My 2nd step in planning a Europe Trip

Old Jul 13th, 2014, 12:20 PM
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My 2nd step in planning a Europe Trip

Hi guys,
So I gave it some thoughts and finally decided where I want to go, I plan to make the best out of 4 countries rather than seeing all capitals in Europe
I decided to see (Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and France)
1st um a pragmatic person, um ready to try anything new, I would prefer museums and churches, the Alps which I fell in love just by seeing some pictures, don't like party, don't drink or smoke, love History, Architecture, Quietness and Green, the only crowd I like is for football or local simple festivals,(yes um just 20 ) want to try canyoning and skydiving.
my plan is
1- Rome (4 days) 2- Florence (3 days) 3- Venice (2 days) 4- Interlaken (3 days) 5- Gimmelwald (2 days) 6- Bernese (2 days) 7- Nice (2 days) 8- Aix-en-Provence ( 1 day) 9- Barcelona (2 days) 10- Seville (2 days-might skip) 11- Toledo (2 days) 12- Madrid (3 days) 13- Burgos (1 day-might skip) 14- Paris (6 days) 15- Rouen (1 day-might skip) 16- Bayeux (1 day-might skip)
SSSSOOO my question is
1- Do you have any tips or advice in modification of the plan
2- Um running on an open budget but I was hoping to cut it to minimum and don't exceed 4,000 euro but at the same time I don't mind spending a lot on canyon or skydiving, Um doing couchsurfing and hostels, Do you have tips about the activities mentioned or accommodation or Eating
3- Um considering buying Bus pass for a month, Do you think It's better or Rail pass or air transportation and to this plan a pass or one ticket at a time is better !
I Hope all questions are answered, I'm all ears.
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Old Jul 13th, 2014, 12:47 PM
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You mention three places in Switzerland, Interlaken, Gimmelwald, both very close to each other, in my opinion you do better staying either Wengen, Murren or Grindelwald again all quite close together and better than |Interlaken Bernese (2days) Are you refering to the Swiss capital Berne?
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Old Jul 13th, 2014, 12:56 PM
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Bernese Oberland
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Old Jul 13th, 2014, 01:20 PM
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The Bernese Oberland is a geographic region which INCLUDES Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lucerne. So what third town were you considering? Might be better economically to base in Interlaken or Wengen and take daytrips. Interlaken has a LOT of outdoors activity groups aimed at a young person like yourself. They can advise about parasailing, etc.
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Old Jul 13th, 2014, 01:39 PM
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Sorry, Gimmelwald (also in BO). Don't know your exact dates in Switzerland, but check out http://www.swissvistas.com/fairs-and...itzerland.html for a month by month list of regional Swiss fests...
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Old Jul 13th, 2014, 01:44 PM
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If going to half those places by rail then a Eurailpass could be both the cheapest and most flexible method of traveling - buses run limited schedules but trains roll all the time everywhere - take overnight trains to save on day time travel time and also the cost of a night in a hotel.

Buses run at night too but IME these are often very cramped and hard to get a good night's sleep - on night trains you can get couchettes where you get a berth, blanets, sheets - better to sleep in.

Anyway check out these IMO superb sources for getting a fix on European trains and passes: www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - donload the latter's free online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of info on European trains.
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Old Jul 13th, 2014, 01:53 PM
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IN your mad dash, Barcelona is worth more and Toledo less. Madrid has three world class museums. The Prado will consume most of one day.

To understand your budget better, please indicate how many are couch nights. The best way to eat cheap is buy food as you are walking around and put in your backpack and feast when you get back to your room. Lunch as always cheaper than dinner and in Spain, learn where the tapas are free with a glass of wine.
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Old Jul 13th, 2014, 01:59 PM
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@mokka4 @PalenQ @IMDonehere
Great tips guys, really thanks
Some recommended a mixture of 3 trans methods (Train in Italy, Bus in Spain, Plane to Paris)
What oyu guys recommend !
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Old Jul 13th, 2014, 05:28 PM
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You say 4K euros for 36 nights. I am hoping that your airfare is on top of that - of you have a major problem.

Even budget trains between places cost something - and you have as far as I can tell at least 14 train trips. If you buy a pass that covers all of those countries you will still have to pay for reservations on some trains and separately for transit within each city - unless you plan on walking everywhere. And while I agree that exploring europe by foot is one of the joys of travel - you really can't walk everywhere.

And you need to allow for sightseeing. Not sure of the cost for someone your age - but I believe that the trip up the Jungfrau alone is more than 100 francs - even at the lowest price point (swiss pass and youth rate?).

But you can google and see.

FYI our younger DD went with a couple of friend 2 summers ago and spent about $8K US in less than 6 weeks - but only going to 6 or 7 places - not 16.
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Old Jul 14th, 2014, 03:13 AM
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<love History, Architecture, Quietness and Green>

In Barcelona, go to Montjuich (Jewish mountain). Close to the heart of town. Great parks, museums, theaters, and the castle with a lot of dramatic Barcelona history. The site of the 1929 World expo and the 1992 Olympics. Great views of both the city and the sea and just above the nice and un-touristy Poble Sec-district.: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Engl...SJpH1t4T6vJumh
The Castell: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Cast...R9O-WgosZ1dr_0

The old Mercat del Born is now reopened as a cultural centre dedicated to Catalan history, culture and identity. http://www.mercatdelborn.org/en/welcome/
http://www.mercatdelborn.org/en/el-b...ltural-center/
The medieval El Born district is full of history and monuments that give perspective on the widespread Catalan wish for independence from Spain: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

El Born is also next door to the Ciutadella city park with the Catalan parliament etc: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Parc...C3asFGD3oAEunc

Sevilla is the queen of the cities in the South, but I also think you should consider Antequera, the so-called crossroads/heart of Andalucia. Almost right in the middle of the Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada, Málaga rectangle. Here you'll find dolmens (some 5000 years old burial chambers), Roman baths, a Moorish Castle, Gothic churches, Renaissance fountains and Baroque bell towers. Antequera was the first of the Granada emirate towns to fall to the Christians in 1410.
http://www.andaluciacoastandcountry....era-spain.html

I love the terrace in the corner of the peaceful square in front of the Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, the first partly Renaissance-style church in Spain (built 1514-1550). Up here it's totally peace and quiet. Next to the recently excavated Roman baths beneath and looking up on the 13th century Moorish alcazaba/fortress. Great views over unique landscapes (the spectacular Torcal limestone mountain etc.). http://www.wild-about-travel.com/201...ing-antequera/

Close by Torcal limestone rock formations.
http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/torcal/home.htm

When in the area, perhaps do the Camino del Rey! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDhRvvs5Xw

When in Madrid, you have of course the famous Retiro park, but I think you would like the huge Casa de Campo park stretching out into the woods behind the Royal Palace. From here Franco troups bombarded Madrid during the Civil War, and out here was the most important frontline of the siege. Lake, cable-car overlooking central Madrid, popular with madrileños.
http://www.esmadrid.com/en/casa-de-campo
http://www.gomadrid.com/activity/par...-de-campo.html
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Old Jul 14th, 2014, 07:46 AM
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At your age, Barcelona is worth more time. Just keep your valuables close. The term "day" in travel is ambiguous. A "day" could be a day trip, it could be a full day sandwiched between two nights (e.g., I have a Tuesday in Paris after arriving late Monday night and leaving Wednesday morning), it could be one night because you arrive on Monday and leave Tuesday. If a "day" is one night, then you're going to spend a lot more time traveling than experiencing or seeing.

And WTH is "um"? Do you mean "I am"? The contraction is "I'm."
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Old Jul 14th, 2014, 09:17 AM
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@nytraveler
Yes, i know 4k are little but I calculated my budget with an extra 100 on each Transportation, accommodation, food, sightseeing, and activities and it came 4300
and i already bought my ticket to Rome.
and of course if I needed more money i will get it but I want to plan it on the lowest on 4k so if i went little extra it would be 4500, if you understand my idea
and I don't drink alcohol of coffee, I never did.
-
@kimha
you just gave me a gold mine about Spain, great thanks
-
@Bigruss
yes I'm considering one more day in Barcelona, and i'll put in mind the hours of the day not just day in general to make the best plan
And sorry I just got used to write I'm as -Um- sorry
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Old Jul 14th, 2014, 10:04 AM
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discretionary expenses are often IME budget killers - the coffees at sidewalk cafes are neat but several a day as I would like to do could cost $30 or more! Sending postcards - $2-3 per card with postage figured in.

Bring what you can from home if in the U.S. at least as many things like toiletries, shampoo, tooth paste, etc are in many places a lot more expensive than here.

And museums can cost a ton too if going to many it all ads up - look for things like the Romas Pass, Florence Pass, Netherlands National Museum Card or Paris' Museum Pass as a way to go to all the museums you want without breaking the bank - often just a few regular admissions can make one of these type passes pay off.
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Old Jul 14th, 2014, 11:04 AM
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@palenQ
I'm actually trying to include all these considerations in the plan
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Old Jul 14th, 2014, 12:35 PM
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Budget your time by nite, not by day. Then you'll know how many actual days you will have to see each place as well as how many hotel nites you'll have to book.

I'd spend four nites in Paris for a first trip (three full days) with one to be a trip to Versailles. I'd spend the others in the south of France.
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