France & Italy Adventure — Self-Launched
15 days · France & Italy
G Adventures charges £2,350
No-markup version: ~£1,470 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, 15-day independent version of G Adventures' Paris-to-Rome "France & Italy Adventure". Same route — Paris, Burgundy, Provence, the Riviera, Milan, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome — but booked separately on hostels and guesthouses, travelling by regional trains and budget coaches, and choosing your own self-guided or small-group day tours. Expect roughly a third of the group-tour price while keeping full freedom over your days.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Paris — Montmartre base
Paris, France
Land and take the RER B from Charles de Gaulle (about €11) or Orlyval + RER from Orly into the city, then metro to a hostel in Montmartre or the 10th/11th arrondissement. Check in, pick up a Navigo Easy card (€2 card + €2.15 per metro ride, or a weekly Navigo for ~€32 if you're staying 5+ days), and spend the evening wandering Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur at sunset. Stock up on picnic supplies at a Franprix or Monoprix.
🚌RER B from CDG ~€11; metro singles €2.15
🛏Hostel dorm in Montmartre/10th arrondissement (e.g. St Christopher's Canal or Generator Paris), £30-38/night
- →Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur walk (free)
- →Seine riverside evening stroll (free)
Paris highlights on your own
Paris, France
Self-launch a classic Paris day: pre-book the Louvre (€22, book a timed slot online to skip the queue) or Musée d'Orsay (€16), walk the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, and picnic in the Tuileries or Luxembourg Gardens. Free walking tours run from Place Saint-Michel most mornings (tip-based, €5-10). In the evening, either climb the Eiffel Tower stairs (€14.50) or just watch it sparkle from Trocadéro for free.
🚌Metro day pass €8.65 (or walk — Paris is compact)
🛏Hostel dorm, Paris
- →Louvre or Musée d'Orsay timed ticket (€16-22)
- →Free tip-based walking tour
- →Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe walk
- →Eiffel Tower stairs (€14.50) or Trocadéro viewpoint (free)
Train to Beaune — Burgundy wine tasting
Beaune, France
Take a TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon to Dijon (about 1h40, €25-45 booked ahead on SNCF Connect) then a 20-minute TER to Beaune (€6). Check into a small guesthouse inside the old walls. In the afternoon, book a cellar tasting directly with a négociant such as Patriarche (from €15 for a self-guided cave visit with tastings) or Marché aux Vins (€15-25) — no group needed. Wander the ramparts and grab dinner at a bouchon-style bistro.
🚌TGV Paris-Dijon €25-45 + TER to Beaune €6
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel inside Beaune's old town, £55-70/night
- →Burgundy cellar wine tasting (€15-25)
- →Beaune old town & ramparts walk (free)
Beaune, Hospices and vineyards by bike
Beaune, France
Visit the Hospices de Beaune (€13 entry, book online) in the morning. Rent a bike from a local shop (€15-20/day) and ride the flat Route des Grands Crus through Pommard and Volnay vineyards, stopping for a tasting at a small domaine (€10-20). Alternatively take the hourly TER to Dijon (€6, 25 min) for the ducal palace and the owl-trail city walk. Dinner from the Saturday/ Wednesday market if your timing lines up.
🚌Bike rental €18 or TER to Dijon €6 return
🛏Guesthouse, Beaune
- →Hospices de Beaune (€13)
- →Vineyard cycling route (free + tastings)
- →Optional Dijon day trip
South to Avignon — Palais des Papes and the Pont
Avignon, France
Train from Beaune to Lyon Part-Dieu (TER, ~1h45, €25) then a TGV or Ouigo to Avignon (€20-40 if booked ahead; Ouigo is often €10-19). Ditch the suitcase at a hostel near the station. Buy the combined Palais des Papes + Pont Saint-Bénézet ticket (€14.50) and explore the medieval walled city on foot — everything is within 15 minutes. Evening drink on the Rocher des Doms overlooking the Rhône (free).
🚌TER to Lyon €25 + Ouigo/TGV to Avignon €15-35
🛏Hostel or budget hotel near Avignon Centre station, £40-55/night
- →Palais des Papes + Pont d'Avignon combined ticket (€14.50)
- →Rocher des Doms viewpoint (free)
Provence day trip — Pont du Gard or Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Avignon, France
DIY Provence. Option A: bus to the Pont du Gard (Edgard line, ~€1.50 each way from Avignon, then the site's shuttle/bike path; site entry €6.50, museum included). Option B: bus to Châteauneuf-du-Pape (€2) and taste at a couple of village caves, or join a small half-day wine tour on GetYourGuide (€55-70) if you don't want to navigate buses. Option C: train to Orange (€5.60, 20 min) for the Roman theatre (€11). Back in Avignon for a cheap market dinner.
🚌Regional bus/train €3-12
🛏Hostel or budget hotel, Avignon
- →Pont du Gard (€6.50) or Roman Theatre Orange (€11)
- →Optional small-group wine tour (€55-70)
Riviera arrival in Nice
Nice, France
Take the TER regional train along the coast from Avignon to Marseille (€25) and onward to Nice (another €27; total ~4h) — sit on the right for sea views past Toulon. Book a hostel in Vieux Nice or near the Promenade. Swim at the pebble beach, wander the Cours Saleya market, climb Castle Hill for the sunset, and sample socca (chickpea flatbread, €3-4) at a stall in the old town.
🚌TER Avignon-Marseille €25 + Marseille-Nice €27
🛏Hostel dorm in Vieux Nice, £32-42/night
- →Vieux Nice & Cours Saleya market (free)
- →Castle Hill sunset (free)
- →Promenade des Anglais swim (free)
Nice to Milan
Milan, Italy
Cross into Italy by train: TER from Nice to Ventimiglia (€8, 50 min — gorgeous coastal ride), then Trenitalia to Milan (from €9.90 if you book the regional/intercity in advance, ~3-4h). Check into a hostel near Centrale or Porta Venezia. Evening orientation on foot: Duomo square, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Navigli canal bars for an aperitivo (€8-12 incl. buffet snacks).
🚌TER Nice-Ventimiglia €8 + Trenitalia Ventimiglia-Milano €15-30
🛏Hostel dorm near Milano Centrale or Porta Venezia, £30-40/night
- →Duomo exterior & Galleria (free)
- →Navigli aperitivo (€10)
Milan morning, afternoon train to Venice
Venice, Italy
Pre-book Leonardo's Last Supper at the Cenacolo (€15 + booking fee — released in waves, set an alarm) or climb the Duomo rooftop terraces (€12-16 lift). After lunch take a Frecciarossa or Italo high-speed train to Venice (1h50-2h20, €20-45 booked ahead). Buy a 48-hour vaporetto pass (€35) or just walk — Venice's centre is entirely walkable. Evening stroll through Cannaregio and over the Rialto Bridge.
🚌High-speed train Milano-Venezia €20-45
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Cannaregio/Mestre (Mestre is cheaper), £35-50/night
- →Last Supper (€15) or Duomo terraces (€12-16)
- →Cannaregio & Rialto evening walk (free)
Full day in Venice
Venice, Italy
Start at Piazza San Marco and St Mark's Basilica (free entry, €3 for the Pala d'Oro; book the campanile lift €10 for the view). Skip the €80 gondola and instead take the Traghetto traghetto ferry across the Grand Canal for €2, or share a gondola with strangers at the Rialto station. Afternoon: vaporetto to Murano for glass workshops (free to visit, ~€35 for a glass-blowing demo if you want one) and Burano's coloured houses. Cicchetti crawl for dinner (€1.50-3 per bite).
🚌48h vaporetto pass €35 (covers Murano/Burano)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse, Venice/Mestre
- →St Mark's Basilica (free) & campanile (€10)
- →Murano & Burano by vaporetto
- →Cicchetti food crawl
Venice to Florence — Piazzale Michelangelo
Florence, Italy
Morning train to Florence (Frecciarossa/Italo 2h05 from €20, or the cheaper regional via Bologna). Drop bags at a hostel near Santa Maria Novella. Book the Uffizi for late afternoon (€25 + €4 booking) or just walk the Duomo exterior and the Baptistery doors. Before sunset, walk over the Arno via Ponte Vecchio and up to Piazzale Michelangelo for the classic panoramic view — exactly the included activity on the original tour, only free.
🚌Train Venezia S. Lucia-Firenze S.M.N. €20-40
🛏Hostel dorm near Santa Maria Novella, £30-42/night
- →Ponte Vecchio walk (free)
- →Piazzale Michelangelo sunset (free)
- →Optional Uffizi (€29)
Florence — David, Oltrarno and a food tour
Florence, Italy
Pre-book the Accademia for David (€16 + booking) first thing, then browse the Mercato Centrale food hall for lunch (€8-12). In the afternoon either DIY a Siena day trip (regional bus from Autostazione, €9.60 each way, 1h15; Duomo €9, Torre del Mangia €10) or join a 3-hour Oltrarno food walking tour on GetYourGuide (€60-75) — the same experience sold as an optional extra on the original trip, but cheaper booked direct.
🚌Bus to Siena €19 return, or walking in Florence
🛏Hostel dorm, Florence
- →Accademia / David (€20)
- →Mercato Centrale (free)
- →Siena day trip (€19 bus) or Oltrarno food tour (€60-75)
Pisa and on to Rome
Rome, Italy
Morning regional train from Florence to Pisa Centrale (€9.30, 1h) — store bags at the station and walk 25 minutes to the Field of Miracles for the Leaning Tower photos. Skip the €20 tower climb unless you've pre-booked, and instead see the cathedral (free with a timed pass). Then take the regional train Pisa-Rome (€25, 3-4h via Empoli) or a Frecciarossa from Florence if you'd rather return. Arrive Rome, check into a hostel in Monti or Termini, and eat cacio e pepe near Campo de' Fiori.
🚌Firenze-Pisa €9.30 + Pisa-Roma regional €25
🛏Hostel dorm in Monti or near Termini, £28-40/night
- →Leaning Tower & Field of Miracles (free)
- →Pisa Cathedral (free timed pass)
Ancient Rome and the Trevi Fountain
Rome, Italy
Book the Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine combined ticket online (€18 + €2 booking, valid 24h). Do the Forum first thing, then the Colosseum. Afternoon: Pantheon (€5), Piazza Navona and a free tip-based walking tour of the historic centre. Evening: toss a coin at the Trevi Fountain, then a food-and-wine stroll through Trastevere — or a street food tour on GetYourGuide (€55-65) if you want a local host.
🚌Metro/bus day ticket €7
🛏Hostel dorm, Rome
- →Colosseum + Forum + Palatine (€20)
- →Pantheon (€5)
- →Trevi Fountain & Trastevere walk (free)
Vatican, farewell dinner and departure
Rome, Italy
Pre-book the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel for the earliest slot (€20-25 + booking fee, or €5 extra for the Friday-night opening). St Peter's Basilica is free — dress code applies (shoulders and knees covered). Spend the afternoon in Villa Borghese gardens or the Monti vintage shops. Finish with a proper Roman trattoria dinner (€20-25) to mirror the original tour's included farewell meal, then Leonardo Express to Fiumicino (€14, 32 min) for your flight home.
🚌Leonardo Express to Fiumicino €14
🛏Hostel dorm, Rome (or depart)
- →Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (€25-30)
- →St Peter's Basilica (free)
- →Villa Borghese walk (free)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,470 | £2,350 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £880 per person (37%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,470
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does France & Italy Adventure — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,470 per person for 15 days in France & Italy. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,350 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,470 — a saving of roughly £880 (37%) per person.
How long is the France & Italy trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through France & Italy.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, foodie, city-breaks trip through France & Italy, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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