France & Italy Self-Launched Adventure: Paris to Rome

Arrive in Paris at any time. Check into your hostel or budget hotel — the Marais and Montmartre neighbourhoods offer great value and are perfectly placed for exploring. Get your bearings with a self-guided walk along the Seine, past Notre-Dame and over to the Eiffel Tower at dusk. Grab dinner at a brasserie or pick up supplies from a local market.

🚌Arrive by Eurostar from London (~£50–80 one way) or fly into CDG/Orly. Take the RER B train from CDG to central Paris (~£11).

🛏Generator Paris or St Christopher's Inn Canal (dorm ~£25–35/night) or budget hotel (~£60–80/night)

• →Self-guided walk along the Seine and past Notre-Dame
• →Evening stroll to the Eiffel Tower
• →Explore the Marais neighbourhood

Head to Gare de Lyon and board a TGV south to Beaune via Dijon. Arrive in this charming Burgundy wine town in time for lunch. In the afternoon, explore the famous Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu), then join a self-booked wine tasting at one of the many local cave tastings or négociant cellars — the Burgundy wine experience is absolutely unmissable. Wander the cobbled old town in the evening.

🚌TGV Paris Gare de Lyon → Beaune (change at Dijon if needed), ~£25–45 booked in advance via SNCF Connect or Trainline.

🛏Hôtel Rousseau or similar budget hotel in Beaune (~£55–75/night)

• →TGV train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Beaune (~2h15)
• →Visit the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu) — entry ~£10
• →Burgundy wine tasting at a local cave or négociant cellar — bookable via GetYourGuide (~£20–30)

A free day to explore at your own pace. Rent a bike from a local shop (~£15/day) and cycle through the famous Route des Grands Crus, weaving between world-renowned vineyards. Alternatively, jump on a regional train to Dijon (20 min, ~£5) to see the Palais des Ducs and the famous mustard shops. A self-guided vineyard hike through Pommard, Volnay, or Meursault is free and stunning.

🚌Local bike rental or regional train to Dijon.

🛏Hôtel Rousseau or similar budget hotel in Beaune (~£55–75/night)

• →Bike rental and self-guided ride along the Route des Grands Crus (~£15)
• →Optional day trip to Dijon by regional train (~£5 return)
• →Visit the Marché de Beaune (covered market) for local cheeses and charcuterie

Travel south by train into the heart of Provence. Arrive in Avignon, a city of extraordinary medieval grandeur. Drop your bags, then head straight to the Palais des Papes — the largest Gothic palace in the world — and walk across the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon). Explore the atmospheric old town and enjoy dinner at a Provençal restaurant.

🚌Train Beaune → Lyon Part-Dieu → Avignon TGV, ~£25–50 via SNCF Connect or Trainline.

🛏Auberge Bagatelle hostel or Hôtel Mignon Avignon (~£30–60/night)

• →Train from Beaune to Avignon TGV (~2h30, change likely at Lyon)
• →Visit the Palais des Papes — entry ~£12, bookable direct or via GetYourGuide
• →Walk to Pont Saint-Bénézet — entry ~£6
• →Evening stroll around the medieval city walls

A free day to explore Provence further. The Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard is a spectacular half-day trip by bus (~£3 each way on Edgard Transport bus line 100). Alternatively visit the Roman theatre at Orange (bus/train, ~30 min) or head to the celebrated wine village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Back in Avignon, the covered market Les Halles is ideal for a foodie lunch.

🚌Local Edgard Transport buses or regional trains for day trips.

🛏Auberge Bagatelle hostel or Hôtel Mignon Avignon (~£30–60/night)

• →Day trip to Pont du Gard by bus (~£6 return) — entry to site ~£9
• →Optional visit to Orange's Roman theatre (~£10 entry)
• →Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (~£15–25)
• →Explore Les Halles covered market in Avignon

Board a train east along the Mediterranean coast to Nice, the jewel of the Côte d'Azur. Arrive in the early afternoon and head straight to the Promenade des Anglais for that first dazzling hit of blue. Drop into the Vieux-Nice (Old Town) maze of colourful baroque streets, try a socca (chickpea pancake) from a market stall, and explore the vibrant Cours Saleya flower and food market.

🚌TGV or TER train Avignon → Marseille → Nice, ~£20–40 booked in advance via SNCF Connect.

🛏Antares Hostel Nice or Villa Saint-Exupéry Beach hostel (~£25–40/night dorm) or budget hotel (~£60–85/night)

• →Train from Avignon to Nice (~2h30–3h via Marseille)
• →Walk the Promenade des Anglais
• →Explore Vieux-Nice and the Cours Saleya market
• →Try local street food: socca, pan bagnat, pissaladière

Soak up another day on the Riviera. A short train ride takes you to the glamorous microstate of Monaco and Monte Carlo — stroll around the rock, visit the Prince's Palace square (exterior free), peek at the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, and have a coffee watching the superyachts. Back in Nice, the Colline du Château (Castle Hill) gives free panoramic views over the Baie des Anges.

🚌Regional SNCF train Nice → Monaco-Monte Carlo, ~£4 return.

🛏Antares Hostel Nice or Villa Saint-Exupéry Beach hostel (~£25–40/night dorm) or budget hotel (~£60–85/night)

• →Day trip to Monaco by regional train (~25 min, ~£4 return)
• →Walk around Monaco-Ville rock and Place du Palais (free)
• →Admire the Casino de Monte-Carlo exterior (free)
• →Hike up Nice's Colline du Château for panoramic views (free)
• →Optional: kayak or paddleboard rental on the Nice waterfront (~£20)

A scenic travel day hugging the Mediterranean coastline into Italy. Take the train from Nice to Riomaggiore, the southernmost of the five Cinque Terre villages, changing at Genova or La Spezia. Arrive in the late afternoon and make your way down to the harbour to see the famous stacked colourful houses tumbling into the sea. Pick up the Cinque Terre Card (includes train access between villages) and plan your walking route for tomorrow.

🚌Train Nice → Ventimiglia → Genova → La Spezia → Riomaggiore, ~£25–40. Book in segments via Trainline or Trenitalia.

🛏Ostello Bello Cinque Terre (Manarola or La Spezia) or local guesthouse in Riomaggiore (~£30–55/night)

• →Scenic coastal train journey from Nice to Riomaggiore via Genova (~4–5h)
• →Evening stroll around Riomaggiore harbour
• →Purchase Cinque Terre Card at La Spezia or Riomaggiore station (~£8–16 depending on trails open)

One of the most iconic coastal walks in Europe. The Cinque Terre Card covers trail access and trains between the five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. Walk whichever trail sections are open (the Via dell'Amore between Riomaggiore and Manarola is the easiest; the full trail to Monterosso is more demanding). Stop for fresh anchovies, focaccia, and lemon granita along the way. End the day in Monterosso for a well-earned swim.

🚌Local Cinque Terre trains between villages (included in Cinque Terre Card).

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Riomaggiore or Monterosso (~£30–55/night)

• →Hike the Cinque Terre coastal trails (covered by Cinque Terre Card)
• →Visit all five villages by a mix of walking and short local trains
• →Swim at Monterosso al Mare beach
• →Fresh seafood lunch in Vernazza (~£10–15)

Leave the coast and head to Florence, stopping in Pisa en route. From La Spezia, trains to Pisa take around an hour. Walk the short distance from Pisa Centrale station to the Campo dei Miracoli — the Leaning Tower, Duomo, and Baptistery are spectacular in person. You can climb the Leaning Tower (book in advance online, ~£18). Continue to Florence by afternoon train, then take the uphill walk to Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset for a breathtaking panorama over the city.

🚌Train La Spezia → Pisa → Florence via Trenitalia, ~£18–25 total.

🛏Plus Florence hostel or Ostello Bello Grande (~£25–45/night dorm) or budget hotel (~£65–90/night)

• →Train from La Spezia to Pisa Centrale (~1h, ~£8)
• →Visit the Campo dei Miracoli — Leaning Tower climb (~£18, book at opapisa.it)
• →Train Pisa → Florence (Santa Maria Novella) (~1h, ~£10)
• →Evening walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset panoramic views (free)

A full free day in one of the world's greatest art cities. Book ahead online to see Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia (~£14), or queue early for the Uffizi Gallery (~£25 — book via uffizi.it). Climb the dome of the Florence Cathedral (Brunelleschi's Duomo) for amazing views (~£18 combined ticket). Wander the Oltrarno neighbourhood for artisan workshops and local trattorias away from the tourist crowds. Browse the San Lorenzo leather market and cross the iconic Ponte Vecchio.

🚌Walking and occasional bus within Florence.

🛏Plus Florence hostel or Ostello Bello Grande (~£25–45/night dorm) or budget hotel (~£65–90/night)

• →Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David (~£14, book ahead)
• →Uffizi Gallery for Renaissance masterpieces (~£25, book at uffizi.it)
• →Climb Brunelleschi's Duomo (~£18 combined ticket)
• →Explore the Oltrarno neighbourhood and artisan workshops
• →Gelato crawl and Ponte Vecchio visit (free)

Board a high-speed Frecciarossa or Italo train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Rome Termini — a smooth 1h30 ride. Check into your accommodation and waste no time getting into the Eternal City. Join an orientation walk: Piazza Navona, the Pantheon (free exterior, £5 entry), the Campo de' Fiori, and end with tossing a coin at the Trevi Fountain at night when the crowds thin out.

🚌Frecciarossa or Italo high-speed train Florence SMN → Roma Termini, ~£20–35 via Trenitalia or italotreno.it.

🛏The Yellow Hostel or Generator Rome (~£25–45/night dorm) or budget hotel near Termini (~£65–90/night)

• →High-speed Frecciarossa/Italo train Florence → Rome Termini (~1h30, ~£20–35 booked in advance)
• →Orientation walk: Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori
• →Evening visit to the Trevi Fountain (free)
• →Dinner at a trattoria near Trastevere (~£15–20)

A full day to explore Rome's greatest hits. Start early at the Colosseum and Roman Forum — book skip-the-line tickets online in advance (~£18 combined). Walk up to the Palatine Hill for sweeping Forum views. In the afternoon, head across the Tiber to Vatican City: book a timed-entry slot for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (~£20 online) and admire St Peter's Basilica (free entry, but queue for the dome ~£8). End the evening in the lively Trastevere neighbourhood.

🚌Walking and Rome metro/bus day ticket (~£2.50).

🛏The Yellow Hostel or Generator Rome (~£25–45/night dorm) or budget hotel (~£65–90/night)

• →Colosseum & Roman Forum — skip-the-line tickets (~£18, book via coopculture.it)
• →Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (~£20, book at museivaticani.va)
• →St Peter's Basilica (free entry) and dome climb (~£8)
• →Evening in Trastevere for aperitivo and dinner

Final morning in Rome. Depending on your flight or onward train, grab a last espresso and cornetto at a local bar (the authentic Italian way — standing at the counter). If time allows, visit the Borghese Gallery (book in advance — mandatory, ~£13) or simply soak up a final stroll around the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese park. Head to Fiumicino Airport (FCO) via the Leonardo Express train from Termini (~£14) or budget option bus (~£5).

🚌Leonardo Express train Roma Termini → Fiumicino Airport (~32 min, ~£14), or Terravision/SIT bus (~£5).

🛏Check out — no accommodation needed

• →Final espresso and cornetto at a local Roman café
• →Optional: Borghese Gallery visit (~£13, must pre-book at borghese.beniculturali.it)
• →Stroll around the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese park
• →Transfer to Fiumicino Airport: Leonardo Express from Termini (~£14) or Terravision bus (~£5)