<p>If the amount of time that it would take to move between Paris and Italy is a concern, what about one of the low cost airlines (like ryanair.com). Much quicker and often cheaper than the train.</p>
<p>Just a thought…</p>
<p>Lisa</p>
<p>Thanks Lisa! You’re right…this is cheap…less than $200 for the two of them to fly round-trip from Paris to Rome. I’ve never heard of Ryan Air. I will certainly let her know that this is an option.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, what do you consider hot? It looks like Pompeii’s average temps are in the mid 80s at that time of year. I don’t consider that hot, and you said you are from Texas?
I’m from Dallas and don’t take off my jeans until it hits 80, lol.</p>
<p>My 18 year old D is in Rome right now and like she says, melting, and having a blast. She loved Florence where there were thunderstorms. It is hot all over Europe (even London) right now and it is only early July. It will get worse and they will complain but they will love it, last year in Sicily all we could do was go from bar to bar having ice creams… I am in Italy right now too and have to say that it is a great year for finding bargains, not all that much tourists around. So I hope your daughter has a great time, mine has already lost a phone and her friend a credit card, but they do grow up. I de, however think they should see Paris and spend at least 4 days there because, well, it is a most beautiful place.</p>
<p>If you are flying Ryan Air make sure your lugagge is up to their requirements. They are incredibly strict and lately were debating wether to charge 1 pound for the use of the loo in their airplanes. Airfares are quite inexpensive right now, I use travelocity and vayama. And I really would not fly Ryan Air unless I absolutely had to. Yes, Eurpope is really hot right now, but have great fun!</p>
<p>Yes, I realize “hot” is a relative term. I agree that 80’s isn’t that bad…I am in Texas too, and it’s been over 100 here too many days already. However, anytime I’ve read guide books or online travel forums I do notice how much the heat is mentioned in Italy in the summer, and how “everything shuts down.” Therein lies my confusion, since 80’s are mild to me (albeit without air conditioning I can see it getting uncomfortable) and everything doesn’t really “shut down.” </p>
<p>All of these responses have been most helpful though. At this point I probably will show her a few websites but, otherwise, just let her and BF do their own travel thing.</p>
<p>Iamsoconfused: I’ve never even heard of Ryan Air until today. Why do you avoid them? Is the luggage requirement a size thing? Because the prices are incredibly cheap ($49.99 from Paris to Florence) and other than luggage rules that we can make sure we’re doing correctly ahead of time, I would be interested in any bad experience you have had with them.</p>
<p>My daughter has used Ryan Air before. Not a problem. They do have specific luggage rules and so look those over before getting tickets.</p>
<p>I heard of Ryan Air for the first time this morning when NBC reported that the airliine is requesting they be allowed to fly passengers in standing room and is in talks with Boeing to develop a plane with standing room.</p>
<p>I travelled through Europe on a student rail pass many many years ago in the summer. I had finished a year abroad in Israel and flew to Greece and then travelled all through Europe without any prior reservations. All I had was a reservation home from London I believe. While it was hot in some places, the freedome of being able to travel carefree was wonderful. One way to save money was on trains at night (no hotel cost). If they want to travel a bit, a student rail pass (assuming those still exist) would be a wonderful purchase. I stayed in youth hostels almost everywhere and since there’s a tourist booth in most train stations, they can help with arranging any non-youth hostel lodging. Also, trains take you to the middle of a city with good public transportation. Planes take you to airports which then involve an additional expense to get into the city. I think planes are more hassle.</p>
<p>I share the sentiments about protecting personal belongings and not taking anything you couldn’t afford to lose on the trip.</p>
<p>Givings, this all reads so overwhelming to you probably because you’ve never been to Europe or have very limited experience there. I eurrailed twice just out of High school. I have been to France and Italy and everywhere else central and south in July and August. In fact, I keep going back, can’t stay away and now drag my own kids with me every chance I get. This all started with those trips way back then. Yes, there are concerns, but those tend to do more with theft than safety. I have felt far more unsafe here in Houston at times. Make sure your daughter is well prepared, eyes in the back of her head sort of thing. Remember, Italy in the summer, like France, is a delightful place because it is less crowded. This is not a bad thing and besides much of Northern Europe decends south as well. Hot, yes, but way do-able. I’m a SF, Ca. transpant to Houston and die here every summer. I’d give anything to be anywhere in Italy over this!
As for you, next time there’s a $298 r/t on Continental basically anywhere in Europe mid or low season (we went to Paris in May for that price), get on a plane and go check it out for yourself.</p>
<p>This article on the Frommers site will help you find the low cost carriers in Europe that aren’t widely known here:</p>
<p>[New</a> Sites Make Booking Low-Fare European Airlines Easier | Frommers.com](<a href=“New Sites Make Booking Low-Fare European Airlines Easier | Frommer's”>New Sites Make Booking Low-Fare European Airlines Easier | Frommer's)</p>
<p>We flew EasyJet from Paris to Rome last summer for 35euro each. We each had a carry on, and only one checked bag total–extra fee was like 5euro. They could go TO Rome via train and spend time along the way, enjoy Italy, then fly back from Rome or Florence or Venice etc on one of the discount airlines the day before they fly back from Paris.</p>
<p>My D has also flown on EasyJet in Europe. And she also takes trains.</p>
<p>You gave them the tickets, let them take their trip (not yours).</p>
<p>Yes, Italy is very hot in the summer, but there’s water to drink; yes, you have to keep an eye on your things, ESPECIALLY on trains (do not use the overhead racks for things smaller than a suitcase - i.e. no computer cases etc), but you can keep your eyes open.</p>
<p>If you’re concerned about how much they can cover in the two week period, I’ve found that by looking at some of the package tours that go to the areas you want to visit you can plan a realistic time table. European trains are great - don’t make the mistake of thinking you can save lots of time flying - you have to get to the airport, you have to be there early, you have to get from the airport - the train is usually in the center of town - and you get to see the countryside.</p>
<p>Tell them to have fun and to buy themselves a really nice (not just a touristy) souvenir of their trip.</p>
<p>mesenfants: You are correct; I have only been to London once and Paris thrice…with a fully planned itinerary and plenty of luggage! I wish I had your background so as to not be hyperfocusing right now on the entire Italy/ train/safety issue. If Italy is better than Houston weatherwise (or, in my case, Fort Worth) we are fine!</p>
<p>two mules, sunnyflorida and soozievt: Thanks, this is good information. She may use one of those for her return trip from Italy, and I am noting this for our (hopefully) future trips. </p>
<p>gusaspara: Okay!</p>
<p>I think that the focus on the heat is because there aren’t that many places that have air conditioning, so it’s one thing to say, “It’s hot in Texas” when you are going from airconditioned car to airconditioned house and it’s quite another when there is very little relief to be had. </p>
<p>I know that I grew up with no a/c and I didn’t die : ) I’m just sayin’</p>
<p>if you are looking at budget airlines (ryan air, easy jet, etc) in europe, make sure you look at the airports they leave and arrive at!! An extra hour (and $$) on both ends to get to/from the airport can make the deals less attractive (along with the baggage restrictions). One of the reasons that I think London is such a good place to fly into and out of for these types of trips is you can take the Tube from Heathrow to St. Pancras for less than $10 (4 pounds). And from St. Pancras you can go anywhere in London (or Eurostar to Paris).</p>
<p>You can catch a train from the center of Paris in the evening (19:00-23:00) and be in the center of Rome at 9am the next day. Same train stops at Milan before 6am, where you could explore there or change to a train to Venice.</p>
<p>Rome was quite hot when I was there. They do have a lot of water fountains where you can fill a bottle (free) though.</p>
<p>Holy Crap.</p>
<p>I wish my parents would let me go to Europe/ Travel with a friend when I turn 18 haha.
I know I’m not going to get that freedom until I can afford it haha.</p>
<p>You’re kids are reallllllly lucky. : )</p>
<p>My D spent 2 weeks with family in Venice during late July early August a few years ago. She hates heat but I never heard a negative thing about her trip, which included lots of side trips.</p>