August Trip Planning
 

Hello!

I'm planning a trip to Europe for the first time (my boyfriend is coming as well, but he's been almost everywhere already) and we are hoping for about 2 weeks (15 days) and to split our time between 3 cities. At this point, I'm not sure what 3 would be a good combination, but I think we are thinking about Barcelona, Malta and __________. Malta is a must for us, but the other two are open and I would LOVE any advice or suggestions. Thanks!!

What draws you to each of those three countries? Do you want to relax, visit museums, see a lot of famous places or sights, eat in fine restaurants, visit archeological sites, hike, etc? What is important for you to get out of this trip?

Italy or Greece are naturals to go with Malta with Sicily being real close too - boats I think go to all from Malta?

But yes we need more info please on what kind of trip you are looking for.

If into islands the Canaries are near Barcelona.

Going by train I presume - check www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com for lots of suggestions of itineraries by train all over Europe - of course you cannot take a train to Malta but can wind your way down from Rome to a port with boats to Malta or fly there from anyplace.

I'm not really sure, it'll be my first time overseas, so I'm hoping to relax but also sightsee- anything really! Haven't planned anything as of yet, I just don't know where to start!

There are no ferries between Greece and Malta, as PalenQ should know after looking at the destinations in the gtp.gr link I recently provided in a different thread. At any rate, flights are much quicker, and in many cases cheaper than long distance ferries.

Are you just looking for city destinations, or do you want to explore more of each country? The city I would most like to visit again in the countries you have tagged is Rome.

@Heimdall, I'm looking for anything really. Part of what attracts me to Malta is that I can see a lot of beautiful historic architecture AND the see the gorgeous beaches. I wonder if I would get a good variety if I went Barcelona-Rome-Malta?

The Barcelona-Rome-Malta combo would work. Five days in each of them is a reasonable amount of time and there should be cheap flights between them (check easyjet.com and ryanair.com).

Here's my trip report from last year for Malta - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ta-in-july.cfm

There's tons of into out there (including on this board) about Rome and Barcelona so if you decide on those two you can ask more specific questions about them.

PalenQ mentioned the Canary Islands as being close to Barcelona, but I am sure he meant to say the Balearic Islands, which include Mallorca and Ibiza. The Canary Islands are off the Atlantic coast of Africa.

In Malta at the moment, staying at the Seabank Hotel on Mellieha beachfront for almost 3 weeks.

Will post a JBR when we get back to UK next week.

Check out flights with Vueling (vueling.com) between Barcelona-Malta and Malta-Rome. They are not daily, but are very reasonable and the service is very pleasant.
I would avoid Ryanair if you can. The headache I got after my last flight with them (shouting to announce scratch cards, perfumes, food, etc all through the flight) was not worth the money saved.

PalenQ mentioned the Canary Islands as being close to Barcelona, but I am sure he meant to say the Balearic Islands>

Yes indeedy - thanks for the correcto!

Thank you @LancasterLad! I look forward to hearing about it :) @Organictuscany, I'll definitely check it out, thank you!

Since you tagged Portugal too, can I throw in Lisbon or Porto + the Atlantic coast as another suggestion? a contrast with the Mediterranean and the cities are both beautiful.
Also, depending on where you are flying from, you can get great deals using Lisbon or Porto (eg for transatlantic connections). TAP, also from BCN.

I love Rome but would think August is not the best time to visit(do intensive sightseeing). To an extent that is true of Barcelona too, the high humidity can be quite a killer but at least many sites are open till 8pm.

I have no experience with the particular cities you're asking about, but will comment because of how HOT it can be in August. Normally I'd love to do Rome and Barcelona, but because of your month of travel might rather stick to a (less urban) seaside or mountain location instead.