First time in Europe for 15 days
Mar 19th, 2011, 08:07 PM
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First time in Europe for 15 days
Hi!
It's my first time to go to Europe and my boyfriend and I are spending 15 days on the ground. We want to do Paris, France, Barcelona, maybe Germany & Brussels too. Can you suggest an itinerary including the ideal length of stay per place and mode of transportation from one place to another. Thanks!
Carmi
It's my first time to go to Europe and my boyfriend and I are spending 15 days on the ground. We want to do Paris, France, Barcelona, maybe Germany & Brussels too. Can you suggest an itinerary including the ideal length of stay per place and mode of transportation from one place to another. Thanks!
Carmi
Mar 19th, 2011, 09:23 PM
#2
The ideal length of stay depends on your interests. Have you studied guide books to know what you'd like to see/do in each place?
Unless your budget would allow for flying from point to point, you need to consider how long the train rides will be.
Barcelona-Paris 8 hours
Paris-Brussels 90 minutes
Brussels-Berlin 7 hours
IMO, your stops are too far apart. I'd probably choose just Paris and Barcelona and perhaps somewhere in between. What time of year is this trip?
Unless your budget would allow for flying from point to point, you need to consider how long the train rides will be.
Barcelona-Paris 8 hours
Paris-Brussels 90 minutes
Brussels-Berlin 7 hours
IMO, your stops are too far apart. I'd probably choose just Paris and Barcelona and perhaps somewhere in between. What time of year is this trip?
Mar 20th, 2011, 01:51 AM
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With 15 days choose 3-4 locations as bases. Everytime you move you will lose at least 1/2 a day (more if you are taking an 8-9 hour train). So make sure you arent moving every couple of days or you will spend all your time on trains or planes and in transit and not really seeing Europe.
It would make sense to fly into one place and out of another (open jaw). So you could fly into Barcelona spend 5 days, fly to Paris spend 5 days, and then train to Brussels (any reason you want to go to Brussels? I found it underwhelming and not worth the time for a first trip - Bruges is lovely, though more timely to get to), then train to say Berlin and fly home from there.
Another good combo would be fly into Barcelona spend 5 days, fly to Paris spend 5 days, train to Brussels spend 2 days and then train to Amsterdam for 3 days and fly home from there.
To find good budget flight options use www.whichbudget.com but pay close attn to luggage limits as they are strictly followed and can be expensive if you are over.
For hotels I have found www.eurocheapo.com to be a good reference.
Have fun planning!
It would make sense to fly into one place and out of another (open jaw). So you could fly into Barcelona spend 5 days, fly to Paris spend 5 days, and then train to Brussels (any reason you want to go to Brussels? I found it underwhelming and not worth the time for a first trip - Bruges is lovely, though more timely to get to), then train to say Berlin and fly home from there.
Another good combo would be fly into Barcelona spend 5 days, fly to Paris spend 5 days, train to Brussels spend 2 days and then train to Amsterdam for 3 days and fly home from there.
To find good budget flight options use www.whichbudget.com but pay close attn to luggage limits as they are strictly followed and can be expensive if you are over.
For hotels I have found www.eurocheapo.com to be a good reference.
Have fun planning!
Mar 20th, 2011, 03:31 AM
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I once did a 13 day Madrid-Barcelona-Paris-Munich trip with a bunch of students. Primarily a bus trip with the exception of an overnight train from Barcelona to Paris. It was exhausting! I would never ever do something like that again.
Stick to Paris/Spain or Paris/Germany. 6 or 7 days in Paris alone. That way, you and your boyfriend will still be friends when you have completed your stay. Much more relaxing!
Have fun.
Stick to Paris/Spain or Paris/Germany. 6 or 7 days in Paris alone. That way, you and your boyfriend will still be friends when you have completed your stay. Much more relaxing!
Have fun.
Mar 20th, 2011, 03:46 AM
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I could see spending 5-6 nights Paris, 4-5 in Barcelona, and 4-5 in Cologne. From Cologne, daytrips by train to Brussels and to the castle-rich Middle Rhine region around Koblenz are a simple matter. Maybe start in Paris, train to Barcelona, fly to Cologne with Air Berlin or Germanwings (discount airlines.)
Mar 20th, 2011, 04:22 AM
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"Stop and smell the roses". There is no need to cover the world in one 15 day visit. The pleasure of Europe is the culture and lifestyle. It's all about family, friends, food and wine. It's a slower pace where people stop to meet and talk to people, drink cafe in little sidewalk cafes. We've made so many acquaintances and some friends by slowing down. We use to drive all around 2 days here, 2 days there.... and that was ok when we were young but way to hectic. We spent our days driving / or looking for a place to stay, packing and unpacking. Think about longer stays arriving in Paris, (day 1 (stay through day 4), train to Bern, Switzerland (See Rick Steves video/ or fly to Prague (stay 2 days), take the train to Venice (stay 3 days), train to Florence (2 days), (choice: see side villages of cinque terre or.... finish up in Rome). With this hectic pace, I would save Rome for another time. Relax on these gorgeous seaside villages. (BE SURE TO RESERVE). Enjoy. [email protected] for other train throughts or how to research places to stay.
Mar 20th, 2011, 04:41 AM
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www.ricksteves.com
www.eurocheapo.com
2 excellent sites for your journey.
Pick 3 places spend 5 days each avoid cramming.
of yours Paris Barcelona Rome prettiest for me.
seat61.com train between or skyscanner.net cheap econo air
www.betterbidding.com best prices on big city hotels
bidding Priceline/Hotwire I save a tonne that way.
Otel.com for cheap good deals on booking if you do not
want to bid.
insuremytrip.com always wise... Happy Journey,
www.eurocheapo.com
2 excellent sites for your journey.
Pick 3 places spend 5 days each avoid cramming.
of yours Paris Barcelona Rome prettiest for me.
seat61.com train between or skyscanner.net cheap econo air
www.betterbidding.com best prices on big city hotels
bidding Priceline/Hotwire I save a tonne that way.
Otel.com for cheap good deals on booking if you do not
want to bid.
insuremytrip.com always wise... Happy Journey,
