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Where in Europe for 15 full days from 21 Oct to 6 Nov 2016?

Where in Europe for 15 full days from 21 Oct to 6 Nov 2016?

Old Sep 23rd, 2016, 07:37 PM
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Where in Europe for 15 full days from 21 Oct to 6 Nov 2016?

We are having a bit of trouble in actually going for a trip that we plan / book for! Original plan was Paris + South of France for 15 days in Sep 2016, which got changed because of visa appointment availability issues to Greece (Athens + Delphi, Meteora, Naxos, Santorini, Athens) for 15 days in end Sep-early Oct. That got cancelled because of work reasons. Now we are looking at new dates.

We are flexible about where we go in Europe although we do have some preferences ofcourse. I have been to Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Salzburg, Venice, Florence, Rome, Perugia, day trips within Tuscany and Umbria, Amalfi, Madrid, Segovia, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Barcelona, Paris, etc. I'd like to go to new places although I don't mind repeating a few places. Plus places like Paris deserve several visits. Husband has not been to Europe (barring UK) so anything is going to be new for him, although he does want to go to Paris, if it's a good time of the year (which many would think is throughout the year!).

I'd hate for the weather to be a dampener in his first Europe trip, weather-wise or simply because the tourist season is over and hospitality establishments are shut or ticketed attractions' hours are limited. Considering weather (rains, cold, daylight hours, etc), timings of attractions, restaurants and local businesses being open, etc, where in Europe would you suggest us to go? We can fly off on 21 Oct evening and fly back on 6 Nov 2016. Trying to see if these dates work for the Europe trip we have been planning for a while.

Kindly treat my 5 country tags as slight inclinations, and suggestions are welcome for any destination covered within the Schengen zone.
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Old Sep 24th, 2016, 12:59 AM
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Nobody knows what the weather will be like, these days, but chances are pretty good that you'll have some light rain and some sun during your stay. The temperature should still be fairly mild during the day, but will dip about 8 - 10 degrees Celsius in the evening.
It will get dark around 5 PM.

Everything will be open, and there are lots of expositions during the Fall. Tourism levels are down by about 28%, so you should have no trouble doing whatever you want to do.

This is in Paris, anyway.
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Old Sep 24th, 2016, 04:06 AM
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One idea. Paris through Champagne country to Strasbourg through the Vosges to Freiburg to Basel and fly back from there. Will you be driving? Train connections are good between all of these places.
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Old Sep 24th, 2016, 04:49 AM
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I think Paris and the south of France (your original plan) would be fine. With Paris it doesn't matter what the weather really as there is so much inside stuff to do. Getting dark early is not a problem as the city is so well lit - and on rainy days it looks better after dark (light reflecting in the wet streets, etc.).

Where in the south of France were you thinking of going. Inland cities like Avignon, Aix, Arles, etc. won't be much different than earlier in the season. Nice is a large city and won't be any different. I was there in November a few years ago and it was great. Did day trips to Eze, Villefrance, Antibes, etc. They might have been quieter than in mid summer but not something to avoid really. Perhaps some of the coastal beach resort towns you might want to skip at this time (or see what they are like off season).
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Old Sep 24th, 2016, 08:18 AM
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For those months, I would highly recommend Italy, it is beautiful that time of the year1
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 06:15 AM
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Fuzzbucket, we are keen on Paris. What do you suggest pairing with Paris for the remaining duration of the trip? We have net 15 days excluding flying in and out days.
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 06:18 AM
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Envierges, could you share why you suggested the places you did, after Paris, that is? Quite unique auggestion by the way. How about the weather at these places?
We would prefer to use public transportation. If only driving makes going to an area worthwhile and public transportation is limited and countryside is scattered and driving is easy, can drive for a portion of the trip.
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 06:21 AM
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Isabel, what about temperatures, rain, daylight hours in inland towns? I have already checked weather websites and don't mean to ask exact numbers. But do you still think south of France (although a large area I mention lumped together) would make sense? And what impact would the weather have on what we don't do or do..?
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 06:32 AM
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Brenkjtravel, in my heart, anytime is Italy time. I love it. But what about weather? What specific parts of Italy would you suggest to skip and which ones to focus on? Really don't want too much rain or cold winds and early sunsets to make the experience less enriching. I have visited Venice (3+ days), Florence (5+ days including one day trip tour to Tuscan towns Siena San Gimignano, etc etc), Rome (7+ days), Umbria (7+ days staying near lake trasimeno and doing day trips to Perugia, Assisi, Cortona, etc), Amalfi (4ish days). Based on this trip, always wanted to follow up with a detailed trip to Tuscany and always happy to go back to Amalfi, it's so beautiful and surreal. Infact over the years, would be glad to go again to all the places I have been to and then some more in Italy. Sicily, Puglia, more of Campania region including the ruins, lakes region in the north, Piedmont, towns of Bologna, Parma, Cinque Terre, Emilia Romagna, etc etc etc. Last trip was solo. This time with husband. He hasn't been to Europe. I want his first trip to be spectacular. Any thoughts on where in Italy?
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 07:01 AM
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Hello rtwin80days,

I would highly recommend Italy at that time of year.

How about landing in Milan, driving to Bologna, where you can spend a few days, then visiting Ravenna and Verona, then driving north to Venice and Trieste, with so many beautiful towns in between.

Just my humble opinion.
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 08:38 AM
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Envierges, could you share why you suggested the places you did, after Paris, that is

Grape harvest time in Champagne and in the Alsace wine region of the Vosges. Lots of opportunities for tasting in both areas. Leaves changing color in the Vosges mountains and Black Forest. Picturesque villages of colombage construction everywhere. Wide museum choices such as the Isenheim altar at Colmar. Reims, perhaps the best examples in France of Art Deco architecture.The many wonders of Strasbourg are in better detail that I can do in a guidebook and on the net. The excellent museums of Bale (Basel) are also covered in guides and on the net.

In short, there's a lot to see in a beautiful landscape.
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 09:29 AM
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You are right that the south of France - both Provence and Cote d'Azure - are 'better' if the sun is out. Small villages to explore, coast, etc. And since there is high(ish) likelihood of rain at that time of year, that area might not be the best. I guess I got lucky and the only time I went to the south of France in November (I usually go in summer), it was pretty sunny so it was fine.

So given that you do want somewhere where you could base in a city and have options for rainy days - and also that you mentioned that you would prefer to use public transportation - I suggest Strasbourg and surrounding. You can get there quickly on the train from Paris, and you can do day trip to Colmar by public transportation. If you wanted you could rent a car for just a day or two to see the small rural villages. Here's my photos of that area - http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/stra...olmar&page=all
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 11:48 AM
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You could take the train from Paris to Strasbourg, then follow the wine routes by train:
http://www.route-des-vins-alsace.com...oble-en-train/

Then continue on through the Burgundian region, again by train:
http://in.france.fr/en/information/w...e-and-burgundy

I'd spend 2 or 3 nights in the Alsace region, and probably 4 or 5 in Burgundy - just because of the history, and the terrific food and wine. If you have time, you might take the TGV down farther South.

You can use the following website to plan your trips between cities. If you buy tickets 90 days ahead of time, they will often be cheaper - and if you travel during off-peak hours and avoid weekends, tickets will be less expensive:
www.sncf.com
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Old Sep 25th, 2016, 05:02 PM
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We are teetotalers, so wine regions sadly don't mean much to us, beyond some pleasing greenery and landscapes. We are leaving south of France for a time weather would be more suitable. I'm leaning towards Italy. Where in Italy should we go to, from weather perspective? Decent daylight hours, not too much rain, manageable cold, etc.
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Old Sep 26th, 2016, 12:44 AM
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Weather in Italy at your travel time is almost too big a topic to handle on a travel forum. Depends on altitude, distance from the sea, latitude, whether the Bora is blowing . . . Geography is everything rendering the broad generalities you are seeking difficult to impossible to establish.
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Old Sep 26th, 2016, 03:54 AM
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Take a look at 3000 year old Málaga by the Med, "Spain's new creative heart", and Andalucía's "city of culture with its so-called 'mile of art' being compared to Madrid, and its dynamism and fine dining to Barcelona". http://www.cntraveller.com/recommend...u-centre-guide
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/malaga

Fabulous food scene, world class museums, great concerts, theaters, and nightlife and full of sights right in the city centre, the Roman theater, the Moorish Alcazaba Palace, the huge cathedral, til Picasso birth house etc. etc.: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html

Málaga is on New York Times' "Places to go" list for 2016 together with Barcelona and San Sebastián, "Beauty, but now a cultural capital, too": http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...isit.html?_r=2

Big international airport and the best climate in Europe. Would normally still be beach-time here in late October/early November. https://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga...ty-beach-guide
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Old Sep 26th, 2016, 04:31 AM
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Yes Southern Spain would have the best chances for warmer weather. BUT - there is a lot there (Seville, Granada, Cordoba, the coast, Malaga, etc.) so too much for the amount of time you have. That might make more sense to do when you could devote at least a couple weeks.

If you are thinking Italy I would say Rome. Rome and Paris make a great combination, they are so different yet both have so much to offer. I've been in Rome in November (Paris too) when it rained ALOT. But in both cases you are in a city so there is endless stuff to do inside, which is not the case in rural villages, coastal resort areas, etc. And there are day trip possibilities from both if you want a taste of smaller towns. And with day trips you decide once you are there and know the next few days forecast which day to take the day trip.
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Old Sep 26th, 2016, 07:39 AM
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Do you know yet if you can get your visa? If not its really a waste of time to keep planning trips you cant make.

Have you ever considered using a visa/passport expeditor? They have their embassy appointments booked in advance.
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Old Sep 26th, 2016, 07:55 AM
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Sicily, southern Italy. I think at this time of year weather is a really important thing to factor in! Plus, you realize you will be there just as daylight savings time ends so that you will not have very long afternoons because it will get dark around 5:00 to 5:30.
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Old Sep 26th, 2016, 02:17 PM
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We got our Schengen visa through Greek consulate when we had booked our Greece trip in early September. We have been given a multiple entry visa for one year, effective until Sep 2017. So, visa is no longer a constraint.

We have an itinerary for Southern Spain including Seville and Granada (I have been there, husband hasn't), pueblos blancos, Malaga, etc. Saving Malaga for that trip.
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