Dubai to Italy and France Round Trip

Arrival and Transfer

Fly from Dubai International Airport to Rome Fiumicino Airport, allowing roughly seven hours for a nonstop flight, followed by immigration and baggage collection. From the airport, the fastest reliable option is the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini—about 32 minutes and approximately €14—then a short taxi or metro connection to your hotel. A licensed white airport taxi to central Rome has a fixed fare of about €55, typically taking 40–60 minutes depending on traffic; this is easiest with luggage. After checking in and taking a brief rest, head out around sunset when the historic center becomes cooler and more atmospheric.

Evening in the Historic Center

Start at Trevi Fountain, ideally after 19:00 when the day-tripper crowds begin to thin. Spend around 30 minutes here, keeping valuables secure in the dense crowd, then walk roughly 10 minutes along Via del Corso and quieter side streets to the Pantheon. The church usually closes in the evening, so check the official schedule and arrive before the final entry—modest clothing is required, and admission is generally around €5. Continue another 10 minutes to Piazza Navona, where Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers is beautifully lit and street performers bring the square to life.

For dinner, walk about 15 minutes toward Campo de’ Fiori for Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina. Reserve well ahead, as this is one of Rome’s most sought-after tables; expect approximately €40–€70 per person. Order Roman classics such as carbonara or cacio e pepe, and leave time for the restaurant’s excellent cured meats and cheese. Afterward, return by taxi or on foot if your hotel is nearby—Rome’s center is especially enjoyable at night, but use official taxis or a ride-hailing app rather than accepting unsolicited offers.

Morning

After arriving at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, walk about 10 minutes through the historic center to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Spend roughly an hour admiring the striped marble façade and vast interior; the cathedral is generally open from around 10:15, with hours varying by day, so check the official calendar before traveling. Continue straight to Brunelleschi’s Dome for your timed climb. The ascent takes around two hours including queues and the 463 steps, with narrow stairways and no lift—wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Combined cathedral-and-dome passes usually cost about €30, and the dome reservation is essential.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk 8–10 minutes toward Mercato Centrale Firenze in San Lorenzo for lunch. The ground-floor market is ideal for browsing, while the upper food hall offers plenty of casual choices; allow €15–€30 per person and note that opening hours can vary, particularly on Sundays. Afterward, take a relaxed 15-minute walk north through Via Ricasoli to the Galleria dell’Accademia. Your timed entry should give you about 90 minutes with Michelangelo’s David and the smaller collection of Florentine sculpture and painting; tickets are commonly around €16–€20, with advance booking strongly recommended.

Evening

From the Accademia, take a taxi or local bus toward Piazzale Michelangelo—the uphill walk takes roughly 30 minutes, but a taxi is worthwhile after the dome climb. Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset to claim a good viewpoint over the Arno, Ponte Vecchio, and the Duomo skyline; September evenings are usually comfortable, though the terrace can be busy. Descend into Santo Spirito afterward for dinner at Trattoria 4 Leoni, a welcoming choice for ribollita, pear-and-pecorino pasta, and other Tuscan classics. Reserve ahead, especially for a weekend evening, and budget approximately €30–€50 per person.

Morning

Arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia and walk west along Strada Nova toward Rialto Bridge; it takes about 20 minutes, or you can take vaporetto line 1 to Rialto in roughly 15 minutes. Cross the bridge early, before the lanes fill with day-trippers, then spend an hour around Rialto Market, where the fish stalls and produce vendors create Venice’s most genuinely local morning scene. The market is busiest from about 8:00 to 11:00 and is generally closed on Sundays and Mondays, so browse rather than plan a full meal here. Allow around €5–€15 for a quick snack or cicchetti nearby.

Late Morning and Midday

From Rialto, follow Mercerie south toward St. Mark’s Basilica, a pleasant 15–20-minute walk through the narrow shopping lanes. Reserve a timed entry in advance—typically around €3–€6, with opening hours commonly beginning at 9:30—and dress modestly, since shoulders and knees must be covered. Continue directly to Doge’s Palace, where a pre-booked ticket is worthwhile; expect roughly €30–€35 and 1½ hours for the Gothic courtyard, grand council rooms, and Bridge of Sighs. Keep bags small, as large luggage may need to be deposited before entering.

Afternoon and Evening

Afterward, settle into Caffè Florian on St. Mark’s Square for the classic coffee break rather than rushing onward; indoor seating and the orchestra charge make €15–€30 per person realistic. Then walk across Accademia Bridge or take vaporetto line 1 down the Grand Canal to Dorsoduro and visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, open on most days from 10:00 to 18:00, with admission generally around €16–€20. The former palazzo is compact enough for an hour and a half, and its riverside terrace is a lovely place to pause afterward. From Accademia or Zattere, take a vaporetto back to Santa Lucia—allow 25–40 minutes, depending on the stop and crowds—or linger in Dorsoduro for cicchetti before returning.

Arrival and Late Afternoon

After your flight from Venice lands at Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly, allow about 60–90 minutes for baggage and arrivals formalities. From Charles de Gaulle, the RER B is the most economical route into central Paris—roughly 35–45 minutes to Châtelet–Les Halles—while a taxi to Le Marais usually takes 45–75 minutes depending on traffic and costs a fixed fare of approximately €56. From Orly, Metro line 14 reaches central Paris in around 25 minutes; a taxi to Le Marais is typically about €44. Drop bags at your accommodation, then head to Place des Vosges, where the arcaded square makes an easy, elegant introduction to the city. Give yourself around 45 minutes to stroll beneath the galleries and through the small central garden; the square is open around the clock, though it is most pleasant before the evening crowds arrive.

Walk roughly 10 minutes through the lanes of Le Marais to the Musée Picasso Paris in the Hôtel Salé. The museum generally opens Tuesday–Sunday from about 9:30 or 10:00 until 18:00, with later closing on some evenings; check the September schedule and reserve a timed ticket, usually around €16. Allow 90 minutes for Picasso’s paintings, sculptures, and the beautifully restored hôtel particulier—this is a better first museum than trying to squeeze in a huge collection after a travel day.

Dinner and Evening Walk

For dinner, continue a few minutes to L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers. Expect a queue at peak time, but it moves fairly quickly; the falafel sandwich is inexpensive, filling, and usually around €10–€15, with seating options nearby. Note that it commonly closes on Saturday evening and Friday, so verify the opening day before relying on it; if it is closed, nearby Rue des Rosiers has several falafel counters serving the same quick Le Marais-style meal. Afterward, walk south toward the Seine—about 15 minutes—to Île Saint-Louis, then follow the riverside west toward Hôtel de Ville for an hour. The route is relaxed and atmospheric after dark, with views toward Notre-Dame, the bridges, and the illuminated façades along the water; use the pedestrian upper quays where available, and finish at Hôtel de Ville with Metro connections for the short ride back to your hotel.

Morning

Start at the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro side, arriving around 9:00–9:30 to beat the main queues. A timed ticket is essential—allow about two hours for security, the lifts, the viewing levels, and the walk across to Champ de Mars. The summit costs more than the second floor, but the second-floor panorama is usually the best balance of views and time. From Trocadéro, take Métro line 6 toward Nation to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, then line 1 to Concorde; the journey to the Musée de l’Orangerie takes roughly 25 minutes. Allow about 90 minutes for Monet’s Water Lilies and the museum’s compact Impressionist collection. It generally opens at 9:00 and is closed Tuesdays; entry is usually around €12, with timed booking worthwhile.

Lunch

Walk through the Tuileries Garden and along the Rue de Rivoli, then continue across the river into Saint-Germain-des-Prés for lunch at Le Comptoir du Relais. It is a traditional, lively bistro rather than a leisurely tourist stop, so arrive close to the start of service—around noon—or expect a queue; reservations are often difficult for the regular dining room. Budget approximately €35–€60 per person, and leave about 90 minutes. After lunch, walk toward the Musée du Louvre via Pont des Arts in roughly 20 minutes, or take Métro line 4 from Saint-Germain-des-Prés to Châtelet and walk. Reserve a timed Louvre admission in advance and allow three hours: prioritize the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and one or two wings rather than trying to cover the enormous complex. The museum is typically open 9:00–18:00, with later hours on some evenings, but verify the 2026 schedule before booking.

Evening

Finish at the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann rooftop, reached from the Louvre by Métro line 7 from Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre to Opéra, followed by a short walk. The rooftop is free and usually open until around 20:00, though access can close in poor weather or before the building’s final closing time. Go before sunset for views toward the Opéra Garnier, Sacré-Cœur, and the Eiffel Tower, then wander the department store’s ornate domed interior. It is a gentle final stop after a museum-heavy day; check the rooftop’s same-day hours, especially if your Louvre visit runs late.

Morning

Leave your hotel around 8:00 for Montmartre, allowing 25–40 minutes by Métro depending on where you are staying. The practical stop is Abbesses for the village atmosphere, though Anvers is better if you want to approach Sacré-Cœur from the grand staircase. Spend about two hours wandering up to the basilica, looking into the small side streets around Rue des Abbesses, and browsing the artist-lined Place du Tertre. Sacré-Cœur is free to enter and generally opens from 6:00; arrive early, since the square becomes noticeably busier later. Keep phones and wallets secure around the funicular and crowded stairways.

Brunch

Take the Métro or a taxi to Saint-Germain-des-Prés—roughly 25–35 minutes—and settle into Café de Flore for an unhurried brunch. Expect approximately €20–€40 per person, with coffee, eggs, tartines, or a light meal; service is usually continuous from morning, but a short wait is common. This is more about the classic Paris café setting than a secret local bargain, so sit outside if the weather is pleasant and watch the neighborhood pass by.

Afternoon and Departure

After brunch, walk or take the Métro toward Luxembourg Gardens, allowing around 15–20 minutes. Spend your final hour beside the formal parterres, tree-lined promenades, and Medici Fountain; the gardens usually open in the morning and close around sunset, with seasonal variations. From central Paris, leave roughly 3–4 hours before your Paris–Dubai flight. The RER B is generally the most predictable budget option to Charles de Gaulle Airport, taking about 35–45 minutes from central stations, while a taxi is more comfortable with luggage but can take 45–75 minutes depending on traffic. For Orly Airport, use Metro line 14 or a taxi, allowing similar overall door-to-terminal time; add extra margin for bag drop, security, and passport control.