Hello all,

Thanks to all of your suggestions, we have decided to update our itinerary for our summer vacation.

-4 nights in Paris
-1 night in the Normandy/Mont St
Michel area
-2 nights in Dijon/Beaune
-1 night in Nice
-2 nights in Genoa
-3 nights in Florence (Tuscany,
Pisa)
-4 nights in Venice

We are travelling with our 2 kids, and we would like to know if the nights we have allocated to each area is about right.

We are renting our car when we leave Paris, and returning it when we get to Venice.

What do you think? Is it too much? Would you do something differently?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Andie & Mike

Were it me, I'd cut off a night in Venice and add it to the place where you have a 1 night stay. 1 night stays are exhausting and I cna only imagine it is more difficult with kids. I think 4 nights in Venice is a tad long anyway... just my personal opinion after a couple visits.

I fret and fuss over my itineraries with the best of them, so I can appreciate this question. I would really encourage you to take into careful consideration:

How much your actually going to get to see and enjoy the areas and cities you are visiting. You are travelling all the way to the western side of France (for one night), only to high tail it for the complete opposite side of the country.

You are travelling many hours with little time to stop and enjoy your destinations. Personally, I would suggest you consider a more linear route - one that doesn't backtrack and give yourself some time to breathe.

Also, I don't know how old your kids are - will you all enjoy being in the car so much?

Maybe pair down - pick a more limited area to explore! It just gives you an excuse to return.

Have fun!

MollyBrown

Thanks for the prompt replies...please keep them coming ...

Our children are 9 & 11 and love travelling and taking car trips.

We are staying a 4th night in Venice only because we will leave early the next day.

Andie

Only 1 night in Nice? I love Nice. If it were me I would skip Genoa. The 4 nights in Paris would suit me. I get a little bored staying in one place too long. I know that most people here on this forum like to stay several days in Venice, but I'm ready to go after 2 days.

-4 nights in Paris
-1 night in the Normandy/Mont St
Michel area

I'd drop the Normandy/Mont St Michel... it's a good drive there and you'd have little time to see anything before leaving on a long
drive to Dijon. Save it for your
next trip.

-2 nights in Dijon/Beaune
-1 night in Nice

I've done it and it's a good haul
from Beaune to Nice... all autoroute
which means tolls and you'll see little of France.

-2 nights in Genoa

Why? Apologies to any natives of Genoa but unless you have friends or
relatives there Genoa doesn't usually rate too highly as a must see.

-3 nights in Florence (Tuscany,
Pisa)
-4 nights in Venice

Why not take a train to Dijon and
pick up your car there. Take a bit
more time down the Rhone Valley by
staying off the autoroute.

Stop at Tournon and take the steam train up into the mountains.

Stop at or near Nimes and see the Pont du Gard. It was one of my favourite sites on a trip to the area years ago.

Spend a couple of days in or north of Nice and see Provence and drop
the car in Nice. This will likely
save you a fortune in fees by not leaving it in Italy. Train to Florence where you won't want a car
anyway. Rent one for a day trip to
Pisa perhaps. Then train to Venice.

Like your husband, I love to drive and I especially love to drive in Europe. But I think mixing in some trains will both add to the adventure for the kids as well as save you time and money.

Whatever you choose I hope you all have a great time!

Rob

I agree with dropping Genoa and spending 3 nights in Nice. There are great day-trips from Nice and it's a nice town in itself. We liked the Hotel le Grimaldi there.
>-

I agree with the other posters about the amount of time you'll have in the car, and dropping Normandy/Mont St Michel and the question about why 2 nights in Genoa.

Have you checked on the rental rates for your car? You may encounter a hefty drop charge to pick up in France and drop in Italy.

What are you planning to see and visit in Dijon and Beaune? I know there are Fodorites who are big fans of the area, and I enjoyed the time we spent there. But between that area and, for example, Provence, I'd choose Provence - especially with my kid in tow. Arles has some great Roman ruins, and the arena, and the Pont du Gard is nearby, just to name a few sights.

I think 4 nights in Venice is just fine, especially if you're departing from Venice.

In terms of distance and travel time, use mappy.com to get an idea of some of the distances and times you're facing.

Hi A,

>-1 night in the Normandy/Mont St
Michel area
-2 nights in Dijon/Beaune
-1 night in Nice
-2 nights in Genoa

We are travelling with our 2 kids, and we would like to know if the nights we have allocated to each area is about right.<

I am exhausted.

How are you getting from MSM to Dijon, Dijon to Nice and Nice to Genoa?

Have you considered how long it will take?

Have you plotted your routes at www.viamichelin.com and www.mappy.com?

What draws you to Genoa?

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