Please help me plan my trip!

Old Feb 11th, 2015, 08:01 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Please help me plan my trip!

Hello everyone from Canada! I am hoping to get some help with planning my first trip to Europe. My husband and I (age 28) would like to go this summer and have a maximum of 3 weeks off work to go. This will be our last big trip before having kids and I really want it to be special.

We have been flip flopping a lot about where we want to go. We would definitely like to spend some time in Italy and France. Other places that we would like to go to if we have time would be Barcelona or Amsterdam. I hear Switzerland is very expensive which is why we were thinking of skipping it (although I hear the alps are gorgeous!! - any way to catch a train past them?!?! Haha)

I have looked at a few cruises that do Spain France and Italy and thought this may be a nice option because we could do a bit of exploring before the cruise left in Barcelona then at the end of the trip in Italy. I have also heard that Greece on a cruise is nice (7 day cruise). I have also looked at the option of doing a contiki trip (or other guided trip) but I am worried it will be very rushed and stressful. As you can see - I am confused and stressed already haha

We want to be able to see a fair amount since we won't be going back anytime soon, but we also want to feel like we had the opportunity to get a feel of the places we visit. I'm nervous about going for 3 weeks with nothing guided since it is our first time to Europe (most of our past trips have been Caribbean all inclusives or small trips to large cities like Boston and NYC).

If anyone has any suggestions about perhaps an iterinary they did (which I can then tweak) any places you would not miss or any other suggestions, i would be so appreciative. We are hoping to keep the trip around $10 000 including flights.

Thank you all so much! I know I have been pretty vague but I am hoping your comments will be a good starting point to guide me in the right direction for some of my planning

Thanks,

Meagan
meaganc is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 08:17 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you want to cover that much territory, look now for cheap flights. For example, I booked a flight for 2 from Nice to Amsterdam and paid about $170 for both. You have to watch the weight and size of luggage. To see the country you can use trains or busses, or you can rent a car reasonably. If you do rent a car I would suggest trying to get a diesel. We usually rent them in France as getting a diesel is easier there. Decide if it's more important to see the countryside or hit all of the cities on your wish list and then do daytrips. Greece is timeconsuming to visit, especially if you want to see some of the islands. You need to travel by ferry. Also, the euro is not too stable for Greece right now. I think that is an entirely separate trip. Maybe Greece and Turkey? If you are open to it, there are less expensive places to stay in Switzerland. With what you just said, I think that I'd try to get a plane ticket to fly into Rome and out of Amsterdam. Don't just get a round trip ticket. The open jaw is usually about the same price. If you did that you'd do ROME-FLORENCE-SWITZERLAND??? - FRANCE -BELGIUM (Brugges and Gent are pretty) - AMSTERDAM.
If you want to spend more time, the Benelux rail pass isn't too expensive. Or you can do the Benelux/France pass. Look into it. Only go round trip if it's a low price or you are using a budget airline. I hope this helps a little.
orangeblossom is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 08:36 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My sister once visited me in Italy, coming by train from Paris. She stopped over in Switzerland for a few days, and I met her there, and we continued on to our house by train together.

We stayed in Lucerne, a very nice town on a lake, and we didn't spend very much for our hotel, which was basic but clean and comfortable. Meals were not terribly expensive, either, but we ate only in informal restaurants. The trip through the Alps was spectacular.

I think you could have a very nice three-week trip if you spend about a week and a half each in France and Italy, and break your trip with two or three nights in Switzerland.

On her way back to Paris, again by train, because her husband won't fly, she stopped in Strasbourg, and loved that city.
bvlenci is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 08:42 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My advice is always similar:

1. On a first trip, strongly consider the big 3 (London, Paris, Rome) absent some particular interest/rationale to the contrary. That doesn't mean you have to do those three or only those three but they are a good foundation.

2. You will be back, contrary to all of your concerns to the contrary, so don't try to do "too much". Having said that "too much" is relative... some would tell you to do only 2 places in 3 weeks, while I've done 6 in 17 days. My guess for your 21 days would be 4-5 places

3. Open jaw tickets are huge. Don't do a round trip into and out of the same city, as it limits your options.

4. Travel between cities can really eat into your schedule and should strongly influence both the number of cities to visit and which cities to visit. Conversely, short day trips from a base city can give you a lot of bang for your buck in seeing different things.
Night trains, while not romantic, can be an effective way to get from A to B and cover a night's sleep.

5. Don't rent a car.
RoamEurope is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 08:48 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi orangeblossom - Just wondering, you didn't mention Venice when you discussed Italy - would you skip this? Thank you so much for your suggestions! Based on your comments, I think I will leave Greece out and save it for another trip. I never thought of going to Belgium - worth the trip there?

bvlenci - thanks so much! I was thinking something similar to what you suggested. Any recommendations re: places in France and Italy to visit? I was thinking Rome, Venice and Florence and then Paris and perhaps Bordeaux or Beaujolais Region but am very open to suggestions.

Questions for all:
Also, would it be smarter to fly to the different countries then use a train within the country? I have also had people mention to me about getting a Europass but when I researched them they were very expensive (600$ a pass) so I am unsure whether this is the smartest option.

Finally, any thoughts on Amsterdam? I hear it is lovely, even if just for a day or two.

Thanks everyone for keeping positive and sharing suggestions! I hate those posts where people bash the poster about not knowing exactly what they want to do - this is nothing more than a starting point for me!
meaganc is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 08:48 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Assuming you have 21 days (not including the day you arrive and the day you leave), I recommend something like this:

1. Purchase plane tickets ASAP flying into Barcelona and home from Paris (or Amsterdam if you are super ambitious).

2. Check Vueling, EasyJet and RyanAir for cheap intra-Europe fares for BCN>Rome and VCE>Paris.

3. Plan on spending 5 nights in Barcelona. Most experienced travelers who comment on this board recommend staying in one place, renting an apartment and getting to know one place rather than 1 night here and one night there. The day you arrive in BCN will be a waste of a day because of jet lag.

4. Fly Vueling to Rome and spread the next 10-12 days over Rome, Florence and Venice.

5. Fly EasyJet to Paris for the final 4-6 days. If you insist on going to Amsterdam, train to Amsterdam and fly home from there.
zorrosf is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 08:52 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi RoamEurope - thanks for the reply! I never thought of a night train - can you sleep in these? The only train I have been on has been a commuter train to work haha

I love the 'open jaw' terminology being used - I have never heard this before - I am assuming this just means arriving and departing in the same location.

We are not so worried about going to England. While I am sure it is lovely, I would rather be able to go to Venice then England. I really want to ride on a Gondola!

You guys are awesome! If anyone has recommendations on where to stay or websites to book hotels that would be great too!
meaganc is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 08:56 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi zorrosf - Goodness you make it sound easy! I really like your breakdown - I am going to investigate it! Have you been to any of those places and do you have any recommendations on where to stay? We are open to hostels if they are a private room and we are also open to apartments but not sure how to find these?

Question for all - is $10 000 enough or are we crazy? Some people say there is no way we could do it for that and others disagree.

One other question - once you arrive to the city, how do you get around? Subway? Cab? Rent a car? and is there any suggestions on booking tickets to different attractions (e.g., going up the Eiffel Tower) where you can bypass the line?

Thanks so much!
meaganc is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 09:08 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Night trains ain't for everyone - I have taken literally hundreds and never had a problem sleeping due to my own ability to sleep - noise from fellow compartment mates sometimes... for best sleep and experience get a private compartment in the Sleeping Car as opposed to the Couchette Wagon where there are only multi-person compartments with typically six berths - sometimes 4 for a higher price - stragers and mixed sex often - sleep in your street clothes.

Anyway for loads of great info on European trains and overnight trains check these informative sites: www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download the latter's free online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of suggested rail itineraries.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 09:22 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Before you get involved in advance tickets for specific sights you need to get your outline together.

And no - open jaws means into one city and out of the final city - which is not more expensive than RT but avoids wasting a day and the cost to get back to the city you landed in.

I would stick to 4 cities/hotels with day trips - but you can do 5 if you plan carefully.

A rail pass probably does not make sense. Once you decide on cities you can check trains/or planes in between. Due to the extra time involved in flying (train is city center to city center) so for anything less than 7 hours we would use a train if not doing a road trip. But you don;t want a road trip - in europe cars make sense only in the countryside and small towns. Cars in european cities are a nonsense. Many have pedestrian only zones in the center, street parking is very difficult and putting a car (which you can;t drive around in the city) in the garage will cost $30 to $40 per night.

Within cities the best means to get around are 1)feet (plan on on walking miles every day - this is how you get a real feel for the city and 2)public transit (tube, metro, tram or bus are convenient or cheap. Taxis are fine if you are especially exhausted at the end of the day, but your budget is not high and I would avoid them if at all possible.

Suggest you get some guide books (online or library) esp some that are pictorial and the green Michelin guides and also some tour brochures. DO NOT try to duplicate a tour itinerary - independent travelers can't cover that much territory - only a group lead by professionals who know all of the local details - and herd around a group rising at 7 am every day and sitting on a bus for long days. Then pick out what YOU must see.

Also do NOT reco a cruise - since you spend maximum time on a boat and very limited time in actually seeing europe (plus ports are often a long distance from the cities they serve).

I would do the research on which cities you really must see - 5 at max but 4 better - and then come back and people can help you with a lot of information and answers.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 09:28 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We'll be taking our third trip to Europe this summer. But we're travelling with three children so the experience will surely be different. That said, you can plan this yourself. You don't need a guide or a travel company. Get travel books from the library for each country and determine what you'd like to see.

As for locations, I'd do 3, max 4 depending on its location. Each time you move is a day lost and it can be exhausting. First trip we had 5 weeks. We rented an apartment in Switzerland and took one week to visit Paris. Last trip we had 18 days and we had three stops (London, Paris and Belgium). Belgium is nice but I wouldn't do it on a first trip.

I personally wouldn't do a cruise for a first trip. You would have one day max at different locations. Not a great way to explore.

While I wouldn't choose a planned guided trip we do usually hire a guide for at least a day in each city. Either for an overview of the city itself or for a location that a guide would be useful. We definitely buy tix in advance to skip the lines (like for the Eiffel tower).

Both times we travelled by train. Much easier especially when you go city center to city center. Also, the longest ride was the one from Basel to Paris which was 3 hours. This trip we're visiting Rome and returning to Swiezerland. The train is a bit too long so we plan to fly Easyjet between locations. Less than 4 hrs, I'd take the train. Its just easier. REmember, the best prices are 120days out on many of the trains. You can run prices yourself using the country's own train company (sncf in france, trenitalia in Italy, etc) but when you do so, look at dates 120d out and then make sure you book your tix the day they go on sale. Once cheap tix are sold, they're gone. It only gets more expensive from there.

We've never rented a car in Europe. The local transportation system is way better than anything in Canada.

HTH
casperjj is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 09:57 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Meagan - just a quick note (as I am at work) about booking as quickly as possible. Please look into Air Canada's promise to drop or reduce the surcharges on international flights effective March 1. It may be worth your while to wait a few weeks.
We are going for 18 days this summer, from Canada and our budget is $10k so you will find yours quite tight. I do recommend Air BNB as many of their properties don't have 1 week minimums.
Jackie44 is online now  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 10:43 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Jackie can you provide a link for the AC info? Its the first I've heard of it and I'm still waiting for prices to drop on our flights for this summer. Kicking myself that I didn't book with the 15% discount that they had at New Years but we weren't ready to book then.
casperjj is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 11:29 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well one would think the 'fuel surcharges' would be rolled back!
PalenQ is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 11:57 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, you'd think but the only thing I can find on google is AC saying that they won't be reducing fuel charges despite the change in fuel prices... apparently due to the poor dollar. I'd love to hear differently though.
casperjj is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 01:08 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,047
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With your enthusiasm you are certain to have a wonderful trip!

Re cost, we spent 21 days in France last fall, and spent just under $8000 Canadian, including flight, car rental, everything. But we don't spend on gourmet dinners or €10 breakfasts either. We put our money into entrance fees and museums.

An 18 day Italy vacation in 2010 was about $6500, and 16 day Ireland in 2013 was $6000. London/Amsterdam about the same. $3-3500/week average,

Of course everyone travels differently, but your budget would definitely be doable for me!

Planning is half the fun, enjoy the process!
sugarmaple is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 01:49 PM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So I got home from work and checked this board and was so overwhelmed with the amazing suggestions that everyone has provided. I especially appreciate the suggestions re: the websites to find train information, flights, etc.

Based on the comments I am getting I definitely need to cut down the number of locations. We definitely want to do Venice, Florence, Rome and Paris. But, if there is an area in Italy or France that someone has been to that they fell in love with I would love to hear about it.

I did like the one suggestion from zorrosf re: Barcelona too - but I want to make sure I am not biting off more than I can chew if people think it will be too crazy!

Casperjj - thanks for the confidence boost with travelling on our own instead of on a guided trip. Has anyone done a Contiki Trip? They seem pretty pricy for what they include and a lot of them only offer one night in places. From what I am told they don't travel at night so I am left wondering how much of your day is on a bus?

nytraveler - loved your suggestions about what NOT to do! Here I was thinking a cruise was a great option to see a lot and obviously I was mistaken! I also loved that you shared some ways to get around the cities - exactly what I needed to know - I don't think we would rent a car. I can't drive well in my home town let alone another country haha!

Jackie44 - thanks for the flight tip! I am going to look into this!

QUESTION: Now that we are getting somewhere with some of the cities I am thinking of going to, any specific suggestions on where to stay? Some people recommended apartments but not really sure how to go about looking into this?

Thanks again everyone! I am one happy girl with all your help!
meaganc is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 02:36 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
To find apartments, enter "Apartment in Barcelona (or Rome, or Venice)" in the search box of Google or Yahoo!. There are scores of agencies which have short term rentals. Check the "comments" or "reviews" section of each apartment to check on details such as location and availability of a lift. You will find a tremendous variety of prices, sizes, etc. Use a well known agency and pick an apartment that has AT LEAST 25 reviews (and they all should be very favorable).
zorrosf is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 02:43 PM
  #19  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks zorrosf!
meaganc is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2015, 05:56 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Contiki tours have the reputation of being for single young people who party a lot. The partying has first priority, the sights come later in the list. There's lots of time spent on the bus going from one place to another, not much time at the sights themselves.

I don't recommend apartments for first time travelers. It's more comfortable to have a hotel that can recommend restaurants, routes, call taxis, etc. Find hotels that are in the center of the sights. You see so much as you walk around. And it's nice to be able to drop back at your hotel for a rest or to drop off shopping. It's worth the extra money to be close in as opposed to spending time and money on long commutes from the suburbs.

Open jaws flights are called multi-city on airline websites. At about the same cost as round trip, they are definitely the way to go.
Mimar is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -