Hi all<BR>I would love some help, I am going to visit family in Ireland and would like to see some of Italy, France, England and Ireland. I have no idea how I can see the most or where to base myself in each country. I would like to see the capitals how long should I allow in each and where are the best places to go. I would appreciate any ideas.<BR>Thanks<BR>Kadisia

Forgot to add that I am a woman and will be travelling alone, any safety tips/concerns would be appreciated.<BR>Thanks

I would highly recommend planning ahead and reserving inter-Europe flights with ryanair.com or easyjet.com. With your desire to visit 4 different countries, flying from each country to the next would be the most efficient in terms of time (and often in terms of $).

As far as bases, you could just make each capital your base. London you can daytrip to Bath, Warwick and Leeds Castles; Paris you can go to Chartres, Normandy, Versailles; Rome you can go to Pompei or Naples (actually I'd recommend taking a couple nights out in Sorrento for Pompei/Naples).

Thanks RAR and zivina. I will be using public transport as I'm under 25 and there are extra charges which make it quite expensive.

For a young woman travelling alone in Italy, I'd recommend Venice/Florence over Rome. Also, are you a student? If you are, you can get special discounts that might help save some $.<BR><BR>I'm a woman and I travelled alone in Europe, but that was many years ago. Still, I think it's safer than travelling alone in the U.S. and if you use good common sense, you should be fine. Also, if you stay at youth hostels, you might meet other people around your age to travel with you. <BR><BR>You also might want to check out lonelyplantet.com--I believe it's geared to younger travellers. Between that and maybe even here, you might make some contacts with other people.<BR><BR>Have a great time!

How long will you spend with the family in Ireland? (I'd start with that...you'll get comfortable about being in Europe with family, first. Let them show you &quot;their&quot; Ireland. It will be better than any tour.) Then you can go to London to see some of England, and take the Eurostar from London to Paris...that's worth it just because you're going form the central city to the central city. And, I agree, Florence and Venice would be a great intro to Italy. Of course if you find a cheap airfare from Ireland to Venice or Florence, you could train back to Paris...maybe even on a night train, and then home. I'd say you would need a minimum of 3 nights in each city you visit, or you'll wear yourself out. Do some research to decide which you want to add more days/nights to, based on daytrips you might want to take.

Thanks everybody, very usefull information.

Hi Kadisia,<BR> You are young enough for youth fares on Eurailpass and the Eurostar from London to Paris, as well as other discounts.<BR> Check www.railsaver.com for train fares and http://www.europebyair.com for a $99 airpass.

may'be get a european air passs.. <BR><BR>http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=2&amp;category=1#europe<BR><BR>if not maybe try an open jaw ticket.. fly into london and leave out of Rome or Milan .

Thanks again everyone, fantastic tips and links.