Need help
Nov 23rd, 2011, 05:10 PM
#1
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Need help
Hi
I'm planning on goin Europe next year but am unsure On the best websites or books to buy to help me Plan my trip.
I'm goin for 19 days and want to fit in as much as I can
So I am undecided weather or not I'm gana fly every were or get the train.
I want to go:
Start
London 2 days
Paris 4 days
Barcelona/Madrid 6 days
Rome/Venice 7 days
Can I travel these places via train. Wat would b the best route?
And how long would it take to each destination?
I'm planning on goin Europe next year but am unsure On the best websites or books to buy to help me Plan my trip.
I'm goin for 19 days and want to fit in as much as I can
So I am undecided weather or not I'm gana fly every were or get the train.
I want to go:
Start
London 2 days
Paris 4 days
Barcelona/Madrid 6 days
Rome/Venice 7 days
Can I travel these places via train. Wat would b the best route?
And how long would it take to each destination?
Nov 23rd, 2011, 05:42 PM
#3
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London to Paris train makes the most sense. To get to Italy and Spain flying - check out the klow cost airlines - would probably be the best choice (train trips would be very long and onerous).
But I'm afraid you've miscounted days - you listed onlu days AT places, not the day yuo arrive or leave (can;t be counted) or the days you travle between cities (will lost most of a day each time). So you really have far fewer days than you thin and IHO are trying to do far too much in so little time. I would eliminate either Spain or Italy if you really want the time to see even major sights everywhere - never mind do any relaing or cafe sitting or soaking up the local culture.
Also, the more you move the more expensive the trip will be.
When asked their biggest mistake new travelers to europe most frequently name trying to see way too much in too little time. Your "itinerary" is a perfect example of this. To see how much time you really have you should nuber the days 1 through 19 and list where you will spend the night on each one. that will help you see what you problem is. Also - you are seriously cutting London short unless yu have been there before. I would reco 5 nights as a minimum for a first trip.
Finally, not sure what you budget is. Based on your post I assume you're in high school or college - and perhaps may not have worked out a tentative budget to see what yur total expenses may be.
For info on train schedules go to bahn.de - the German rail site. You can get prices only for trips starting in Germany - but they have the best schedule info for almost all of europe.
But I'm afraid you've miscounted days - you listed onlu days AT places, not the day yuo arrive or leave (can;t be counted) or the days you travle between cities (will lost most of a day each time). So you really have far fewer days than you thin and IHO are trying to do far too much in so little time. I would eliminate either Spain or Italy if you really want the time to see even major sights everywhere - never mind do any relaing or cafe sitting or soaking up the local culture.
Also, the more you move the more expensive the trip will be.
When asked their biggest mistake new travelers to europe most frequently name trying to see way too much in too little time. Your "itinerary" is a perfect example of this. To see how much time you really have you should nuber the days 1 through 19 and list where you will spend the night on each one. that will help you see what you problem is. Also - you are seriously cutting London short unless yu have been there before. I would reco 5 nights as a minimum for a first trip.
Finally, not sure what you budget is. Based on your post I assume you're in high school or college - and perhaps may not have worked out a tentative budget to see what yur total expenses may be.
For info on train schedules go to bahn.de - the German rail site. You can get prices only for trips starting in Germany - but they have the best schedule info for almost all of europe.
Nov 23rd, 2011, 08:55 PM
#5
Does your 19 days include travel time to/from Europe? Or is the total trip really 21 days?
Assuming 21 days, what you have in "real life" is more like:
London 1+ days. You may feel up to <i>some</i> sightseeing on your arrival day. But more likely it will be a low key/recovery day eaten up by transfers/checking in/jetlag)
Paris 3.5 days. The Eurostar only takes a couple of hours but checking out/in your hotels and traveling to/from the stations means about 1/2 a day)
Barcelona/Madrid. About 2 free days in each city after subtracting the travel time from Paris and between Barcelona/Madrid.
Rome/Venice. 2.5 to 3 days each place. And that is only IF you fly open jaw in to London and home from Italy. If you have to travel back to London - count less time in those cities.
(If it is 19 days <i>total</i>, subtract 2 days from the above)
Assuming 21 days, what you have in "real life" is more like:
London 1+ days. You may feel up to <i>some</i> sightseeing on your arrival day. But more likely it will be a low key/recovery day eaten up by transfers/checking in/jetlag)
Paris 3.5 days. The Eurostar only takes a couple of hours but checking out/in your hotels and traveling to/from the stations means about 1/2 a day)
Barcelona/Madrid. About 2 free days in each city after subtracting the travel time from Paris and between Barcelona/Madrid.
Rome/Venice. 2.5 to 3 days each place. And that is only IF you fly open jaw in to London and home from Italy. If you have to travel back to London - count less time in those cities.
(If it is 19 days <i>total</i>, subtract 2 days from the above)
Nov 28th, 2011, 05:46 AM
#6
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I would do Rome for 5 days and Venice for two,, Venice is expensive, and two days is enough to get a good taste,, Rome is huge and you could easily spend the whole week there.
Eurostar is great,, book well in advance for cheapest tickets,, travel on tue-thurs is cheaper then weekends usually.. you can book about 6 months out.. I use the eurostar website and book to pick up tickets . Website says to allow arrival at station at thirty minutes before trip, I recommend an hour, gives you time to pick up ticket and get through security without panicing.
Eurostar is great,, book well in advance for cheapest tickets,, travel on tue-thurs is cheaper then weekends usually.. you can book about 6 months out.. I use the eurostar website and book to pick up tickets . Website says to allow arrival at station at thirty minutes before trip, I recommend an hour, gives you time to pick up ticket and get through security without panicing.
Nov 28th, 2011, 07:34 AM
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Hi LL,
>I'm goin for 19 days and want to fit in as much as I can,
This is the most common newbie mistake.
Europe will be there for the next 40 years, so why not enjoy your first visit instead of running yourself ragged and remembering nothing?
>London 2 days
Paris 4 days
Barcelona/Madrid 6 days
Rome/Venice 7 days<
You will lose 2-3 days just transferring from place to place.
You can greatly enjoy a reasonable visit if you choose 3-4 of your destinations, eg, London, Paris, Venice or Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, and save the rest for your next visits.
>best websites or books to buy...<
Start here at "Destinations".
Also look at the Thorntree Forum at www.lonelyplanet.com.
www.venere.com is useful for finding hotels as is www.tripadvisor.com.
After you have found several that you like, we can help you choose among them.
Enjoy your planning.
PS: It is helpful to us older folks if you write in English instead of phonetically.
>I'm goin for 19 days and want to fit in as much as I can,
This is the most common newbie mistake.
Europe will be there for the next 40 years, so why not enjoy your first visit instead of running yourself ragged and remembering nothing?
>London 2 days
Paris 4 days
Barcelona/Madrid 6 days
Rome/Venice 7 days<
You will lose 2-3 days just transferring from place to place.
You can greatly enjoy a reasonable visit if you choose 3-4 of your destinations, eg, London, Paris, Venice or Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, and save the rest for your next visits.
>best websites or books to buy...<
Start here at "Destinations".
Also look at the Thorntree Forum at www.lonelyplanet.com.
www.venere.com is useful for finding hotels as is www.tripadvisor.com.
After you have found several that you like, we can help you choose among them.
Enjoy your planning.
PS: It is helpful to us older folks if you write in English instead of phonetically.
