mithunv

Hello everyone,

I'm planning a trip with my wife and 2 yr old daughter for Paris-Italy first week of March for 10 days(excluding arrival and deaprture day). Its our 10th anniversary so wife definitely wants paris to be included in this trip and we would like to include visit Venice/Florence/Rome in Italy(looking for advice/recommendations) , We are planning to book open jaw ticket flying into Paris and flying out of Rome

This is our first trip to Europe so dont want to rush it too much at same time want to spend decent time in different cities/towns,I'm looking vacation packages thru costco as it includes hotels and intercity transfers(flight/Rail).We are thinking between 2 itineraries (Paris, Venice, Rome) or (Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome).We are not into musems kind but enjoy architecture,local food,city walk.
Any advice on following itineraries and hotels would be greatly appreciated . Per the Costco Pacakge , we will be taking flight from Paris to Venice and Rail from Venice to Florence and Florence to Rome.

Paris, France-3 night hotel Les Jardins du Marais (Eiffel Tower,Arc de Triomphe,The Louvre,Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame,Sunset at Tour Montparnasse)
Venice, Italy-2 night hotel Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi (St Marks Sqaure,St Marks Basilica,Grand Canal,gondolas)
Florence, Italy-2 night hotel Villa Olmi Firenze (Duomo,Piazza della Signoria,bell tower,walk around the markets)
Rome, Italy-3 night hotel Hotel Ariston(Pantheon,FONTANA DI TREVI,COLOSSEUM,ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL,VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL,ST. PETER’S BASILICA & CUPOLA)

or
Paris, France-3 night hotel Les Jardins du Marais (Eiffel Tower,Arc de Triomphe,The Louvre,Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame,Sunset at Tour Montparnasse)
Venice, Italy-2 night hotel Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi (St Marks Sqaure,St Marks Basilica,Grand Canal,gondolas)
Rome, Italy-4 night hotel Hotel Ariston(Pantheon,FONTANA DI TREVI,COLOSSEUM,ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL,VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL,ST. PETER’S BASILICA & CUPOLA)

Appreciate all your help and time !

AJPeabody

You will have a lot of moving around and very little vacation. Every change of location requires packing, checking out, getting to transport, travel, getting to new hotel, and unpacking. Oh, and a little time to eat. That day is shot. Well, Florence to Rome only kills half a day. So 2-2.5 of the 10 days on the ground are gone. Plus your 2 year old may not appreciate so much moving around in addition to the touring at destinations. Also, you will have to be at one of your destinations over a weekend, where many sites are unavailable Sunday/Monday.

Venice-Florence-Rome by train is a classic Italy itinerary, feasible in your time frame. Paris plus Rome is also doable. Both your proposed itineraries will leave you exhausted and unhappy, with no slack time for bad weather, unexpected glitches, or catching your (and the kid's) breath.

You ae wise to seek advice before booking and buying.

coral22

Congratulations on your anniversary! How fun you can celebrate with a lovely trip!

I agree that this is way too much packed in. It does not sound relaxing or romantic. And throw in a 2 year old and you could be exhausted when you get home. I am concerned about a Costco trip, we have looked at packages before and found the airfare to be basic economy,
with long strange flight connections.
And sometimes more expensive than doing it on your own.

I would look at putting together a much simpler trip.You can easily orchestrate this on your own and have more control over the details.You could also look at getting an apartment, where a kitchen would work great with a toddler. I think March weather lends itself better to Italy. I agree, Venice, Florence and Rome by train, could be great!

If Paris is the priority, maybe landing there, spend a few days, then a flight onto Rome, or vice versa. If your hometown has nonstops to either city, it will make your return much easier. Or consider another second city that does have a nonstop.

janisj

Congratulations on your anniversary -- but Sorry - both of those are awful plans.

I agree with the others -- waaaaay too much in too little time.

2 nights nets you one day and 3 nights nets you 2 days free for seeing/doing. And with a toddler in tow you'll have to move even slower than normal.

Your wife wants Paris . . . so do Paris and maybe one other city. Depending on schedules / fares do open jaw in to Paris, stay 5 nights (net 4 full days), fly to either Venice or Rome and stay for 5 nights (net 4 days), fly home.

mithunv

Thank you for your suggestions.I understand Itinerary 1 is too much travel in 10 days ,We are leaning towards Itinerary 2 with 1 or 2 days added.Bcz Paris is going to be cold in early march ,we want to spend more time in italy.

Paris, France-3 nights
Venice, Italy-3 nights
Rome, Italy-4 nights

coral22 -I'm going to book flights from/to US flights on my own ,As this is my first time travel to Europe and with toddler didnt want to take a chance on booking trains on my own and with costco taxi transfers are included to the airport or stations so its easy.Unfortunately, we only have 1 stop flights to paris/Rome.

janisj

Still not good

3 nights in Paris will give you 2 days . . . likely with jet lag. 3 nights in Venice nets you 2 days. 4 nights in Rome nets you 3 days.

"Bcz Paris is going to be cold in early march ,we want to spend more time in italy."

You definitely can't be sure of that. Could be warmer and drier in Paris than in Venice or Rome . . . or not. Early March is very changeable pretty much everywhere in Europe.

jan47ete

Bluntly and realistically wish their was an option for a trusted person to babysit the kiddo while you have a vacation in Europe. Then it would be a vacation versus a trip. That unsolicited piece of advice over, go to booking.com for apts. I always rent an apt for washer as I only travel with carryon (usually for month's trip) and to at least have breakfast. With the baby would make even more sense. In NA we are not as used to train travel as Europeans. Doing the planning yourself give you flexibility a planned tour does not, again, especially with the baby. It's the suitcases that does a traveler in.

Metro travel by bus or subway is very, very easy. Most cities are very walkable. Most sites are clustered together enough to do certain areas at one time, so plot it out on a map where you want to go and time manage the trip.

Sassafrass

Italy may or may not be warmer or drier than Paris in March, especially early March. I have been to Italy in late March when it was very cold and some snow as far south as Pompeii. It rained so much every time I was in Rome in March.

My two cents of advice based on experience.

Do not, do not book any tours, hotels, Taxis, etc through Costco. Not that they are not a good service - for what they are, they are fine, but the tours you are considering are absolutely not good, especially with a toddler.
You do not need them for this city-centric trip. with a toddler, you need more flexibility to make your own choices, especially type of accommodation and location. Taxis are easy to use. Your hotel will book anything you need, but most companies will have someone who speaks English and can communicate for you. There are taxi stands at airports. With a toddler and luggage, you could book a car service if that makes you more comfortable.

Being an anniversary celebration, this will surely not be what you would like to hear, but I would delay this trip until May, when you are likely to have good to great weather. You are not into museums, so wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to be in parks in Paris with your child, having picnics, taking boat rides, etc? Wouldn’t it be beautiful to have a day trip to Versailles to enjoy the gardens?
In Italy, by late April to May, flowers will be blooming. You could be outside most of the time rather than trying to stay warm.

Visit Paris and one other place, or do only Italy. 10 days is barely enough for Venice, Florence & Rome and leaves no time for any day trips. It certainly is not enough for Paris, plus so much of Italy.

Your wife wants Paris. It is going to be a bit hectic with a little one anyway, so prepare and give yourselves the opportunity to actually enjoy it. Don’t rush and shortchange it. If you do not want to give it a few days, then don’t go there right now. Save it for when you can do it justice. The first day may be jet lagged. You will be dealing with food for a toddler, sleep and nap time thrown off. Allow for that.

Do not count any travel days as sightseeing time. Try to have only two hotels or bases.

Something like this:
Day 1, arrive Paris, get settled, take a walk.
Days 2, 3, 4, 5, sightsee with one day trip outside Paris.
Day 6, travel to Rome. get settled, take a walk.
Days 7, 8, 9, 10, sight see with one day trip outside Rome.
Day 11, Depart

Three other options to consider: Save Italy for a time when you can see more of Italy rather than just one city or a rush by in cold weather.

1. Paris is a given, so rather than a flight, take the train to London. Paris and London make a great, easy pairing and if you do stay with March (which I certainly would not), but if you do, London has lots to do besides museums.
2. Flight or fast train to Barcelona. Suggesting this because I think you said you were interested in architecture and weather might be warmer, have to re-check that. Lovely, easy to navigate city with amazing architecture and interesting food. With travel to airports, hotels, waiting in lines, etc. flights can be harder than trains, which are super easy and far more comfortable in Europe
3. Visit the Netherlands or Belgium, though not in March. It is gorgeous, though still cold, by April, easy to get around, easy with a child,

janisj

DITTO 100% ^^^

Every point in Sassafrass' post.

mithunv

Sassafrass Thank you for your valuable time & suggestions. My wife and daughter would definitely enjoy walking in parks and going for a picnic in Paris. Unfortunately, I cannot postpone my trip to Apr or May due to Visa constraints(anytime in March would work) and I'm planning to apply for Schengen visa so London is not an option. We like the idea of limiting our time to only 2 cities in 10 days and will probably start planning our trip accordingly. Keeping Paris as our first destination(5 nights) and Rome as second we are still open for suggestions on our second destination.

coral22

Yay! I am so happy you are adjusting your trip! The later in March you can make it, the better.

I think getting an apartment would be fantastic! You would have more space, a kitchen and a separate room to lay the baby down. It is always great to have food onsite to start your day. Maybe you could have dinner delivered or cooked there for you, and have some semi romantic evenings!

I still like Rome as your other option, even though the suggestion of Barcelona was a great one. It is a beautiful, fun, friendly city, with great food and architecture, and would have pleasant weather. Maybe the easiest trip home would be the wisest choice.

It is easy to get to get cabs from any of these airports, and that would ease your transport with all of your gear. Once you are settled, public transportation is efficient and easy, you will not be overwhelmed.

Jean

Am I wrong in assuming the 2 y.o. will need a daily nap? Naps would certainly have a direct impact on sightseeing, and the child may also need 2-3 days to adjust to the time change, if she adjusts at all.

I'd probably stay in Paris the entire time. Slow down, relax, enjoy. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Sassafrass

Good to know the visa considerations.

Actually, there was one other place I meant to suggest as a possible second city. That is Seville. It is so romantic with several things to see, horse drawn carriage rides, great food and an easy day trip to Cordoba. Because the center is relatively small, you can feel you have really seen it in three or four days.

Think carefully about what kind of stroller you will want to take.

bilboburgler

I'd choose Paris and Venice, Venice is so romantic and Paris is not bad on that front. Rome is a whole different ball game and sometimes just exhausting

Jean

Venice + toddler would not be my choice. Stroller, open canals, etc.

aliced

We have only been to Europe -- France & Italy -- two times in March, and both were quite cold. The one trip was only 5 days in Paris, fly to Rome, then 5 days there. That trip was cold and wet. Had to buy wool hat, and wool Hanro baselayer in Paris with more layers under raincoat (long but unlined). The other trip was Rome, Tuscany, Amalfi also mid-March and while dry, it was rather cool. Keep to two destination cities for sure. We were in Spain in April, and it was very cold while in Madrid, and was snowing on day trip to Segovia! Check baggage restrictions on those airlines that are Paris-Rome legs, but for ten days in cool climate, carryons will be plenty for you three. Bring waterproof boots (love my Blondos!), and warm coat for toddler who will be still in the stroller (with shield I trust). You guys can power-walk which warms you.

Sassafrass

Aliced is absolutely right. Venice is cold and wet in March, not a good match with a toddler. Madrid is the highest capital in Europe and often colder in winter. High in March is around 60.

Seville, is about 10 degrees warmer than Madrid in winter, so even in March, you can have good weather for walking. Suggest you strongly consider it.

SusanP

You have received lots of good information here. Since it is your first trip, I can understand if you're not comfortable with an apartment and would rather have a hotel where there is someone you can go to with questions or give help to book things. You're still better off without a tour. I would also add that I have been to Rome many times, only once in March, and encountered the worst weather I've seen there, worse than over Christmas. It rained, I should say poured, then changed to hail. The biggest hail I've ever seen, and so much that there were actually big mounds of it in the middle of the street and on sidewalks! If that's the only time you can go, I'm not saying don't go, just that you should prepare for cold or rainy weather. You might get lucky and not have it, but better to be prepared.

mithunv

Hello everyone ,
Thank you so much for taking the time to provide me with your suggestions for my itinerary. Your suggestions have been very helpful to make a decision for us .We have decided to visit Maui,Hawaii this March as weather is unpredictable this time of the year in Paris.

Once again, thank you for your assistance.

Thanks,
Mithun

KTtravel

Good plan!