Europe tour in July

Old Feb 17th, 2014, 03:34 AM
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Europe tour in July

We are a family of 4 adults and will be visiting London in July this year. After spending 5 days in London, we would like to travel to few more European countries within a span of 15 days. Our tentative plan is to visit France (Paris), Spain (Barcelona) and Portugal(Lisbon), in that order, all by train, and then exit from Lisbon. Would appreciate any suggestions if we need to add some other important tourist destinations, instead of the places I mentioned. Is Madrid, Amsterdam or Brussels worth a trip ? Number of days can be increased to 20 max., if required.
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Old Feb 17th, 2014, 04:41 AM
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Not sure about Paris to Barcelona by train. I know that used to be a real bear - have you checked the most recent schedules. Flying might be a better choice.

I am not a big fan of Lisbon - but I know a lot of people like it.

If it were me I would do a trip with less travel time - perhaps London, Paris, Belgium and Amsterdam. Or if you really want Spain head to Andalusia - the most interesting part. If you take 20 days you could fly into London, train to Paris, then fly to Seville or Malaga and see the cities of Andalusia while the weather is still pleasant.
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Old Feb 17th, 2014, 04:56 AM
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There is now a direct TGV Paris to Barcelona: http://www.seat61.com/Paris-to-Barce...-TGV-train.htm

I don't understand the question asking if certain cities are worth the trip. The ones you list are all popular with tourists, whether they will appeal to you or be your favorites, it's hard to impossible to say. Besides, most places are probably worth it if you approach travel with the right attitude. I do agree with suggestion above to minimize travel time by picking places closer together.

nytraveler, I was under the impression that Andalucia was broiling hot in July.
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Old Feb 17th, 2014, 02:55 PM
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Your itinerary is certainly do-able.
The Eurostar fast train will get you to London-Paris in under 3 hours.
The new fast train from Paris to Barcelona is about 6 1/2 hrs, and it's going to be the preferred way of travel between those great cities.
You would need to fly Vueling Airlines, the budget air carrier, from Barcelona to Lisbon. I would just suggest you travel with one carry on suitcase (light)and purchase your tickets early as possible.
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 05:17 AM
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Thanks for all your inputs, much appreciated.
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 07:02 AM
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The new TGV route to Barcelona from Paris hasn't cut that much time off the trip, IIRC. Check the interweb on that.

Spain is large. Barcelona to Madrid to Lisbon is a haul. Honestly, Seville is nicer and more interesting than Lisbon, and has an easy day trip to Cordoba (the capital of the Muslim Caliphate). And Spain, like Italy and France, is not a monolith - the various regions are culturally, historically and gastronomically different.
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 08:15 AM
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I love southern Spain but it will be very hot in July. Amsterdam is a wonderful , historic city and the temperatures should be much more tolerable than aouthern Spain. It is easy to get to Amsterdam by train from Paris. I would fly to Barcelona rather than taking a train. It will be mlre comfortable than southern Spain.
As far as saying are places "worth it", of course they are. However, you need to read up on them to choose what is best for you and your interests. Of your list, Brussels is my least favorite, but it does have a beautiful Grand Place.
I love Lisbon and will return there again and again. I am glad I visited Barcelona but have no desire to return. All the cities you list have their pluses and minuses.
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 09:19 AM
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Thanks a lot friends for your suggestions. I am now tempted to revise the itinerary as follows:

London (Our starting point for specific reasons)
Paris
Brussels (Or any other place of interest ?)
Amsterdam (Exit)

Will cover Spain and Portugal in other trips.
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Old Feb 18th, 2014, 09:52 AM
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that sounds good. I think Barcelona in July would be fine, I've been there, but it is a long trip from Paris and I wouldn't want to visit Madrid in July.

You only have 15 days, so 3 major cities plus Brussels is plenty. I like Brussels, some don't much, but it's on your way and worth a day or two. It's right on the train line, anyway, so easy.
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Old Mar 1st, 2014, 03:15 AM
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A lot of people will tell you not to spend time in Brussels or that it is worth only a few hours to see the Grand Place. I really disagree. My husband and I spent 10 1/2 days there in 2011 with day trips to Mechelen, Tevuren, the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands, the Villers-la-Ville abbey, Tournai, Antwerp and Leuven. We had visited Gent and Brugge on earlier trips
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...etherlands.cfm
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