18 Days in Europe-Italy-Greece--Alone.
 

Hi There-I could use some advice on how to spend 18 days in Europe starting in Paris then it's open from there. This all started because I decided that I wanted to get away from LA and be in Paris for the New Year. I started an open ticket because I'm not sure where I wanted to end up Europe. I decided that it would be ideal to see Italy and I definitely want to check out Greece. Any suggestions as to what I should not miss, routes or sample itineraries? I plan on renting apartments off airbnb...any suggestions on that or if I should really research hotels?
P.S. I will also be traveling alone although I plan on meeting up with friends here and there through out the trip, so there's that....oh yeah and I don't speak French or Italian. Haha this should be fun right?

How bout -

Paris 4 days

Take overnight train to Venice

Venice 2 days

Train to florence 3 days

Train to Rome 4 days

Train - overnight boat to Greece - Athens 4 days

fly home from Athens.

All by train and boat from Italy to Greece - investigate the Eurail Select Railpass - valid in France, Italy and Greece - this pass covers the boat between Italy and Greece in full (though you must pay a minor port tax) - sleep on the boat, save on a night in a hostel or hotel - lots of younger folks doing this boat.

for lots of great info On European trains and passes check out these IMO superb site - www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

For a single traveler alone I would do hotels - even modest ones - or a hostel - rather than rent a room. Much better chance to meet other tourists you might do things with. And a front desk at least to provide advice.

I think you're trip is ambitous - and you won;t have asm uch time as you think since

1) you will need to allow time to get from one place to another
2) days are short and many sites are open on shorter hours (may be from 9 am to only 1 or 2 pm in Italy)

You need to allow for things being closed for holidays - so figure carefully where you will be then and what will still be open

This is great advice and the itenerary you offered is great.Thanks you both for your response.

I was told that traveling by the Eurail can be dangerous when traveling alone and female and I also prefer not to stay in hostels for my trip. The type of hotel I typically like to stay in is way out of my range in euro’s so an apt seemed like a natural choice. The apartments that I am interested in are in the center of Paris walking distance to most attractions. I will have friends that live in Europe (hopefully) meeting me here and there. I will def. look into hotels to see what I can find in my price range. Since I will be alone it would be great to meet other tourist and friends.

I agree with nytraveler about not having enough time, so I cut my options for Italy down to Venice and Rome or Florence and Rome. I’m still not sure what I want to do or if I should simplify the plan and just do Paris and Italy. I will also be traveling from Dec. 28-Jan 12th so I would like to not run into weather that will force me to stay inside. If anyone is familiar with where to stay during these months in Italy. I wanted the travel to break down something like--

Paris-7 days- (spending at least one full day and night in South France if weather permits it...I'm not even sure if it's worth visiting during this time of year)

Italy-7 days- split between 2 locations. 2 days in Venice and 5 in Rome or 3 days in Florence and 4 days in Rome.

Greece-4 days -Fly into Mykonos spend 2 nights then to Athens for 2 nights then Back to LA.

I was told if I stay south and I would have a better chance at decent holiday weather. I’m not looking for it to be like California weather but I just don’t want to freeze.

Also, can anyone suggest what's best to travel with as far as money goes?

<< I was told that traveling by the Eurail can be dangerous when traveling alone and female >>

I'm not sure what you mean. There is a Eurail train pass that is sold by Raileurope but it's only a train pass. If you mean traveling by train is dangerous then whomever told you this is wrong. What do you mean by dangerous? I'm a woman and have traveled by train by myself and never even thought about it being dangerous.

I doubt that there is any place in Europe that is not cold, rainy, snowy in winter. People go outside in the cold and rain and snow all the time. You should not stay inside.

I would choose Venice and Rome.

You need to specify a temperature as "decent" is subjective. Here's a site for average temps.

http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/country.php3?r=EUR

<< Also, can anyone suggest what's best to travel with as far as money goes? >>

I'll take a guess at what you mean by this (it's not very clear). Are you asking if you should travel with cash? Definitely not except for small sums. Withdraw cash as you need it from ATM machines.

Hi Adrienne thanks for commenting not sure how I was unclear but must have been lost in translation...you are in NJ.

As far as the Eurail train comment that advise came from my friend who is also female has been robbed on the eurail train told me on long trips, I could run the risk. I guess that could be the situation in any place or mode of transportation but I would rather spend the money to fly and not waste hours on a train getting to where I need to go when a flight is less than $200 and 30-45 minutes.

As far as money I have researched that there are chip and pin cards that you can use at any ATM kiosk to avoid not being able to get money from my US ATM in case it doesn't work. I don't know enough about them or where to get it. I wanted to know if this really is better choice to travel with. My particular bank has no branches in France. I know that there are several fees attached to travlers checks depending on where you go. I just wanted someones opinon on what is the best means to use while traveling. Cash is a given.

The trains in Europe are very safe - I have used them all the time, alone and with my hubby. Just keep your belongings in sight or with you at all times and you be aware. Can you get robbed on a train in Europe - yes, can you get robbed at a McD's at home - yes. Use common sense.

You dont need chip and pin to use an ATM in Europe, as long as you have a chequing account set up and a 4 digit pin you can get cash from machines here. And European banks will not charge you to use them - but check your home banks fees. They likely dont have branches in France but they may have associations with French banks.

Travellers Checks are next to useless. You get a horrible exchange, no one will accept them so you will need to find an exchange place to change them with a fee likely. Use ATMs to get your cash once you are here.

Thanks Jamkins! I plan on using the train for my stay in Italy from Venice or Florence to Rome. I'm still debating on taking a train to Greece. I have to contact my bank to find out about atm's in Europe etc. Your advice was helpful!
cheers!

Hi R,

>how to spend 18 days in Europe starting in Paris... be in Paris for the New Year. ...it would be ideal to see Italy ,,,

There, you have it.

Fly into Paris for New Year's followed by 10 - 11 nights in Italy, OR go to Italy first.

I would fly into Venice - 3 nights, train to Florence - 3 nights, train to Rome 4-5 nights, fly to Paris.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Sorry I didn't understand what you meant but no where in your message is there a mention of chip and pin cards (rare in the US). Now I understand what you were asking for and I had answered the question to use ATMs.

It is possible to be robbed any place, not only on trains. Keep your small belongings with you (purse, tablet, etc) on the train, even if you get up to use the rest room or go to the buffet car. Keep your purse across your body, not on the floor next to your seat. I don't consider theft to be dangerous as there is no bodily harm.

My understanding is that the international trains in and out of Greece are not running anymore (I stand to be corrected!).

Best to fly to Greece.

Greece, will be cold and rainy, so if that part of your trip was going to revolve around lovely beach lazing on the med on beautiful islands,, forget it. The islands close down pretty much for winter, would be boring for solo person. You don't have time anyways.

Paris, try Hotel Diana, excellant location, very central, clean, safe, etc etc. 6-7 nights. Daytrips to perhaps Versailles, Chartes, Reims etc.. ( I have taken train trips as solo woman always felt very safe , not sure what your friend was doing, perhaps night trains on local trains?)

Train to Nice, its VERY safe, ( I just did it little over a month ago). Cost me 40 euros for a one way and its city center to city center, no hassles with commuting in and out of airport. 2-3 nights, include daytrip to Monaco or Cannes( only ONE euro on a very scenice bus ride along coast) Try Hotel Solara, we loved it..

Then from Nice ( four euro bus ride to airport) , fly to Rome, 5-6 nights. Daytrips to Pompei perhaps,, then fly home from Rome. That is enough for short visit.

My understanding is that the international trains in and out of Greece are not running anymore (I stand to be corrected!).

Best to fly to Greece.>

yup about international trains - a gap I believe at border but buses take over the slack

IMO a great way to get to Greece from Italy is via overnight ferries and if you have a railpass that includes Greece on it then they are free (port tax in low season a few euros extra).

WOW this is great information! Thanks everyone for assuring me that the trains are not a problem and safe. Adrianne thanks for your response. I'm looking forward to trying it out. JustineParis your suggestions are great and much appreciated. I was thinking about taking Greece out of the picture and just doing France and Italy but I feel like if I'm there I really should check it out. Do you know what Mykonos is like during January? Looking online it is descibed as always sunny. I could skip mykonos and do Athens. I would love to hear suggestions. Thank you Jamikins and Palen Q for the heads up on the train to Greece. I love the ferrie idea and the cost is much better than flying. I actually found out this morning that a friend may be coming with me.

Mykonos is a 85.5 km2 (33 sq mi) island, heaving with thousands of visitors and hundreds of Greeks (and even non-Greeks) moving from other locations to work in tourism industry on summer months, but featuring only 8000 citizens on winter, most of them located in Mykonos Town. Winter is sleepy, rainy, cold and windy and although architecture is still there, summer ambiance is absent and I do not think the island will appeal to you.
I could provide some suggestions on Greece as far as you decide on your time-frame and mention your interests!

I think they even had snow last winter in Athens,, lol

Mykonos was wonderful when I went ,I was only 23 and it was a great place to party and beach( ok well thats all I did then) but that was in late September,, by Dec-Jan its cold and can be rainy.. and yes, many places close down. Athens at least would have amazing museums etc..

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to reroute and maybe stay in Athens? I plan on being in Greece for 4 days. Jan 11-14th then back home. I have given myself 7 days in both Paris and Italy. I would love some suggestions as to where I should stay and attractions that I shouldn't miss.

Well your hotel budget will help us give specific suggestions, but I have stayed in both these and found them great. Centrally located, clean, nice staff.

Hotel Diana

Hotel Eugenie

I have also stayed in these and found them lovely, but a little bit pricier( but still considered moderate in Paris)

Hotel Des Grand Hommes
Hotel Le Regent ( the one on Rue Dauphine)
Hotel de la Place du Louvre

I have a few other ideas too. ¨Post budget.

Ps. If interested in renting an apartment I just stayed in a lovely one in Paris for a week,, very central, nice, great owner to work with, very reliable agency.
Check out Parisbestlodge.

I would skip Greece in January. Even Athens. Although Athens is great and I highly recommend spending time there on a Greece trip, the best part of Greece is the islands and that will not be fun in January. You only have 18 days, that's hardly enough for Italy and France. I seriously would consider skipping Greece this trip.

If you want a coastal area you could try the Amalfi Coast or the Cote D'Azure - neither will be at their best, lots of things closed, ferries on very limited schedules - but at least you won't have wasted the time and money to go all the way to Greece.

What your friend may have meant about long train rides being unsafe is that if you are trying to sleep you are more at risk of being robbed, especially on an over night train. I travel solo a lot and would never consider an overnight train alone. I don't even do them when I'm with my husband but I certainly wouldn't do one alone. But during the day they are perfectly fine. I bring my purse and backpack with me to the toilet and make sure I go at a time when the train is not about to pull into a station. The chance that someone will steal your suitcase in the five minutes you are in the toilet is very small. You can always ask someone sitting near you to watch your bag.

Flights get canceled for bad weather so for winter trips I'd keep the flying to a minimum so you don't risk screwing up your plans.

As for money - get a credit card with no foreign transaction fee - Capital One is the best. Then also get an ATM card from a bank that doesn't charge to use it overseas. I checked with about five banks in my area and found they ranged from 0 to 5% (Bank of America, terrible bank). So I opened an account at one of the ones with no fee. I also only have a few thousand dollars in there so if the card is compromised you don't have all your money in that account. It does not have a chip and pin (I'd love to find a bank that does have those but haven't so far). It works fine for withdrawals but not in places like train ticket machines. You just have to pay cash in them or go to a manned ticket window. All ATM machines (call Bank Machines, or Bank-o-mats) occasionally don't work so just be prepared to sometimes have to hit a couple till you find one that will work.

Bring at least one credit card and two ATM cards with you. Keep most of your cash, the ATM cards and your passport in an 'under the clothes' money belt. Only access it in private (toilet, or your hotel room, etc). I only take out the ATM card on the days I'd need to get cash, the rest of the time it's in the money belt. I carry enough cash for the day and one credit card in my front pocket in a small pouch, attached by a string or clip to my jeans (second credit card is also in the money belt in case primary card is blocked or something). Pick pockets are pretty rare really, but certainly do happen, especially in cities to tourists, so this way if it does happen your trip isn't ruined.

With 18 days in winter I'd do: 4 Paris, 3 Nice, 4 Florence, 2 Venice, 5 Rome.

Here's a trip report I wrote about a late fall trip to Paris and Nice. Check out the hotels I stayed at, I give contact info in the trip report. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ote-dazure.cfm

Yes, Yes and Yes Isabel! Thank you this is the kind of advice I was looking for when joining the forum. You are correct my friend took an overnight train and was robbed. I agree Greece may not be a fit with the time I have for this trip but a friend that has decided to join really wants to go so while I'm in Italy she will be in Greece. I was going to meet her and fly out from Athens. I'm def. skipping the islands after everyone's suggestions. I guess could maybe just say part ways after Paris. Justinparis I'm planning on staying in apt's. I was looking on airbnb so the site you suggested is perfect. I'm going to look into it tonight. I like the itenerary suggestion and will take a look at the report.