2 weeks in Europe :-)
 

Hi everyone,

I am new here and I need help with my upcoming vacation to Europe this summer. I want to visit as many cities as I can in this short period of time, but the catch is that I need to attend 2 weddings on two of the weekends I will be there.

I will be traveling the 2nd half of July. The weddings will take place in San Sebastian, Spain and Cork, Ireland. I will be flying straight to San Sebastian for the first wedding and cant figure out where to go next.

What would be the best cities to visit? I really want to see Rome and Paris, but if there is time, I can squeeze another city after the second wedding-maybe Reykjavik, Iceland?

Thanks for your suggestions!!! :-)

"Best" cities depend on your interests (not ours), the logistics involved (or acceptable to you) in moving between places, whether you have a budget that might limit your transportation options, etc.

Exactly how many free days will you have between the time you must be in San Sebastian and must be in Cork? How are you getting home from Cork?

Are the weddings on two successive weekends, or will there be a weekend in between?

San Sebastian is not near either Rome or Paris, but it would be easier to get to Paris from there than to Rome, and then easier to proceed to Ireland from there rather than from Rome. I wouldn't try to see both Paris and Rome, and also tend two weddings, all in four entirely different countries, in only two weeks. Why don't you stay in Ireland after the second wedding, if you have a little more time? There are so many beautiful places to visit in Ireland. Iceland is once again a rather long trip from Cork.

You can see international train itineraries, but not prices, here:

www.bahn.de

For prices, you need to check the national rail sites.

You can look at budget airline routes and costs here:

www.skyscanner.net

These sites would give you an idea of how much time it would take to get from one place to another (probably more than you think), and how much it would cost (ditto). Keep in mind that budget airlines often have very rigidly enforced baggage limits.

On Skyscanner, you can specify an entire country as your starting point or your destination; this helps you find different, possibly nearby cities, from which you could start or end your trip.

I fly in straight to the wedding in San Sebastian, then I will have 5 free days until I need to be in Cork. I was planning to visit another city after Cork before I return home. I don't have an expansive budget, but I don't have to take the cheapest route at all times (but I would love to save money where I can). I've been researching for apartments to rent for a couple of nights rather than staying in hotels. I am willing to travel by air or train.

I would love to see the recognizable landmarks of the big cities I visit.

Can you clarify your travel needs. Do you want to sight see in the cities you visit or just get there, walk around a few hours and move on to the next place? Your travel method makes a difference in recommendations.

Yes, the weddings are consecutively.

1st weekend-1st wedding, 2nd weeked-2nd wedding, 3rd weekend-fly back home :-(

I would love to enjoy my time and sightsee/tour each place.

Since you want to sight see then you don't want to visit as many cities as you can. After San Sebastian fly to Paris and stay there for the 5 days. There's way more than enough to see and do in 5 days in Paris.

After the second wedding stay in Ireland and explore Dublin and perhaps a town or two between Cork and Dublin. Fly home from Dublin.

You still didn't say what city you are flying home from. You also need to list exact dates.

You should look a budget flights on whichbudget.com. You can fly from San Sebastian after your wedding to Rome on Vueling (1 hour - random July Monday 93€). It might be possible to book a Sunday night flight if you could depart then. Spend the week in Rome (you could take a day trip by train to either the hill town of Orvieto or to Pompeii if you have time). From Rome, fly to Cork (random July Fri - 1 hour - British Airways $225). After Cork, you could fly to Paris (Aer Lingus is the only one I see non-stop 76€-108€ - not sure your date is available) and fly home from Paris.

Be a shame to come to Ireland and just see cities like Dublin and Cork but as others have said start and finish destination would help.. (unless I have missed it)

Thanks for all the feeback!!!

My dates are July 17th - Aug 2nd.

I haven't decided which city to fly back home from, I am considering all of the options given in order to make the smartest choice.

@kybourbon where did you find direct flight from San Sebastian to Rome? all I seem to find when I search are flights with long connecting times.

The only direct destinations from San Sebastian airport are BARCELONA-EL PRAT and MADRID-BARAJAS ADOLFO SUÁREZ. If you're going anywhere else, you have to connect through one of them, so the information provided regarding a 1-hour flight seems somewhat questionable at best.

Whichbudget.com clearly shows connecting flights from 5 hours to more than 11 hours. Maybe someone was sampling a little too much of that Kentucky branch water.

>>@kybourbon where did you find direct flight from San Sebastian to Rome?<<<

Sorry. Saw it on whichbudget in a search. It said direct/one hour, but I didn't click through and check it out. When I did a minute ago, it had one connection.

I would definitely have stayed a couple of days in Belle Epoque San Sebastián. Recently voted #5 destination in the world by Condé Nast Traveler and European Capital of Culture 2016. Then fly to Paris in 1h 40 mins and some 60-100€ from close by Bilbao.

San Sebastián is fabulous food and beaches, one of the favourite summer destinations for the Spanish themselves and perfectly possible to do on a budget.
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/

"To visit San Sebastián ... is to fall in love" (New York Times): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/tr...pagewanted=all

You can for example stay in basic hotel standard Pension Urkia in the center of town and close to the La Concha promenade for 50€/night (private bathroom, TV, safe, 24h desk etc):
http://www.pensionurkia.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Country.html

You could have an excellent three course lunch Menú del día with drinks included for 11€ in La Zurri, very popular with locals: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...e_Country.html

The famous pintxos are 1,50-3€/piece: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

I can recommend a hearty bocadillo with grilled chicken breast and aioli for some 3-4€ in Bar Aralar. It's to die for and a whole meal in itself. http://www.bararalar.com/

Several affordable places in and around Calle Matia in the charming Antiguo neighborhood, close to the Ondarreta beach.
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/e...t-elegant-area

100% agree with kimhe. Spend some time in San Se after the wedding. Then fly to Paris from Bilbao. Bus from San Se to Bilbao (drops outside terminal entrance) for 18 euros

San Sebastian is a beautiful city to relax in. Great beaches, lovely architecture, fabulous food