rapunzll

I'm a 61 year old female who will be traveling alone. As far as Europe goes, I've already been to the Netherlands, SE Germany, and Bruges. I'm not against revisiting any of those places, but always like to try something new. I am planning to choose a main destination and make day trips from there. I need a city that would easily allow me to take train or bus trips to other cities or villages that are not too distant from my lodging. I would need cities or villages where the trains or buses take me very close to the city centers or areas of interest. I will likely be going in the fall. Money is an issue, so I don't want to go to places that rank high as far as costs go. I have been thinking of Prague, as some of my relatives came from the region, specifically Bohemia in the 1800's and it appears to be a lovely destination. I'm also not a fan of group tours. I have only taken one and that was to China in 1984, but it was pretty much the only way to go at that time as seeing as we were traveling with three small children, we didn't have much choice.

Any ideas are welcome. I appreciate your help. TIA!

greg

How about Madrid, Bilbao, Sevilla, Nice, Avignon, Amboise, Tours, Cochem, Nuremberg, Berlin, Dresden, Salzburg, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Siena, Perugia, Napoli, Sorrento, Naxos, Athens, Istanbul

RonZ

He forgot Paris and London.

tonfromleiden

In the Czech Republic cities like Olomouc and Brno also offer opportunities for worthwhile destinations. This planner of the Czech railways www.cd.cz/en/ would be a practical tool.
Otherwise northern Italy is well-served by trains. From a city like Vicenza or Padova the whole region can easily be visited. Likewise Bologna is a perfect base for neighbouring region. www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en is the planner to use.

rapunzll

Thanks everyone. Aren't Paris and London pretty pricey? I will probably rent a studio or one bedroom on VRBO. I haven't really considered Italy, but will look into it.

Sassafrass

Paris! First choice! Great museums! Good day trips. Food can be very cheap. Great breads and cheeses - perfect meals every day! Take market foods to parks for picnics.

Madrid, second choice, because there are great museums and easy, short, cheap day trips to beautiful cities like Toledo with the most stunning cathedral, and Segovia with a real castle, good food and a lovely central plaza. Food is reasonable with basic staples like egg-potato tortilla being downright cheap.

rapunzll

Dang, too many places I want to go and not enough time or money to hit them all!

auntgrapes

Have you thought about visiting Poland? It is very affordable and you will find beauty, history and good food. You could easily visit several cities and take day trips from them. Transportation is efficient and inexpensive.

Gretchen

paris can be the bargain of all, IMO. You can spend as much or as little as you want. And depending on how long you stay, you can spend a LOT of time in Paris without a day trip.

emily71

What about Madrid? It's not as expensive as Paris or London, has wonderful transport to cities all over Spain and is easy to get around.

bilboburgler

If you want to do Prague you'll find it has great public transport and the train system has been modernised so you can get out to Bohemia very easily. Prague is not super expensive out of high season but out of Prague the rest of the Czechprices drop by 50%.

I've just been there (on a bike) but you may find the details useful, follow my name back a couple of weeks. and you can see my visit report. Everything is a little low key and some of the Tourist Information places cannot speak English but most will be very helpful.

Certainly Melnik is worth a day out. There is also a concentration camp which you can visit by tour bus or train and taxi if that is the sort of thing you want to see at Terazin. Other than that is fine walking, interesting wineries and some great big castles.

denisea

Paris is perfect for lots of easy day trips. "Paris to the Past" is a book full of day trips by train with the background on the towns and villages suggested.

LoveLithuania

One of the best decission can be - visiting Lithuania. Whatch an adorable video.
http://tic.siauliai.lt/best-placesto/?lang=en

nytraveler

Given the crash of the pound I would head for London, from which there are tons of easy day trips by train. Yes, it used to be expensive but for now it;s much more a bargain if using $. Don't know when these rates will happen again.

bvlenci

Madrid has a number of easy day trips, and is not expensive. Rome also has some easy day trips.

The Netherlands has the best public transportation of any place I've ever been. Have you visited Utrecht? A lovely small city, with great day trip possibilities.

In France, we stayed in Nîmes and made several day trips by train and bus. You don't say how long you'll be staying in this city. If it's a week or more, I'd choose a larger city, so you'll have plenty to see and do in between day trips.

thursdaysd

I am not a fan of Madrid - I revisited it on my last trip to see if I had been mistaken the first time, and still much prefer Lisbon, which has much to see, good prices (especially for wine and port), and worthwhile day trips. Click on my name for my Loving Lisbon TR.

I am also a big fan of Nice out of season. Excellent transport and lovely scenery.

Do not plan to rent an apartment/studio in Paris without reading the threads on here about illegal rentals in Paris (i.e. most of them).

London can be the base for many good day trips. It does not have to be that expensive. I stay here during university vacations:

http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/Accomm...nor-House.aspx

And here at other times:
http://www.ridgemounthotel.co.uk/

I love the Pret a Manger sandwich/salad chain but there are others. You can eat ethnic, or early, for cheaper dinners. The big museums are free, although the major sites like the Tower and Westminster Abbey are pricey. You would qualify for a senior railcard (30% off even discounted tickets) if you were doing a lot of train travel.

Prague is pretty, but it was overrun with tourists in 2004, and I am sure it has only got worse. I prefer Budapest, and lately have rented from these people:
http://budapestvacationrentals.com/S...n_Rentals.html

suze

Since your interest is in Prague, why not research that trip a bit more, sounds like it could work for your wish list.

Florence?
Rome?
Paris?

traveller1959

Your question does not make much sense, since hundreds of cities in dozens of countries meet your criteria perfectly.

Tell us more about your preferences and we can give you more specific advice.

PalenQ

Base cities are great - practically any mega tourist city has a slew of neat day trips by train and bus - usually train.

So pick some cities like Prague and then ask about day trips - your Q is too general as it.

For lots about European trains I always spotlight these IMO info-laden sites: www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - check out the latter's online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of rail itineraries and base cities.

In fall I would head south -northern and eastern Europe can have real funky weather in autumn but Italy is just nice - or Greece or southern France (Nice is a great base city with lots of neat short day trips by train from it) or Spain/Portugal.

Yes London due to crash of pound may be cheaper and there are a ton of great day trips easily done by train from it.

HappyTrvlr

Nice has many options for day trips by bus and train.