14 Days in London, Paris, and Italy: A Classic Europe Itinerary by Train, Art, and Cuisine

Trace royal palaces, Impressionist boulevards, and Renaissance masterpieces on a two-week journey linking London, Paris, Rome, Florence, and Venice—perfect for first-time Europe travelers who want iconic sights, local food, and smooth rail connections.
Scenic view of the London Eye on the River Thames with clear blue skies and city skyline.
Photo by Chait Goli on Pexels

Europe’s great capitals didn’t just shape history—they broadcast it from every palace facade, museum hall, and market stall. In two weeks, this itinerary braids together London’s royal pageantry, Paris’s art and café culture, and Italy’s Roman ruins and Renaissance brilliance, capped with Venice’s dreamlike canals.

Expect efficient train travel, morning departures to maximize your days, and a balance of headline sights with neighborhood gems: Borough Market to Montmartre, Trastevere to Tuscan hill towns. We’ve woven in top-rated Viator tours (with images) to save time where lines are long and context matters.

Practical notes: Reserve major attractions (Eiffel Tower, Vatican, Colosseum) in advance, and pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones. Contactless cards work on London transport; in Paris and Italy, keep a chip card and some euros handy. Tipping is modest (5–10% for exceptional service); always validate train tickets where required.

London

London is a city of layers—Romans, Tudors, Victorians, and today’s creative scene all vying for your attention along the Thames. See crown jewels and cutting-edge galleries, then refuel with everything from a full English at a famed art deco café to fragrant South Asian curries.

Base near the South Bank or Westminster for easy walks to Big Ben, the London Eye, and river cruises. Evenings sparkle on the water; mornings are made for markets and museums.

Days 1–4: Royal landmarks, river life, neighborhood flavor

  • Iconic London in one sweep: Book a comprehensive day so the essentials don’t slip by. Consider:
  • Choose-your-adventure day trip: Stonehenge’s mysteries, regal Windsor, and Georgian Bath are perennial favorites:
  • Harry Potter fans: Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport
    Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London on Viator
    Step onto sets and see the magic behind the films—tickets sell out weeks ahead.
  • Neighborhood eats and sips:
    • Breakfast/coffee: Dishoom (bacon naan roll legend), Regency Café (art deco, cinematic), Kaffeine or Monmouth Coffee for specialty brews.
    • Lunch: Borough Market grazing—Padella (silky cacio e pepe), Kappacasein (grilled cheese), Ethiopian Flavours for injera plates.
    • Dinner: St. JOHN (nose-to-tail British), Kiln (Thai grill in Soho), The Palomar (modern Jerusalem plates).
    • Drinks: The Harp (real ales), Swift (excellent martinis), The Churchill Arms (Thai pub grub under a riot of flowers).

Where to stay (London):

Getting to/around London: Fly into London and compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For UK trains (e.g., to Windsor/Oxford), check Omio Trains. Use contactless/Oyster; a 1–6 zone daily cap keeps costs predictable.

Paris

Paris rewards unhurried wandering: boulevards planned by Haussmann, cafés that incubated ideas and art, and bridges that glow at blue hour. Balance blockbuster museums with neighborhood markets and bistros.

Stay central (Saint-Germain, the Marais, or near the Louvre) for walkability and easy metro hops. Evenings sing on the Seine—by boat or riverside stroll.

Days 5–8: Masterpieces, rivers, and Montmartre

  • Cross to Paris by morning Eurostar: London St Pancras → Paris Gare du Nord in ~2h 17m. Typical fares $80–$200; book early on Omio Trains. Arrive before lunch and start exploring.
  • Essential Paris with time-savers:
  • Cafés and bites that feel local:
    • Breakfast/coffee: Du Pain et des Idées (escargot pastries), Boot Café (tiny, big on flavor), La Fontaine de Belleville (retro charm).
    • Lunch: L’As du Fallafel (classic Marais pita), Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes), Marché des Enfants Rouges stalls.
    • Dinner: Bistrot Paul Bert (pepper steak, proper cheese cart), Bouillon Pigalle (comfort classics at friendly prices), Frenchie Bar à Vins (small plates, natural wines).
    • Drinks/dessert: Le Baron Rouge (standing wines), Septime La Cave (nibbles + bottles), Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis (sorbets since 1954).

Where to stay (Paris):

Getting to/around Paris: London–Paris Eurostar ~2h 17m via Omio Trains ($80–$200). Metro/bus carnet or day passes work well; Seine cruises add a scenic reset.

Rome

Rome is a living palimpsest: emperors’ forums, medieval bell towers, Baroque piazzas, and today’s spirited trattorie. Mornings are glorious in ancient sites; twilight belongs to fountains and paseggiata.

Days 9–11: Ancient wonders, Vatican art, and Trastevere tastes

  • Paris → Rome (morning flight): 2h 10m nonstop; fares ~$60–$180. Compare on Omio Flights. Trains exist (11–14h, multiple changes) if you prefer rail.
  • Must-see, skip-the-line tours:
  • Classic Rome eats:
    • Breakfast/coffee: Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (historic roasts), Panificio Bonci (morning bakes).
    • Lunch: Pizzarium Bonci (square pizza artistry), Forno Campo de’ Fiori (rosemary pizza bianca).
    • Dinner: Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina (carbonara + cured meats), Da Enzo al 29 (Testaccio-style classics, reserve), Felice a Testaccio (cacio e pepe tossed tableside).
    • Gelato/wine: Gelateria del Teatro (seasonal flavors), Il Goccetto (old-world enoteca).

Where to stay (Rome):

Getting to/around Rome: Metro A/B lines reach Vatican and Colosseo, but many sights connect beautifully on foot. Taxis are reliable at marked stands; validate bus/tram tickets.

Florence

Florence compresses the Renaissance into a walkable jewel box: Brunelleschi’s dome, Michelangelo’s David, and workshops still gilding and binding by hand. Arno sunsets and Tuscan day trips round it out.

Days 12–13: Renaissance hits and Tuscan vines

  • Rome → Florence (morning train): Frecciarossa/Italo in ~1h 30m; $20–$50 booked early on Omio Trains. Sit on the left for countryside views heading north.
  • Art and city stroll:
  • Florentine flavors:
    • Breakfast/coffee: Ditta Artigianale (specialty brews), Caffè Gilli (Belle Époque pastries).
    • Lunch: All’Antico Vinaio (schiacciata panini—go early), Mercato Centrale stalls (fresh pasta, truffle stands).
    • Dinner: Trattoria Sostanza (butter chicken and bistecca), Trattoria Cammillo (Tuscan classics, riverside).
    • Sweet/aperitivo: Gelateria dei Neri (pistachio fave), La Terrazza at Hotel Continentale (sunset spritz views).

Where to stay (Florence):

Getting around Florence: Walk everywhere; taxis for late nights or luggage runs. Trains for day trips (Pisa/Siena) on Omio Trains.

Venice

Venice is a marble mirage on the lagoon—car-free, timeless, and best discovered in the early morning hush or evening’s echoing alleys. Between St. Mark’s mosaics and Doge’s pink stone, seek cicchetti bars buzzing with locals.

Day 14: Palaces, canals, and cicchetti crawl

  • Florence → Venice (morning train): ~2h Frecciarossa/Italo; $25–$60 via Omio Trains. Arrive at Venezia S. Lucia facing the Grand Canal.
  • Top sights efficiently:
  • Cicchetti and canals:
    • Snacks/drinks: Cantine del Vino già Schiavi (tiny bites + pours), Osteria al Squero (cicchetti opposite a gondola workshop), Al Timon (meat skewers, canalside tables).
    • Seafood dinner: Antiche Carampane (local favorite for laguna fish and handmade pasta).
    • Coffee/gelato: Torrefazione Cannaregio (espresso done right), Gelatoteca Suso (creative flavors).

Where to stay (Venice):

Departing Venice: For flights or onward trains/ferries, compare Omio Flights, Omio Trains, and Omio Ferries. Long-haul options: check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Travel Timing Snapshot (morning departures)

  • London → Paris (Eurostar): ~2h 17m, $80–$200 on Omio Trains.
  • Paris → Rome (flight): ~2h 10m, $60–$180 on Omio Flights.
  • Rome → Florence (train): ~1h 30m, $20–$50 on Omio Trains.
  • Florence → Venice (train): ~2h, $25–$60 on Omio Trains.

Pro tips: Book high-speed trains 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares. Travel light for easy station transfers. In museums and churches, shoulders/knees covered is safest (especially Vatican sites). Dinner reservations are wise in Paris and Italy, especially Thursday–Sunday.

Trip wrap-up: In 14 days, you’ll move from London’s royal stage to Paris’s riverside glow and into Italy’s heart—ancient Rome, Renaissance Florence, and ethereal Venice—without rushing the moments that make travel sing. The result is a timeless Europe route rich in art, cuisine, and unforgettable street scenes.

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