Feedback wanted please!!
Dec 25th, 2013, 07:36 AM
#21
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If you go to the Bernese Oberland you could also stay in Interlaken, which is a good base to visit the mountains by railway, and also has some music festivals in June & July: http://files.gadmin.ch/52676?CFID=bd...989f&CFTOKEN=0
Dec 25th, 2013, 08:24 AM
#22
>>>It is a fair bit more expensive to do an open jaw flight from here, but that is an option<<<
That is usually not the case unless you have found a really cheap flight to London. If you would state your departure cities/dates, we could probably help you find flights that would not waste your time backtracking. You probably didn't factor in the cost of having to get back to your original city either.
London has a high departure tax also so you might find flying into London and home from Rome (or elsewhere) to be comparable. You really need to tweak your cities when hunting flights for your dates. It could be cheap to fly into Paris and home from Rome, but not vice versa. You have to try multiple combos like that, but you should be able to find a comparably priced flight.
That is usually not the case unless you have found a really cheap flight to London. If you would state your departure cities/dates, we could probably help you find flights that would not waste your time backtracking. You probably didn't factor in the cost of having to get back to your original city either.
London has a high departure tax also so you might find flying into London and home from Rome (or elsewhere) to be comparable. You really need to tweak your cities when hunting flights for your dates. It could be cheap to fly into Paris and home from Rome, but not vice versa. You have to try multiple combos like that, but you should be able to find a comparably priced flight.
Dec 25th, 2013, 10:42 AM
#23
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Wow, thanks everyone. Great suggestions, thanks.
I'm looking on skyscanner for flights. I know I missed early bird but some airlines should still hopefully have some specials coming up.
I'm looking on skyscanner for flights. I know I missed early bird but some airlines should still hopefully have some specials coming up.
Dec 25th, 2013, 10:43 AM
#24
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I would dump Bordeaux just for starters. It is NOT romantic, or even terribly interesting (though better than it was 10 years ago) and there's wine around every corner in France. If you want romantic, bypass Bordeaux and go straight to the Dordogne.
I'd also dump Geneva - booooorrrriiinnngggg!
And I guess to an Aussie these places seem "close to each other," but in reality they aren't, and even though distances may not be long for you, the cultures change in a heartbeat (architecture, language, food, landscape...) so it's very important to figure in your travel time between them.
I'd also dump Geneva - booooorrrriiinnngggg!
And I guess to an Aussie these places seem "close to each other," but in reality they aren't, and even though distances may not be long for you, the cultures change in a heartbeat (architecture, language, food, landscape...) so it's very important to figure in your travel time between them.
Dec 25th, 2013, 10:47 AM
#25
For hiking in Italy, consider instead of CT going to the Amalfi coast and Capri. There is more variety and less of a problem with unpredictable closures, and there are Pompeii and Naples nearby.
Suggest: Rome, Amalfi coast/Capri, Florence, Venice, someplace if France (Nice and Provence with a car?), Paris, London. Day trips based in Paris and London and probably Florence.
Allow a full wasted day whenever you plan to change location. Check for connection methods and schedules, and don't forget the slack time needed to guarantee not missing a train or plane. Remember, you don't get from a hotel room to a train station instantaneously!
Suggest: Rome, Amalfi coast/Capri, Florence, Venice, someplace if France (Nice and Provence with a car?), Paris, London. Day trips based in Paris and London and probably Florence.
Allow a full wasted day whenever you plan to change location. Check for connection methods and schedules, and don't forget the slack time needed to guarantee not missing a train or plane. Remember, you don't get from a hotel room to a train station instantaneously!
Dec 25th, 2013, 10:49 AM
#26
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Going from UK to Rome then this and that to Spain, etc. Have you looked at the map!! LOL
And of course it is your trip, but Milan and Bordeaux do not rise to my interest. Provence is more charming to me.
I haven't read all posts but the idea of picking 5 or 6 places and enjoying them with day trips is good.
Just saw your second itinerary and it is better. Bordeaux over Provence or Burgundy?
Two days in Venice is fine.
You'll be sorry you limited Paris to 5, IMO.
And Swiss cities tend to be quite sterile to me, echoing what others may have hinted at.
Glad Spain has been left.
And of course it is your trip, but Milan and Bordeaux do not rise to my interest. Provence is more charming to me.
I haven't read all posts but the idea of picking 5 or 6 places and enjoying them with day trips is good.
Just saw your second itinerary and it is better. Bordeaux over Provence or Burgundy?
Two days in Venice is fine.
You'll be sorry you limited Paris to 5, IMO.
And Swiss cities tend to be quite sterile to me, echoing what others may have hinted at.
Glad Spain has been left.
Dec 25th, 2013, 04:50 PM
#27
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I have a new version of my Italian leg of the trip.
This is a good learning experience as I have not been to Europe - which I am sure is obvious LOL and hence my need for advice!
Starting in Rome, we could spend 3-4 days here, then go to the Amalfi Coast (based on advice that CT is less predictable for hiking given recent landslides), via Naples.
So, with travel at either end, is three days enough (including travel to and from) enough?
Then we would spend four days in AC (is this enough/too much)
To get to Venice, I am assuming we would need to go back to Naples and fly (I found some cheap flights)
Spend a day in Venice and leave the next morning to go to the Dolomites by train
Does anyone have any advice on the best way to do this and where is the best place in the Dolomites to stay and do day hikes from? Also, how many days is enough/too much?
From here, we would most likely have to go back to Venice to get to the next part of the trip, which is France, hopefully starting with the French alps.
This is a good learning experience as I have not been to Europe - which I am sure is obvious LOL and hence my need for advice!
Starting in Rome, we could spend 3-4 days here, then go to the Amalfi Coast (based on advice that CT is less predictable for hiking given recent landslides), via Naples.
So, with travel at either end, is three days enough (including travel to and from) enough?
Then we would spend four days in AC (is this enough/too much)
To get to Venice, I am assuming we would need to go back to Naples and fly (I found some cheap flights)
Spend a day in Venice and leave the next morning to go to the Dolomites by train
Does anyone have any advice on the best way to do this and where is the best place in the Dolomites to stay and do day hikes from? Also, how many days is enough/too much?
From here, we would most likely have to go back to Venice to get to the next part of the trip, which is France, hopefully starting with the French alps.
Dec 25th, 2013, 06:13 PM
#28
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I would much rather take the train to Venice. It does not really take longer if you add up the time it takes to get to the airport, survive security, boarding... SIGH. By train you see something of the pretty Italian countryside. And stepping out of the Santa Lucia station in Venice is magic.
I just want to add my vote to all who are urging you to do less and see more. I am from South Africa, and I know when we look at the maps, places in Europe seem so close together. It is not. Do not ignore the cost, as well as the sheer exhaustion and low level stress of navigating stations and airports in languages that you do not understand. It will be much much more romantic to have time to wander, to drink it all in.
Happy planning!
I just want to add my vote to all who are urging you to do less and see more. I am from South Africa, and I know when we look at the maps, places in Europe seem so close together. It is not. Do not ignore the cost, as well as the sheer exhaustion and low level stress of navigating stations and airports in languages that you do not understand. It will be much much more romantic to have time to wander, to drink it all in.
Happy planning!
Dec 25th, 2013, 06:39 PM
#29
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So far the cheapest flights I have found are in and out of London with Royal Brunei (which a friend tells me were good when she travelled with them, apart from the zero alcohol policy!) and they are AU$1550.
Every open jaw search I have tried - flying into Rome and out of Paris; into Rome and out of London; into Paris and out of London; into London and out of Paris - is at least $1000 more, hence why I planned to do London first and then go straight to Rome (it is only around $100 flight in any case and means we wouldn't do Rome at the hotter part of our trip).
Dates are 2 or 3 June, returning 18 July.
Every open jaw search I have tried - flying into Rome and out of Paris; into Rome and out of London; into Paris and out of London; into London and out of Paris - is at least $1000 more, hence why I planned to do London first and then go straight to Rome (it is only around $100 flight in any case and means we wouldn't do Rome at the hotter part of our trip).
Dates are 2 or 3 June, returning 18 July.
Dec 25th, 2013, 07:31 PM
#30
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> Starting in Rome, we could spend 3-4 days here, then go to the Amalfi Coast (based on advice that CT is less predictable for hiking given recent landslides), via Naples.
So, with travel at either end, is three days enough (including travel to and from) enough?
Then we would spend four days in AC (is this enough/too much
Aside from the fact that 3-4 days really shortchanges Rome IMO, 4 days on the Amalfi Coast is IMO not enough. I think that area deserves at least 1 week, particularly if a central interest is in hiking. But it really depends on your interests.
Like others, I am a bit puzzled by some of your choices, in terms of both having them on your list and the amount of time you are giving them. I wonder what guide books you are using to develop your plans, as they don't seem to be serving you particularly well. As I said before, you will see some wonderful things, but at least from what I know so far, I believe your trip could be much more rewarding if you continue to adjust it.
So, with travel at either end, is three days enough (including travel to and from) enough?
Then we would spend four days in AC (is this enough/too much
Aside from the fact that 3-4 days really shortchanges Rome IMO, 4 days on the Amalfi Coast is IMO not enough. I think that area deserves at least 1 week, particularly if a central interest is in hiking. But it really depends on your interests.
Like others, I am a bit puzzled by some of your choices, in terms of both having them on your list and the amount of time you are giving them. I wonder what guide books you are using to develop your plans, as they don't seem to be serving you particularly well. As I said before, you will see some wonderful things, but at least from what I know so far, I believe your trip could be much more rewarding if you continue to adjust it.
Dec 26th, 2013, 12:36 AM
#31
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<Why San Sebastian>
Beautiful San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain (if not all of Europe), some of the finest city beaches on the continent, fabulous landscapes and a local culture that people take great pride in. European Capital of Culture 2016. http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/
Recently voted the world's fifth best destination by the Condé Nast Traveler:
http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/san-se...fth-best-city/
17 Michelin stars in town (pop 180 000) and according to the world's most famous chef the past decade, Ferran Adrià of now closed El Bulli, the best place to eat in the world "in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into".
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...rink.shopping2
A couple of quite recent articles:
Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...lin-stars.html
CNN: http://travel.cnn.com/san-sebastians...erience-736551
NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/tr...anted=all&_r=0
Beautiful San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain (if not all of Europe), some of the finest city beaches on the continent, fabulous landscapes and a local culture that people take great pride in. European Capital of Culture 2016. http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/
Recently voted the world's fifth best destination by the Condé Nast Traveler:
http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/san-se...fth-best-city/
17 Michelin stars in town (pop 180 000) and according to the world's most famous chef the past decade, Ferran Adrià of now closed El Bulli, the best place to eat in the world "in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into".
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...rink.shopping2
A couple of quite recent articles:
Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...lin-stars.html
CNN: http://travel.cnn.com/san-sebastians...erience-736551
NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/tr...anted=all&_r=0
Dec 26th, 2013, 01:07 AM
#32
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<i>Beautiful San Sebastián is the culinary capital of Spain (if not all of Europe), some of the finest city beaches on the continent, fabulous landscapes and a local culture that people take great pride in. European Capital of Culture 2016.</i>
Is it worth 3 days compared to 4 each for London & Rome?
Is it worth 3 days compared to 4 each for London & Rome?
Dec 26th, 2013, 01:30 AM
#33
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I think that obviously advice can be subjective, all based on wants and interests. We would love to do San Seb for ALL the reasons listed, which is why our first itinerary was over extending ourselves. We know this, but we also knew that by seeking advice we could work out our main priorities in line with a realistic opportunity to see as much as we can while not trying to do too much to see anything ...
Our main priorities: hiking, bike riding, wine tasting, beach lying and some city experiences (London, Paris, Rome) ... that leaves a plethora of options ... and all only limited by time ...
Our main priorities: hiking, bike riding, wine tasting, beach lying and some city experiences (London, Paris, Rome) ... that leaves a plethora of options ... and all only limited by time ...
Dec 26th, 2013, 02:35 AM
#36
Just a few thoughts
1) You can do Champagne in a day trip from Paris. Catch an early TGV into Reims and have a great day.
2) You can make a Champagne trip into a longer trip visiting both Reims and Epernay (train between) or hire bikes and go out and visit smaller champagne houses (ask tourist info)
3) Bordeaux the city is a little dull (great shopping) and can get very humid in June/July (big river lots of heat). Again cycling is very possible. Visiting the better chateaux needs an invitation but there is plenty to taste all over the place and even some of the villages offer a central tasting and buying area (like a shop)
This link on Champage and Bordeaux cycling may help
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Champagne_Cellars.php
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Champagne_Guide.php
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Bordeaux_Guide.php
1) You can do Champagne in a day trip from Paris. Catch an early TGV into Reims and have a great day.
2) You can make a Champagne trip into a longer trip visiting both Reims and Epernay (train between) or hire bikes and go out and visit smaller champagne houses (ask tourist info)
3) Bordeaux the city is a little dull (great shopping) and can get very humid in June/July (big river lots of heat). Again cycling is very possible. Visiting the better chateaux needs an invitation but there is plenty to taste all over the place and even some of the villages offer a central tasting and buying area (like a shop)
This link on Champage and Bordeaux cycling may help
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Champagne_Cellars.php
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Champagne_Guide.php
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Bordeaux_Guide.php
Dec 26th, 2013, 06:19 AM
#37
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San Sebastián would also be excellent for bike riding and hiking + all the reasons mentioned above; food, beaches etc.
Hiking tips:
http://www.olivertheworld.com/kids-t...-san-sebastian
http://www.everytrail.com/browse.php...Basque+Country
http://www.wandermap.net/en/regional...San+Sebastian/
Bike riding is a national sport, both for professionals and others. Tons of great routes: http://www.mapmyride.com/es/san-seba...asque-country/
Mountain bike routes: http://www.basquemtb.com/mountain-bike-holiday-spain/
In the city: http://nicfreeman.com/2012/06/20/cyc...bastian-spain/
When it comes to wine, you're very close to the Rioja Alavesa region: http://www.rutadelvinoderiojaalavesa.com/en/
http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/rioja-alavesa/
Hiking tips:
http://www.olivertheworld.com/kids-t...-san-sebastian
http://www.everytrail.com/browse.php...Basque+Country
http://www.wandermap.net/en/regional...San+Sebastian/
Bike riding is a national sport, both for professionals and others. Tons of great routes: http://www.mapmyride.com/es/san-seba...asque-country/
Mountain bike routes: http://www.basquemtb.com/mountain-bike-holiday-spain/
In the city: http://nicfreeman.com/2012/06/20/cyc...bastian-spain/
When it comes to wine, you're very close to the Rioja Alavesa region: http://www.rutadelvinoderiojaalavesa.com/en/
http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/rioja-alavesa/
Dec 26th, 2013, 09:34 AM
#38
>>>>Every open jaw search I have tried - flying into Rome and out of Paris; into Rome and out of London; into Paris and out of London; into London and out of Paris - is at least $1000 more,<<<<
Just because you can't find them, doesn't mean we can't. You have to list your departure city in order for us to help you with flights. London (or UK) is usually more because of high departure tax.
Just because you can't find them, doesn't mean we can't. You have to list your departure city in order for us to help you with flights. London (or UK) is usually more because of high departure tax.
Dec 26th, 2013, 10:22 AM
#39
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I like the Rome/Amalfi Coast/Venice new portion of your trip. I agree with kja that you need more time in Rome and the AC. The AC needs more time, in part, because it takes some effort to get there. I usually stay a minimum of 5 days and usually a full week. Amazing scenery, hiking and beaches. Be sure to get the Sunflower hiking book - lots of good information.
Dec 26th, 2013, 11:11 AM
#40
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I was going to ask the same question, Jamikins: are you sure you're looking at the multi-city option vs. two one-way flights? I ask this only because I made the same mistake for years when others would suggest open-jaw flights. I robbed myself - not just the $$$ for the travel back to the landing city, but more importantly of one or two precious travel days.
