<p>OK, trip is getting serious. Passports have been applied for. Will be booking air this week. Looks like one travel day to Paris, 4d in Paris, 2d in Florence and 4d in Rome then one travel day home for 12 days total. Any more advise?</p>
<p>Don’t overlook cheap airfares from the US to alternate cities (Amsterdam or Brussels instead of Paris). </p>
<p>Hotels.com is a great site for getting yourself oriented on where things are, and what they will cost.</p>
<p>Check the cost of low-priced airlines versus train travel in getting from city to city, but realize that 1) the budget airlines often fly from small regional airports that are farther from the city limits, 2) they have a strict overweight luggage policy 3) train travel saves you the airport transfers at both ends, and you can even save a hotel room if you travel overnight</p>
<p>Sounds like fun, Sunny. We have never had trouble with the Paris airport, but we’ve heard horror stories (about lost luggage - but usually with connecting flights). Make sure he takes a change of clothes in his carry on! </p>
<p>Also take two pair of comfortable shoes. Those are walking-intensive cities, and if you get a blister from one pair, it’s nice to have a back-up. (A big mistake I made, when I went to Rome.) Take spare batteries and maybe an extra chip for his digital camera. (I took over a thousand photos in 5 days in Rome. My kids think I’m extreme, though. I thought I did good - didn’t even touch the third chip I’d brought along.)</p>
<p>Go to WalMart or somewhere, and buy a couple outlet adaptors, to be able to charge cameras, cell phones, etc. </p>
<p>I haven’t read through this thread recently, so maybe all the normal travel tips are covered. Like guarding your wallet, etc. Making copies of passport and ticket. Read through trip advisor for warnings, and tips.</p>
<p>Go in May, or Spring Break. Cheaper, less crowded, less pollution, she gets to miss 1 week of classes, senior year.</p>
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<p>Yes…bring extra clothes on your carry on if you’re checking baggage! My family’s luggage was “lost” when we went to France last summer. We finally got it four days into the trip, but it did put a damper on those first few days when we didn’t have any of our stuff.</p>
<p>Have fun! I went to France last summer with my family and Italy about 8 years ago. Lots of fun. The graduation present to Europe was offered to me…though I did turn down the offer in favor of riding my horse all summer. If not I would have loved to go to Italy again.</p>
<p>I am just back from France … we flew JFK to Paris, took the TGV (bullet train) from the airport to Avignon France. Stayed with my son’s host family for 3 nights and saw many sights in that region. TGV back to Paris, and 3 nights in Paris, including New Years Eve.</p>
<p>We used a travel agent who booked our trip as an American Airlines package. She picked a mid-range hotel close to the Metro in Paris, organized all our train tickets, and booked the flights. I think it was a very minimal amount of time for the trip – especially because it is quite difficult to get all of the ducklings going in the same direction at the same time. </p>
<p>My son’s host family in France was wonderful, insisting that we stay with them (no hotel in Provence) and being our driver and tour guide (no rental car at $200/day!). </p>
<p>PM me if you want specifics about the Paris hotel.</p>
<p>With 3-4 of us, we have researched and found wonderful apartments for rent, often just blocks from the big hotels. First we looked at B&B’s (Pensiones) but have stumbled onto apts that will rent for as few as 4 days and will sleep 4-6. So one apt in Paris and one in Rome will sleep us all. They will be doors away from picking up fresh food or rolls for breakfast. We can eat out for lunch and dinner. We have first hand recommendations, and a few web sites with detailed pics and reviews of each of the apts. And for the space and the amenities, we can stay in an apt for way less than two rooms at a hotel or B&B. The owners in both locations are local, speak English, and have been praised by prior renters for the help they have to offer. </p>
<p>We have flights for around $850 incl taxes and fees roundtrip, arriving in Paris and leaving Rome with connections in Spain. We are lucky, we can drive to Miami and leave from there. The sad thing is that the fairs are more like $600 with the taxes and fees jacking up the price. We leave Miami at 6pm and arrive in Paris at 11am.</p>
<p>The dates are set, we leave after graduation and arrive home before starting summer term. One final adjustment is that we are flying from Paris to Rome ( for under $90 each all inclusive) and not traveling from Paris to Florence. We are going to be 4 days in Paris, 6 in Rome, with either an early 90 min train ride for the day to Florence, or a train ride one day and back the next evening with an overnight in Florence. Our apt in Rome is so reasonable, we may stay over in Florence on an overnight. We decided against the overnight train from Paris to Florence and 2 nights in Florence before going to Rome for four days. Too much time traveling/checking in-out. My sister’s experience is that we won’t sleep on the overnight train either. We can leave Rome for Florence at 6am if we want, get in 2 days, return at 9-10pm the next night and get in nearly as much time. </p>
<p>So that is that for now. Getting excited. D may bring a friend. We have a ticket with only a $150 penalty for canceling, just in case.</p>
<p>Sunny, your trip sounds wonderful! I’ve enjoyed ‘listening’ in as you’ve have gotten input, ideas,etc. I know you’ll have a great time!</p>
<p>Oldfort is exactly right in Post #58: “We loved it because there is nothing better than drinking Italian wine and watching sunset in Tuscany” …The only exception (OK–maybe a close second, depending on your preference!) might be a enjoying a ‘sundowner’ while on safari in Africa! There’s nothing like an African sunset in the bush!! Makes me want to plan a trip!</p>
<p>Great prices and planning! You should be the one giving advice.</p>
<p>Just don’t forget to have Gelato at least a couple of times a day while you’re in Italy. It’s your duty!</p>
<p>OK, last pressing question is where in Rome to stay–ie general location. Any one are more central/better?</p>
<p>And so you can compare Italian gelato with the French equivalent, be sure to go to 31 Rue St.-Louis-en-l’</p>
<p>I do think a trip from top to bottom of Italy is easy, lovely people, wonderful food and wine, and not too exhausting!</p>
<p>Can I go…please??</p>
<p>Near the Spanish Steps in Rome is an ideal location.</p>
<p>…its right near shopping, restaurants, the steps which are an attraction, and is just in a really busy area</p>