Possible Anniversary Trip to Italy/France, need some help!

ok! So, I have 2 weeks vacation and free plane tickets from my cousin who works for an airline!
We're going to Europe.. i think! I realize it is still very expensive even without having to pay for airfare...i really hope this is all possible! esp. since we are going during peak season (end of june into first week of july)

anyhow, how does my itinerary look? which would you choose? why?


Plan A
Paris 4 nights
Tuscany Region 3 nights ( montelpuciano)
Rome 3 nights
Napoli 4 nights ( bounce around to cinque terre, capri, amalfi coast- is that feasible?) i guess this would be the relaxing part of the trip. would you agree?

Plan B
Paris 3 nights or 4 nights
Venice 2 nights ( can i do this in one night?)
Tuscany 3 nights
Rome 3 nights
Napoli 3/4 nights

any advice will be greatly appreciated! we are looking to go as cheap as possible without having to sleep with 20 people in a room or wash ourselves in public restroom.

also, where in Italy will we be able to relax on beach and enjoy life? looking to slow down the pace during the last 4 days of our trip.

TIA!!

both sound good...

cinque terre is up north by Genoa think you may be confusing it with the amalfi coast.. similar effects of the towns being on the cliffs and so on..

if you go to Napoli I suggest staying in Sorrento and not Napoli the city.. Not much to see there and its safe but not at the same time for tourists.. My family is not too far from Pompei and I've been to Napoli and not much to see..

From Sorrento you can do day trips to Positano and Capri..

But if you looking for relaxing I would just stay in Positano the whole time.. Very romantic and just a beautiful place.. You can find a pensione there for a reasonable price versus staying in a hotel..

check out tripadvisor.com.. they have great recommendations for hotels on that site.. i use it all the time when we go to Europe and so far what people have said about the hotels we picked have be great and true!!

You are going to have a blast!

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Posted by hayleyandsteve

lisa, what about a cruise??? if you have the free airfare, a cruise might be a considerably cheaper option

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thank you all for helping! that was the exact advice i was looking for! added to the notebook!

Hayley, i was thinking of doing a cruise! it is still an option b/c apparently they are pretty affordable and you get to see alot without all the foot work!
The only disadvantage is that they stop at each destination for about 8-10 hours. I wasn't crazy about that idea. what if i want to hang out at a cafe at night or take a walk...
i am still considering it though!

if we can't make it this year, we are looking into early next year since we just spent a fortune on furniture...
it's fun to start planning though!