gingerpot

Hi

counting down!! Only 13 days to go before we head from downunder (Australia) on what hopes to be a fabulous Mother, Daughters bonding trip through Europe. I am such a lucky mother to be able to share a month in Europe with my two daughters. This will be our very first time to Europe. My daughters are 16 and 19years. This is our itinerary after many days reading up on Fodors. I'll rundown on the places we are stopping in. Any feedback or advice with places we must see, great restuarants will be so much appreciated. My daughters are paying their own way and have been saving for so long. We are on a budget but luckily, I am a Travel Agent so get really good travel deals on Accommodation and Flights. Thanks- Here goes!!

Malaysia 1 1/2 days (stopover on our way to London) With the Aussie dollar this will probably be where we spend our money on shopping!!)
London 3 nights
Eurostar to Brussels (2 nights)
Train to Berlin (2 nights)
Flights with Air Berlin to Vienna (1 1/2 night)
Flight to Athens 1 night
4 night Greek Island Cruise ( Patmos Mykonos, Rhodes & day trip in Turkey)
Athens (3nights)
Flight to Rome (4 nts)
Train Rome to Florence (2 nts)
Train Florence to Venice (2 nts)
Train Venice to Nice (2 nts)
Train NIce to Paris (4 nts)
Flight Paris to London
Flight back to Australia

I know there is a lot of places but would like to see the most obvious Sightseeing places. Helps when recommending to my clients back home. If you could list possibly the definate must sees! Also love to visit some great markets (not too expensive) We are like many travellers here on a budget. The poor aussie dollar doesn't give us much to the Euro! 13 days and counting down!!!
thanks so much!!

LoveItaly

Hello gingerpot, you are a travel agent so this will be a wonderful way for you to discover other countries and cities while enjoying your daughters company. And the fact that your daughters have saved up to pay their own way it quite impressive in my book.

I read through your itinerary. One thing I noticed, no surprise as you are in the travel business, is that you indicated how many nights in each location versus saying how many days. Stating the number of days always confuses me. Does two days mean arriving one day and leaving the next? I am sure you understand.

I know that some will probably say that you are going to visit to many places. But given the situation you have explained my personal feeling is that this will be a wonderful trip. Plus it will help you with your clients. And it will be such a joyful time for you and your daughters. My very best wishes to all three of you.

degas

Do you really want feedback on your itinerary? At this late date, its doubtful you would change the city line up.

Sure looks like too many widely dispersed cities and not much time in any one place. It might work for you, but I expect most people would find too tiring and regret the inability to explore in-depth. I expect you already know your "in-transit" time and time spent checking in and out of hotels and going to and from airports and train stations is huge.

Good luck.

SusanP

I have to agree with degas, do you really want input at this late date? This looks like an exhausting marathon. All those 2-night stays, you'll only have 1 to 1-1/2 days in those places after the time travelling between them. And how do you end up with 1-1/2 nights in Vienna? Just curious.

gingerpot

Thanks for your replies. Yes I know this is a fast Itinerary. I decided on the plane flights to increase time spent on land. What do you think if I stay in Rome longer and just make a full day trip to florence? I know there is so much to see in Rome. We could also get a plane from Nice to Paris? This trip is mainly to introduce Europe to my daughters. They will have plenty of time to go back again and stay longer. But for me, time is very hard to find to get away from my work. I'm too busy sendng people over there!! It's a very long way from Australia! The stop in Vienna is only short, mainly because we have to catch up with the cruise in Athens. Enough time for a quick (very quick!) look.
Appreciate all feedback, good or bad.
thanks

Carola22

Perhaps you could leave out Florence altogether? From what I've heard it's VERY touristy and slick, and museums only open at certain hours so there are enormous lines in front of each one. Of course, it is beautiful and full of art, but... it all depends on what's most important to you of course!

degas

I would find a way to add nights in London, Rome, Paris, Venice and Florence. Brussels, Berlin, Vienna and Nice would be much lower on my list.

Carola22

Don't quite agree with this recommendation - I would recommend London, Rome, Venice, Berlin and Vienna but not Florence, Nice, Brussels and Paris.

Where2Travel

At this late stage I am sure you only want to make minor amendments to your plans.

My initial reaction was to remove Brussels altogether. I'd add the nights to London but others may choose to add them on somewhere else. Three nights in London after your long flights from home is not very much at all. There are many flight options (often cheap) between London and Berlin which you could use.

A few people have said it should be a low priority but Berlin is one of my favourite cities so I'd keep that in. It's probably one of Europe's most underrated cities.

degas

More time in London, skipping Brussels and flying to Berlin would a good option. Adding a little more time in Florence would give you a chance to see some wonderful small towns like Siena and San Gimignano. Save Paris for last since IMHO most everything else pales in comparison.