TableofFive

I need help!! My family has been to Italy (great trip!) but will be doing a month in Europe, May 21- June 21. Cheapest tickets are into London from US so we will start there. I have a Philosophy major (21 yr. old) who wants to go to a philosophy conference end of May in London, a 19 year old who lives in Mont Pellier, France (student studying French) and a 17 year old. Our son who is studying in France will meet us in London but I am COMPLETELY remiss at how to maximize our travel opportunities at the lowest prices. There will be me and the 3 kids traveling for the 30days. We really want to see Most major sites in Europe (skip Italy if need be) and skip Norway, Sweden, Denmark (will be there for a different reason later in year).

We will be purchasing Eurail passes but are also open to some short flights. WHAT I NEED MOST HELP WITH IS:
(1) Reasonable amount of cities to see ( we are VERY savvy travelers)
(2) Types of lodging that are best: hostels, b and b's, etc. Recommendations and links are TOTALLY APPRECIATED.
(Other tips that I don't even know to ask but you think are important.

After reading this forum, I am confident that your inputs could prove really invaluable! Thank you all for your time and experience in advance!

RoamEurope

I'd say 6 cities max. You could do more but I think the moving starts to outweigh the amount of time in a city.

The easy part is London to Paris on the train (3-4 hour ride) so decide how long you want to be in each. You also need to consider where you come home from.

From Paris, I'd decide whether to head either toward Germany/Austria Switzerland or Italy or Spain/Portugal. You could also do more in France

For major sites as you say, I would say Rome should be on the list. Overnight train to there would then open up Florence/Venice as options and then either Switzerland or Salzburg/Vienna/Munich.

If you pick fewer cities 3-4, get an apartment. If you pick more, it probably is a toss up on lodging. Some hostels have 4 person rooms with private bath that would serve you like a cheap hotel room. I'm in love with the website www.4inEurope.com because it lists lodging options for what you are seeking. Also check vrbo options and, in Paris particularly, apartment sites.

StCirq

<<Reasonable amount of cities to see (we are VERY savvy travelers)>>

Not if you want to see "Most major sites in Europe," you aren't.

I'd pick 5 places, 6 max. And don't assume a railpass will be your cheapest option.

London is expensive. I'd minimize the time there. Does your son studying in Montpellier HAVE to travel to London to meet you? It would be cheaper for you to travel to him and spend time in the Languedoc and Provence.

Then I'd head to Spain and Portugal if you're really looking to save money. Maybe a week in Morocco if that suits you (but don't go if you can't commit a week).

dreamon

The options are absolutely endless and I wouldn't have a clue as to how to advise you. However, for a taste of Europe, I recommend mixing up cities, villages and rural areas. A parade of big cities starts to pall after a while.

TableofFive

Thank you, I will definitely check out your link . . . much appreciated!

TableofFive

Ha! Savvy though we are . . . I do understand many may not be as ambitious as we are but that doesn't make us NOT savvy. I think that comment of yours was funny.

I do appreciate your other comments. Indeed, 6 or so cities based on your and other feedback seems reasonable. I guess the bigger question has to do with route. Our son does not have to travel to London but our daughter wants to go to a philosophy conference in London . . . I will give him the choice of meeting us there. I notices that the chunnel is only 35E for a trip from London to France.

The problem is we want to get to Spain and Portugal, France (Paris) and some of the more Eastern countries. We have been to Italy so that will be last on our list (love it but have already spent 12 days in Rome and Florence).

You are the second person to have told us train might not be the best, we have heard Ryanair is really cheap but when I try to determine where to fly from and to to maximize our journey my head spins. Input there would be appreciated.

We also have heard that staying in Monastery's can sometimes be cheap, any feedback there?

Really appreciate people's feedback!

nwtraveler

It's actually the railpass that may not be your best option. The train may be your best option for travel between cities, depending on where you are traveling to, but point to point tickets may be cheaper than a railpass. Again it depends on where you are traveling to and how many cities you plan to visit.

qwovadis

eurocheapo.com
skyscanner.net
rickseves.com

Good sites to review.Fly the long legs between cities.
cheaply usually ryanair.com seat61.com regionaltrain like a local shorties always save.A week or so in 3-4 neat places day trip around for me perhaps Paris Barcelona then. Venice/Florence/Rome

Great overview for you cheap budget hotels better cheaper
than monastery or apartments many touts on those about.
Never wire money to those folks most tax cheats scammers.

Good luck!
n

Lexma90

I think StCirq's comment was more a reflection that "very savvy travelers" might not choose to go to London, France (Paris), Spain, Portugal AND some of the Eastern countries, while saying they want to see "most major sites" AND while keeping the budget down, all in one 30-day period. (IMHO, there are hundreds of "most major sites" just in the places you named.)

If you want to keep your costs down, consider whether your group might enjoy visiting fewer locations, including some rural destinations. That way you can rent apartments in cheaper areas. There are many major sites even outside large cities.

Start pricing EasyJet, RyanAir and the like. Start in London, then price flights either starting in Portugal (your western-most point) or Prague (an arbitrarily-chosen, though absolutely beautiful and charming city), your possible eastern-most destination (or Vienna or Budapest). Then price flights working your way east (for example, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Munich, Prague).