Tour of Europe
Taking a tour to Europe has always been our passion. Above all, it is the rich history, culture and amazing architectures in Europe that attract us to want to tour Europe as often as possible. However, as it is rather far and costly compared to touring in Asia, we could only tour Europe once a year.
This France Italy Europe trip plan was for 13 days – 9 days in France and 4 days in Italy. This Europe trip planner is especially an easy itinerary to follow for families and individuals.
Tour France and Italy in Europe
As a first timer to tour France in Europe, it is therefore an eye opener for us. For example, the visit to see the ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD, strolling in beautiful Medieval French villages, as well as immersing ourselves in weekend markets. Thus, with this France Italy itinerary, you are killing 2 birds with 1 stone.
France Italy itinerary
This tour to France Italy in Europe itinerary is especially great for:-
- those who love to explore Medieval villages
- love hiking
- museum lovers
- cafe lovers
- weekend markets fan
Overview of France Italy itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Nice France Airport. Train to Avignon France
- Day 2: The Palais des Papes / The Pont Saint-Bénézet Avignon
- Day 3: Uzes / Pont du Gard
- Day 4: Nimes / Arles
- Day 5: Nice France
- Day 6: Eze / Monaco / Villefranche-sur-mer
- Day 7: Cannes / Antibes
- Day 8: Train Des Mervilles
- Day 9: Nice France
- Day 10: Genoa Italy
- Day 11: Cinque Terre / Monterosso al Mare
- Day 12: Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore
- Day 13: Milan Airport / Fly Home
Where to stay for our tour in Europe
- Avignon France ( 4 nights)
- Nice France ( 5 nights)
- Genoa (1 night)
- Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre (2 nights)
Day 1
Arriving in Nice France airport
We arrived at Nice France airport around ten in the morning. Before we came to Nice France, we read that we have to take airport express bus number 99 from Nice France airport to Nice Gare SNCF train station. As a result, we were searching high and low for the airport bus. However, we were wrong. There are no longer any airport express buses to Nice city centre. They have actually been replaced by tram #2, which is cheaper and faster compared to the airport bus.
Tram 2 stops at Terminal 1 (Exit A0) and Terminal 2 (Exit A2). Single journey fare is €1,50. In the mean time, do have coins or credit card ready when purchasing the ticket at the ticketing machine situated at the tram station because the ticketing machine does not accept notes. A single journey ticket is valid for unlimited travel on all local services for 74 minutes (excluding a return journey).
Nice Gare SNCF train station
Tram #2 stops at Jean Medecin station in Nice city centre. By the way, this stop is Nice France’s main shopping district. After that, from this Tram station, walk 11 mins to reach Nice Gare station, also known as Nice-Ville. Wherefore we took our train to Avignon France from Nice France.
Nice-Ville to Avignon France
Our Train to Avignon France was at 2:57pm. As a rule of thumb, it is advisable to buy the train ticket online in advance to take advantage of the early bird price. Generally, advance tickets are open for sale 90 days before departure date.
We bought our tickets via sncf site and paid using Visa / Master card. After which, they will email the e-ticket with passenger name and seat number.
Avignon France
We arrived at Avignon France TGV station at 6:25pm. After that, we changed to another train from Avignon TGV to Avignon Centre Station. Luckily the train from Avignon TGV to Avignon Centre only took 5 minutes.
Day 2
The Palais des Papes, Avignon France
The Palais des Papes is an historical palace located in Avignon, Southern France. As a matter of fact, it is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe.
The Pont Saint-Bénézet
This UNESCO heritage site, also known as the Pont d’Avignon, was built over the Rhone in the late twelfth century and completed in 1185. This bridge is so famous even a children song called ” “Sur Le Pont d’Avignon” was written about it. Designed to link the two banks of the river Rhone, the bridge extended approximately 900 meters and 22 arches initially. However, wars and river floods caused the deterioration of the bridge. As such, after several reconstructions, it was finally abandoned in the seventeenth century, with only four arches and the Saint-Nicolas chapel left.
Day 3
Uzes
Uzes, a medieval town in the South of France, is within easy traveling distance from Avignon France. In short, it makes a great one day trip or stopping place for those travelling the South of France.
Pont du Gard
Besides being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pont du Gard aqueduct is the most visited French monument in France and best-preserved Roman sites in the world.
Day 4
Nimes France
You won’t be disappointed if you visit this middle-sized city in the South of France. Not only is it rich in arts and history, it is also the place to see the most well preserved Roman Amphitheatres in the world! Above all, it also has a Roman temple dated back to the 4th or fifth century BC.
Arles France
This is the city that inspire the many beautiful paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. Therefore, if you are truly a fan of his paintings, you gotta pay this city a visit.
Day 5 and Day 9
Nice France
Nice France is located in the French Riviera, on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. Not only is Nice France being the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast, it is likewise the second-largest city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region after Marseille.
Day 6
Eze Village
Eze is a beautiful hilltop medieval village in the south of France, between Monaco and Nice. In addition, this beautiful village is on the mountainside above the Mediterranean Sea, between St Jean Cap Ferrat and Monaco.
Monaco
Monaco is the world’s second-smallest sovereign country after Vatican City. It is built against the mountains, and spreads down to the shores of the Riviera.
Villefranche-sur-mer
Villefranche sur Mer is situated near Nice, right in the heart of the most beautiful and rich part of the Cote d’Azur. It is a wonderful place whether in the summer or Winter.
Day 7
Cannes France
Located in the Southeast of Nice France is Cannes France. Not only is Cannes famous as a resort city of the French Riviera, it is also famous for its International Film festival. The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès for instance is a modern building complete with red carpet and Cannes’ walk of fame.
Antibes France
Home to the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, Antibes France is situated in between Nice France and Cannes. In addition, it has the largest port in Europe where 2500 boats docks.
Day 8
Train Des Mervilles
The Train des Merveilles, also known as the train of wonders, is a scenic train route between Nice and Italy. It is operated by SNCF and will take you in two hours train ride starting from Nice-Ville Station to the small town of Tende, right before the border with Italy.
Day 10
Genoa Italy
Compared to Rome, Florence and Venice, if you do not want to be overrun by tourists, Genoa Italy is actually a good destination stop. Besides that. this port city in the region of Liguria, was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
Day 11 & 12
Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a coastal area within Liguria, in the northwest of Italy. It consists of five centuries-old seaside villages, namely, Monterosso Al Mare, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia and Vernazza. Hence they are called Cinque Terre, Cinque(means 5) and Terre ( means land).
Day 13
End of our tour in Europe
On the last day of our France Italy tour in Europe, we took a train from Monterosso al mar, Cinque Terre to Milan Central Station. After that, we flew home from Milan Malpensa Airport.
