13 days in Italy, Paris & Nice Itinerary

Created using Inspirock Europe holiday planner
Make it your trip
Fly
1
Paris, France
— 2 nights
Fly
2
Nice, France
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Cinque Terre, Italy
— 2 nights
Drive
4
San Gimignano, Italy
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Varenna, Italy
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Paris, France
— 1 night
Fly

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Paris, France — 2 nights

City of Light

A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.
Kick off your visit on the 14th (Sun): pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, then take a stroll through Montmartre, then admire the striking features of Arc de Triomphe, and finally shop like a local with Champs-Elysees. On the 15th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, don't miss a visit to Eiffel Tower, then take a stroll through Saint Germain des Pres Quarter, then wander the streets of Île de la Cité, and finally step off the mainland to explore Ile Saint-Louis.

For maps, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Paris trip website.

Indianapolis, USA to Paris is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Indianapolis to Paris is 6 hours. Traveling from Indianapolis in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Paris, with lows of 60°F. You will have some time to spend on the 16th (Tue) before leaving for Nice.
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Historic Sites · Neighborhoods · Shopping · Parks
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jul 14 — 16:

Nice, France — 2 nights

Nissa la Bella (Nice the Beautiful)

Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.
On the 16th (Tue), take in the spiritual surroundings of Monastère de Cimiez, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilique Notre-Dame de Nice, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas a Nice. On your second day here, explore the world behind art at Musee Renoir, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, then steep yourself in history at Ville medieval, then step into the grandiose world of Haut de Cagnes, and finally examine the collection at Musee Escoffier de l'Art Culinaire.

For other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Nice day trip planner.

Getting from Paris to Nice by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. Traveling from Paris in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Nice, with lows of 71°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) so you can drive to Cinque Terre.
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Historic Sites · Museums
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 16 — 18:

Cinque Terre, Italy — 2 nights

Italian Riviera

Made up of five picturesque towns on the Ligurian coast, Cinque Terre is Italy's answer to the French Riviera.
Kick off your visit on the 18th (Thu): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Santa Margherita di Antiochia Church, then explore the historical opulence of Castello Doria, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Borgo Storico di Riomaggiore, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Chiesa di San Lorenzo. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the fascinating underground world of Ex Gallerie, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Chiesa di Sant'Andrea, then pause for some serene contemplation at Convento dei Cappuccini e Chiesa di San Francesco, then get to know the fascinating history of Borgo Antico, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Borgo Storico di Corniglia.

Plan my day in Cinque Terre using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Inspirock.

Drive from Nice to Cinque Terre in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from Nice in July since evenings lows in Cinque Terre dip to 65°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sat) so you can go by car to San Gimignano.
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Historic Sites · Parks · Nature
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jul 18 — 20:

San Gimignano, Italy — 2 nights

Town of Fine Towers

A historical gem in the heart of Tuscany, San Gimignano is known as the Town of Fine Towers for its jutting skyline of high city walls.
On the 20th (Sat), pause for some serene contemplation at Church of Sant'Agostino, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chiesa di San Pietro in Forliano, enjoy breathtaking views from Rocca of Montestaffoli, then get engrossed in the history at San Gimignano 1300, then take an in-depth tour of Torre e Casa Campatelli, and finally take an in-depth tour of Museo della Tortura di San Gimignano. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 21st (Sun): make a trip to Duomo di San Gimignano, get to know the fascinating history of Piazza del Duomo, enjoy breathtaking views from Torre Salvucci Maggiore, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Battistero di San Giovanni, then explore the world behind art at Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana, and finally explore the world behind art at Palazzo Viti.

To see maps, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, use the San Gimignano vacation maker.

You can drive from Cinque Terre to San Gimignano in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In July, daily temperatures in San Gimignano can reach 86°F, while at night they dip to 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) to allow time to drive to Varenna.
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Historic Sites · Museums
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 20 — 22:

Varenna, Italy — 2 nights

Varenna is a comune (municipality) on Lake Como in the Province of Lecco in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 60km north of Milan and about 20km northwest of Lecco.Varenna was founded by local fishermen in 769, and was later allied of the commune of Milan. Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Mon): admire the natural beauty at I Giardini di Villa Melzi, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilica di San Giacomo, then take in the exciting artwork at Le Ceramiche di Vezio, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Villa Monastero. Keep things going the next day: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Chiesa di San Giorgio, admire the natural beauty at Il Giardino Botanico - Hotel Villa Cipressi, take in the architecture and atmosphere at S. Giovanni Battista, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chiesa di S. Giorgio, then pause for some serene contemplation at Santuario Della Madonna delle Grazie di San Martino, and finally contemplate the long history of Menaggio.

To see where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Varenna travel route planner.

Drive from San Gimignano to Varenna in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In July in Varenna, expect temperatures between 85°F during the day and 65°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Paris.
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Historic Sites · Parks · Neighborhoods · Classes
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jul 22 — 24:

Paris, France — 1 night

City of Light

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Wed): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, admire the landmark architecture of Sainte-Chapelle, and then get a sense of history and politics at Hotel de Ville.

For more things to do, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Paris trip maker tool.

You can drive from Varenna to Paris in 10 hours. In July, Paris is slightly colder than Varenna - with highs of 79°F and lows of 60°F. On the 25th (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.
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Historic Sites
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jul 24 — 25:

Italy travel guide

4.6
Landmarks · Ruins · Beaches
Italy is a land of high fashion, fine art, exquisite architecture, luxury sports cars, outstanding cuisine--and an insatiable taste for "la dolce vita." It's also home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites in the world, making it an ideal place for your next holiday. The country boasts a varied landscape of mountain ranges, alpine lakes, and coastal towns, so it's no wonder travelers often refer to it as the bel paese (beautiful country). With so many places to visit, visitors often have a difficult time planning their itinerary. The smaller villages each feature a distinct character and a blend of architecture, art, and cuisine. In the country, you'll find countless archeological sites dating back to Roman times and beyond. The country's cities and seaside resorts are cosmopolitan powerhouses with museums, galleries, restaurants, shops, open-air markets, and pedestrian-friendly historic areas.
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Tuscany travel guide

4.4
Landmarks · Art Museums · Sacred & Religious Sites
Birthplace of the Italian Renaissance
Known for its landscapes, traditions, and history, Tuscany possesses an unparalleled artistic legacy that continues to influence world culture. Regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the region boasts a lengthy list of attractions, including world-class museums, art galleries, and archeological sites. With a distinct culture and a very strong linguistic identity, this region is sometimes referred to as a nation within a nation. A land of picture-postcard areas, Tuscany contains plenty of places to visit on your holiday, with seven World Heritage Sites, including the historic town centers of Florence and Siena. With more than 120 protected nature preserves, Tuscany is not only a land of culture and historic monuments, but also a great place to discover and enjoy the Italian outdoors. Take it slowly here (as the locals do), and give yourself plenty of time to get to know the local culture and cuisine of Tuscany's medieval towns and ancient villages.
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Lake Como travel guide

4.2
Gardens · Architectural Buildings · Churches
A favorite vacation spot for more than a century, Lake Como was once an exclusive retreat for local aristocrats and wealthy people. It is not only one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, but also one of the deepest at more than 400 m (1,300 ft). Surrounded by elegant villas, the lake has become a popular holiday destination for tourists because of its range of attractions, from landscapes, wildlife, and spas, to activities like sailing, windsurfing, and kite-surfing. The area has been an inspiration for artists since Roman times. English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty…It is long and narrow and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests."
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