3 wk honeymoon in europe - never been
Jul 9th, 2006, 08:33 PM
#21
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Travel planning sucks up all the available time and oxygen in a room. It is best done late at night, on the computer. One staggers to bed around 3 a.m., exhausted and barely coherent, but deeply satisfied with how the itinerary is shaping up!
Jul 9th, 2006, 08:41 PM
#23
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With a ff flier ticket, you can fly into one city and out another. So check with the airline on that too, and see what is available, then start planning your trip around what is availble. You could fly into Rome or Paris, and fly home from Prague. Congratulations!
Jul 9th, 2006, 08:41 PM
#24
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I wouldn't take a laptop for current events either. It's really not all that difficult to pick out the words for music and theater and art in most other languages. And I think Prague still has an English-language newspaper.
Jul 9th, 2006, 08:44 PM
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Thanks....so basically what I am getting is I should just go ahead and book my airline tickets to and from NY. Then plan my trip between the two places we are booked to fly in and out of. I do know that the airline will hold the tickets for 2 weeks also. I was just unsure: do I book rooms and have no tickets, or book tickets and have no rooms 
From all the posts I am understanding to start with the tickets....
From all the posts I am understanding to start with the tickets....
Jul 9th, 2006, 09:02 PM
#27
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Hi
My wife and I have been in a couple of trips to European cities. We went to Paris in April and I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . We also went to Rome last year and I have posted a similar report on http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Maybe you can find some useful information there. Have a great honeymoon
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
My wife and I have been in a couple of trips to European cities. We went to Paris in April and I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . We also went to Rome last year and I have posted a similar report on http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Maybe you can find some useful information there. Have a great honeymoon
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
Jul 10th, 2006, 04:05 AM
#28
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Hi bep,
My suggestion for 1st timers:
Fly into London - 1 week
Take the Eurostar to Paris - 1 week
(The cheapest tickets are 1-day RT)
Fly www.myair.com from Paris Orly to Venice VCE - 3 days
Train to Rome - 4 days.
See www.trenitalia.com
Fly home.
Prague will be there for your next visit.
Happy Honeymoon
My suggestion for 1st timers:
Fly into London - 1 week
Take the Eurostar to Paris - 1 week
(The cheapest tickets are 1-day RT)
Fly www.myair.com from Paris Orly to Venice VCE - 3 days
Train to Rome - 4 days.
See www.trenitalia.com
Fly home.
Prague will be there for your next visit.
Happy Honeymoon
Jul 10th, 2006, 04:35 AM
#29
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Jul 10th, 2006, 04:45 AM
#30
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I think Ira's itinerary is not only expensive but problematic in August because of heat, crowds of tourist and closed up places in the major capitals.
Maybe you've already booked you tickets but if you haven't, I'd advise agaisnt doing it. The tickets may be cheap, but going to Europe with so little planning on your part seems to me an invitation to spend more money than you would otherwise need to and get less satisfaction for your dollars. Why go to Paris or London or Italy or anywhere for YOUR honeymoon because OTHER people on a message board think London is right for "first timers" (Europe is not like drinking) or Italy is more relaxing or Prague isn't doable.
Prague is a relatively cheap destination. You can go next summer. And in the meantime figure out what else -- if anything -- you'd like to see and do in Europe.
Maybe you've already booked you tickets but if you haven't, I'd advise agaisnt doing it. The tickets may be cheap, but going to Europe with so little planning on your part seems to me an invitation to spend more money than you would otherwise need to and get less satisfaction for your dollars. Why go to Paris or London or Italy or anywhere for YOUR honeymoon because OTHER people on a message board think London is right for "first timers" (Europe is not like drinking) or Italy is more relaxing or Prague isn't doable.
Prague is a relatively cheap destination. You can go next summer. And in the meantime figure out what else -- if anything -- you'd like to see and do in Europe.
Jul 10th, 2006, 04:48 AM
#31
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>>>>>
(hint: go to the train station, 45 minutes before you plan to travel by train; it will be really, really easy, and doesn't require much advance planning).
>>>>>
i disagree with this advice and i am addressing it only because i think that this is a very common misconception that many americans have.
for longer distance train travel, it is best to plan ahead as you would (or almost as you would) for air travel. just showing up at the station on the morning you wish to travel is a recipe for spending the whole day at the train station or the potential disaster and disappointment involved with making last minute changes to your itinerary.
show up with all your baggage and it is very possible that you will be told that you can get two standard class seats on the train to X in 5 hours, or you can pay for a place in first class on the train in 2 hours. then you sit there with your travel guide saying "i heard Y is nice, do you want to go there instead?". then you and your new husband sit at the train station arguing over whether you want to wait 5 hours, change your destination or buy first class tickets. this is no way to travel, IMO.
also, train fares are often cheaper if booked in advance.
(hint: go to the train station, 45 minutes before you plan to travel by train; it will be really, really easy, and doesn't require much advance planning).
>>>>>
i disagree with this advice and i am addressing it only because i think that this is a very common misconception that many americans have.
for longer distance train travel, it is best to plan ahead as you would (or almost as you would) for air travel. just showing up at the station on the morning you wish to travel is a recipe for spending the whole day at the train station or the potential disaster and disappointment involved with making last minute changes to your itinerary.
show up with all your baggage and it is very possible that you will be told that you can get two standard class seats on the train to X in 5 hours, or you can pay for a place in first class on the train in 2 hours. then you sit there with your travel guide saying "i heard Y is nice, do you want to go there instead?". then you and your new husband sit at the train station arguing over whether you want to wait 5 hours, change your destination or buy first class tickets. this is no way to travel, IMO.
also, train fares are often cheaper if booked in advance.
Jul 10th, 2006, 05:01 AM
#32
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Yes, Walkinaround, you are so right about expensive train travel when not booked in advance. We learned that the hard way . . .
Beph, you came to fodors for help planning your trip, not to be told not to go at all. Someone may have assumed you were a "troll" because it is anathema to most of these people to leave the country without the most detailed plan possible.
After hearing your circumstances, I say go to Europe on your honeymoon! That mythical "next summer" may never arrive--you may have new jobs, less vacation, illness, a difficult pregnancy, or you may get hit by a bus at Christmas! But I would definitely make it to one main base and do day trips, or even an overnight here and there. Do you or your husband speak any languages? If so, you might consider that country as your home base.
Many people are have laptop paranoia or angst (will it be too heavy, will it be stolen, will I use it enough to make carrying it worthwhile) but you and your husband are young enough to be wedded (lol) to technology. I'd take a laptop as you would definitely find it helpful in dealing with last-minute scenarios. IMO, of course.
Beph, you came to fodors for help planning your trip, not to be told not to go at all. Someone may have assumed you were a "troll" because it is anathema to most of these people to leave the country without the most detailed plan possible.
After hearing your circumstances, I say go to Europe on your honeymoon! That mythical "next summer" may never arrive--you may have new jobs, less vacation, illness, a difficult pregnancy, or you may get hit by a bus at Christmas! But I would definitely make it to one main base and do day trips, or even an overnight here and there. Do you or your husband speak any languages? If so, you might consider that country as your home base.
Many people are have laptop paranoia or angst (will it be too heavy, will it be stolen, will I use it enough to make carrying it worthwhile) but you and your husband are young enough to be wedded (lol) to technology. I'd take a laptop as you would definitely find it helpful in dealing with last-minute scenarios. IMO, of course.
Jul 10th, 2006, 06:28 AM
#33
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beph03,
my apologies for thinking you may be a troll. There has been many trolls lately.
rex,
I wasnt trying to be unkind at all. I dont know how you came up with that one. It just seemed odd to me that someone would try to go to 5 countries in 3 weeks.
my apologies for thinking you may be a troll. There has been many trolls lately.
rex,
I wasnt trying to be unkind at all. I dont know how you came up with that one. It just seemed odd to me that someone would try to go to 5 countries in 3 weeks.
Jul 10th, 2006, 06:34 AM
#34
Things being closed isn't that much of as problem. Especially in teh UK - nothing closes up in August. And in Rome/Paris it is usually only a few restaurants.
But let's get back to the airline tickets. You say you called and they have all these flights available. There may be seats available - but are there <u>ff seats</u> available? Unless your folks are super <b>super</b>-high value members (almost president of the airline level) it is pretty likely seats are limited or non-existant. FF seats go very early - especially to popular destinations like London/Paris/Rome.
Get your tickets lined up NOW and then where ever you end up flying into - a good itinerary can be worked out. But w/o seats the whole trip is impossible . . . . .
But let's get back to the airline tickets. You say you called and they have all these flights available. There may be seats available - but are there <u>ff seats</u> available? Unless your folks are super <b>super</b>-high value members (almost president of the airline level) it is pretty likely seats are limited or non-existant. FF seats go very early - especially to popular destinations like London/Paris/Rome.
Get your tickets lined up NOW and then where ever you end up flying into - a good itinerary can be worked out. But w/o seats the whole trip is impossible . . . . .
Jul 10th, 2006, 06:37 AM
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<< It just seemed odd to me that someone would try to go to 5 countries in 3 weeks. >>
Really? Let's take a poll on how long is appropriate for a five-country trip. Nothing in the original post suggested trying to see <i>everything</i> in three weeks in those countries.
Nevertheless, I stick with my recommendation to make this trip shorter... and the next trip sooner...
...and even the insinuation that beph might be a troll is unkind, in my opinion. There are plenty of hallmarks to her novice status. Yours was the very first reply she got. What kind of welcome does that send?
And just where are these "many trolls" <i>lately</i>? In the past week? in the past month?
Really? Let's take a poll on how long is appropriate for a five-country trip. Nothing in the original post suggested trying to see <i>everything</i> in three weeks in those countries.
Nevertheless, I stick with my recommendation to make this trip shorter... and the next trip sooner...
...and even the insinuation that beph might be a troll is unkind, in my opinion. There are plenty of hallmarks to her novice status. Yours was the very first reply she got. What kind of welcome does that send?
And just where are these "many trolls" <i>lately</i>? In the past week? in the past month?
Jul 10th, 2006, 06:39 AM
#36
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<< i disagree with this advice and i am addressing it only because i think that this is a very common misconception that many americans have. >>
I failed to amplify - - my advice assumes that "45 minutes before you want to travel" means 45 minutes before the train you want to take... is scheduled to leave... and that you have consulted the schedule beforehand.
I thought it was too micro-focused to offer the specifics of finding schedules - - because the very nature of the itinerary - - what city to fly into, what city to fly home from - - were the bigger issues.
I failed to amplify - - my advice assumes that "45 minutes before you want to travel" means 45 minutes before the train you want to take... is scheduled to leave... and that you have consulted the schedule beforehand.
I thought it was too micro-focused to offer the specifics of finding schedules - - because the very nature of the itinerary - - what city to fly into, what city to fly home from - - were the bigger issues.
Jul 10th, 2006, 07:00 AM
#37
beph03- Here's what I would do in your shoes:
1) Book airline tickets ASAP into Rome and out of somewhere else, where you plan to end your trip (Paris or London would work).
2) Pick 3 more cities max., so 5 cities total including your start and end city... which is about all that is reasonable for 3 weeks imo.
3) Book hotels those 5 cities.
4) Travel by train or budget airlines between them.
Voila... your honeymoon is now planned!! See how easy?
All the rest can be done on the fly. Read a guidebook on the plane ride over, check at the train station or tourist info bureau after arrival each city, gather brochures from the hotel lobby, etc.
1) Book airline tickets ASAP into Rome and out of somewhere else, where you plan to end your trip (Paris or London would work).
2) Pick 3 more cities max., so 5 cities total including your start and end city... which is about all that is reasonable for 3 weeks imo.
3) Book hotels those 5 cities.
4) Travel by train or budget airlines between them.
Voila... your honeymoon is now planned!! See how easy?
All the rest can be done on the fly. Read a guidebook on the plane ride over, check at the train station or tourist info bureau after arrival each city, gather brochures from the hotel lobby, etc.
Jul 10th, 2006, 07:20 AM
#39
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rex,
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2
you forgot to tell bobthenavigator that he is unkind to new posters.
I know you are like the "boss" of this forum. We all take your advise and look up to you. BUT.. you hurt my feeling saying I was unkind.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2
you forgot to tell bobthenavigator that he is unkind to new posters.
I know you are like the "boss" of this forum. We all take your advise and look up to you. BUT.. you hurt my feeling saying I was unkind.
Jul 10th, 2006, 07:21 AM
#40
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