1st trip to Europe
May 14th, 2015, 08:27 AM
#1
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1st trip to Europe
So my husband and I booked our first trip to Europe. We will be there for 15 days. We are flying in and out of Frankfurt because we have family in Bamberg and plan to stay with them for the first 5 nights while we are there. It is our hope that with their help, we can visit with them, take a few day trips, then continue on. However, after that, I've got nothing. I am literally overwhelmed. We both know that we would like to visit Paris and possibly Amsterdam. Italy is sounding pretty awesome as well. We plan to use the trains and buses while in Europe, so no car to rely on to get from place to place. I have no idea what our best option to get between countries is at this point so I could use some advice on that. Additionally, we'd like to spend around $150US per night at a hotel or apartment. We are in our mid 40's and would like to find a few centrally located places (not necessarily right in the heart of a major city) with good restaurants, good music, and more of a relaxing atmosphere. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 14th, 2015, 08:42 AM
#2
Just a question... when?
You'll find Bamburg is well placed to visit Wurzburg, so pretty with the palace over the river surrounded by Franken wine. Bamburg itself is nice (hope you like beer)
Staying on the train system then Amsterdam and the whole of the Netherlands opens up for you as does north Belgium, the Mosel and the Rhine for yet more wine and lovely little towns, often highly decorated.
Then possibly Strasbourg or Rheims (where the fizzy wine comes from) before you look at Paris.
Italy, I'd save it for trip 2
The Euro is down at the moment so E150=$150 roughly and rooms will be fine, if you end up travelling in the countries mentioned you might like B&B in Germany and the Netherlands (just use Booking.com or similar as usual but load in B&B) or use Google maps and enter B&B in the search element. You get to meet the locals, eat at restaurants they know are good and generally have a great time. Save Hotels for France (though Chambre d'Hote is similar you may end up breaking your room rate a bit more easily). Generally rooms are more expensive in France like for like.
Food, I wouldn't worry, you will not starve.
Geeting about, read seat61.com to understand how it all works and bahn.de to get an idea of timetables and prices.
Getting about between countries; you just catch a train, and they just ignore the border.
You'll find Bamburg is well placed to visit Wurzburg, so pretty with the palace over the river surrounded by Franken wine. Bamburg itself is nice (hope you like beer)
Staying on the train system then Amsterdam and the whole of the Netherlands opens up for you as does north Belgium, the Mosel and the Rhine for yet more wine and lovely little towns, often highly decorated.
Then possibly Strasbourg or Rheims (where the fizzy wine comes from) before you look at Paris.
Italy, I'd save it for trip 2
The Euro is down at the moment so E150=$150 roughly and rooms will be fine, if you end up travelling in the countries mentioned you might like B&B in Germany and the Netherlands (just use Booking.com or similar as usual but load in B&B) or use Google maps and enter B&B in the search element. You get to meet the locals, eat at restaurants they know are good and generally have a great time. Save Hotels for France (though Chambre d'Hote is similar you may end up breaking your room rate a bit more easily). Generally rooms are more expensive in France like for like.
Food, I wouldn't worry, you will not starve.
Geeting about, read seat61.com to understand how it all works and bahn.de to get an idea of timetables and prices.
Getting about between countries; you just catch a train, and they just ignore the border.
May 14th, 2015, 09:06 AM
#3
Germany, Paris, Amsterdam would make a nice 2-week trip.
Or Germany, then onto Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome, fly from Rome back to Germany for your flight home) would make a good 2-week trip.
Trains, no car, not a problem.
$150/night is pretty low for most cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, so you'll need to put some effort into finding lodgings in that price range.
As far as being overwhelmed, you really only need to figure out your flights and accommodations, things like sight-seeing can be figured out on the fly, or read a guidebook on your flight over. You don't need to stress our preplanning every minute or every day.
Cheers!
Or Germany, then onto Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome, fly from Rome back to Germany for your flight home) would make a good 2-week trip.
Trains, no car, not a problem.
$150/night is pretty low for most cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, so you'll need to put some effort into finding lodgings in that price range.
As far as being overwhelmed, you really only need to figure out your flights and accommodations, things like sight-seeing can be figured out on the fly, or read a guidebook on your flight over. You don't need to stress our preplanning every minute or every day.
Cheers!
May 14th, 2015, 10:09 AM
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As suze indicates, you have time for either Germany and Italy or Germany, Paris, and Amsterdam. Italy needs at least two weeks by itself, so I'd vote for Paris and Amsterdam.
One thing to consider for Amsterdam lodging is to base in Rotterdam. We found a nice hotel for under E100 in Rotterdam (NH Atlanta Rotterdam). It's close to Amsterdam by train and closer to the Hague and Delft than Amsterdam is.
For our fall trip to Paris, we looked at this one, which is in the ballpark for your budget, and was recommended by more than one travel site:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html
We ultimately decided to book somewhere else, but I'm still thinking about this one. It's pretty central for a first trip to Paris, and supposed to be quiet.
One thing to consider for Amsterdam lodging is to base in Rotterdam. We found a nice hotel for under E100 in Rotterdam (NH Atlanta Rotterdam). It's close to Amsterdam by train and closer to the Hague and Delft than Amsterdam is.
For our fall trip to Paris, we looked at this one, which is in the ballpark for your budget, and was recommended by more than one travel site:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...de_France.html
We ultimately decided to book somewhere else, but I'm still thinking about this one. It's pretty central for a first trip to Paris, and supposed to be quiet.
May 14th, 2015, 10:37 AM
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We plan to use the trains and buses while in Europe, so no car to rely on to get from place to place. I have no idea what our best option to get between countries is at this point so I could use some advice on that.>
Well for lots of great stuff on European trains and planning a rail trip I always spotlight these IMO superb sites: www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download their free online European Planning & Rail Guide for suggested itineraries and a wealth of practical info; www.ricksteves.com - much the same type of great info and www.seat61.com.
If you want to do Amsterdam, Paris and Italy in 10 days that may be a bit much - factor in travel time between them.
I'd suggest Amsterdam for say 4 days
Bruges, Belgium - the dreamiest old-world looking city I have seen north of the Alps
and Paris 4 days
fly out of Paris
Lovely Bruges:
https://www.google.com/search?q=brug...=1600&bih=1075
Well for lots of great stuff on European trains and planning a rail trip I always spotlight these IMO superb sites: www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download their free online European Planning & Rail Guide for suggested itineraries and a wealth of practical info; www.ricksteves.com - much the same type of great info and www.seat61.com.
If you want to do Amsterdam, Paris and Italy in 10 days that may be a bit much - factor in travel time between them.
I'd suggest Amsterdam for say 4 days
Bruges, Belgium - the dreamiest old-world looking city I have seen north of the Alps
and Paris 4 days
fly out of Paris
Lovely Bruges:
https://www.google.com/search?q=brug...=1600&bih=1075
May 14th, 2015, 10:51 AM
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Don't stress.
You already know you are landing in/departing from Frankfurt. Good job. Do not worry if things are not all sorted before you go. Yes, you can save money if you have train tickets purchased ahead so,
Setting an itinerary is first priority.
Second priority - transportation
Third priority - lodging
Food - unless you are a foodie aiming for top spots, do not think about it anymore. There is great food everywhere. Look at menus and just pick, or get recs from hotel of B&B.
You already know first five nights. Are they picking you up in Frankfurt or will you take the train to Bamburg?
So, you have 10 days/nights left.
You want to go to Paris. Perfect choice for first trip to Europe. Allow four or five nights - best would be five so you have four days there. You can always do a day trip to Versailles.
Since you want Paris, forget Italy for this trip. Just not enough time unless you give up Paris and anything else.
Amsterdam - another great choice. Spend three nights, at least two full days.
Spend at least your last night in or near Frankfurt for your flight home.
Leaves possibly one night. It should be on the route or close. It could be Bruges or a city in Germany.
Check trains to see if it would be best from Bamburg to do
Amsterdam
Bruges
Paris
Frankfurt
Paris
Bruges
Amsterdam
Frankfurt
Other options - substitute another place for Bruges for the night before Frankfurt.
From Bamburg, you could also consider Prague instead of Amsterdam.
Also consider skipping Amsterdam, just seeing more of Germany and then Paris.
Paris is an easy train trip back to Frankfurt.
Then, you can find hotels, B&B, etc. Don't know how much time you have before you leave, but even if this is not done, once you are in Bamburg, you can get online and book them. At most, you are only going to need one in Paris, one in Amsterdam, one in another city and one near Frankfurt. You can get last minute suggestions here on Fodors.
All that being said, if Italy calls to you the most, ditch everything else and go to Italy. In ten days, you could easily do visits to Venice, Florence and Rome. Train between each. Fly back to Frankfurt from Rome. All other advice still applies.
You already know you are landing in/departing from Frankfurt. Good job. Do not worry if things are not all sorted before you go. Yes, you can save money if you have train tickets purchased ahead so,
Setting an itinerary is first priority.
Second priority - transportation
Third priority - lodging
Food - unless you are a foodie aiming for top spots, do not think about it anymore. There is great food everywhere. Look at menus and just pick, or get recs from hotel of B&B.
You already know first five nights. Are they picking you up in Frankfurt or will you take the train to Bamburg?
So, you have 10 days/nights left.
You want to go to Paris. Perfect choice for first trip to Europe. Allow four or five nights - best would be five so you have four days there. You can always do a day trip to Versailles.
Since you want Paris, forget Italy for this trip. Just not enough time unless you give up Paris and anything else.
Amsterdam - another great choice. Spend three nights, at least two full days.
Spend at least your last night in or near Frankfurt for your flight home.
Leaves possibly one night. It should be on the route or close. It could be Bruges or a city in Germany.
Check trains to see if it would be best from Bamburg to do
Amsterdam
Bruges
Paris
Frankfurt
Paris
Bruges
Amsterdam
Frankfurt
Other options - substitute another place for Bruges for the night before Frankfurt.
From Bamburg, you could also consider Prague instead of Amsterdam.
Also consider skipping Amsterdam, just seeing more of Germany and then Paris.
Paris is an easy train trip back to Frankfurt.
Then, you can find hotels, B&B, etc. Don't know how much time you have before you leave, but even if this is not done, once you are in Bamburg, you can get online and book them. At most, you are only going to need one in Paris, one in Amsterdam, one in another city and one near Frankfurt. You can get last minute suggestions here on Fodors.
All that being said, if Italy calls to you the most, ditch everything else and go to Italy. In ten days, you could easily do visits to Venice, Florence and Rome. Train between each. Fly back to Frankfurt from Rome. All other advice still applies.
May 14th, 2015, 12:38 PM
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Just a few random thoughts.
I think Germany is greatly underrated as a destination. From Bamberg, using trains or buses, you can visit spots like Heidelberg, Wurzburg, and the great little town of Wertheim (if you don't like it there, I'll give you a refund). Also, a lot of B&Bs in the German countryside are a bargain, especially with the euro being at about par.
Like others, I think trying to fit Italy into your full itinerary would be a stretch. I suppose there's a possibility of a quick trip to Venice, but t much more than that unless you're willing drop something else.
I think a budget of $150/nt for lodging is cutting it close, particularly in the larger, more expensive cities like Paris. You'll have to do a little bargain hunting in places like that. An apartment is another possible money-saver for a multi-day stay in one city. You'll also save on food if you're inclined to prepare a few simple meals yourself.
As a strategy, work on one part of the trip at a time. Most people want everything to be perfect, but you should realize imperfection is part of the fun. Have a great time.
I think Germany is greatly underrated as a destination. From Bamberg, using trains or buses, you can visit spots like Heidelberg, Wurzburg, and the great little town of Wertheim (if you don't like it there, I'll give you a refund). Also, a lot of B&Bs in the German countryside are a bargain, especially with the euro being at about par.
Like others, I think trying to fit Italy into your full itinerary would be a stretch. I suppose there's a possibility of a quick trip to Venice, but t much more than that unless you're willing drop something else.
I think a budget of $150/nt for lodging is cutting it close, particularly in the larger, more expensive cities like Paris. You'll have to do a little bargain hunting in places like that. An apartment is another possible money-saver for a multi-day stay in one city. You'll also save on food if you're inclined to prepare a few simple meals yourself.
As a strategy, work on one part of the trip at a time. Most people want everything to be perfect, but you should realize imperfection is part of the fun. Have a great time.
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