Help with travel route, Rome, Athens, ???

[ron227]

My family and I are planning a trip to Europe next summer. I would like to visit Rome and Athens. Total trip will be 14-17 days. I plan on taking the train while in Europe. Can anyone recommend a route or other cities to see?

I've already been to France, Germany, Amsterdam, Belgium, UK and Switzerland. So I don't want to visit those cities on this trip. I would like to visit new cities. Thank you for your help.

[Eagle]

ron227,

Welcome to the Boards! It sounds like you've done a fair amount of travelling in Europe so far.

In order to provide some suggestions, it would help to know what your interests are as that will have a bearing on which cities might be most suitable to visit in Italy. There are LOTS of possibilities!

I'd suggest using open-jaw flights for best efficiency, especially with such a short trip. You could (for example) start in Milan or Venice, travel to Florence, Siena or Orvieto and then Rome before taking a budget flight to Athens. Unless you're terribly interested in Greek history, I'd suggest only spending two days or so in Athens.

If you could provide some further information, I'm sure the group will be able to offer some suggestions.

Cheers!