or2nh4me2

Having trouble deciding! Looking for suggestions for where to travel for about ten days in June, 2017. We enjoy culture, history, natural beauty, but don't plan to spend much time in museums. Budget friendly and not too far from US East Coast a plus. Nice weather and some combination of inland and coast would be great, but we would wilt in high heat. Would also like to use the train/bus not rent a car. We are eyeing coastal Italy, Northern Spain, Portugal, France or maybe Croatia?

Christina

I thought you said you didn't want something "too far" from the US East Coast? So why even bring Croatia into the discussion. it will take you 13-16 hrs just to get there and two plane changes. Croatia doesn't have an extensive rail system, no trains even run along the coast. They have buses.

I'd think Portugal or northern Spain would be good choices given you want budget friendly. If you are afraid of heat, not sure how hot that means, you should avoid Italy as it isn't going to be cool even in June. Better on the coast, but it will likely be in the 80s in other places, if that bothers you (like Rome).

yorkshire

Croatia is usually not terribly hot in June--and I have gotten there from the east coast with only one plane change several times. They have bus and ferry/catamaran. I would not discount it, but it can be more expensive to fly to (balanced by relatively lower costs in country).
Northern Spain could be iffy without a car, depending on what that means though.
You can't really go wrong--have you checked airfares? When comparing equally good choices, how efficiently and economically I can get somewhere usually wins out.

or2nh4me2

Thanks for the responses. I wondered also if northern Spain is manageable without a car? I am actually looking at award travel. I could easily fly into Barcelona and out of San Sebastien, or into Lisbon and out of Porto.

hebaseheart

I know this isn't in any of your current choices, but have you looked into the Bavaria region of Germany or Switzerland or Austria?

I studied abroad in Austria a few years back and if you are looking for history and lots of natural beauty I HIGHLY suggest any of these 3 countries. Plus, the temperatures were perfect if your wanting to stay below 80 degrees.

or2nh4me2

I have been looking at Croatia and as much as it is appealing, I think the infrastructure and ease of travel in of Spain or Italy probably makes more sense. It will remain on the bucket list though!

or2nh4me2

Thank you hebaseheart! I think Switzerland is too $$$ for us, but I will do some research on Bavaria and Austria.

yorkshire

I actually have found it just as easy to travel in Croatia (at time even more so) than Spain and Italy. You have to pick what appeals to you--but don't be under the assumption that no train has nay bearing on getting around on public transport.
From Barcelona to SS should be a snap, it just depends on what else you wanted to do.

or2nh4me2

I agree Yorkshire, could I ask what your basic itinerary was for Croatia?

Whathello

Iceland. Close to east coast.
Do they have trains ?

London, or more broadly UK. They even speak a language similar to yours.

yorkshire

I've had several, but with 10 days, into Zagreb and out of Split or Dubrovnik, OR into Split and out of Dubrovnik or vice versa would be good. You can stop on an island or two in between Split and Dubrovnik.

or2nh4me2

Thank you Yorkshire. That is about what I was coming up with as well, but Zagreb was confounding me because as much as we wouldn't want to miss plitvice, it is a haul from there to the coast. 4 1/2 hrs by bus to split right? And about the same to get to Dubrovnik from split correct?

yorkshire

Correct--if you are not including Plitvice, then you can focus on between Split and Dubrovnik and omit Zagreb. Also, there is a similar park a lot of people visit instead called Krka--it is closer to Split.

PalenQ

Would also like to use the train/bus not rent a car.>

For lots of train info and suggested itineraries check www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

Have you ever been to Europe before - Italy would fit your wishes sweetly - Venice, Florence and Rome - take the train in between.

Envierges

The Basque country of Spain and France. Beautiful beaches and lovely mountain villages. Biaritz, Saint Jean de Luz Saint Sebastian and Bilbao. Bring your surf boards.

or2nh4me2

Thank you Envierges-can it be done by train?

Envierges

I don't really know. I would say bus and train combination. On one trip I flew in and out from Paris to Bilbao and used buses. On another I took the train to Biarritz from Paris and had no problem getting to locations with bus or train. On another trip I had a problem crossing the Spanish French frontier because of ETA terrorist activity, but that was long ago and no longer a problem. On yet another trip, (I love this area)I did take local side tours from my hotel to little villages up in the mountains where the espelette hangs on the walls.

IMHO Saint Sebastian is one of the jewels of the western world.

yorkshire

The coast of Basque country is doable with bus and train. A circuit Bilbao-SS (by bus) and then along the coast by bus and train, then back to Bilbao is a nice itinerary. Interior gets a bit more complicated, but it sounds like you were interested in coastal trip anyway. There is some great hiking along the coast (http://caminoways.com/ways/northern-...mino-del-norte). There is also a nice walk from SS to the east.

Envierges

For anyone interested in the Basque country, I recommend the book by Mark Kurlansky, "The Basque History of the World"
Fun and interesting reading

PalenQ

Another nice train ride from Donostia I took is the TrenEskro - a tiny regional train that goes both ways from Donoastia along the coast - I went to the east - to the terminus in Hendaye - France at the SNCF station (useful if going or coming to France by train from Donostia).

The train trundles right thru the streets of villages - a commuter train for locals - great short cheap train trip. Of course need not go all the way to France - get off at some small town and explore and imbibe in local eateries or at markets.