Question about traveling in Europe?

Question

I will be traveling to Rome this Tuesday. I want to hit most of the major sites in Italy, and I also want to get to the major sites in France. I only have 10 days to do both countries. Any suggestions? Fly? Train? Hostel? Tour? Thanks guys! (BTW, there are two girls traveling, both carrying very heavy suitcases)

Answer 1

Something a lot of folks are not aware of is that in Rome if you go to the Vatican (You must go!)...Be aware that there is a dress code! You can check out the details on the internet but basically your knees & shoulders must be covered. Also go early and go directly to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel --- If you wait you will be stuck in a long line with other hot sweaty (sometimes smelly) people.... Also, you might be tempted to climb up to the top of St. Peter's Bascillica but DONT DO IT!!! You'll be sorry -- It's seriously 600 tiny steps twisting to the top - No air and basically just leads to an over look -- Its miserable! You must see the inside of the church (Michael Angelo) but DONT climb to the top!

I dont understand why people think you need to go to Europe for weeks at a time - Ive gone to Europe 3 times now and 10 days if PERFECT! You 'll be able to see a lot and you'll be ready to go home after 10 days..

Also, The train is a good way to get from city to city but the trains are weird.... Some trains are AWESOME and then you'll get on the next one and it's terrible....

Have fun!!!

Answer 2

France and Italy in ten days, with 2 monstersuitcases? Forget it!

I spent 22 days in Italy in May, had a relatively little luggage considering that I was carrying my tent and sleeping bag. I still got to see very little. I recommend skipping France altogether and focus on Rome, Venice and Florence. Your time will just be enough to see a few of the sights in these cities, trust me. Save France for another trip. Use the train to get around.

http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/

For yourself, get your hands on a Rick Steves guidebook or or a Lonely Planet Italy. Read it on the plane or now, these boooks have all the info you need. I can highly recommend a day trip to San Gimignano from Florence (usually by bus or rented car) combined with a visit to Siena.

BTW, make the girls do the following:

1) have them share a suitcase.
2) drive home that they cannot possibly wear everything they take along - and what they won't wear should be thrown out. Focus on what they will wear, not on what they might wear.
3) Make them carry their own luggage, walking up and down several stairways before you leave - this way they'll know what they get themselves into if they refuse to unpack! Don't carry their luggage for them!

Packing list for the girls:
12 pieces of undies
3 bras
1 long sleeved shirt or blouse
1 jeans
3 t-shirts
3 strappy tops
1 skirt
2 light weight pants (ieither 2 capri or 1 long, 1 pair of shorts)

light jacket, sneakers, sandals - no high-heels! Buy soap and shampoo in Italy, but let them take their other cosmetics. That should be it!

See http://www.travelite.org/clothing.html

4) Promise them that if they really need more clothing, there will be plenty to buy in Rome and Florence. (Florence is one of the fashion capitals of Europe - it is a shopping paradise.)

BTW, check the luggage restrictions for the airline you are flying with. Most European airlines allow 20 kgs (44 pounds) max. in economy class and they are very strict. (If anything, this should convince the girls. The threat of the suitcase staying home due to overweight usually is scary enough.)

BTW, have you booked any accomodation yet? I can recommend the bungalows at Michelangelo Camping for Rome. Very good value for money - the site is very clean and modern.

http://www.plusvillages.com

Answer 3

I had 11 days in Italy and only saw Verona, Venice (2 nights), Montepulciano, Rome (3 nights), Florence (3 nights) and Bologna....I did not see enough of Rome and wanted to see many more places.....I did some day trips eg to pompeii from Rome and To pisa and Lucca from Florence......I would recommend just focusing on ONE place ....train is pretty effienicient and pretty easy to get aorund.

I would try and lighten the load on the bags too as you will regret it when you lug them round for long periods and try to get them up and down steps ( and into trains) ...you don't need THAt much for 10days!!!
Hostels are good for meeting people...I would not bother with a tour unless its a day trip....I liked them as they often include lunch (like my trip to Pompeii) and you get lots of info (stuff that you may have missed...eg I found its a lot smuttier in Pompeii than I ever thought prior, like stones in the pavement that have male parts pointing you to the closest bothel!!!)

I would recommend all the places I visited....I point ou I was supposed to stay in Siena (and not montepulciano which a little hillside village, but was lovely).....I would have liked to have stayed in Siena as it looked really nice.

Answer 4

ok first of, once you get to Europe , notably the northern area, it rather is relatively person-friendly to commute with the aid of practice - and occasional-value! The southern/eastern area is far less costly no count the way you commute. the biggest hits those years is Bulgaria, like Golden Sands or Varna, the place there is multiple toddlers motels which you will crash in for close to to no longer something. another places with multiple toddlers motels is Greece- Rhodes, Golden coastline etc. Spain, is likewise known those years. in spite of if the best thank you to commute is on a cruise ! What you wanna look out for, notably interior the southern/eastern area of Europe, is pocket thieves, and be confident to benefit each little thing is okay earlier paying for it.

Answer 5

i think you can easily do a city in two days (i did Paris in two days and i saw the major attractions - it was lovely!!).
so, i would say: decide which cities you want to visit; try to allocate 2 days per city that meaning 5 cities.. or acutally less if we count the travelling in between.

good luck and have fun!!

Answer 6

train is probably your best bet.If you are only going for 10 days,do you really need very heavy suitcases?

Answer 7

Please don't try to pack too much in to either your trip or your suitcases!

Ten days isn't nearly enough for Italy, let alone France!

Check out my packing advice:
http://www.thetravelzine.com/friend.htm

Have a great trip!

Answer 8

i'd just suggest not to miss South France - azure Coast-lovely!!!