Sridevi_G

Hi,

Iam planning a 2weeks trip to Europe in December would like to cover Greece, France and Italy. A honeymoon trip on a limited budget, any information with the itinerary and mode of transport would be great help.

p.s. Iam an Indian, and this would be the first time i would be traveling to a very very cold place, any pointers on how to pack would also be very helpful.

easytraveler

I would suggest going online and looking (not buying) into sports clothes, especially those for skiers, to get an idea of what's available for winter wear. There are many products that are lightweight and warm.

You should also think about layering, i.e., wearing an undershirt, a shirt, a turtleneck sweater, a coat - in other words, have several layers of clothes, so that when you go into a warm house, you can take some layers off and put them back on when going outdoors.

tarquin

Greece, France and Italy for two weeks in December would be a challenge for anyone, even if not on a limited budget. Keep in mind that daylight hours will be very limited, it gets dark at around 4pm. I would choose cities with lots to see indoors and out (Rome comes to mind,) and base myself there. Transport is cheap in Rome and regional trains in Italy also cost little. Look for accommodation outside the centro storico.

But you haven't told us what you are interested in seeing.

bilboburgler

given that most of the flocks will not be around you might like to stay in monestries and religious houses, they can be vry cheap, some hostels may close during the winter months.

Eat the meal of the day during the week this will be the cheapest meal you can get (normally available in the back of bars)

qwovadis

onebag.com

eurocheapo.com

best sites for you everywhere

twizi.com for cheapest lodging in big cities

euolines.com bus pass not great but cheapest for

multicountry 2 week tours go everywhere.

seat61.com/italy regional trains like a local are good

hopping on and off.. AVOID train pass a rip off buy at station

quotewright.com insurance wise

lots of stikes unrest in Athens Rome over financial collapse

So be careful stay out of protests...

weater2travel.com Climate Guide cold rain in the north

Personally would just do Italy Greece but understand

that France is a must see also... bring layers sweater coat

Congrats!

Elyse_Dorm

You can check weather averages at wunderground.com under forecast and click on the calendar icon to see averages for your travel dates. It shouldn't be too cold in Rome or Athens, not sure about Paris.

Good cold weather gear for travel: A cap or hat- for windy and rainy days, and a scarf because its fashionable and really helps protect your neck and chest from wind, also mini umbrellas.

To see how much hotels cost in the places you want to stay, a good site to check is booking.com. For a small budget book your hotels in central areas (not to far from metros or train stations), avoid taking taxis, take regional trains, make meals from grocery stores often. Not including airfaire, budget at the very least 100usd/day for the two of you for on the ground expenses (hotel, food, city transport, tourist activities). The good thing about going in December is that hotels are a lot cheaper compared to high seasons and less crowds.

I don't know your travel situation, however, you have 14 days, and 3 countries which gives you 4 days per country ( you will most likely have to fly between each country to save time) Also, you can't swim in Greece in December and the water there is really beautiful on the islands, so depending on your circumstances I would recommend that you consider leaving that one off the itinerary if possible.

It really depends on if the cost of travel and time spent in transit are worth it for you or not. If you decide to go for it, Olympic Air or Aegean might have inexpensive flights between athens and rome.

qwovadis

www.eurolines.com sorry for typo

www.hospitalityclub.org join for helpful locals

free wats stays up to 3 days

virtualtourist.com good info

Sridevi_G

thanks guys,

have made an itinerary, Reach Paris on 30th December, 3days in Paris, 2days in Lucerne, 1day in Venice and 2days in Rome.

Is this doable in the weather, iam more interested in quiet walks admiring all the gorgeous things on the way, nothing too sporty.
Also found really cheap airline tickets in Srilankan airways for Bangalore to Paris.

Cathinjoetown

I would stay one night in Lucerne and add a night to Venice, Rome or Paris.

tarquin

You have chosen excellent cities for quiet walks (don't know about Lucerne,) but be prepared to dress VERY warmly - woolly hats, gloves, scarves, socks. Rome is likely to be the least cold.

Sridevi_G

I have planned it like follows

Paris D1 -> Sightseeing
Paris D2 -> Versailles, Moulin Rouge
Paris D3 -> Disney land
D3 night, Paris->Zurich

Zurich D4 -> Rhine falls
D4 evening, Zurich -> Lucerne

Lucerne D4 -> Relax
Lucerne D5 -> One day trip to Titlis/Mt. Pilatus/interlaken
D5 evening Lucern->Zurich->Venice

Venice D6 -> sightseeing
Venice D7 -> sightseeing
D7 afternoon, Venice -> Pisa/Florence

Florence/Pisa D9 -> sightseeing
D9 evening, Pisa -> Rome

Rome D10, Rome D11 -> Sightseeing

bilboburgler

You will find switzerland frightingly expensive, going to Zurch/Lecerne kinda breaks the title of the thread. The SF has gone through the roof so take care.