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Hi All,
My husband and I (27, 24) are trying to plan our second trip to Europe. We went last May to Italy and Paris--> flew into Rome, train to florence, venice and then flew again to Paris- in 2 weeks time.; had the best time! I know I want to go back to Europe but not sure where to start- honestly I LOVED Italy and would just do the same thing we did last year, but that would just be a little ridiculous. We are thinking of going either sometime June or July, probably for also 2 weeks. Problem is I dont know where to start! Id like to see the Amalfi coast and Greece, but also Ireland, Spain, and Switzerland- oh gosh i need help! obviously I realize we cant do all this at once, but any suggestions on itineraries for Europe would be helpful!
Thanks!!
2nd Trip to Europe
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You might want to start you research by reading a few of Maribel's Guides to Spain, Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo, Granada, the País Vasco (Basque country)and the Rioja come to mind. They are still a free download.
www.maribelsguides.com.
Think of it this way: since it sounds like you are hooked on overseas travel and will probably return to Europe in the coming years more than once, why not start planning two or three trips? You don't have to get far yet - just pick up a few travel books and scribble a few notes. OK, so one trip you do Ireland and perhaps the UK. Another trip you do Greece. Then you can pick one this time - maybe one trip plan will grab you for some reason as you research it and you'll run with it. Do another trip next time.
I've often started planning future trips a year or more in advance, then put them aside and gone later. I was originally hoping to get to Italy in 2001 but didn't finally get there til 2007. For whatever reason, I visited other parts of Europe first. Sometimes I talk to someone who has just gotten back from somewhere and they get me excited to visit and that's what directs me to go there instead of somewhere else on my list.
Also, like many here I like to return to some of the places I've already enjoyed on past trips - nothing wrong with that. On my last trip in October I spent three weeks in Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and France and that included return visits to Venice and Paris but lots of new places as well. It's fun to revisit places so you aren't completely lost when you get there and can explore them more in depth or just enjoy them again while part of the trip is entirely new stuff.
Hi ChivTrvlr,
Andrew, I so agree - putting together different trip itineraries always helps you focus on what you really want to do this time around, thus where you want to go. Decide what your mood is for this trip - beach relaxation or museums? shopping or walking through the countryside? fine dining or rustic? I always have a couple of trip plans on file and the research isn't wasted.