latebloomer

I'm on week 2 of a 6-week trip, traveling solo. First week was in week in Berlin; I'm currently in Prague. I am scheduled to spend another few days here and then the plan was Kraków, Budapest, Madrid, Seville, Granada, and Barcelona. I was to fly from Budapest to Madrid on June 14 and return from Barcelona to US June 30.

Two things are going on. First, I'm having pain in both shins/ankles from walking. I've never had this condition before, but it's enough of an issue that I need to lay off the walking for awhile. Second, the weather here hasn't been good - cold, overcast, windy and rainy. It's just short of miserable for someone from Los Angeles and especially so for me, who needs to wear a sweater if it's below 74 degrees. I've bought a warm fleece and a windbreaker/waterproof jacket, but honestly, I'm not enjoying myself.

Looking at the rest of this trip, I decided I've got to change course, even though it will be expensive and I'll have limited options because I'm making arrangements at the 11th hour. My primary goal is to give my ankles a good rest before Spain. But I also want to enjoy the precious time I have in pleasant weather.

The first thing I plan to do is scrap Kraków (eating 6 nights of non-refundable hotel accommodations). The second thing I'm doing is inquiring whether my Budapest hotel can take me 6 days early. While I'll have to walk in Budapest, at least it will be warm and I'll lose less $. I'll just scale back on my itinerary.

If the Budapest hotel can't take me early, I think I have to scrap both locations, as I can't think of a place I could go that's a reasonable distance between Prague and Budapest that would be warm enough and quiet enough that I could lay on a beach or by a pool and try to recover. (I've had no time to research, having decided 15 minutes ago that I need to bite the bullet and make some changes. And at this point, I've got the Internet and you....)

If Budapest works out and I can move my stay up by 6 days, that will leave me with roughly a week before Spain. I was thinking of going to Begur (or somewhere else on Costa Brava) or Nice/Cote d'Azure for the week between Budapest and Spain. (If the Budapest hotel can't move me up, I may well be looking at 2 weeks to fill before Spain.)

I was just in Nice last year, but I loved it, it's flat, and it would be easy b/c it's familiar. I know the beaches aren't great for lounging or walking b/c of the rocks, however. I don't know enough about the rest of the area to know whether there are other good base city options.

Begur looks stunning and it has the huge advantage of being in the same country as the balance of my trip, but I'm wondering if it's so quiet that being there alone for a week (or perhaps 2) would drive me a bit nuts. I'm unfamiliar with other areas on Costa Brava, but open to ideas.

Anyone willing to take this mess?

annhig

oh dear - first of all my heartfelt sympathies - I often suffer from sore feet and though nowhere near as bad as your condition, I know how miserable painful feet can make you.

What a shame you are going to have to miss Krakow - but I know that it is primarily a walking city, which won't suit you.

I don't know Begur but looking at TA it doesn't look as if there is a lot to do there. What about somewhere like Valencia? it will be warmer, there are a lot of things to see in a very small area, you could get a cab to/from the beach, and the food is good and cheap - a 3 course menu del dia for about €10. it is also an easy train ride to/from Barcelona which is a plus for you.

theecoquest

Hi Latebloomer,
So sorry to here about your situation, I had a similar problem, started a two year trip, pulled my back getting on the train and found out I had scoliosis, got stuck in Budapest for 55 days whilst I waited for the pain to ease.

I hope the Budapest hotel can accommodate your request as there are many medical doctors working in the Thermal Spa's who might be able to suggest some treatments for your condition. Otherwise in Hungary an other option could be to go to lake Balaton or round Lake Heviz where you will most certainly be able to relax around the natural thermal lake.

Another option could be to take the train from Prauge to Bratislava - 4 hours away, a very beautiful and small city, excellent value for money (74 degrees at the min)

Valencia is a great idea for Spain.

StuDudley

Can you get to Provence, get a place with a pool, and "veg out" there??? Perhaps stay in the Luberon or St Remy.

Fly to Paris and then take the 2 3/4 hr TGV to the Avignon TGV station.

Stu Dudley

Andrew

Sorry to hear you are not enjoying your trip at the moment. Maybe after a day or two of resting your legs will rebound? I find that my feet feel really sore for a day or two but seem to come back quickly if I take it easy for a bit.

I just got back from Croatia - my second visit. Loved it. If you want some more ocean time, you might detour down there. I see SmartWings has cheap flights (even next week) from Prague to Split, Croatia. From Split, you could explore an island or two like Hvar, bus or ferry down to Dubrovnik, etc. It looks ridiculously cheap to fly from Dubrovnik to Barcelona in June. Check Kayak.com .

Either way, I hope you feel better and start having more fun soon!

sfmurphys

I think your trip will improve immediately if you can get the pain under control. Maybe you have shin splints? Ice, ibuprofen, and rest might help. A pool or spa in Budapest might be just the ticket!

Also, get yourself a pair of running shoes with good support and don't worry about fashion.

thursdaysd

Much sympathy! Been there done that - my first Fodors' TR was titled "The Sore Foot Tour" - and included Budapest. I hope you can move the time for Budapest up - it has good public transport, and then there are the baths - helped with my bad ankle on my last visit. Is your Budapest hotel prepaid or can you cancel?

I was thinking about Ljubljana if you want to head south, but that might be too much walking.

Gretchen

I'm with Murphys. Why not soak/ice your legs in the hotel you have for a few days in the hope of a good future. I also think Ibuprophen will help--sort of large doses for a short time. Go see a doctor. Stay put somewhere and treat?

quokka

Treat yourself to a pack of Voltaren forte (the cream, not pills) from the nearest pharmacy.

flpab

Voltarol gel is wonderful and they have patches now. Panadol is the best for pain. I think you should be able to get both otc. I would rest for a couple of days with your feet up. Stretch good in the morning and soak at night. Bus tickets, cabs even if you can do a little walking. So sorry. I think we totally lucked out in Germany last week with great sunny warm weather.

nytraveler

The problems with your shins are very unfortunate - but Prague really isn't any colder than Budapest - just a day later in weather. And I don;t see any cold - the next few days will go into the 70s and low 80s (too hot for me).

If you want really warm weather I would head directly to Spain, since most anyplace else the wether (changeable at a day's notice) may not be warm enough for you. (I've been in Nice in June when the highs were about 70 and 50s at night. Granted, not average but perfectly possible.)

Also for the future - if you want temps in the 70s and 80s being north of the Alps is always risky. And I've had some rain on every european trip of more than 2 or 3 days - so that should be expected.

You will probably do best in finding a resort where you can just veg out for at least a week - and have an MD look at your shins - before moving on to anyplace that requires touring/walking.

And the info about comfortabel shoes that are

nytraveler

The problems with your shins are very unfortunate - but Prague really isn't any colder than Budapest - just a day later in weather. And I don;t see any cold - the next few days will go into the 70s and low 80s (too hot for me).

If you want really warm weather I would head directly to Spain, since most anyplace else the wether (changeable at a day's notice) may not be warm enough for you. (I've been in Nice in June when the highs were about 70 and 50s at night. Granted, not average but perfectly possible.)

Also for the future - if you want temps in the 70s and 80s being north of the Alps is always risky. And I've had some rain on every european trip of more than 2 or 3 days - so that should be expected.

You will probably do best in finding a resort where you can just veg out for at least a week - and have an MD look at your shins - before moving on to anyplace that requires touring/walking.

And the info about comfortabel shoes that are

sassy27

Sfmurphys beat me to it, sounds like you might have shin splints. I used to get this often in my younger days playing soccer and it sure does hurt. We were told to use ice and take it easy for a while. After a few days, it wasn't so painful and still took it easy for a bit. I know the weather sounds terrible but could you still carry on but just find easier things to do? I know I've been on vacation and actually welcomed the slower pace with just hanging around a bit when faced with being bored or bad weather. If not, maybe getting to France would be better.

Cathinjoetown

Very sorry about your pain.

I just checked weather forecasts for Krakow and Budapest next week. Krakow's forecast is high's in the high 70s, low 80s; Budapest ranges from low to high 80s.

Based on those temps, not too much difference but possibly you're concerned about extra moving around and handling luggage?

Airports for me are killers, if you have any plane reservations or are making any new ones, ask for help getting to and from the aircraft.

The baths and spas in Budapest might bring you some relief. Gel pads for the heels of your shoes.

Nice is mostly flat with great public transport up in to the hills if you want to go to the Matisse or Chagall museums, both small. Transport, bus and train, along the coast is easy, cheap and flat. Cannes has prettier beaches than Nice with great beachside services. The beach is about the equivalent of 2-3 blocks from the train station.

It has been cold in France but supposed to heat up this week, we've had fires in the woodstoves 3 nights recently (SW France).

Good luck, I have to take lots of taxis and buses these days, saving the walking for the sights.

isabel

So sorry for both your problems. But - before you do anything drastic like eating 6 days of hotel reservations, etc. make sure you've tried everything you can. The weather is going to change day to day - I just did a quick look and Krakow is upper 70s and mostly sunny for the next week or so. Northern Europe ( like the northern US - which if you are from LA you aren't used to) really can't predict the weather more than a few days out and is really likely to change frequently. So you shouldn't make plans for the next two weeks based on weather.

What have you tried so far for your feet/legs? Do you have different shoes with you? Go buy a pair of really comfortable walking shoes or sandals. I find that even shoes that I have worn comfortably at home to go to work, grocery shopping, dog walking - they just don't hack it on a trip. So get some different shoes. Then you need drugs. Try Tylenol and Ibuprofen at the same time. Better than trying to do large doses of one or the other. You can take them safely together if you don't take more than recommended dose of either. But you may well need something stronger, along the lines of Percocet or it's equivalent. Go to a pharmacy and if they can't help you see a doctor. It will be considerably cheaper than changing your travel plans. The voltaren gels/creams are a good idea as well but for serious pain that won't do it. Of course you probably need at least two or three days of no walking but changing your travel plans will require you to walk around airports/train stations and you'll be wasting a few vacation days anyway so better to just hang with a book in a cafe or your hotel room for a few days.

Let us know how you do. Good luck.

latebloomer

Thanks all. I have been wearing good running shoes and taking ibuprofen. (This surfaced a few days ago, out of nowhere.). Now I'm icing and elevating. I'm familiar with Voltaren. It never worked for my back, but I'll look into getting some at a pharmacy for my shins and ankles.

Staying put until I figure out whether I can go to Budapest early. It may not be warmer, but it does have thermal baths.

You've given me some terrific alternatives to consider. It's a bit overwhelming at the moment, as there are a lot of moving parts. If I can start feeling better physically, I'll work the rest of it out.

And yes, I realize the pain (and Prague's terrain) are magnifying my weather-related discomfort. Everyone around me is in the same weather, but they seem to be enjoying themselves nonetheless. I just have to buck up.

debinthepeg

I agree with others about getting your pain under control. Once you do, I also highly recommend doing some daily stretching, especially your shins and calves. It's amazing how much discomfort these muscles can cause when they're tight. Google to get some good ideas. I suffer too and will take some time during my walking for a good stretch break. I also make sure I stretch and ice at the end of the day when I need too.

Maybe also consider a good pair of sandals such as Birkenstocks when you want a break from your running shoes, especially when you reach your hotter destinations.

Good luck. I really hope you are able to enjoy the rest of your trip.

Stephany

This happened to me in Portugal.. went to a pharmacy, they gave me elastic socks and anti-inflammatory cream. I was fine within couple of days. I think you can do the same in Prague.

sandralist

If you haven't already canceled your non-refundable reservations, I would just go through with your destinations as originally planned, but can the sightseeing and spend time goofing off in cafes and your hotel room watching bizarre foreign TV!

Samuel Butler once wrote that one of the little-known but best of life's pleasures was to be mildly sick in a foreign city, unable to rush about. I know what he means! Spend your money on taxis and fancy cafes or louche bars. Hopefully your hotel isn't too dreary to enjoy hanging out a bit (do they have room service)?

Drink Polish vodka. You won't feel the cold or the pain.

I also think many days of soaking in a bath in Budapest might do wonders for your legs. Take the time in Krakow to see if you can get a diagnosis from a podiatrist or any good specialist about exactly what the problem is, and no doubt you will be given a remedy.

But I am afraid if you go to Nice or Spain you will be tempted to walk too much, and then sooner or later you'll be spending all your time in your hotel room, or going home.

So rather than not go to Krakow, go to Krakow but don't bother seeing Krakow. Instead, use the time to recoup (cheap place to do it), and take it easy in Budapest in the baths.

sandralist

From Butler's The Way of All Flesh:

"I remember being ill once in a foreign hotel myself and how much I enjoyed it. To lie there careless of everything, quiet and warm, and with no weight upon the mind, to hear the clinking of the plates in the far-off kitchen as the scullion rinsed them and put them by; to watch the soft shadows come and go upon the ceiling as the sun came out or went behind a cloud; to listen to the pleasant murmuring of the fountain in the court below, and the shaking of the bells on the horses’ collars and the clink of their hoofs upon the ground as the flies plagued them; not only to be a lotus-eater but to know that it was one’s duty to be a lotus-eater."