First Time In Europe Please Help!!!
Jul 17th, 2006, 01:24 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
First Time In Europe Please Help!!!
My sister and I are traveling to Europe for the first time in February. We are taking 2 months to travel throw Europe, Asia, and Australia. I am trying to put together a planner but have know idea what to do. if someone could give me some suggestions on what to look for and a round about cost of the trip i would really appreciate it.
Jul 17th, 2006, 01:28 PM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For starters, head to your local library and start browsing through travel books. Without some idea of where you might want to go and what kinds of things you like to see it's very difficult to offer suggestions.
Jul 17th, 2006, 01:47 PM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi K - I strongly recommend you listen to Ira's advice
Here's something to consider:
What about picking 2 countries and really seeing them well. Just consider what it would be like to have time to visit not just major cities, but tiny villages and the variety of traditions and landscapes that can exisit within even one nation. Consider it and compair that type of experience with one where you sprint though only major centers at the speed of light in order tell eveyone you've "done" such and such a place (when likely you've hardly even scraped the surface).
Just food for thought.
Get a guidebook, keep your specific interests in mind and be realistic.
Good Travels,
Murphy
Here's something to consider:
What about picking 2 countries and really seeing them well. Just consider what it would be like to have time to visit not just major cities, but tiny villages and the variety of traditions and landscapes that can exisit within even one nation. Consider it and compair that type of experience with one where you sprint though only major centers at the speed of light in order tell eveyone you've "done" such and such a place (when likely you've hardly even scraped the surface).
Just food for thought.
Get a guidebook, keep your specific interests in mind and be realistic.
Good Travels,
Murphy
Jul 17th, 2006, 01:51 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A rather easy way to do a loose Europe trip plan is to go to AAA or another travel agency and ask for brochure/catalogs of 'escorted tours' through Europe.
You can quickly scan thru the magazines, looking at the routes, some basic destination information and start getting a feel for what's available.
Make a skeleton outline and then start filling it in with real research, such as a guidebook about Europe - many choices (Fodors, Frommers, Rough Guide, Rick Steves, whatever). Go look at them at your nearby Barnes and Nobles bookstore to see what appeals to you. If you belong to AAA, you can get some books online for free and others for a small cost.
You can quickly scan thru the magazines, looking at the routes, some basic destination information and start getting a feel for what's available.
Make a skeleton outline and then start filling it in with real research, such as a guidebook about Europe - many choices (Fodors, Frommers, Rough Guide, Rick Steves, whatever). Go look at them at your nearby Barnes and Nobles bookstore to see what appeals to you. If you belong to AAA, you can get some books online for free and others for a small cost.
Jul 17th, 2006, 02:10 PM
#6
As a first timer you will all excited about seeing everything and having <b>2 whole months</b> to do it.
Then reality will jump up and bite you. 60 days is not very long for 3 continents. You probably won't divide it up 20/20/20 but just to give you something to start w/ . . . 20 days is only about enough time for 2 countries (three if you stretch it) in Europe. Or, if you just want to hit major cities - 20 days is enough time for about 4 or 5 cities (travel between places really eats into your time).
20 days is OK for Australia - you can do a decent visit in 2-3 weeks. But if you want to get to far flung parts of Oz, you would need all/most of your 20 days.
And "Asia" is a HUGE area - how many countries? If you limit yourselves to 4 countries you could get a taste of part of Asia in 20 days.
Start by clicking on the "Destination" button at the top of this page - you will get lots of info to start you thinking.
"<i>a round about cost of the trip?</i>" - Is unanswerable until you have at least a basic plan worked out.
Then reality will jump up and bite you. 60 days is not very long for 3 continents. You probably won't divide it up 20/20/20 but just to give you something to start w/ . . . 20 days is only about enough time for 2 countries (three if you stretch it) in Europe. Or, if you just want to hit major cities - 20 days is enough time for about 4 or 5 cities (travel between places really eats into your time).
20 days is OK for Australia - you can do a decent visit in 2-3 weeks. But if you want to get to far flung parts of Oz, you would need all/most of your 20 days.
And "Asia" is a HUGE area - how many countries? If you limit yourselves to 4 countries you could get a taste of part of Asia in 20 days.
Start by clicking on the "Destination" button at the top of this page - you will get lots of info to start you thinking.
"<i>a round about cost of the trip?</i>" - Is unanswerable until you have at least a basic plan worked out.
Jul 17th, 2006, 02:22 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did 2 months one time---in 1999.
We saw parts of 4 countries in Europe and barely had time for that. I suggest you plan a nice trip in Italy, France, Germany, and Austria--that will keep you very busy.
We saw parts of 4 countries in Europe and barely had time for that. I suggest you plan a nice trip in Italy, France, Germany, and Austria--that will keep you very busy.
Jul 17th, 2006, 02:24 PM
#8
I would spend the entire 2 months in EITHER Europe, Asia OR Australia... not all three of them.
This will also narrow down so your planning does not seem to overwhelming (which it sounds like where you are now). The trip you describe would be quite costly because of such long distance transportation.
Where are you starting from (your home country)?
This will also narrow down so your planning does not seem to overwhelming (which it sounds like where you are now). The trip you describe would be quite costly because of such long distance transportation.
Where are you starting from (your home country)?
Jul 17th, 2006, 04:38 PM
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A friend of mine did a trip like the one you're considering. She took 10 months - and came back talking about all the places she had to skip that she really regretted missing.
That's not to say you can;t do 3 continents - but you can only do small parts of 3 continents. You need to decide what you really MUST SEE - each pick 10 places - not countries - in priority order. then try to put them into a schedule - and I think you'll see the problem.
Perhaps you will decide on all the continents - but be realistic about your plans up front. A large city demands at least 4 days - not including the day you arrive or the day you leave. A county (London and a few selected sections of England) is at least 2 weeks.
So hone your list of MUST destinations - then you can begin to make a plan.
(And sometimes picture help. gather every tour brochure you can find - not for the plans - but for the pictures so you can identify MUST SEE places.)
That's not to say you can;t do 3 continents - but you can only do small parts of 3 continents. You need to decide what you really MUST SEE - each pick 10 places - not countries - in priority order. then try to put them into a schedule - and I think you'll see the problem.
Perhaps you will decide on all the continents - but be realistic about your plans up front. A large city demands at least 4 days - not including the day you arrive or the day you leave. A county (London and a few selected sections of England) is at least 2 weeks.
So hone your list of MUST destinations - then you can begin to make a plan.
(And sometimes picture help. gather every tour brochure you can find - not for the plans - but for the pictures so you can identify MUST SEE places.)
Jul 17th, 2006, 04:52 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would narrow it down to 2 continents.
A month in each. Dont try to see too much. Do alot of research to find what you are interested in. Do you love cities or country? Do you love art? Are you a foodie? Do you like getting to know a place or are you a person who likes to hop around alot?
These sort of things will determine what will be best for you.
Wishing you a wonderful trip.
A month in each. Dont try to see too much. Do alot of research to find what you are interested in. Do you love cities or country? Do you love art? Are you a foodie? Do you like getting to know a place or are you a person who likes to hop around alot?
These sort of things will determine what will be best for you.
Wishing you a wonderful trip.
Jul 17th, 2006, 05:26 PM
#13
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll just assume this is not a troll. If you are serious start by looking at the routes taken by the big bus tours to get an idea of the highlights then plan around that. You can pick up their catalogs at a travel agent if you can still find one. If not try the internet.
Jul 18th, 2006, 01:24 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dear K,
>Ireland, Amsterdam, Italy, Spain, Greece, Nepal, and Australia. <
Amsterdam is a city.
Australia is a continent.
The others are countries on 2 continents.
You haven't made any progress.
>Ireland, Amsterdam, Italy, Spain, Greece, Nepal, and Australia. <
Amsterdam is a city.
Australia is a continent.
The others are countries on 2 continents.
You haven't made any progress.
Jul 18th, 2006, 01:27 PM
#17
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,874
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also, I guess you will have to pack for summer and winter if you are including Europe and Australia.
How about picking 8 cities and renting a small apartment (with kitchen and washing machine) in each city? You could take day trips if you desire, but then you might be able to get some rest and cook a few meals yourselves.
How about picking 8 cities and renting a small apartment (with kitchen and washing machine) in each city? You could take day trips if you desire, but then you might be able to get some rest and cook a few meals yourselves.
Jul 18th, 2006, 01:37 PM
#18
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
..Please reconsider!!Only 1 continent.You are wasting your time IMO by being so superficial. I spent 3 wks last year in SE Asia and loved it but was travelling with a friend who had spent 6 weeks travelling before she connected up with me. I just touched Thialand and had a brief very limited snap shot of Laos. My travel companion felt the same way and she was away 2 1/2 months. Please think carefully about what you want to get from this trip, what kind of weather you are willing to put up with, and decide whether it is sightseeing, sports, hiking, cultural. Once you have this clear in your mind you might then start planning.
Jul 18th, 2006, 01:44 PM
#19
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do reconsider kellyann. Travelbunny is right - one continent.
You are going to end up spending a fortune on transportation. Tripping through countries that are adjacent to each other makes good itinerary sense. Pull out a map and consider how much extra $$$ and time it will cost to skip around all over the place.
I spent 2 months in just one European country and didn't even come close to seeing all I wanted to. Not even close.
Good Travels,
Murphy
You are going to end up spending a fortune on transportation. Tripping through countries that are adjacent to each other makes good itinerary sense. Pull out a map and consider how much extra $$$ and time it will cost to skip around all over the place.
I spent 2 months in just one European country and didn't even come close to seeing all I wanted to. Not even close.
Good Travels,
Murphy
