Paris to Verona via Train, On to Amalfi?..........

[AngryApples]

Considering this for our main holiday this year.

Mrs has wanted to 'do' Italy for a while now and this looked like a good option to me

Has anyone got experience of the Paris to Italy train trip (think it's 10 hours Paris to Verona on a day journey via the scenic route?) and then various travel throughout Italy via train?

I'd like to do this in a decent amount of style, but don't want to go mad, so more a quality first class with meals on board and comfortable surroundings rather than orient express?

Also wondered if it might be practical to stay near Modena for a night or two, hire a car (something loud, perhaps?)and pay homage

Thinking of a travel budget around 3-4k for 7-10 nights with food/drink on top? (just the 2 of us)

All input welcome chaps!

[Wacky Racer]

Probably not much help to you, but we flew to Rome from Manchester, and stayed in a nice hotel just south of Naples, did the full Amalfi coast (stunning) and visited Rome, Naples, (Vesuvius) Pompeii, Florence, Rome, Monte Cassino..(Well worth seeing, inc the WW2 cemeteries)....think it cost around 2k, inc Car hire, but not including spending money....(Optional trip to Capri..didn't go, because we went years ago).

[AngryApples]

Wacky Racer said:

Probably not much help to you, but we flew to Rome from Manchester, and stayed in a nice hotel just south of Naples, did the full Amalfi coast (stunning) and visited Rome, Naples, (Vesuvius) Pompeii, Florence, Rome, Monte Cassino..(Well worth seeing, inc the WW2 cemeteries)....think it cost around 2k, inc Car hire, but not including spending money....(Optional trip to Capri..didn't go, because we went years ago).

Cheers WR,

All input gratefully received

[AngryApples]

Anyone else?

[g3org3y]

AngryApples said:

Considering this for our main holiday this year.

Mrs has wanted to 'do' Italy for a while now and this looked like a good option to me

Has anyone got experience of the Paris to Italy train trip (think it's 10 hours Paris to Verona on a day journey via the scenic route?) and then various travel throughout Italy via train?

I'd like to do this in a decent amount of style, but don't want to go mad, so more a quality first class with meals on board and comfortable surroundings rather than orient express?

Also wondered if it might be practical to stay near Modena for a night or two, hire a car (something loud, perhaps?)and pay homage

Thinking of a travel budget around 3-4k for 7-10 nights with food/drink on top? (just the 2 of us)

All input welcome chaps!

I would drive, genuinely. It's not 'that' far. Is there any particular reason you want to take the train?

A couple of years back we did a charity rally and one of the places we visited en route was Verona. Great city btw!

The freedom you get with driving allowing you to go where you want and when you want is invaluable especially if your wife wants to 'do Italy' and explore more. You can check the guidebook for interesting places to stop off and visit as and when you want plus there is a great sense of adventure.

Last year we drove the E30 down to Monaco, across to northern Italy (Cinque Terre) and up to the Italian Lakes. 11 days, we had a great time and I'm sure we spent a lot less than 4k.

The only negative is that all the driving can be a bit on the tiring side but if you share the driving with your wife it's quite manageable.

[jaybirduk]

Just to throw another idea into the mix, drive to Paris then take atrain ride to Nice with your car on the train too then drive from there passing Monaco etc.

Something I plan to do soon

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=295...

[AngryApples]

Some cool ideas, cheers
Unfortunately Mrs AA wont drive because she hates the SMG on the M3!

Must admit, the train trip is one of the parts that appeals most, quite fancy sitting back in a degree of comfort with a nice glass of wine watching the scenery

I have said to Mrs AA that we could do this -

Paris>Verona, few nights Verona, then on to Naples/Amalfi for 5 nights or so, fly back from Naples to Bristol

Then go back next year and do more cities

Just want her to be able to scratch the Italian itch initially and see how it goes