Europe in 12 days
Aug 2nd, 2006, 09:23 PM
#21
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I've done the whirlwind trip, and one single destination trip and found the latter much more relaxing, although I must say I saw a lot that first time.
Aside from the bronchitis in Paris that sidelined me from seeing much, this is what we did in the first 12 days of a 23-day expedition that started in London & ended in Istanbul.
Arrived in London, 2 nights
Eurostar to Paris, 3 nights
Overnight train to Venice, 2 nights,
Morning train to Florence, 1 night
Morning train to Rome, 4 nights
So theoretically, you can see 5 cities in 12 days, and even throw in a trip to a Parisian doctor as I got, along with a round of antibiotics and pathetically bad antihistamines.
The thing is, no matter how old you are, the mistake most of us make as first-timers is to think that we'll NEVER go there again, so we try to cram as much in as possible.
Granted, my whirlwind across Europe just gave me a taste for it, so I decided to go back and give London some more time and give Paris its due with 8 days last fall. But I think the advice here is quite good...covering that much ground is going to leave you exhausted.
I got the book Europe Through The Back Door by Rick Steves, who has decent itinerary suggestions based on the number of days you have. You might get the book and look at independent travel before going with a tour.
The major complaints about tours have merit -- if you have an independent spirit, you might find yourself in a herd of people (some you'll detest by day 3). If you don't and you like the idea of being with the same people and not having to worry about where you're staying, or the fact that all these people are wherever you are etc., then it might be for you.
April is a great time to go...where you go and how you go is still up to you.
Happy travels,
Jules
Aside from the bronchitis in Paris that sidelined me from seeing much, this is what we did in the first 12 days of a 23-day expedition that started in London & ended in Istanbul.
Arrived in London, 2 nights
Eurostar to Paris, 3 nights
Overnight train to Venice, 2 nights,
Morning train to Florence, 1 night
Morning train to Rome, 4 nights
So theoretically, you can see 5 cities in 12 days, and even throw in a trip to a Parisian doctor as I got, along with a round of antibiotics and pathetically bad antihistamines.
The thing is, no matter how old you are, the mistake most of us make as first-timers is to think that we'll NEVER go there again, so we try to cram as much in as possible.
Granted, my whirlwind across Europe just gave me a taste for it, so I decided to go back and give London some more time and give Paris its due with 8 days last fall. But I think the advice here is quite good...covering that much ground is going to leave you exhausted.
I got the book Europe Through The Back Door by Rick Steves, who has decent itinerary suggestions based on the number of days you have. You might get the book and look at independent travel before going with a tour.
The major complaints about tours have merit -- if you have an independent spirit, you might find yourself in a herd of people (some you'll detest by day 3). If you don't and you like the idea of being with the same people and not having to worry about where you're staying, or the fact that all these people are wherever you are etc., then it might be for you.
April is a great time to go...where you go and how you go is still up to you.
Happy travels,
Jules
Aug 3rd, 2006, 02:07 PM
#23
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Globus I think still does this tour: it is the reverse of the one I took my first trip to Europe and as I recall, our tour director said it was a 12 day. It should be listed on their web site. And I'm sorry I may get Venice and Florence mixed up...the order that is. It goes Rome, Venice, Florence (or the reverse), Lucerne, Paris, London. The tour I was on started in London and ended in Rome and was 14 days. It looks like the only city you would miss would be Benice. Globus gives a good value.
Most of the people on this board are independent travelers, and I too have traveled independently my last two trips and will be going independently to Paris this November. Yes we were on the move but it's not at horrible as some like to make it out. Also, Gobus has more leg room on their buses than some companies. The take a smaller number of people and the buses are configured accordingly. I didn't get chummy with a lot of the group but a lot of people did and enjoyed each others company. Some of them still remain in contact. My sister-in-law got quite friendly with a couple from Australia and corresponds with them and has an open invitation to visit them at any time. We had a diverse group from the youngest being 13, several couples in their 20's, two young single gals, and the balance being from probably late 40's up to late 60's. We also had two couples that would not have been happy if you hung 'em with a new rope, but they made for good gossip among the rest of us.
We had all or most of our afternoons free to be on our own if we wanted, or there WERE side tours offered. No high pressure, you could take or not as you chose. Of course we were up early in the mornings, but we were having a nice breakfast while someone else was schleping our suitcases to the bus etc. With the limited time you have, I imagine you would be up early anyway.
So, perhaps it might be worth a peek. I know that Globus lists all their tours on their website. Then if you click on the tour it will give the itinerary, the cost etc.
Most of the people on this board are independent travelers, and I too have traveled independently my last two trips and will be going independently to Paris this November. Yes we were on the move but it's not at horrible as some like to make it out. Also, Gobus has more leg room on their buses than some companies. The take a smaller number of people and the buses are configured accordingly. I didn't get chummy with a lot of the group but a lot of people did and enjoyed each others company. Some of them still remain in contact. My sister-in-law got quite friendly with a couple from Australia and corresponds with them and has an open invitation to visit them at any time. We had a diverse group from the youngest being 13, several couples in their 20's, two young single gals, and the balance being from probably late 40's up to late 60's. We also had two couples that would not have been happy if you hung 'em with a new rope, but they made for good gossip among the rest of us.
We had all or most of our afternoons free to be on our own if we wanted, or there WERE side tours offered. No high pressure, you could take or not as you chose. Of course we were up early in the mornings, but we were having a nice breakfast while someone else was schleping our suitcases to the bus etc. With the limited time you have, I imagine you would be up early anyway.
So, perhaps it might be worth a peek. I know that Globus lists all their tours on their website. Then if you click on the tour it will give the itinerary, the cost etc.
Aug 3rd, 2006, 02:10 PM
#24
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It sounds just like the film "If It's Tuesday It Must Be Belgium." For me that would be way too much, especially when you factor in the luggage-outside-the-door-by-6:00 a.m. requirement.
Take a look at the Grand Circle Tours trips. They travel at a slower pace, with more in-depth coverage of a country's culture and longer stays in cities. Don't be put off by a few posters' bashing of GCT--there's always someone who's dissatisfied. Everyone I know who's done GCT tours comes back raving about them.
Take a look at the Grand Circle Tours trips. They travel at a slower pace, with more in-depth coverage of a country's culture and longer stays in cities. Don't be put off by a few posters' bashing of GCT--there's always someone who's dissatisfied. Everyone I know who's done GCT tours comes back raving about them.
Aug 3rd, 2006, 02:14 PM
#25
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We were never on the bus at 6:30 in the morning. 8 or 8:30 as I recall. So I was in the shower at 6:30 LOL Just had a vision of me running down the hall, wet hair and a towel yelling "hey, waith for me!!!!!!" NOT pretty under any circumstance!!
What ever you decide, you'll have fun and want to return I'm sure.
What ever you decide, you'll have fun and want to return I'm sure.
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