Extra Days

[bs1313]

Okay I have a few extra days to play with so I was wondering in what cities have the most to do...my options are London, Paris, and Rome. But I would like to do it in either Paris or Rome (because london is so expensive) so is there more to see in Paris or is there more to see in Rome where I will need extra days...Thanks

Bret

[madamtrashheap]

Bret, as you already have 6 nights in both Paris and Rome (from memory), why don't you consider perhaps exploring the Tuscan towns around Florence or even add an extra night to Florence? You could also do an overnight (or two) in Siena or even spend two-three nights in Sorrento and use it as a base to visit Capri, Pompei, Herculaneum, etc. Even from Venice to Florence you could spend a night or two around Lake Como or Lake Garda (Sirmione on th esouthern shores might be easier in terms of access and is v pretty).

If France is more your style, and depending on your interests, you could do an overnight to the D-Day beaches in Normandy, then back to Paris before Rome. Or you could do a day trip from Paris to Lyon, Epernay, etc for the food and wine factor.

From memory you're flying from Paris to Rome, yes? This is why I haven't suggested places further afield from Paris or even another country - don't want to add hassle to your schedule or interfere with flights.

Another thought - are there places in the UK that interest you, outside London. I understand that London (and the UK for that matter) is expensive, so if you feel like a day/overnight trip to Stonehenge and Bath (in that order, stay in Bath) or Oxford or Cambridge, to name a few, then they are all doable from London and then it's easy enough to get back to London to continue on to Paris.

[bs1313]

Well since the trip has come much closer and I relized that if I kept the trip the way I had it I wouldn't have enough money to go. So I shortened the trip and now it is just London, Paris, Rome. About a week in each. I already booked my flights and everything, we are flying into Gatwick instead of Heathrow. Does that really matter? Its not much further right? And you can get into the city the same way?

[WillTravel]

You can't get into London the same way, but you can get in very easily.
Where are you staying in London?

I'm partial to trips that allow you enough time to think and breathe. Each of those cities has so much you will not be bored in a week, and there are always daytrip options.

[madamtrashheap]

Apr 16, 2008 21:07:23 GMT -5 bs1313 said:

Well since the trip has come much closer and I relized that if I kept the trip the way I had it I wouldn't have enough money to go. So I shortened the trip and now it is just London, Paris, Rome. About a week in each.

Aha! Well as WT wrote, a week in each of these places will be perfect for exploring and day trips, so all good there. This now means you don't have the extra days - correct?

Apr 16, 2008 21:07:23 GMT -5 bs1313 said:

I already booked my flights and everything, we are flying into Gatwick instead of Heathrow. Does that really matter? Its not much further right? And you can get into the city the same way?

I'm a big fan of Gatwick and yes the transport is just as easy from Heathrow. Your best bet is on the Gatwick Express train from the airport to Victoria Station, then you can choose how you get to your accommodation (Tube, taxi, bus, walk) depending on where it is. Have a look here www.gatwickexpress.com for details. And there's no need to pre-purchase tkts for the train, just buy them when you arrive at the airport or on the train (have some GBP notes for when you arrive, just to save any hassles).

[bs1313]

No, I don't have any extra days now. I will have 5 full days in each city then the other days are travel days but I should have half days in the cities because we are trying to travel in the morning. I dont think we are going to do any day trips, I think it would be better if we just saw as much as we could within the actual city. Has anyone stayed in these hostels (these are the ones we plan on staying in)

Ace hotel - London
3 ducks - Paris
Pensione Ottaviano Hostel - Rome

Thanks for the help.

Bret