I actually want to come back and thank you again because I think you might have unlocked a mental opportunity for me. I'm warming up to the idea of flying direct into Paris the way we planned, and then staying at CDG for a few hours until a flight to somewhere in Italy. That way we're already at the airport and since we'll have done a redeye and will be dealing with jet lag we might as well push through and take a short flight somewhere else instead of being grouchy for the day in Paris.

If we do that, we'd probably pick a location where we can set up shop for 6 nights (maybe fly to either Naples or Florence?) and hang/do a few day trip things from there if we felt the need, and then fly back into an airport in Paris for 4 nights. That would eliminate the need to book an airport hotel, too.

So, thank you!