France, Italy, Austria, Germany
May 31st, 2012, 09:44 AM
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France, Italy, Austria, Germany
My family and I (4 adults) are planning a trip to France, Italy, Germany, and Austria. It would be great to do Belgium, Switzerland, and the NEtherlands, as well, but I know that is a lot-unless it makes for cheaper airfare.
We will be spending July traveling and I am looking for advice on the route and itinerary.
A mix of fast pace-slow pace traveling: have time to see the tourist attractions, but not feel rushed-still get a taste of the culture of each place.
Priority: Budget and Time
Transportation *RyanAir or Easy Jet ? Train? Car?
Trip length: 3 weeks (possibly 3 1/2)
Week 1: Paris (3 days), other parts of France (3-4 days)
a. What would you recommend in France, aside from Paris? Nice?
b. Would you suggest getting a car to explore the other parts of France? If not, train? plane?
c. How many days would be sufficient considering this is the first trip and we still have other countries to visit?
Week 2: Italy-Florence (2 days), Pisa (1/2 day), Venice (1-2days), Cinque Terre (1-2 days), Rome (2-3), (further South of Italy would be great too)
a. What would be the best route to get from France to Italy? Is it best to start in Rome or end in Rome?
b.What are your recommendations about Cinque Terre? What would be the availabilities for accommodation for this July? Should we avoid weekends? 2 days sufficient? Which villages would you recommend based on that time?
Last time I took the train from Genoa to Cinque Terre. Now I'm hearing Pisa might be better. Thoughts?
c. How would you explore Italy? What route is the "best" way to go-especially if we want to do Austria and Germany next?
d. Getting around italy--train or plane?
e. If we want to explore other areas in the Tuscany, where would you recommend?An extra 2 days?
f. If there was one classical/opera music festival to check out in Italy, what would it be?
Week 3: Austria (3 days) and Germany (2-3 days) (whichever one first)
a. The biggest thing in Austria for us would be to check out anything music related. 3 days sufficient?
b. Germany-Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich. Is it best to travel by plane? Train?
If we have time, we would like to do Belgium, Switzerland, and Netherlands since we are right there. What are your thoughts? Save it?
What are the cheapest places to fly out of Europe?
Would you change the order of the itinerary?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks.
We will be spending July traveling and I am looking for advice on the route and itinerary.
A mix of fast pace-slow pace traveling: have time to see the tourist attractions, but not feel rushed-still get a taste of the culture of each place.
Priority: Budget and Time
Transportation *RyanAir or Easy Jet ? Train? Car?
Trip length: 3 weeks (possibly 3 1/2)
Week 1: Paris (3 days), other parts of France (3-4 days)
a. What would you recommend in France, aside from Paris? Nice?
b. Would you suggest getting a car to explore the other parts of France? If not, train? plane?
c. How many days would be sufficient considering this is the first trip and we still have other countries to visit?
Week 2: Italy-Florence (2 days), Pisa (1/2 day), Venice (1-2days), Cinque Terre (1-2 days), Rome (2-3), (further South of Italy would be great too)
a. What would be the best route to get from France to Italy? Is it best to start in Rome or end in Rome?
b.What are your recommendations about Cinque Terre? What would be the availabilities for accommodation for this July? Should we avoid weekends? 2 days sufficient? Which villages would you recommend based on that time?
Last time I took the train from Genoa to Cinque Terre. Now I'm hearing Pisa might be better. Thoughts?
c. How would you explore Italy? What route is the "best" way to go-especially if we want to do Austria and Germany next?
d. Getting around italy--train or plane?
e. If we want to explore other areas in the Tuscany, where would you recommend?An extra 2 days?
f. If there was one classical/opera music festival to check out in Italy, what would it be?
Week 3: Austria (3 days) and Germany (2-3 days) (whichever one first)
a. The biggest thing in Austria for us would be to check out anything music related. 3 days sufficient?
b. Germany-Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich. Is it best to travel by plane? Train?
If we have time, we would like to do Belgium, Switzerland, and Netherlands since we are right there. What are your thoughts? Save it?
What are the cheapest places to fly out of Europe?
Would you change the order of the itinerary?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks.
May 31st, 2012, 09:58 AM
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Sorry - you are already tring to cover way to much. Germany in 3 days? One each in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich - well actually half a day in each since you have to get from one to another.
Only yuo know the cheapest palces to fly into and out of - since we don;t know what airports you are coming from. Definitely fly into your first city and return from your last (open jaw ticket). In between I would do trains - since you seem to be concentrating on cities - and certainly don't have time to see any countryside given your forced march pace.
Assuming this is your first trip to Europe (and from your itinerary that's what it seems to be) - the mot frequent mistake of first tie visitors is trying to visit way to many places in too little time. IMHO - and I have been to europe more than 90 times between vacations and work - a major city (such as PAris or Rome) requires 3 days (which if 4 nightsZ) to see much of anything. Smaller towns need at lest 2 days (3 nights) to make sense.
And be sure you aren't counting the same day multiple times.
For instance if you are going from paris to Nice, you cannot count that day as a Paris day, a travel day and a Nice day. It's only one of those - not two and definitely not three.
Only yuo know the cheapest palces to fly into and out of - since we don;t know what airports you are coming from. Definitely fly into your first city and return from your last (open jaw ticket). In between I would do trains - since you seem to be concentrating on cities - and certainly don't have time to see any countryside given your forced march pace.
Assuming this is your first trip to Europe (and from your itinerary that's what it seems to be) - the mot frequent mistake of first tie visitors is trying to visit way to many places in too little time. IMHO - and I have been to europe more than 90 times between vacations and work - a major city (such as PAris or Rome) requires 3 days (which if 4 nightsZ) to see much of anything. Smaller towns need at lest 2 days (3 nights) to make sense.
And be sure you aren't counting the same day multiple times.
For instance if you are going from paris to Nice, you cannot count that day as a Paris day, a travel day and a Nice day. It's only one of those - not two and definitely not three.
May 31st, 2012, 10:01 AM
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You have been reading too many tour company brochures, and believing them. Rome and Paris demand 5 days each, and most of your other destinatuions should be 3 days.
If you plan to sleep in Europe a total of 22 night, then I would pick Rome and Paris and, and pick 4 other destinations. Make the next stop a max of 4 hours travel time from the last--not flight time---door to door. I would fly into Rome and home from Paris. Good luck in your planning.
If you plan to sleep in Europe a total of 22 night, then I would pick Rome and Paris and, and pick 4 other destinations. Make the next stop a max of 4 hours travel time from the last--not flight time---door to door. I would fly into Rome and home from Paris. Good luck in your planning.
May 31st, 2012, 10:17 AM
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Newvision, considering that you have already been to Italy at least once, I am surprised at your optimism about seeing four countries in 3 1/2 weeks. And astounded that you are contemplating even adding more countries (OMG!)
What do you do when in Europe? Arrive in a city, check into a hotel, take a city tour checking off sights and then move on? How about stopping and getting a feel for life in the city? Wandering around and seeing some little spot that's not in the guidebooks but it lovely?
Have you made sure you are building travel time into your itinerary? I don't mean just how many hours on the train: how many hours to pack up, check out, get to the train station, take the train, get to the next hotel, check in, unpack, and get your bearings? How much time will be lost standing in lines to see things? What about Mondays when lots of places are closed?
How much will you remember of these places? Will you remember whether that spot was in France or Austria? And so on.
What do you do when in Europe? Arrive in a city, check into a hotel, take a city tour checking off sights and then move on? How about stopping and getting a feel for life in the city? Wandering around and seeing some little spot that's not in the guidebooks but it lovely?
Have you made sure you are building travel time into your itinerary? I don't mean just how many hours on the train: how many hours to pack up, check out, get to the train station, take the train, get to the next hotel, check in, unpack, and get your bearings? How much time will be lost standing in lines to see things? What about Mondays when lots of places are closed?
How much will you remember of these places? Will you remember whether that spot was in France or Austria? And so on.
May 31st, 2012, 01:53 PM
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You are getting good advice above.
But if you still want to follow your itinerary. I have a Rick Steves book Europe in 22 days (by car or train), circa 1987, which is similar to his current tour
http://tours.ricksteves.com/tours/be...europe-21-days
Here it is slightly modified version which will meet your requirements.I will describe trip as car rather than train for simplicity, but trip is doable by train.
Fly to Munich
Day 1. Arrive Munich next day , train to SALZBURG (Music Festival)
Day 2. SALZBURG
Day 3. Early train to Munich, rent a car, drive to ROTHENBURG ob der Tauber.
Day 4. Drive south on the Romantic Road to FUSSEN
Day 5. Castle day FUSSEN
Day 6. Drive over the Alps to VENICE
Day 7. VENICE
Day 8. Drive to FLORENCE.
Day 9. FLORENCE
Day 10.Drive to ROME
Day 11.ROME
Day 12.ROME
Day 13.Drive TUSCAN HILL TOWN
Day 14.Drive to La Spezia, with stop at Pisa.Train to VERNAZZA, Cinque Terre
Day 15. VERNAZZA
Day 16. Catch train to car parking lot. Drive to Berner Oberland , Switzerland, passing Milan, via Gotthard tunnel.
Sleep in INTERLAKEN,Lauterbrunnen, Wengen,or Murren.
Day 17. INTERLAKEN or alternative
Day 18. Free time in Alps or explore downtown Bern. Drive late to COLMAR, France.
Day 19. COLMAR, Alsacian villages.
Day 20. Long drive to PARIS, stopping in Reims.
Day 21. PARIS
Day 22. PARIS
Next day Fly home
Option add a day, fly USA to AMSTERDAM, AMSTERDAM,STGOAR( on the Rhine in Germany) and drop Salzburg.
or add days to reach 2-1/2 weeks as you see fit.
But if you still want to follow your itinerary. I have a Rick Steves book Europe in 22 days (by car or train), circa 1987, which is similar to his current tour
http://tours.ricksteves.com/tours/be...europe-21-days
Here it is slightly modified version which will meet your requirements.I will describe trip as car rather than train for simplicity, but trip is doable by train.
Fly to Munich
Day 1. Arrive Munich next day , train to SALZBURG (Music Festival)
Day 2. SALZBURG
Day 3. Early train to Munich, rent a car, drive to ROTHENBURG ob der Tauber.
Day 4. Drive south on the Romantic Road to FUSSEN
Day 5. Castle day FUSSEN
Day 6. Drive over the Alps to VENICE
Day 7. VENICE
Day 8. Drive to FLORENCE.
Day 9. FLORENCE
Day 10.Drive to ROME
Day 11.ROME
Day 12.ROME
Day 13.Drive TUSCAN HILL TOWN
Day 14.Drive to La Spezia, with stop at Pisa.Train to VERNAZZA, Cinque Terre
Day 15. VERNAZZA
Day 16. Catch train to car parking lot. Drive to Berner Oberland , Switzerland, passing Milan, via Gotthard tunnel.
Sleep in INTERLAKEN,Lauterbrunnen, Wengen,or Murren.
Day 17. INTERLAKEN or alternative
Day 18. Free time in Alps or explore downtown Bern. Drive late to COLMAR, France.
Day 19. COLMAR, Alsacian villages.
Day 20. Long drive to PARIS, stopping in Reims.
Day 21. PARIS
Day 22. PARIS
Next day Fly home
Option add a day, fly USA to AMSTERDAM, AMSTERDAM,STGOAR( on the Rhine in Germany) and drop Salzburg.
or add days to reach 2-1/2 weeks as you see fit.
May 31st, 2012, 05:38 PM
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I don't want to pile on here but I think you will have a lot better experience if you don't try to conquor the whole continent in one visit. Remember you are spending a lot of travel time between places as was pointed out above.
I have suggested this method to others and it seems to have worked out well. Get a map pf Europe and a bright highlighter. Make big obvious highlights on the "must sees" on your list like Rome and Paris. Now make smaller highlights on the places you would like to go if there is time. Now connect the dots. If the dots are too far apart plan to fly, otherwise consider cars and trains. Remember you have to leave a few places for your next trip.
Europe has a lot to offer so your planning could be one of the most fun parts of you trip. Enjoy!
I have suggested this method to others and it seems to have worked out well. Get a map pf Europe and a bright highlighter. Make big obvious highlights on the "must sees" on your list like Rome and Paris. Now make smaller highlights on the places you would like to go if there is time. Now connect the dots. If the dots are too far apart plan to fly, otherwise consider cars and trains. Remember you have to leave a few places for your next trip.
Europe has a lot to offer so your planning could be one of the most fun parts of you trip. Enjoy!
May 31st, 2012, 05:51 PM
#7
You need to research the travel time between destinations, whether by car or train or plane. It can take anywhere from a half day to the better part of a day to change hotels and cities.
And this may sound mundane, but in a 3-3.5 week trip you need to think about when you can/will do laundry. If your budget allows, you can obviously have it done for you, but either way it requires being in a place long enough to get it done.
And this may sound mundane, but in a 3-3.5 week trip you need to think about when you can/will do laundry. If your budget allows, you can obviously have it done for you, but either way it requires being in a place long enough to get it done.
May 27th, 2013, 04:17 AM
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Wow, very ambitious and challenging. The only thing I'd like you to consider is that low budget carriers usually use airports located far outside of the city centre. Be sure to check connections as well as costs of your luggage, especially for airlines such as Ryanair.
May 27th, 2013, 04:49 AM
#10
Diana is an advertiser.
That Rick Steves itinerary is terrible, especially all the driving to cities you are not allowed to drive in.
>>>Priority: Budget and Time<<<
The more you move around, the more expensive it will be. You really need to add more time to each place on your list in Italy.
>>>What are the cheapest places to fly out of Europe?<<<
It depends on your departure airport, what airlines have hubs there, etc.
>>>Would you change the order of the itinerary?<<<
I would start in the south and work my way north in an attempt to avoid the heat and end in cooler countries.
That Rick Steves itinerary is terrible, especially all the driving to cities you are not allowed to drive in.
>>>Priority: Budget and Time<<<
The more you move around, the more expensive it will be. You really need to add more time to each place on your list in Italy.
>>>What are the cheapest places to fly out of Europe?<<<
It depends on your departure airport, what airlines have hubs there, etc.
>>>Would you change the order of the itinerary?<<<
I would start in the south and work my way north in an attempt to avoid the heat and end in cooler countries.
