Phx__Traveler

My wife and I are planning on going to a couple (maybe 2 or 3) European cities for our honeymoon in May (2016). We will be going for 15 days total (including flight) and departing from Arizona. Neither of us have been to Europe and we are open to where we go. It would be nice to get a couple of things to do in each city as well as some general information like getting around and going between destinations.

If more information is needed just ask.

cathies

Well yes, we need lots more information. What are your interests? Do you enjoy museums, cathedrals, galleries etc or would you prefer to be cycling in the countryside. Is fine dining something you enjoy or do you prefer a casual meal or picnic?

Your question is really to broad to know where to begin. Try to do some more research and at least come back with specific countries. Europe is a very big place and you can successfully have a quick taste of it, but do be warned, you can't see it all in 15 days, which is really going to end up being about 10-11 days by the time you leave home and then allow for some travelling between cities once you arrive at your first point.

Arriving in London for a few days might be a good start, as you will avoid language problems while you get over jet lag and there's so much to see there, then maybe the train to Paris after that. Try to allow at least 3 nights in each destination or you will end up with a maximum of one full day at each place you visit.

I hope you come back here, as you will end up with really good advice if you are open to other traveller's suggestions.

justineparis

you would do well to book open jaw airline tickets,, on airline websites they are often listed as "multi destination"

You fly into one city,ie London.. and home from anotherr ,, ie Amsterdam or Rome.

It could look something like this:

Fly into London. spend 3-4 nights.

Then take the Eurostar train( 2.5 hours) to Paris.. spend another 2-4 nights.

Then you could take a cheap inter europeon flight (look at Easyjet) to Rome.. 3-4 nights there.. then fly home from Rome.

OR.. instead of flight to Rome, just take train(Thalys, 3.5 hours) to Amsterdam and fly home from there.

cathies

Good ideas justineparis.

tonfromleiden

I'm also with justineparis. Arriving in London has the advantage of saving your jet-lagged brain from having to cope with some unfamiliar language.
Having to choose, I'd go for Amsterdam. Easy and quick train connection from Paris, not so overwhelming as Rome, and good flight connections back home.
For a relaxed end of your honeymoon, consider staying in nearby Haarlem. Beautiful and agreeable historical city and much quieter than Amsterdam, which is only 15 minutes away on very frequent trains.

nytraveler

For a honeymoon and presumably 11.5 days on the ground (you don;t count day you leave home, day you return home and only .5 day on the day you arrive in europe since it will probably be noon before you get into your hotel and you will be jet lagged.

So you could do 6 nights in London (with a day trip or two) and 5 nights in Paris (possibly one day trip). This is a classic trip, very relaxed (if you enjoy cities) and would avoid a lot of rushing around, giving you time to just sit in a cafe or pub and watch the very different world go by. As well as seeing a lot of fascinating world class sights and getting a feel for the history and culture of two major countries.

And day trips are easy by train and get you out into the countryside.

BUT, this is what I would do in that situation and not perhaps what you want.

You really need to do some looking at guidebooks and tour brochures - to pick out what some of YOUR must sees are.

Just don't fall into the error of trying to get to too many different places. Remember each country is a different culture, different language, different transit system and complete different ways of doing things - from eating hours, days museums are open, etc).

Do a little work here and come back with more specific questions and people can help.

For instance, what is your nightly lodging budget and what are you expecting for that (cheap and cheerful, modest, moderate or upscale). Must you have AC (I wouldn't go without but many hotels in europe do not have it)? Are you comfy with small rooms (common in europe, esp in older hotels)?

StCirq

"A couple of things to do" in cities you haven't even chosen yet? Please, hit the guidebooks and maps and travel channels and internet and come up with at least a vague plan of what might interest you. There are thousands of things to do in just about every European city. It's impossible for us to even begin to peg "a couple of things." When you have even a rough outline people here will be glad to help you refine it.

Phx__Traveler

My wife and I talked about it and we are thinking of going the London and Paris Route. Another option would be London and somewhere in Italy like Rome, Venice, or Florence. We would leave on May 15th (arrive around noon on the 16th) and return on May 30th (catch a flight in the morning). Not sure when we would want to make the change from London.
- Total budget is around $8k USD ($2.5k flight, $2.4k hotel, $1.8K food, & $1.3K other). If we spend less on flights and hotels then it could go towards food and the other stuff or just save some.
- As far as a place to stay we do not need a super nice hotel, but something nicer than a motel 6. A B&B would also be an option. A/C would be needed.
- We want to do a scenic train trip from one or both of the cities.
- We want to do a day trip or two out of the city (could be part of the train trip) to a less city like location.
- We would prefer to use public transportation and not rent a car. Even renting bikes and riding around the city would be fun.
- In London we would minimally want to do the following (touristy things): See the Tower of London, Go to a museum, See a play/musical/show, see a castle, see big ben, and go to a market (for shopping and food).
- In Paris we would minimally want to do the following (touristy things): Eiffel Tower, Luxembourg Gardens, and Picasso museum.