
Date Origin Destination
5-Jun PARIS
6 PARIS
7 PARIS
8 PARIS
9 PARIS
10 PARIS to NICE(by Train - Night at Nice)
11 NICE
12 NICE to Florence (by Car-night at Florence)
13 FLORENCE to Venice (by Car-night at Venice)
14 VENICE to Florence (by Car-night at Florence)
15 FLORENCE
16 FLORENCE to Pisa (by Car-night at Florence)
17 FLORENCE to Rome (by Car-night at Rome)
18 ROME
19 ROME
20 ROME
21 ROME to Naples by Car - night at Naples/Sorrento
22 SORRENTO
23 SORRENTO
24 SORRENTO
25 Rome/Fly to Paris to Rome by Car and Flight to Paris
26 Fly home
Thanks
Dhara
Date Origin Destination
5-Jun PARIS
6 PARIS
7 PARIS
8 PARIS
9 PARIS
10 PARIS to NICE(by Train - Night at Nice)
11 NICE
12 NICE to Florence (by Car-night at Florence)
13 FLORENCE to Venice (by Car-night at Venice)
14 VENICE to Florence (by Car-night at Florence)
15 FLORENCE
16 FLORENCE to Pisa (by Car-night at Florence)
17 FLORENCE to Rome (by Car-night at Rome)
18 ROME
19 ROME
20 ROME
21 ROME to Naples by Car - night at Naples/Sorrento
22 SORRENTO
23 SORRENTO
24 SORRENTO
25 Rome/Fly to Paris to Rome by Car and Flight to Paris
26 Fly home
Thanks
Dhara
Mar 25th, 2016, 08:02 AM
#30
You do not need or want a car in Florence, Venice or Rome. You would do better to use the train at least until you get to Rome.
With an infant I would be reluctant to move so much, and would probably skip Venice or Florence.
With an infant I would be reluctant to move so much, and would probably skip Venice or Florence.
Mar 25th, 2016, 01:16 PM
#32
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It seems too many places to me (too many changes of accommodation) esp travelling with a baby which is very different from travelling just as a couple. If you want time by the sea, why don't you extend the time in Nice area and finish in Rome, which simplifies things to get back to Paris
Why are you driving to Florence then up to Venice and then back to Florence? If you can, fly from Nice to Venice. If you can't, drop Venice.
I agree with others that an apartment is a good idea, or an aparthotel.
The supplement for international drop-off is several hundred euros so you certainly need to avoid that! Going by train is going to be cheaper
Why are you driving to Florence then up to Venice and then back to Florence? If you can, fly from Nice to Venice. If you can't, drop Venice.
I agree with others that an apartment is a good idea, or an aparthotel.
The supplement for international drop-off is several hundred euros so you certainly need to avoid that! Going by train is going to be cheaper
Mar 25th, 2016, 02:48 PM
#35
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My reaction is to suggest that you fly from Paris to Naples airport, take a taxi to Sorrento for your introduction to Italy, and then work your way north to Venice by train, and fly from Venice to Paris (where I assume you need to go to get your return flight home).
That means skipping Nice, but the beaches and scenery of Nice are not the memorable attractions of Nice, but rather its art history/museums, and with a child as small as yours, I don't recommend museums.
I am not a huge fan of Venice but putting that aside, it is not really baby-friendly if you are thinking of traveling with a stroller. Also, it hardly seems worth it to go there just for one night. If you really want to go to Venice, I suggest you give it a bit more time (another reason to drop Nice).
But for me, especially traveling with a toddler, I would skip both Venice and Nice and extend your days in Sorrento and Rome. Take the money you save from not renting a car or moving around so much and get a nice hotel or apartment in Sorrento with a pool (and consider staying in an apartment in Rome and Florence).
That means skipping Nice, but the beaches and scenery of Nice are not the memorable attractions of Nice, but rather its art history/museums, and with a child as small as yours, I don't recommend museums.
I am not a huge fan of Venice but putting that aside, it is not really baby-friendly if you are thinking of traveling with a stroller. Also, it hardly seems worth it to go there just for one night. If you really want to go to Venice, I suggest you give it a bit more time (another reason to drop Nice).
But for me, especially traveling with a toddler, I would skip both Venice and Nice and extend your days in Sorrento and Rome. Take the money you save from not renting a car or moving around so much and get a nice hotel or apartment in Sorrento with a pool (and consider staying in an apartment in Rome and Florence).
Mar 25th, 2016, 02:55 PM
#36
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Between Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples the train is both much faster and also cheaper than a car. I realize that the car has some advantages when traveling with a baby, but it will be a real nuisance in Venice (where you can't enter at all with a car) as well as in Florence and Rome, where parking is very expensive, many parts of the cities are off limits to motor vehicles (expept for those of residents), and traffic is dreadful.
The car would be useful if you wanted to visit the countryside, but your itinerary doesn't really allow any time for that.
The car would be useful if you wanted to visit the countryside, but your itinerary doesn't really allow any time for that.
Mar 26th, 2016, 12:30 AM
#38
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Three weeks total ? With an 8 month old baby ? Get an apartment in two places and set out from there each day to explore. There's plenty to see in and around Paris for a week or ten days, then move to a base somewhere else..... Rome? Sorrento ? and explore from there for the rest of the time. You'll retain your sanity and your little one will be more settled.
Mar 26th, 2016, 03:44 AM
#39
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Surely there are people who, on a trip that includes Nice and Sorrento, end up finding the beaches and scenery of the area of Nice memorable for them. But for a lot of people, Nice isn't particularly special as a Europan seaside destination in and of itself, and the main reason to go there is the cultural offerings. There is a lot of beauty on display in Sorrento and its near surroundings, and its a very relaxed, kid-friendly environment.
Mar 26th, 2016, 07:22 AM
#40
I am not a beach person, but if I were I would go to neither Nice nor Sorrento for the beaches (but then I have mile upon mile of golden sand two hours drive from my house, and see no need to go sit on pebbles). I would go to both for the magnificent scenery, however.
I am not a fan of modern or contemporary art either, so I am not a fan the museums in and around Nice, although there is a good, if small, Asian art museum, and a couple of house museums.
If I were traveling with a small child I would not want to visit Rome. I suggest the following:
Fly into Venice (trans-Atlantic flights tend to leave early, better to fly in). If you want a beach there's the Lido, although I would not be inclined to sleep there.
Take EasyJet to Nice. Consider renting an apartment.
Take the train to Paris. Fly home from Paris.
I am not a fan of modern or contemporary art either, so I am not a fan the museums in and around Nice, although there is a good, if small, Asian art museum, and a couple of house museums.
If I were traveling with a small child I would not want to visit Rome. I suggest the following:
Fly into Venice (trans-Atlantic flights tend to leave early, better to fly in). If you want a beach there's the Lido, although I would not be inclined to sleep there.
Take EasyJet to Nice. Consider renting an apartment.
Take the train to Paris. Fly home from Paris.
