mosey10

Hi,

First, let me apologize for being totally clueless. I am just now starting to plan a 2 week trip to Europe. I am a little embarassed to admit, I am 28 years old and have never been to Europe. I don't know where to begin. The trip will include my husband and our two good friends. We are 28-34 years old. None of us has any idea where to start. We think we should probably stick to no more than 2 countries right? Our first choices are Italy and Spain. The thing is that the idea of planning transfers, hotel stays, driving and such is really overwhelming. We aren't really sure we want to go the completely escorted route as we hear this can be stressful and you get little free time and are herded around. We definitely don't want that. Is there such a thing as semi-escorted maybe? Something where they transport you, help you with transfers and transportation, get you checked in, have someone travel along to different cities who can answer questions and help you if you have any trouble, suggest things to see and provide tips. Maybe even have a couple optional escoted portions you can chose or opt out of if you want? Does such a thing exist? We just really want some flexibility when it comes to what pace we explore different cities, but also the convenience of a trip guide to help us if need be, transfers, hotels...etc taken care of. Do you have any suggestions?

Seriously, we are just beginning this planning and will appreciate ANY suggestions you have. ANY! We're still not even sure when is a good time to go, so we'll even entertain different months, although we prefer to go the first 1/2 of the year. Any ideas or tips would be great. We have no idea where to start, and I learned so much on this board before our Costa Rica trip (which I highly recommend BTW) that I knew this was a good place.

Thanks!

flygirl

check out various airline websites, sometimes they have vacation packages - such as airfare, hotel and car. if you can get that down you've got it made. the rest fill in the blanks with your interests.

mamc

If it is everyone's first trip and you have 2 weeks, I would start by considering a trip to Italy and cover the "Big 3" - Rome, Florence and Venice. If you tell us a little more about the things you like, it would be easier to make more detailed suggestions - museums, architecture, outdoors, big cities, countryside, food, wine, etc. And I would recommend an independent trip. You can get lots of help on this board, the trains in Italy are excellent, the internet provides incredible resources and traveling in Europe is not difficult at all.

elaine

HI
first get over the embarrassment, I hadn't been to Europe yet when I was 28 and many people haven't. Now, take a deep breath.

Maybe start this way: choose the time of year, and a first budget, as in what would you like to spend per night on hotels per 2-person room per night? Then confirm that you've got 14 days. Then, give us an idea of what you'd like to see and do--choose any or all of these:
some time on a beach, art museums, historical sites, cities vs countryside, trains and planes vs driving. Shopping? Relaxed meandering, or more task-oriented sightseeing?
Will the four of you stay together the whole time?

What made you pick Italy and Spain, I mean, what were the factors? Would you consider two countries that are closer together?

Stay with us, it will start to narrow down.

mdmomof7

Definitely unescorted for me. So much of the experience is in reading up on where your going, anticipating your choices, judging them when you get there, planning what you'd do different next time. It's an adventure.

I hadn't been til I was 39 and then went back the next year too. I'm trying to get there this year as well! Three years in a row!

Rod

As a "rule of thumb", allowing two weeks per country gives you a better opportunity to really get a sense of it - a case where fewer countries is more. That said, I wouldn't think two countries in two weeks a bad idea, but there are always tradeoffs.

As to trip details, while one may be hard to find, a good travel agent can be worth every penny and more of what they charge - especially for a trip like what you have in mind.

Rod

semiramis

I am NOT a fan of escorted tours - too much "if it's Tuesday this much be Belgium".
My suggestions:
1. Research, Research, Research - first an overview of Europe to get an idea which countries you might like to see (BTW you are absolutely correct - no more than 2 countries). If you have only 2 weeks - just do ONE country.
2. Once you have decided which 2 countries (or even just one country) (and I suggest if you do 2 they should border on one another (cuts down on travel time), research the country/countries to see what they have to offer that interests YOU.
3. Try NOT to plan a trip for the high season - summer - spring and early fall are so much better - popular sites are less crowded etc.
4. Personally I don't book any accomodation in advance except my first night or two (no fun looking for a place to stay while jet lagged). This gives me a lot of flexibility to change my plans but it also means that you have to be flexible about where to stay. I am a B&B/Pensione/Guest House type person - upscale chain hotels bore me.
5. If you can RENT a car - the flexibilty in the countryside is wonderful. HOWEVER don't rent a car in the big cities (like Rome or Paris or Madrid). Traffic in the big cities is hell and the transit systems are pretty good. Do not rent a big car. European roads are usuually very good and well-signed but sometimes narrow by NA standards. If you rent a car, the non-driver MUST be the navigator with the map open and available. The driver cannot drive and navigate.
Good Luck. Read a lot. Plan a lot but always be prepared to change plans - some of my very best experiences where unplanned spurr of the moment decisions.

Grasshopper

Mosey, Take a look at www.untours.com. They take care of the basics and you're free to do the things you want to do. Also, gotoday.com might have something you'd be interested in.

yk

Most people on this board are independent travelers, so the answers you'll get here will be somewhat biased.

I can understand your anxiety with traveling by yourselves. What I would recommend is try some tour packages - packages meaning air/hotel included. Most people here prefer booking them seperately, but they are experienced travelers and know what they want. For 1st timers, the choice of hotels is absolutely overwhelming - so sometimes it's better if someone else (like the package) has already picked out the hotels for you (or give you a small selection).

One site I've used before was go-today.com. They have a Rome/Madrid package - and includes air, travel to/from airports, air travel between the 2 cities, and optional tours if you choose. I think their packages also allow some flexibility - such as if you want to stay a few extra days. Good luck!

starrsville

Grasshopper, I was going to suggest untours, too.

The company was started by a college professor who wanted to travel to Europe on a budget, live like a local, but wanted some structure.

Usually, you book for a one or two week rental. The room/ apartment is usually in an area full of locals - less touristy areas. At one time, a host might have met you at the airport, but I'm not sure about that. But, you have a point person at the location if you have any questions. One thing I liked about the program is that the local shopkeepers are used to seeing the untour folks come and go and reviews I've read say they are very helpful. It's a cheap way to travel independently with a bit of structure.

Gotoday has great packages some that include fly/drives & hotel - but you travel on your own.

The BEST answer to your question can be found on this board. If you are like many of us, you will become an addict as you read the wonderful posts chock-ful of information. Enjoy.

Travelnut

Another thing to help ease the planning is to use local tours for each city you visit, even if it is a "hop on/hop off" bus tour. There are good companies that provide interesting history and background as you do a 'walk' for an hour or two.

Try to list 2 or 3 places or sights in each city/town at the most that you are really interested in. Leave plenty of time to wander around, sit at cafes, do a little shopping (grocery stores are interesting!), etc.

Don't try to do it all - plan on returning for a 2nd trip one day.

FainaAgain

I am going on a "leasure" tour, which is a slow tour with a few free days tossed in here and there. Just a thought.

Underhill

Once you choose your two countries, buy a good guide book and start reading. You really need to do research to get the most out of planning and then enjoying your trip; no one but you can decide what's most important to you.

Once you've done that research, come back here with specific questions and requests for hotel and restaurant recommendations.

wliwl

Well, if I had the freedom to tour Europe for two weeks with friends and no kids, I'd probably rent a villa in Tuscany and do Florence, then I'd go to Paris, stay at a small European hotel for a few days, and then do a driving tour of Loire Valley. The other thing I've always wanted to do is to tour Spain staying at the Paradores. The friends we travel with are very relaxed - we'd probably spend a lot of time hanging out, eating, drinking wine, and less time hard-core touring. DEFINITELY no group tours. Ugh.

vanhornins

My dear my first trip to EUROPE was when I was 43 years old...part of the fun is the planning.. if you want to go first class then email our travel agent JULIE at rex travel and she can set up all of your hotels, drivers to pick you up at the airport, transportation etc. We have gone to EUROPE now annually for 10 years and she does it all and sends you everything ready to go...all the papers your itineray etc. She can help you plan out the places and what to see. But then you can get up when you want and not be herded like cattle. I personally don't like sets up tours. Do you have a passport? You can email back and forth with her tell her what you want to spend and she can show you various prices on hotels etc. You can look at things on the internet that she suggests. I have referred about 15 people who love to use her. [email protected] bon voyage Valerie

jgg

Well, let me just encourage you here as I was in your shoes about this time last year. Decided we would take our first trip to Europe (My husband and I are 40) and go to Italy with our two kids (age 9 and 12)for two weeks in March over spring break. At first it appeared a little overhwleming, and I did hire a travel consultant. But as I spent more time on this board and SlowTravel.com (for Italy) I started to feel confident with planning my own trip. In the end the consultant just booked our Rome hotel (which I picked from rec. on the internet) and driver from the airport to our hotel in Rome. Everything else I ended up doing on my own (we stayed in Rome, Venice and Florence). It is so easy to get information and communicate with hotels, etc. via the internet.

So like everyone says, take a deep breath. By a book on each country and decide which one interests you the most. Then start reading posts on this board. You will begin to get a clear vision of what you want to do. You are young and I would definitely recommend doing it independently. I would recommend just doing one country (doing Rome, Venice and Florence would be my vote.) It is so easy to get around by train.

I basically planned it myself over the internet and the whole family agreed it was the best vacation ever. I am now in the throws of planning our second trip next March to London and Paris (planning is half the fun!)

Nikki

I think if you want to go to two countries, you should explore that possibility. I like having the contrast of two different languages, cuisines, cultures on a vacation. You could check out flying open jaw, in to an Italian city and out of a Spanish one, and see about a one way flight between Italy and Spain on budget carriers. For such flights, check www.whichbudget.com.

Underhill

One more suggestion: once you decide on your countries, begin learning the basic words in each language. You'll find that speaking a little of a country's language pays big dividends.

Underhill

One more suggestion: once you decide on your countries, begin learning the basic words and phrases in each language and read up on the countries' cultures. You'll find that speaking a little of a country's language and what are seen as common courtesies pays big dividends.

Dave_in_Paris

Definitely not a fully "escorted" tour, unless it were by a boutique company and with a theme more than travel that was dear to your heart -- a.k.a. very pricey. But do think of English-language walking tours in major cities, which typically last an hour or two. We did this in Venice, Bratislava, and Cambridge, and all of the tours were great. Paris Walks also offers them, if you change direction. Don't leave this board! But for Italy, also go to Slow Travel: slowtrav.com
There's an incredible wealth of information there, and many of the regulars live in Italy, or have lived there. On this board, you're in the land of plan, plan, plan. (We prefer a few surprises.) My wife and I do like to research lodging with a few good guidebooks in hand, and then visit possibilties on the Web. I agree that arranging transportation within Europe can be a little daunting, but if you decide to go the wholly independent route, and post questions here after your itinerary is set you'll get plenty of good advice.