Our first Europe Trip Planning
Dec 9th, 2014, 03:17 PM
#1
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Our first Europe Trip Planning
Hello,
Me and my husband are planning our first Europe trip next year(from Melbourne) and we are thinking to at least go for 5 weeks. We are planning to go in September as my husband wants to go to Oktoberfest in Munich. The countries of interest are as below:
Greece: Athens and Santorini
Croatia: we would love to see this beautiful country on a 5 night cruise, if I can have some suggestions for this would be great.
Italy: Venice and Rome (not sure if I can fit Florence)
Switzerland: Interlaken and surroundings
France: Paris
Germany: Munich
Netherlands: Amsterdam
I need your advice to see if this is doable and if I can include/not include any other places? I wanted to include Istanbul for a couple of days but not too sure about it. When do we start booking for flights and accommodation? If anyone have done similar, if they can share their itinerary would be great.
Me and my husband are planning our first Europe trip next year(from Melbourne) and we are thinking to at least go for 5 weeks. We are planning to go in September as my husband wants to go to Oktoberfest in Munich. The countries of interest are as below:
Greece: Athens and Santorini
Croatia: we would love to see this beautiful country on a 5 night cruise, if I can have some suggestions for this would be great.
Italy: Venice and Rome (not sure if I can fit Florence)
Switzerland: Interlaken and surroundings
France: Paris
Germany: Munich
Netherlands: Amsterdam
I need your advice to see if this is doable and if I can include/not include any other places? I wanted to include Istanbul for a couple of days but not too sure about it. When do we start booking for flights and accommodation? If anyone have done similar, if they can share their itinerary would be great.
Dec 9th, 2014, 04:45 PM
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Skip Istanbul... you already are biting off more than you can chew. Do Greece FIRST because it is a country for sunshine and summer and outdoors ... the other countries have more to offer when the weather gets chilly and/or rainy. You would have to fly in to ATHENS (2 days minumum) , then fly to/from Santorini (2 days) and then fly on to country #2.
I could not begin to advise the sequence of the rest of your over-ambitious itinerary, but can only say you will need to budget plenty of Euros for domestic flights and rail, and resign yourself to lots of time on planes and trains and stations ...
I could not begin to advise the sequence of the rest of your over-ambitious itinerary, but can only say you will need to budget plenty of Euros for domestic flights and rail, and resign yourself to lots of time on planes and trains and stations ...
Dec 9th, 2014, 05:30 PM
#3
Five weeks / six countries / multiple places in some of those countries / a 5 days cruise . . . too much/too little time.
You'd want at least a week for Greece if you are going to an island(s). Then you have to allow 1/2 to nearly a full day between every stop over.
You'd want at least a week for Greece if you are going to an island(s). Then you have to allow 1/2 to nearly a full day between every stop over.
Dec 9th, 2014, 05:38 PM
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Thank you so much @travelerjan I would definitely do Greece first and wont worry about Istanbul. I knew it will be too much on top of what I have already, so happy to skip it. I also read your trip report about Greece, it was really helpful.Are you able to give me rough idea about total coast for Athens & santorini with no super fancy places to stay & eat?
Dec 9th, 2014, 08:31 PM
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Hi again Jasmine --
For costs, hard to say, since I don't know what you in particular mean by "super fancy" ... does that mean you want "fancy" but not "super"? It's always best to give a desired budget range, and in EUROs not AUD. People like to give advice but should not have to convert currency. You can do that yourself at this handy instant site: http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ This is thoughtful on behalf of all the people advising you about costs in Euro countries.
ATHENS -- September in Athens is buzzing, lots going on, so it's definitely "in season" not off-season ... but if you put in your Athens dates at Booking.com with the sorting device of Sort by LAndmark, and then pick s your Landmark "Acropolis" -- then u will see all the hotels that are within .5 miles of Acropolis -- handy, eh? I like south side of Acropolis in Plaka district, by the pedestrian-only promenade there ... close to sights, but quiet, not on a roaring-traffic street. A hotel like Airotel Parthenon or Hotel Herodion may be about 80E double including breakfast. You can picnic for lunch or buy gyros/sandwiches ... get lunch for 6-8E. Dinner at reliable Plaka place like Byzantino. can be as reasonable as 25E for 2 including 1/2 liter wine.
SANTORINI -- If you stay in Oia, you'll have to hunt out the budget places. I enjoy staying in Firostephani, which is 10-minute walk down the rim path to Fira town, but not noisy, not filled with cruise throngs. Firostephani also has a bus stop to take u to Oia -- go in early morning before the bus & cruise crowds arrive at 9:30 or so. In September its still high season in Santorini due to aforementioned tourist-influx. My favorite budget gem, just 20 yards from the rim-path view, with balconies & roof terrace, is Villa Fotini. Maybe 50E per double including breakfast. A nearby place, just 7-8 small rooms but fab roof terrace, is Hotel Sunset. Also check Hotel Mylos, Gaby Apts, and Villa Ilias, a bit upscale (w. pool). These will all be more than Fotini ... after all, you HAVE picked the most expensive island in Greece. At traditional tavernas Like Aktaion (v. good, v. authentic) you can eat for 25E for 2 including 1/2 liter wine ... Picnic for lunch for 3-4E. You will also need to budget for local transport, admissions, etc. I can't advise on costs of nightclubbing, since that is out of my pay grade.
For costs, hard to say, since I don't know what you in particular mean by "super fancy" ... does that mean you want "fancy" but not "super"? It's always best to give a desired budget range, and in EUROs not AUD. People like to give advice but should not have to convert currency. You can do that yourself at this handy instant site: http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ This is thoughtful on behalf of all the people advising you about costs in Euro countries.
ATHENS -- September in Athens is buzzing, lots going on, so it's definitely "in season" not off-season ... but if you put in your Athens dates at Booking.com with the sorting device of Sort by LAndmark, and then pick s your Landmark "Acropolis" -- then u will see all the hotels that are within .5 miles of Acropolis -- handy, eh? I like south side of Acropolis in Plaka district, by the pedestrian-only promenade there ... close to sights, but quiet, not on a roaring-traffic street. A hotel like Airotel Parthenon or Hotel Herodion may be about 80E double including breakfast. You can picnic for lunch or buy gyros/sandwiches ... get lunch for 6-8E. Dinner at reliable Plaka place like Byzantino. can be as reasonable as 25E for 2 including 1/2 liter wine.
SANTORINI -- If you stay in Oia, you'll have to hunt out the budget places. I enjoy staying in Firostephani, which is 10-minute walk down the rim path to Fira town, but not noisy, not filled with cruise throngs. Firostephani also has a bus stop to take u to Oia -- go in early morning before the bus & cruise crowds arrive at 9:30 or so. In September its still high season in Santorini due to aforementioned tourist-influx. My favorite budget gem, just 20 yards from the rim-path view, with balconies & roof terrace, is Villa Fotini. Maybe 50E per double including breakfast. A nearby place, just 7-8 small rooms but fab roof terrace, is Hotel Sunset. Also check Hotel Mylos, Gaby Apts, and Villa Ilias, a bit upscale (w. pool). These will all be more than Fotini ... after all, you HAVE picked the most expensive island in Greece. At traditional tavernas Like Aktaion (v. good, v. authentic) you can eat for 25E for 2 including 1/2 liter wine ... Picnic for lunch for 3-4E. You will also need to budget for local transport, admissions, etc. I can't advise on costs of nightclubbing, since that is out of my pay grade.
Dec 9th, 2014, 10:09 PM
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I agree with the above: You are aiming for WAY too much. Skip Istanbul this time around -- it deserves a minimum of 5 or 6 days. Skip Croatia this time around -- I had trouble keeping my time there down to three WEEKS, although you might be able to pare that to two weeks if you are willing to skip a LOT. If you are going to Venice and Rome, then IMO, you should NOT skip magnificent Florence unless it truly holds no appeal for you.
I haven't been to Greece yet, but I have been to all of the other places you list, and agree that they are all WELL worth seeing. I would add that they each deserve enough time to see / do what YOU want to do in each place -- and that could easily mean dropping some places from your wish list. Remember that maximizing your time to actually see and experience the places that you choose to visit also means minimizing the time you spend traveling between places, getting reoriented, etc. (So more bang for the buck!)
I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (or review some in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from the train/bus station or whatever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
As for guidebooks, I strongly recommend the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet as your primary resource. I would also recommend that you consult Fodor's, Frommer's, or the Michelin Green Guides to help prioritize and the National Geographic Traveler, Insight Guides, or Eyewitness for inspiration.
Enjoy!
I haven't been to Greece yet, but I have been to all of the other places you list, and agree that they are all WELL worth seeing. I would add that they each deserve enough time to see / do what YOU want to do in each place -- and that could easily mean dropping some places from your wish list. Remember that maximizing your time to actually see and experience the places that you choose to visit also means minimizing the time you spend traveling between places, getting reoriented, etc. (So more bang for the buck!)
I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (or review some in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from the train/bus station or whatever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
As for guidebooks, I strongly recommend the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet as your primary resource. I would also recommend that you consult Fodor's, Frommer's, or the Michelin Green Guides to help prioritize and the National Geographic Traveler, Insight Guides, or Eyewitness for inspiration.
Enjoy!
Dec 10th, 2014, 01:30 AM
#8
Croatia you might prefer to island hop by hydrafoil or go yacht cruising both of which will still be active in September
Do you speak German? While Oktober fest is ok you will enjoy it more if you can speak to the drunk noodles.
Istanbul should be off the list and you may need to think about Greece if the politics kicks off again. I'd make sure I have insurance in place
Do you speak German? While Oktober fest is ok you will enjoy it more if you can speak to the drunk noodles.
Istanbul should be off the list and you may need to think about Greece if the politics kicks off again. I'd make sure I have insurance in place
Dec 10th, 2014, 02:51 AM
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Don't worry about politics in Greece — it doesn't affect tourists. When there is a demonstration it is almost always peaceful, and usually in a very small area around Syntagma Square. Tourists walking around Plaka or other areas in Athens don't even know the demonstration is taking place.
Occasionally there are strikes, normally announced well in advance. They usually don't affect tourists either. You can keep up with them at http://livingingreece.gr/strikes/
Occasionally there are strikes, normally announced well in advance. They usually don't affect tourists either. You can keep up with them at http://livingingreece.gr/strikes/
Dec 10th, 2014, 06:47 AM
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I suppose you don't want to visit countries or get an idea of them, but just visit 1 or 2 places in each country you mention. That's perfectly feasible in 5-7 weeks.
As to the Croatian coast, most cruises last 7 days. You may have a look at sites like
http://www.sail-croatia.com/croatia-...es#2015-prices
or
http://www.katarina-line.com/cruises...-dalmatia.html.
You will find tons of similar offers in the web.
Your program might then look like this:
Aug 30st: Flight to Venice
Aug 31st-Sep 2nd: Venice
Sep 3rd: Venice dp 9.55 - Split ar 10.55, http://www.volotea.com/ flight, fares start at 20 EUR
Sep 3rd/4th: Split, Trogir, Brac etc.
Sep 5th - Sep 11th: cruise from Split to Dubrovnik
Sep 11th/12th: visit of Dubrovnik, sleep on board
Sep 12th 15.00: http://www.easyjet.com/ flight to Geneva ar 16.50. Sleep at Montreux or so.
Sep 13th: Montreux dp by Golden Pass Express 9.44 - Interlaken ar 12.43, put your luggage in the lockersa and go on by bus and historic cog wheel railway to Schynige Platte (viewpoint). Sleep in or around Interlaken.
Sep 14th: other trip into the Alps. Leave Interlaken by train at 16.30 and Basle by plane at 20.40 (http://www.easyjet.com/ fares start at 60 EUR) to Amsterdam ar 22.05
Sep 15th - 18th: visit Amsterdam
Sep 18th: leave Amsterdam at 20.31 by overnight train (sleeping cars)
Sep 19th: Munich ar 7.10. Visit Munich
Sep 20th: Oktoberfest, attend to the big Trachtenumzug.
Sep 21st: fly with http://flypgs.com/ from Munich dp 13.15 to Istanbul ar 16.50. Fares start at 50 EUR (book with http://www.opodo.de
Sep 22-25: visit Istanbul and surroundings
Sep 26th: fly with http://flypgs.com/ from Istanbul to Bodrum (10 daily flights, fares start at 40 EUR, book with opodo).
Sep 27th: leave Bodrum at 9.30 by boat (http://www.bodrumferryboat.com/en/calendar.asp) to Kos ar 10.30
Sep 28th, leave Kos at 19.45 by http://www.bluestarferries.gr/ and arrive at Santorini after midnight (1.30am).
Sep 29th/30th: enjoy Santorini
Oct 1st: Santorini dp by http://www.bluestarferries.gr/ to Naxos ar 18.00. Sleep at Naxos
Oct 2nd: Naxos dp 9.30 by http://www.bluestarferries.gr/ to Pireaus, port of Athens ar 15.00. Sleep at Athens
Oct 3rd/4th: Athens
Oct 5th: Fly with ryanair, easyjet, vueling or aegean from Athens to Rome. Fares start at 60 EUR
Oct 5th-8th: enjoy Rome
Oct 9th: fly home
As to the Croatian coast, most cruises last 7 days. You may have a look at sites like
http://www.sail-croatia.com/croatia-...es#2015-prices
or
http://www.katarina-line.com/cruises...-dalmatia.html.
You will find tons of similar offers in the web.
Your program might then look like this:
Aug 30st: Flight to Venice
Aug 31st-Sep 2nd: Venice
Sep 3rd: Venice dp 9.55 - Split ar 10.55, http://www.volotea.com/ flight, fares start at 20 EUR
Sep 3rd/4th: Split, Trogir, Brac etc.
Sep 5th - Sep 11th: cruise from Split to Dubrovnik
Sep 11th/12th: visit of Dubrovnik, sleep on board
Sep 12th 15.00: http://www.easyjet.com/ flight to Geneva ar 16.50. Sleep at Montreux or so.
Sep 13th: Montreux dp by Golden Pass Express 9.44 - Interlaken ar 12.43, put your luggage in the lockersa and go on by bus and historic cog wheel railway to Schynige Platte (viewpoint). Sleep in or around Interlaken.
Sep 14th: other trip into the Alps. Leave Interlaken by train at 16.30 and Basle by plane at 20.40 (http://www.easyjet.com/ fares start at 60 EUR) to Amsterdam ar 22.05
Sep 15th - 18th: visit Amsterdam
Sep 18th: leave Amsterdam at 20.31 by overnight train (sleeping cars)
Sep 19th: Munich ar 7.10. Visit Munich
Sep 20th: Oktoberfest, attend to the big Trachtenumzug.
Sep 21st: fly with http://flypgs.com/ from Munich dp 13.15 to Istanbul ar 16.50. Fares start at 50 EUR (book with http://www.opodo.de
Sep 22-25: visit Istanbul and surroundings
Sep 26th: fly with http://flypgs.com/ from Istanbul to Bodrum (10 daily flights, fares start at 40 EUR, book with opodo).
Sep 27th: leave Bodrum at 9.30 by boat (http://www.bodrumferryboat.com/en/calendar.asp) to Kos ar 10.30
Sep 28th, leave Kos at 19.45 by http://www.bluestarferries.gr/ and arrive at Santorini after midnight (1.30am).
Sep 29th/30th: enjoy Santorini
Oct 1st: Santorini dp by http://www.bluestarferries.gr/ to Naxos ar 18.00. Sleep at Naxos
Oct 2nd: Naxos dp 9.30 by http://www.bluestarferries.gr/ to Pireaus, port of Athens ar 15.00. Sleep at Athens
Oct 3rd/4th: Athens
Oct 5th: Fly with ryanair, easyjet, vueling or aegean from Athens to Rome. Fares start at 60 EUR
Oct 5th-8th: enjoy Rome
Oct 9th: fly home
Dec 10th, 2014, 06:51 AM
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In Munich for Oktoberfest, definitely see if there's availability to stay at the Hotel Uhland.
It is a charming villa, re-invented as a boutique hotel. We loved it. Plus, it is literally a block away from the Oktoberfest grounds. It fills up very far in advance, so check it out now.
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/g...ew-454719.html
It is a charming villa, re-invented as a boutique hotel. We loved it. Plus, it is literally a block away from the Oktoberfest grounds. It fills up very far in advance, so check it out now.
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/g...ew-454719.html
Dec 10th, 2014, 02:09 PM
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@Travelerjan: you have pretty much planned my itinerary for Greece; thank you so much I will definitely be looking at all the hotels you have suggested. Yes I have chosen the most expensive and popular island in Greece so I will have be careful around budgeting.
@Kja: Good suggestion about the guidebooks. I currently am looking into some travel books for e.g trafalgar tours and marking some notes of the places we could go. But I will look into the ones you suggested.
@Biboburgler: Unfortunately I don’t speak German, do you think it’s worth to learn some before we go . We definitely will be going with our travel insurance.
@Neckervd : Spot on, we just want to visit the main sights this time around. I have been looking at the Katarina-line for Croatia cruise. I am already liking my itinerary so far.
@ Tabernash2 : Good suggestion, I am onto it Hotel Uhland
@Kja: Good suggestion about the guidebooks. I currently am looking into some travel books for e.g trafalgar tours and marking some notes of the places we could go. But I will look into the ones you suggested.
@Biboburgler: Unfortunately I don’t speak German, do you think it’s worth to learn some before we go . We definitely will be going with our travel insurance.
@Neckervd : Spot on, we just want to visit the main sights this time around. I have been looking at the Katarina-line for Croatia cruise. I am already liking my itinerary so far.
@ Tabernash2 : Good suggestion, I am onto it Hotel Uhland
Dec 10th, 2014, 02:19 PM
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Hey JV,
>[We] are planning our first Europe trip next year(from Melbourne) and we are thinking to at least go for 5 weeks.
By "next year" do you mean 2015 or 2016?
You have 5 weeks and you want one of them to be a cruise?
Please rethink your plans.
You are giving very short shrift to Italy.
Without Greece, The Netherlands and the Croatia cruise, you have a nice 5-wk itinerary.
>[We] are planning our first Europe trip next year(from Melbourne) and we are thinking to at least go for 5 weeks.
By "next year" do you mean 2015 or 2016?
You have 5 weeks and you want one of them to be a cruise?
Please rethink your plans.
You are giving very short shrift to Italy.
Without Greece, The Netherlands and the Croatia cruise, you have a nice 5-wk itinerary.
Dec 10th, 2014, 04:13 PM
#15
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Hello Ira, yes I meant in 2015. we would be definitely replan the place we want to visit now. As much as I want to see them all I know I cant in one visit. I can let go Netherlands and Croatia but not Greece, it is my must go. Might also re-think about Switzerland only because of how expensive it can be there.
Dec 11th, 2014, 04:37 AM
#16
"Unfortunately I don’t speak German, do you think it’s worth to learn some before we go"
No, I'm not a big fan of Oktoberfest, there are other places to get drunk in Germany (see wine festivals) and the real pleasure in Munich would be the comradeship and singing in the halls, unless you run into some Oz mates you will find it dull and no you don't have enough time to learn German before then to really get to communicate.
So aim to link up with Oz people if you insist on going. You also need to book hotels now for next year, they get booked up early and people come in by train from nearby towns as well so they will get booked as well.
Just so you know the World's biggest wine festival is on at about the same time on the other side of Germany, if you want to know follow my name back to a thread I started on it.
No, I'm not a big fan of Oktoberfest, there are other places to get drunk in Germany (see wine festivals) and the real pleasure in Munich would be the comradeship and singing in the halls, unless you run into some Oz mates you will find it dull and no you don't have enough time to learn German before then to really get to communicate.
So aim to link up with Oz people if you insist on going. You also need to book hotels now for next year, they get booked up early and people come in by train from nearby towns as well so they will get booked as well.
Just so you know the World's biggest wine festival is on at about the same time on the other side of Germany, if you want to know follow my name back to a thread I started on it.
Dec 11th, 2014, 08:41 AM
#17
bilboburgler: instead of making her hunt - is this the thread you meant?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-germany.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-germany.cfm
Dec 11th, 2014, 09:00 AM
#18
janis, I forgot about that one
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...es-of-wine.cfm was what I meant
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...es-of-wine.cfm was what I meant
