I didn’t think that Rome was such a big deal and it was the only city we got ripped off by a cab drive. The Vatican and a tour of the ruins and maybe a museum and thats about it as far as I am concerned – three days. If you are going to go as far as flying to Rome I would recommend Florence and Venice. And I would consider flying to Rome and returning from Paris. The trains in Italy are a good way to get around but not like the French or German trains which are on time and where they tell they will be. If I were to do it all over again now I would try to book a tour package that included all of the transportation between cities, hotels and some not all meals. There are great restaurants that are easy to find and great deli’s and cheese shops and bakeries. And depending on what you want to spend ten days can go pretty fast and you may want to consider two weeks as you will tie up at least a day getting there and a day getting back- like all of 24 hours of travel each way.

Depending on if you are going to get a chance to visit Paris the Jules Verne restaurant in the Eiffel Tower is incredible and but you will need reservations months in advance and it is pricey- go for lunch. The Louve and the restaurant there are great and you don’t what to miss the Mona Lisa or the arch of Triumph or Versi Palace. I like Paris and the bullet train from Paris to London through the Chunnel is an experience. Look for a good tour company and take the stress out of it. Don’t go to the trouble, cost and time to fly to Rome and not visit other places. Call me it you would like to discuss. Send me a message. RichardM 💡

The best tour group for land travel is Tauck. They are very well organized, and stay in the best hotels. You won’t be several miles out of town and take forever to get to the city. They get tickets for everyone, so you don’t have to stand in long lines for the favorite spots such as the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, etc., and you get to go where tourists on their own can’t. The only disadvantage for people who get motion sickness is that they rotate the seats on the bus so the same couple doesn’t sit in the front seat every day. Tauck also has its own travel insurance, which can be used to cancel the trip for any reason, unlike other insurance companies which need a medical letter. Of course, if Tauck should go under, you won’t get your money back, but that is very unlikely with this company.

We are taking a river cruise with them in September through the French wine country.

Goddess