daveesl

Ok, we did our FF thing. Original idea was to spend 3 weeks in central Europe, then thought about China but that didn't work out, so back to Europe. We decided to expand the trip, so 3 weeks have turned into 4 1/2. We've got the tickets, and have a really open itinerary.

We start in Amsterdam, June 29. Leave from Munich July 31. Anyone have some neat thoughts. Oh, we live in Florida, so while we can handle the heat, it isn't our favorite.

We like inexpensive. We like rural. We like experiencing culture. I speak "at" 4 languages. Don't mind driving, but we are considering trains for most of this. Will take the occasional flight if needed.

Our only absolutes for now is that we want to spend about 5 days in Paris and 5 days in Bavaria.

So come on fellow Fodorites, give me some ideas. I only have 7 months to plan this...ha ha.

dave and regina

DalaiLlama

This looks mostly like two one-way drop-off car rentals to me, for the freedom it provides.

After a few days in AMS, get wheels (to be dropped off in Paris) and make your way to the South - slowly, lots of stopping, avoid the expressways. Into Belgium - a gem of a country for those who take the smaller country roads and are willing to detour and "go look" at anything that takes your fancy.

After two weeks of this you could get to Paris. Ditch the car.

From there, a cheap flight if you find one (www.skyscanner.net or www.whichbudet.com - too early to find full timetables just yet) or fast train to Munich, check out the city, then get a car and gallivant around the region - too many treasures to list.

Look for Zimmer Frei (rooms vacant) signs in private homes and small lodgings (Gasthaus, Pension etc,) in out-of-the-way villages and small towns - no need to reserve, enjoy the freedom.

This is just one of hundreds of ways of doing it - enjoy!

Dutch

With that much time I would rent a thatched cottage in Denmark somewhere between Copenhagen and Helsingor along the Oresund for 1-2 weeks and explore Denmark in depth.

hetismij

Please spend a few days exploring the Netherlands, getting away from Amsterdam and out into the countryside. The best way to this is to hire a car, or if you are up for it to get the train somewhere and hire bikes to really appreciate the scenery.
The Netherlands is so much more than just Amsterdam.

hetismij

Oh, and one way international car hire is very expensive. Car hire companies generally don't object to cross border travel (though check your insurance on this) as long as you return the car to the country you rented it from.

Cowboy1968

I would refrain from one-way rentals across borders. The additional fee can be quite steep.

You don't necessarily need a car to explore the Netherlands and Belgium, and if you just want to go from AMS to Paris, the train will be best, IMO.

Since you will be traveling at that time of year, Provence could be on your list with lavender blooming. A rental car is great to explore that region. Getting there from Paris is more stressless with the TGV.

It's also a good time of year for the mountains... Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol/Italy.

Actually, with that much time available, you can go almost anywhere by plane (which will not cost much if you book ahead in time).

Also secondings Dutch's suggestion: Do not forget Northern Europe! You will be traveling around midsummer, and Denmark, Norway or Sweden may be expensive, but very impressive when the sun does not set but for 1-4 hours.
You will find many ideas about Norway's natural beauties when you search for "norway in a nutshell".

ira

Hi D,

>We start in Amsterdam, June 29. Leave from Munich July 31. <

That gives you over 6 mos to make up your itinerary and plan your accomodations.

After you have that, come back and we will help you improve it.

bobthenavigator

You will want the French car buy back program, and it is better to pick up and drop in France but Munich also works--I have done that. Look at Kemwell for details. I have some ideas for you but am not sure where you have been. My loop would train to Paris from Ams. and then hit Provence, Cote d' Azur, Swiss alps, Italy lakes, the Dolomites, Salzburg and Bavaria. That works geographically and also weather wise.

daveesl

I like the ideas about doing a slow trip around. Hadn't really thought about spending a week or so traveling to Paris from AMS, but that could be interesting.

With the car, I'm wondering if this would work. Train down from AMS to say Cologne. Pick up the car in Germany, drive to Paris and where ever and end up returning it in Germany (Munich) a month later. Anyone ever done that?

I love driving long distances and seldom do trains. I just thought it might be cool to do some trains too. However, if I do the giant RT with the car, then the train would not be needed.

The initial thought is now to start in AMS, get to Paris (however we do that), from Paris go down to Avignon/Nimes area. Across to Milan and maybe Venice (yeah I know that might not be the best idea in July). Then up through Austria to Bavaria. We found a neat place in Bayerisch Eisenstein. DW really wants to go to Prague for a few days, so that works from there.

I am so used to helping others plan, this is really great picking all of your brains this time.



dave

bobthenavigator

Look at the lease program--there are only limited places to pick up cars and most are in France--and less costly picking up in France. If you plan to have a car for 17 days plus then it makes sense.

Cowboy1968

Inexpensive and traveling thru half of Europe by car does not really compute.

Try viamichelin.com for a routing of your planned trip and check the additional costs you get quoted for:
> Gas (e.g. for a 2000mls round trip with a medium sized car will cost appr. €400)
> Motorway Toll (in France, Italy), by distance driven
> Motorway Toll Stickers (Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic)
> additional tolls for tunnels (if applicable)

For sake of reality, I would also add money for parking (can be expensive in cities/ hotel garages), and the odd speeding or parking ticket.

daveesl

Hey all, you'll see I've started a new thread. Looks like we are considering renting an RV (small one).

The ideas here are still very important. As to the lease, it was actually cheaper to rent a car. But the RV is just a bit more than double the car cost.

Ah, I love to flop ideas around months before a trip. Yeah, I'll probably end up flying into AMS, take a train to Moscow and end up in Beijing.



dave

BetsyG

Don't miss Bruges in Belgium, can be on your way from AMS to Paris. Spend a couple of nights, the tourists come in the day but leave in the afternoon so it is much nicer in the evening.