Bill23

I will be travelling to Europe for the first time ever in early May, and I really need help understanding what would be realistic and enjoyable given my time frame and the time of year. First, some details: I am flying in and out of Paris (I already booked this roundtrip flight) from Toronto. I'm scheduled to arrive in Paris on May 4 (early morning), and depart May 16 (afternoon). That gives me about 12.5 days in Europe.

Outside of knowing that I will arrive in Paris and depart from Paris, this trip is wide open. So that's really what I'm asking for here: with Paris as my hub, what are some potential European cities I can visit to enrich this trip? I will tell you my basic interests and also some cities I'm interested in seeing, but please feel free to suggest anything (based on those interests as well as your travel knowledge). Again, I'm a complete novice.

Interests, ranked according to priority:

1.) Aesthetic beauty; beautiful architecture and geography. A place I would enjoy simply walking around, taking in that beauty (my favorite thing "to do"). My hope is that this beauty would have a distinct charm that I, as an American who has never traveled, would have never seen before in person.

2.) Culture. A sense of being immersed in a unique and rich culture.

3.) History. Preferably the kind that can be taken in for free, just by wandering. Not a huge museum guy (outside of the Louvre, which I can't wait to visit).

4.) Now that I've established my reputation as a wandering romantic, I wouldn't mind going out a few times and enjoying beach and/or nightlife.

Cities I'm interested in: Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Prague... although you all know more than I do: feel free to suggest based on criteria above as well as logistical feasibility.

Any feedback tremendously appreciated. Thanks!!!

Michael

Almost any city within the European Union can be reached with a couple of hours by train or plane. For the time you have, Paris-London-Amsterdam-Paris might fit the bill. Or just two of the cities other than Paris. Day trips from Paris can fill in quite a bit of time. You should look at guidebooks (for sights I recommend the Michelin Green Guides--http://www.thesavvytraveller.com/insights/series/michelin/2green_guides.htm ).

KTtravel

London has the advantage of being easily reachable by Eurostar but, since it isn't one of your first choices, I would lean towards visiting Paris and Rome. Your first day in Paris will likely be spent in quite a blur as you recover from jet lag. Your last day will be mostly taken up with getting to the airport. You may be able to find cheap flights between Paris and Rome.

ssander

You have a half-day (jet-lagged arrival day) and then 11 more days. As KTtravel says, your departure day will be all about getting to the airport. (Get to CDG with <strong>plenty</strong> of time to spare...you'll be glad you did, especially as a first-timer.)

I like the Paris & Rome suggestion, too. Consider an overnight sleeper compartment to avoid wasting travel days.

I'd allow 5 for Paris and 3 for Rome with 3 for one other city. I would suggest London or Amsterdam...either can be reached in a few hours from Paris by Eurostar or Thalys train.

(I know these two were not on your list...but they are easy to reach and great places to visit.)

SS

ssander

Here is a very general bit of advice for someone who has never been to a major European city:

Study the transport systems carefully before you go. You can avoid wasting a lot of sightseeing time if you know which Metro/bus line goes where.

It's true that you'll b doing a lot of walking -- especially in Rome -- but knowing the metro system in Paris is a big advantage.

SS

Gretchen

Your day of arrival is jet lag, getting to hotel, walking around a little, early dinner and to bed--so don't count it. Your day of departure is similar--checking out, getting a cab to the airport and hanging out.
You have 11 days that are useful by counting on my fingers!!
Five days in Paris. If you want you can count your first night as a Paris stop.
Rome is a big spread out city. Great history, needless to say. But Florence is a much more "approachable" city--wonderful art/architecture/culture. Small, walkable. Nearby places to visit for a day trip. Oh, but wait, not for you. How do you know!! Same for the Louvre, by the way--big sprawling, interesting, but I prefer at least 3 other museums over it--make that 5!!

choose one other city and enjoy it to the core. IF it had a TGV connection direct to CDG, it would also be great.
Germany, Amsterdam, all accessible by fast train.

Gretchen

Your day of arrival is jet lag, getting to hotel, walking around a little, early dinner and to bed--so don't count it. Your day of departure is similar--checking out, getting a cab to the airport and hanging out.
You have 11 days that are useful by counting on my fingers!!
Five days in Paris. If you want you can count your first night as a Paris stop.
Rome is a big spread out city. Great history, needless to say. But Florence is a much more "approachable" city--wonderful art/architecture/culture. Small, walkable. Nearby places to visit for a day trip. Oh, but wait, not for you. How do you know!! Same for the Louvre, by the way--big sprawling, interesting, but I prefer at least 3 other museums over it--make that 5!!

choose one other city and enjoy it to the core. IF it had a TGV connection direct to CDG, it would also be great.
Germany, Amsterdam, all accessible by fast train.

DebitNM

[TGV is the fast, high speed trains, BTW.]

skyscanner.com for low cost airlines, keep in mind that there is time spent going to and from airports; security etc. Trains can be just as fast when you factor in those elements as it is city center to city center. Also, carry on luggage allowances is much different on these low cost carriers, so know them in advance.

Next time, come here first You would have been better flying into one city and leaving from another - saves back tracking. You'll do this next time.

I could easily do the entire trip in Paris - day trip to Versailles, day trip to Giverny and lots of others.

Beach, hmmm. Barcelona would work. Lovely place to visit.

nukesafe

You have left your planning very late, as fast intercity train fares are much cheaper 90 days before the day of departure and become much more expensive if you just walk up on the day you want to travel. I'm sure pre-booked Eiffel tower tickets have been sold out for some time, as well. I would suggest you make some decisions soonest, as hotels will be filling, as well. We will be there in late May, and we made our arrangements months ago.

Paris in early May will probably still be chilly, expect some rainy days, and few flowers will be out, but the architecture, history, art, culture and food will still be there. We will try to assist you in making wise choices, so come back if you need more help. You will still have a marvelous time!

Kathie

Decide whether you want to visit another city or spend all of your time in paris with a couple of day trips. Paris has enough to keep you fascinated for many weeks. We spent 10 full days in Paris last May - loved it - and felt we didn't have time for any day trips outside the city. You can find my trip report by clicking on my name.

It is always tempting to try to see more places, and with the amount of time you have, you could easily see another city. I like to spend time in a place, so I wouldn't try to see three cities in your 11 days, but two would work.

tuscanlifeedit

Immersed in history by just walking around: Rome.

Beaches and nightlife: Barcelona.

You didn't mention London, but history is certainly in your face there, and there's nightlife without a language barrier.

Do check air between your cities. I don't love airports but I've certainly flown between major EU cities.

I use skyscanner, as mentioned above, as well as whichbudget.com

Brooke_Herron

If you want to avoid hopping around and spending all your time traveling and having suitcases and buying really expensive train tickets (they are very pricey when booked close to dates and for the fast trains for long distances) You could alwyas just do France. 10 days (after travel suck) is not much for one country and France is one of the most spectacular places.

Paris is a different world from the South of France and Provence area. As well as places like Burgundy Rhone and Loire with all of their gorgeous vineyards, castles, old ruins, and wineries. You could easily make a trip out any of these areas. Manh people travel only to see Provence and that is worth weeks on it's own (I just went back to do 2 weeks in Provence and I am so glad I did).
There are many cities in between to see as well. Last time in France I looked at all destinations that were day trips from where I was, and just started heading out to the ones I'd heard were best (based on my tastes). Your tastes are similar to mine. I like Architecture vs museums typically although of course you must do the Louvre (and I did the Musee d'Orsay last time which I enjoyed more than the Louvre only because I wasn't so overwhelmed)

In Paris, I skipped the Eiffel Tower (have been three times now and still don't feel the need) tour and just looked at it from across the street at a palace like structure, and then did the tour to the bell tower at Notre Dame which was definitely worth it. I visit Notre Dame every time in Paris, it never gets old. I fell in love with it my first time. It's magnificent architecture. Last time I did the underground crypt tour which was interesting too but I like the above ground stuff better.

Then there is the cool little street lined with all different Breton creperies that is my favorite place to eat. The classic is a Breton savory crepe filled with gruyere and egg or gruyere and ham with an egg on top a little green salad and some Normandy cider. Casual, delicious and unique. My favorite meal. I always forget the name of this Rue (street) but it's near Montparnasse station and folks will direct you there if you tell them what you are looking for

I have flown between Paris and Barcelona and Paris and Florence before and it's not so bad but obviously there's he travel time on both sides at the airports, getting to airports and in the air. But to do 5 days Paris and then 5 somewhere else like Florence or Rome would probably be fun and then of course you'd get two of the best countries in the world under your belt which will only make you hungry for more travel in future. I used to live in Florence so I'm partial but either city will easily eat up 5 days! Rome is crazier and bigger but the architectural wonders in each city will wow regardless. The Coloseum, the Forum, the Papal City, the Pantheon, Trebi Fountains in Rome can't fail to excite you when you see the things you've seen in movies your whole life.

Bill23

Thank you all for the wonderful insight. Keep it coming! I definitely have a better idea of how to approach this (namely, with a lot more urgency), and it looks as though two cities is most realistic. I never considered the possibility of doing only France--that seems an intriguing option (thanks Brooke_Herron).

I realize this is a bit off geographically, but can anyone comment on the possibility of doing Paris-Prague? Thanks.

Michael

Check into low cost flights between Pris and Prague:
http://www.skyscanner.com/

Gretchen

If you do just France (GREAT idea) think about going to Provence. And the TGV can connect directly to CDG if your flight leaves late enough in the day.

bilboburgler

I too would just focus on France for the first trip, well, since you are in Europe I'd not focus one one country but one area. The area between Paris and Reims, Strasbourg and Versailles. I might even pop over the border to Belgium or Germany, after all, with a train these countries are just a ride away.

Getting into aricraft just seems to much, I'd read up on say Amsterdam as well just to see if it is your thing.

tuscanlifeedit

Out of curiosity, I checked skyscanner.com for Paris <> Prague and it looks really doable at less than $200 for non stop round trip.

I encourage you to go off and do this. It's what you seem to be most drawn to, and for me, that is a priority. I have my best trips when I follow my strongest inclinations.

menachem

I'd say, either Paris and Nice or Paris and Amsterdam.

If it were me I'd go for Nice in may. Lovely