European itinenary for first timers
Sep 29th, 2010, 06:02 AM
#1
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European itinenary for first timers
Hello Fodorites!!!
My best gal is having her wedding in Paris on July 2011 inviting me and another best bud to her spcial day. This will be a first time trip to europe for best bud and myself, so we thought of spending 5 months in Europe and visit some of our fave countries but the two of us are on a tight buget...
we want to explore this countries Spain, Italy, London, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Netherlands.
since on a tight budget, flying to one country to another is the last option( PM permits it is a go) but we only agreed to be on this countries by ferry or rail.
is a week okay for each country or two?
considering that my best and I are foodies, appreciate wines and wanna check the countryside and seascape.
any reccommendations for cheap yet clean and safe accommodations? restos? and places a must to see.
hope to get some valuable advices from you guys...
My best gal is having her wedding in Paris on July 2011 inviting me and another best bud to her spcial day. This will be a first time trip to europe for best bud and myself, so we thought of spending 5 months in Europe and visit some of our fave countries but the two of us are on a tight buget...
we want to explore this countries Spain, Italy, London, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Netherlands.
since on a tight budget, flying to one country to another is the last option( PM permits it is a go) but we only agreed to be on this countries by ferry or rail.
is a week okay for each country or two?
considering that my best and I are foodies, appreciate wines and wanna check the countryside and seascape.
any reccommendations for cheap yet clean and safe accommodations? restos? and places a must to see.
hope to get some valuable advices from you guys...
Sep 29th, 2010, 06:07 AM
#2
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What nationality are you? Do you really mean 5 months since you then ask about spending only a week in each country?
Non EU nationals can only spend 90 days out of any 180 in Schengen countries without getting a visa. All of the countries you wish to visit, with the exception of the UK are members of Schengen.
Non EU nationals can only spend 90 days out of any 180 in Schengen countries without getting a visa. All of the countries you wish to visit, with the exception of the UK are members of Schengen.
Sep 29th, 2010, 06:25 AM
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Apart from the Schengen requirements...the words "5 months" and "tight budget" and "foodies" are a bit incompatible 
So...with 90 days, what is your budget? And what are your interests? It is hard for people here to say what to do and see without that info. And if budget is backpacking, that also changes the plans somewhat.
You could spend 1 week in Pairs and 1 week in London without starting on the countryside.
There are 1 euro flights between countries, so flying is not always more expensive.
Much more details and thinking are required.
So...with 90 days, what is your budget? And what are your interests? It is hard for people here to say what to do and see without that info. And if budget is backpacking, that also changes the plans somewhat.
You could spend 1 week in Pairs and 1 week in London without starting on the countryside.
There are 1 euro flights between countries, so flying is not always more expensive.
Much more details and thinking are required.
Sep 29th, 2010, 06:29 AM
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<< any reccommendations for cheap yet clean and safe accommodations? restos? >>
Normally you would choose a city/town/area to visit and then find lodging and restaurants. It's rather pointless to suggest where to stay if you're not planning to go to the town or area.
You want to avoid cities and are only interested in the country and seaside? Other than this criteria you haven't given much to go on for recommendations. You can find good food and wine just about any place.
You say you're on a tight budget. That would preclude spending a lot of money on food and wine or lodging. Do you have any idea what a 5 month trip would cost? How much are you budgeting for the trip, hotels, meals? Any recommendations would depend on your budget. There's no point in suggest expensive hotels/resorts and restaurants if your budget does not allow for this type of expense.
As you see, more input from you is required before people can advise you. I would suggest getting a few guidebooks from the library to narrow your focus for each country and then come back with a preliminary itinerary.
Normally you would choose a city/town/area to visit and then find lodging and restaurants. It's rather pointless to suggest where to stay if you're not planning to go to the town or area.
You want to avoid cities and are only interested in the country and seaside? Other than this criteria you haven't given much to go on for recommendations. You can find good food and wine just about any place.
You say you're on a tight budget. That would preclude spending a lot of money on food and wine or lodging. Do you have any idea what a 5 month trip would cost? How much are you budgeting for the trip, hotels, meals? Any recommendations would depend on your budget. There's no point in suggest expensive hotels/resorts and restaurants if your budget does not allow for this type of expense.
As you see, more input from you is required before people can advise you. I would suggest getting a few guidebooks from the library to narrow your focus for each country and then come back with a preliminary itinerary.
Sep 29th, 2010, 09:16 AM
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5 months with a week in "each country?" Let's see, that's 20 countries. Which 20 are you planning to visit? And what nationality are you that you can stay in Europe for 5 consecutive months? If you're American, your limit is 90 days.
Tight budget, but foodies, eh? That could be a bit of a problem, although European street food's pretty tasty. But of course since you want to be in the countryside and not in cities, street food won't be much of an option. You can usually find berries and wild grasses and nuts and fruits by scavenging carefully. Be careful of wild mushrooms, though. And I suppose you could fish when staying in those seascapes. You might apply for a hunting license in certain countries if you're going to be there in the fall. Wine you'll have to pay or beg for.
Can't help with accommodations without knowing your budget and the 20 countries you're planning to visit. Maybe bring a tent.
Tight budget, but foodies, eh? That could be a bit of a problem, although European street food's pretty tasty. But of course since you want to be in the countryside and not in cities, street food won't be much of an option. You can usually find berries and wild grasses and nuts and fruits by scavenging carefully. Be careful of wild mushrooms, though. And I suppose you could fish when staying in those seascapes. You might apply for a hunting license in certain countries if you're going to be there in the fall. Wine you'll have to pay or beg for.
Can't help with accommodations without knowing your budget and the 20 countries you're planning to visit. Maybe bring a tent.
Sep 29th, 2010, 09:28 AM
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You would really do well to narrow the scope of your question and do some research.
There are great posters here who are most willing to share information, so the better the question, the better the answer.
There are great posters here who are most willing to share information, so the better the question, the better the answer.
Sep 29th, 2010, 10:39 AM
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"we want to explore this countries Spain, Italy, London, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Netherlands."
London isn't a country, that's the third time I've seen that in 2 weeks. Is there a "rogue" guidebook out there that's giving this mis-information?
London isn't a country, that's the third time I've seen that in 2 weeks. Is there a "rogue" guidebook out there that's giving this mis-information?
Sep 29th, 2010, 11:38 AM
#10
I don't think she is a troll -- per her other thread from earlier this year she is from the Philippines.
My <i>guess</i> is violet_gal meant 5 weeks not 5 months since she'd have huge visa issues to manage 5 months.
I think we should wait for the OP to clarify things a bit before we try to help her out here . . . (from her other thread - she does return to answer and ask more questions)
My <i>guess</i> is violet_gal meant 5 weeks not 5 months since she'd have huge visa issues to manage 5 months.
I think we should wait for the OP to clarify things a bit before we try to help her out here . . . (from her other thread - she does return to answer and ask more questions)
Sep 29th, 2010, 02:45 PM
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I suspect violet meant 5 weeks too.
If it were my trip, I'd probably stick with 3-4 countries rather than 5. This will give you more time in each country (obviously) so you can see a bit of the cities as well as the countryside. Also, with less moving around and shorter travel distances, you will probably save on transportation costs.
Since the friend is getting married in Paris, and Paris has good flight connections from all over, it makes sense to start there. You could do France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Or maybe France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Switzerland seems to be rather pricey though, so maybe not the best choice.
If it were my trip, I'd probably stick with 3-4 countries rather than 5. This will give you more time in each country (obviously) so you can see a bit of the cities as well as the countryside. Also, with less moving around and shorter travel distances, you will probably save on transportation costs.
Since the friend is getting married in Paris, and Paris has good flight connections from all over, it makes sense to start there. You could do France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Or maybe France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Switzerland seems to be rather pricey though, so maybe not the best choice.
Sep 30th, 2010, 08:50 AM
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Sorry guys, I meant 5 WEEKS. My friend and I narrowed places to visit.
Spain- Barcelona and Toledo
France- Paris,...but can't decide whether Bordeaux or Provence.
Rome and Tuscany
Brussels
Budget is 1,000 to 1,800 Euro
We're not shopaholics but like to bring home some pieces from places we will visit.
Wants to visit some museums and churches.
We're foodies and are into photography.
Spain- Barcelona and Toledo
France- Paris,...but can't decide whether Bordeaux or Provence.
Rome and Tuscany
Brussels
Budget is 1,000 to 1,800 Euro
We're not shopaholics but like to bring home some pieces from places we will visit.
Wants to visit some museums and churches.
We're foodies and are into photography.
Sep 30th, 2010, 09:39 AM
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<< What's a resto >>
It's not Aussie since I'm American and use the term. It means restaurant. I learned it on this board.
<< Budget is 1,000 to 1,800 Euro >>
I hope you mean per person and not for two people. If you mean for both of you then I would shorten the trip since you'll not be able to travel for 5 weeks for this amount of money.
It's not Aussie since I'm American and use the term. It means restaurant. I learned it on this board.
<< Budget is 1,000 to 1,800 Euro >>
I hope you mean per person and not for two people. If you mean for both of you then I would shorten the trip since you'll not be able to travel for 5 weeks for this amount of money.
