European Sampler, 4 weeks, 6 countries?
Jul 28th, 2017, 02:11 PM
#181
>>Italy is no more "hot and crowded" in the summer than anyplace else in Europe in the summer, with very few exceptions. <<
Not at all true IMO/IME. Sure there can be heat waves anywhere. But a heat wave in Rome = 95ºF or 100ºF, a heat wave in in London or Edinburgh or Amsterdam might hit 80ºF or 85ºF
Not at all true IMO/IME. Sure there can be heat waves anywhere. But a heat wave in Rome = 95ºF or 100ºF, a heat wave in in London or Edinburgh or Amsterdam might hit 80ºF or 85ºF
Jul 28th, 2017, 03:02 PM
#182
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city of Florence weather site says:
<The chance that a given day will be muggy in Florence is rapidly increasing during July, rising from 18% to 30% over the course of the month.
For reference, on August 7, the muggiest day of the year, there are muggy conditions 32% of the time, while on January 1, the least muggy day of the year, there are muggy conditions 0% of the time>
And when that avg high of 90 gets muggy too it can really swelter -again I have lots of times spent in years past - generations some may say - July and August in Italy and all over Europe and except for Andalucia in Spain Rome and Florence are as uncomfortably hot-tourist meccas in Europe- tourists start wilting almost literally, in the street - massimop have you been in Florence or Rome in mid-July-August? You really think it's about as warm as say London, Munich, Paris, etc?
<The chance that a given day will be muggy in Florence is rapidly increasing during July, rising from 18% to 30% over the course of the month.
For reference, on August 7, the muggiest day of the year, there are muggy conditions 32% of the time, while on January 1, the least muggy day of the year, there are muggy conditions 0% of the time>
And when that avg high of 90 gets muggy too it can really swelter -again I have lots of times spent in years past - generations some may say - July and August in Italy and all over Europe and except for Andalucia in Spain Rome and Florence are as uncomfortably hot-tourist meccas in Europe- tourists start wilting almost literally, in the street - massimop have you been in Florence or Rome in mid-July-August? You really think it's about as warm as say London, Munich, Paris, etc?
Jul 28th, 2017, 03:23 PM
#183
I just got back from Rome last night. It was hot--and yes it was crowded, it's Rome after all--but I didn't see anybody wilting in the streets. Everyone appeared to be having a good time, actually. I know I was.
Anyway, this is not to persuade the OP to go to Italy this trip (although I spent a week in Venice this trip, and it was fine, not too hot at all for me and I live in San Francisco), but just to point out that for many of us who for work or other reasons must travel during the summer, Italy is certainly doable. A few years ago a friend and I chose Poland and the Czech Republic to visit, thinking "oh yeah, north, it'll be cooler" and it was baking hot and humid as hell. But we still had a marvelous trip. I even went running in the mornings.
OP, I loved the Netherlands in June. It stays light very late. Amsterdam is a great walking around city.
Anyway, this is not to persuade the OP to go to Italy this trip (although I spent a week in Venice this trip, and it was fine, not too hot at all for me and I live in San Francisco), but just to point out that for many of us who for work or other reasons must travel during the summer, Italy is certainly doable. A few years ago a friend and I chose Poland and the Czech Republic to visit, thinking "oh yeah, north, it'll be cooler" and it was baking hot and humid as hell. But we still had a marvelous trip. I even went running in the mornings.
OP, I loved the Netherlands in June. It stays light very late. Amsterdam is a great walking around city.
Jul 28th, 2017, 11:01 PM
#184
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The idea that Belgium is as hot as Italy in summer - I wish!
A heatwave here means 5 consecutive days of temperatures higher than 25C with at least 3 days higher than 30. Out of interest I looked this up; 9 heatwaves in Belgium since 2000, including the one we had this year in June.
Last week some days were 15C with showers. I'm on the Belgian coast now, where it is overcast and grey. And it's quiet - the beach is empty
A heatwave here means 5 consecutive days of temperatures higher than 25C with at least 3 days higher than 30. Out of interest I looked this up; 9 heatwaves in Belgium since 2000, including the one we had this year in June.
Last week some days were 15C with showers. I'm on the Belgian coast now, where it is overcast and grey. And it's quiet - the beach is empty
Jul 28th, 2017, 11:49 PM
#185
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Historical weather data doesn't matter much. Yes, the odds of it being hotter in Rome than in Berlin or Amsterdam is 99%
But on a given day it might be 95℉ in Berlin and 80℃ in Rome. You can never know.
But on a given day it might be 95℉ in Berlin and 80℃ in Rome. You can never know.
Jul 29th, 2017, 01:02 AM
#186
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It's simple to do google searches for "heatwave Brussels" or "heatwave Germany" or Paris or Netherlands, Ireland, etc, and see what's been happening in Europe recently. And next week, Italy is braced to get hot.
Moving target in summertime, and if your trip is next year in summer, you should pick on the basis of where you most want to go and hope you won't encounter extreme weather in any of those places, of whatever sort, But I wouldn't worry about it.
Moving target in summertime, and if your trip is next year in summer, you should pick on the basis of where you most want to go and hope you won't encounter extreme weather in any of those places, of whatever sort, But I wouldn't worry about it.
Jul 29th, 2017, 05:46 AM
#188
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It's simple to do google searches for "heatwave Brussels" or "heatwave Germany" or Paris or Netherlands, Ireland, etc, and see what's been happening in Europe recently.>
And there are cool wet waves in northern Europe too that Rome et al don't experience - Northern Europe has always seen sporadic heat waves or canicule as I believe the French call them - nothing new -I spend 45 very hot days in northern Europe one year in the 80s- 90F nearly every day on our bike trips- and a few years of 45 days of cool and rain.
IN NO WAY IS NORTHERN EUROPE AS HOT AS ROME OR FLORENCE OR MUCH OF ITALY IN SUMMER- no way- you need to travel more in summer I guess if you still persist in believing that.
And there are cool wet waves in northern Europe too that Rome et al don't experience - Northern Europe has always seen sporadic heat waves or canicule as I believe the French call them - nothing new -I spend 45 very hot days in northern Europe one year in the 80s- 90F nearly every day on our bike trips- and a few years of 45 days of cool and rain.
IN NO WAY IS NORTHERN EUROPE AS HOT AS ROME OR FLORENCE OR MUCH OF ITALY IN SUMMER- no way- you need to travel more in summer I guess if you still persist in believing that.
Jul 29th, 2017, 06:22 AM
#189
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I live here. We've had summers with weeks of rain on end. It's been raining all day here on the Belgian coast today, and it rained most of last week. Occasionally there's a heatwave - but these never last long. After a few days of 30+ temperatures there's usually a storm. July is one of the wettest months of the year, on average. Still, there are good restaurants to while away the hours.
This is only worth worrying about if you are planning a beach holiday.
This is only worth worrying about if you are planning a beach holiday.
Jul 29th, 2017, 07:58 AM
#190
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PixieGal, if you want to climb Arthur's Seat, look into booking at Pollock Halls, the university halls of residence. Arthur's Seat will be in your back yard, so to speak, and you'll have the sights nearby as well.
Jul 29th, 2017, 10:02 AM
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I don't have time to read all of the above posts, but as for Denmark, it's a really nice country and with really nice people. I have been living there in summers, solo, since a young teen in the early 70s. If I were you, I would give Copenhagen 3-4 nights. I was just there both this month and last month as I split my time there to be able to see friends at different times.
As far as accommodations, I used to have a great Airbnb place, but it is not available right now although I did see my previous host, last month, to say hi as I've become friends with my Airbnb hosts in various countries.
It can be difficult to find an Airbnb place, way in advance, in Copenhagen as many hosts aren't sure when their places will be available. I looked, on this recent trip, but decided instead to stay at the Clarion Hotel, at the airport, as a few of my close friends have also stayed there, back when it was the Hilton. The name recently changed to Clarion. I plan to make that my regular place to stay unless I decide to have very long stays in Copenhagen. I used to spend 11 weeks straight in the city, back in the day, but now do 7-14 days.
https://www.nordicchoicehotels.com/h...hagen-airport/
From the Clarion, I commuted into the city (about 15 minutes) by either subway or train as both stations are connected to Kastrup Airport and the hotel is attached to the airport. It's also in a covered area the entire time, so no having to be out rolling suitcases in the rain and over cobblestones. Plus, it's a big, modern hotel with spacious rooms.
As for the price, rooms can be as low as $175, depending on the month and time within the month. I paid around $275. for a large room, June 27th, summer time, for my first stay and then was back again in July and for less money. If you are 3 people, you could get a larger room and split the cost. The location of the hotel is also very convenient for when one either arrives into the airport or has to leave out of it or the train station. Plus, the trains to Sweden are connected to the airport for those who want to hop over to Sweden. And as I mentioned, the train station is inside of the airport area and also goes directly to the main train station in the heart of the city and the metro/subway goes straight to Kongens Nytorv (Nyhavn area), Norreport, and other areas. There's only one subway line from the airport. Easy. The airport is really small and very easy to get around in as I now fly between different European cities and not take trains a whole lot anymore, depending on the cities.
My flight schedule, on this recent trip, was LAX-Paris (non-stop/Air France) and then change planes and on to Milan (Italy). Then, after Milan, it was Milan to Paris (Air France) for some days to see some friends. I stayed in my long-time hotel. Then, it was Paris to Copenhagen, to see to first group of friends. And after Copenhagen, it was Copenhagen to Seville, Spain by way of Frankfurt. After Seville, Spain, it was back up to Copenhagen to see the second group of friends and then Copenhagen to Paris, change planes, and on to LAX. I was gone for 3.5 weeks and flew the whole time. Plus, both times I stayed at the Clarion, making it easy to come in and out of DK. I had two, very early-morning flights out of the airport; one at around 6:50AM to Seville, and then upon departure home, the 6:30AM flight, on Air France, back to Paris and on to LAX. I was able to wheel my suitcases from the hotel right into the airport terminal, in about 5 minutes. The hotel even has a flight board.
My one-way, flight from Paris (CDG), to Copenhagen and in economy class, cost me $54.96 and on Air France and the flight is only an hour and fifty minutes, so why sit on a long train as I've done the Paris to Copenhagen, and visa-versa train route many times, over the past decades. I just pulled up my Expedia account to check that flight and price information. I personally book almost everything on Expedia and way in advance. Plus, I like it being easy to pull up information and even have a stored, past-history trip section so that I can look at prices that I paid, on past trips, and then plan future ones.
As for food in Danmark, yes, it can be expensive, but there are so many places that are no more expensive than most anywhere else that I've been to in Europe. You just need to both do some research and also while there look around. In Copenhagen, I grab a bite regularly in the food section on the bottom level of Magazin Department store right above the Kongens Nytorv metro/ subway station. Plus, there's a grocery store there. In different places, I use deli-style places a lot and get containers of food to go. I always pack plastic forks/spoons on trips.
There's also the nearby Torvehallen at Norreport station that has vendor after vendor of food stalls. One can easily walk that whole area from Kongens Nytorv to Norreport. I personally walk all over Copenhagen as it's not that big of a city.
http://torvehallernekbh.dk
There’s also a great small eatery, nearby, on Fiolstraede that does salad plates with either meat sides or vegetarian sides and also sandwiches.
https://www.hapsnu.dk
There are plenty of places that aren't super expensive as Danes have to also eat. I just don't go to a restaurant every time that I eat out as that can really add on the expense. There are plenty Italian, Middle Eastern, Asian, etc, small eateries around town.
When, I plan a trip to anywhere, in the world, I make a calendar on my MacBook and put in the dates that I plan to travel. Before computers, I used to draw up a calendar, on paper, and do the same. I then plug in my places of interests, flights, and accommodations of interest and then do my research and plug in prices and start booking it all online.
I spend 6 weeks straight in S.E. Asia, in winters, and use this system and also spend part of summer in Europe and also use this system. In a few days, I will be off to Japan and have my calendar finished and printed and will take it with me in order to remember where I’ll be and when. I also print all pages pertaining to flights and accommodations, etc as I personally like to have hard copies of travel information at hand.
I have already finished my Summer 2018 calendar, I just need to wait now until the flights open up to and from Paris as I fly Air France non-stop, from L.A., and then plan places within Europe separately. As long as I have my main flight, the rest is easy and it gives me time to finalize the rest of the plans.
Have a fun time planning and have a great trip next summer.
Happy Travels!
As far as accommodations, I used to have a great Airbnb place, but it is not available right now although I did see my previous host, last month, to say hi as I've become friends with my Airbnb hosts in various countries.
It can be difficult to find an Airbnb place, way in advance, in Copenhagen as many hosts aren't sure when their places will be available. I looked, on this recent trip, but decided instead to stay at the Clarion Hotel, at the airport, as a few of my close friends have also stayed there, back when it was the Hilton. The name recently changed to Clarion. I plan to make that my regular place to stay unless I decide to have very long stays in Copenhagen. I used to spend 11 weeks straight in the city, back in the day, but now do 7-14 days.
https://www.nordicchoicehotels.com/h...hagen-airport/
From the Clarion, I commuted into the city (about 15 minutes) by either subway or train as both stations are connected to Kastrup Airport and the hotel is attached to the airport. It's also in a covered area the entire time, so no having to be out rolling suitcases in the rain and over cobblestones. Plus, it's a big, modern hotel with spacious rooms.
As for the price, rooms can be as low as $175, depending on the month and time within the month. I paid around $275. for a large room, June 27th, summer time, for my first stay and then was back again in July and for less money. If you are 3 people, you could get a larger room and split the cost. The location of the hotel is also very convenient for when one either arrives into the airport or has to leave out of it or the train station. Plus, the trains to Sweden are connected to the airport for those who want to hop over to Sweden. And as I mentioned, the train station is inside of the airport area and also goes directly to the main train station in the heart of the city and the metro/subway goes straight to Kongens Nytorv (Nyhavn area), Norreport, and other areas. There's only one subway line from the airport. Easy. The airport is really small and very easy to get around in as I now fly between different European cities and not take trains a whole lot anymore, depending on the cities.
My flight schedule, on this recent trip, was LAX-Paris (non-stop/Air France) and then change planes and on to Milan (Italy). Then, after Milan, it was Milan to Paris (Air France) for some days to see some friends. I stayed in my long-time hotel. Then, it was Paris to Copenhagen, to see to first group of friends. And after Copenhagen, it was Copenhagen to Seville, Spain by way of Frankfurt. After Seville, Spain, it was back up to Copenhagen to see the second group of friends and then Copenhagen to Paris, change planes, and on to LAX. I was gone for 3.5 weeks and flew the whole time. Plus, both times I stayed at the Clarion, making it easy to come in and out of DK. I had two, very early-morning flights out of the airport; one at around 6:50AM to Seville, and then upon departure home, the 6:30AM flight, on Air France, back to Paris and on to LAX. I was able to wheel my suitcases from the hotel right into the airport terminal, in about 5 minutes. The hotel even has a flight board.
My one-way, flight from Paris (CDG), to Copenhagen and in economy class, cost me $54.96 and on Air France and the flight is only an hour and fifty minutes, so why sit on a long train as I've done the Paris to Copenhagen, and visa-versa train route many times, over the past decades. I just pulled up my Expedia account to check that flight and price information. I personally book almost everything on Expedia and way in advance. Plus, I like it being easy to pull up information and even have a stored, past-history trip section so that I can look at prices that I paid, on past trips, and then plan future ones.
As for food in Danmark, yes, it can be expensive, but there are so many places that are no more expensive than most anywhere else that I've been to in Europe. You just need to both do some research and also while there look around. In Copenhagen, I grab a bite regularly in the food section on the bottom level of Magazin Department store right above the Kongens Nytorv metro/ subway station. Plus, there's a grocery store there. In different places, I use deli-style places a lot and get containers of food to go. I always pack plastic forks/spoons on trips.
There's also the nearby Torvehallen at Norreport station that has vendor after vendor of food stalls. One can easily walk that whole area from Kongens Nytorv to Norreport. I personally walk all over Copenhagen as it's not that big of a city.
http://torvehallernekbh.dk
There’s also a great small eatery, nearby, on Fiolstraede that does salad plates with either meat sides or vegetarian sides and also sandwiches.
https://www.hapsnu.dk
There are plenty of places that aren't super expensive as Danes have to also eat. I just don't go to a restaurant every time that I eat out as that can really add on the expense. There are plenty Italian, Middle Eastern, Asian, etc, small eateries around town.
When, I plan a trip to anywhere, in the world, I make a calendar on my MacBook and put in the dates that I plan to travel. Before computers, I used to draw up a calendar, on paper, and do the same. I then plug in my places of interests, flights, and accommodations of interest and then do my research and plug in prices and start booking it all online.
I spend 6 weeks straight in S.E. Asia, in winters, and use this system and also spend part of summer in Europe and also use this system. In a few days, I will be off to Japan and have my calendar finished and printed and will take it with me in order to remember where I’ll be and when. I also print all pages pertaining to flights and accommodations, etc as I personally like to have hard copies of travel information at hand.
I have already finished my Summer 2018 calendar, I just need to wait now until the flights open up to and from Paris as I fly Air France non-stop, from L.A., and then plan places within Europe separately. As long as I have my main flight, the rest is easy and it gives me time to finalize the rest of the plans.
Have a fun time planning and have a great trip next summer.
Happy Travels!
Jul 29th, 2017, 04:20 PM
#193
Regarding the weather debate, if you don't have the luxury of travel every year and outside of the summer months, you should go to the countries that are the most appealing to you.
Italy is an incredible country. If you want to go, go. Don't be dissuaded by a potential heat wave.
Italy is an incredible country. If you want to go, go. Don't be dissuaded by a potential heat wave.
Jul 29th, 2017, 10:10 PM
#194
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You will have to do some homework next year - using a live weather website for each city you plan to visit.
Things change in Ireland,Scotland and Great Britain at a moments' notice.
Italy will be hot.
Belgium will likely be rainy.
You will just have to dress appropriately and go.
Things change in Ireland,Scotland and Great Britain at a moments' notice.
Italy will be hot.
Belgium will likely be rainy.
You will just have to dress appropriately and go.
Jul 30th, 2017, 07:05 AM
#196
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Italy is an incredible country. If you want to go, go. Don't be dissuaded by a potential heat wave.>
Agree - don't plan trip as to potential weather - you may go to Amsterdam because it's cooler but then a heat wave hits and many hotels have no AC...
Agree - don't plan trip as to potential weather - you may go to Amsterdam because it's cooler but then a heat wave hits and many hotels have no AC...
Aug 2nd, 2017, 09:40 AM
#199
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Alright, so Germany is completely up in the air at this point, as my son says he's not even 100% certain that's where he'll be stationed (so obviously I'm not going to know an actual city any time soon). And, he makes it clear there is a good chance he may not be able to meet with us, wherever he is (gotta love the military). So anyway, we'll probably still START in Germany, somewhere, and leave those 3+ days kind of loosely scheduled, and if it happens he's available, great!
From there, we'll meander northish, ultimately ending in either Ireland or England; this will depend on the cost of flights home from different cities.
I've got my maps and travel guides ordered (and shipped already), so now we'll sit down and start studying attractions and air/train travel & prices.
You all have been great help, and I've strongly suggested my son & DIL visit Fodors.com and start a thread about their upcoming trip to Japan. He JUST got his leave approved, and they're planning a 10-day trip before he gets deployed. I sure hope they take my advice and visit here, but they're kids, so...
From there, we'll meander northish, ultimately ending in either Ireland or England; this will depend on the cost of flights home from different cities.
I've got my maps and travel guides ordered (and shipped already), so now we'll sit down and start studying attractions and air/train travel & prices.
You all have been great help, and I've strongly suggested my son & DIL visit Fodors.com and start a thread about their upcoming trip to Japan. He JUST got his leave approved, and they're planning a 10-day trip before he gets deployed. I sure hope they take my advice and visit here, but they're kids, so...
