First Time Traveling Outside US

Old Sep 16th, 2008, 10:37 AM
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First Time Traveling Outside US

I have recently made the decision to take my first trip outside the US. The reason I am writing this is because I am looking for destination/activity/hotel suggestions. A little background:
1) I am looking to leave around Sept of 2009. This is not set in stone, I just want ample time to save money.

2) I am open to just about any destination with the exception of the Middle East, Asia (excluding Russia), South America and Africa.

3)I am looking to be gone approximately 9-11 days.

4) Of course, I would like to spend as little as possible within reason, however since I have plenty of time to save then cost will not be as much of a concern.

5) I am interested in art (i was a studio art major in college), wine (currently work part time in a wine store), food (love to cook), and history.

6) I am 26, and will either be traveling alone or with a small group of friends. I am open to traveling with a group of strangers with common interests.

I have started looking around, but I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Any assistance would be appreciated!

Thanks!
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 10:51 AM
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Italy or France would be good.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 10:54 AM
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My favorite cities in Europe from what I've seen so far are:

Paris
Prague
London

Paris and Prague are tied for the favorites. I liked the historical part of London and we went to Bath (really liked that).

Didn't care for Amsterdam and really didn't like Athens although Delphi was nice and really liked Meteora. We didn't go to the Greek Islands which everyone seems to like. I'm going to Rome in November - looking forward to that trip. You can get a Rail Europe Pass and see several countries with it. I go to Europe on the off season (November or February) so I don't get the crowds or the heat.

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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 10:55 AM
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Anna,

Where do you currently live in the US? What kind of accomadations are you most confortable when you travel? Do you perfer big cities or small towns or both? How do you want to travel around (car, train, bus, yak, etc) when you are there, wherever there may be?

The answers to these questions will help with planning and budget.

Greg
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:02 AM
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Good for you! I really would suggest London for your trip as we both, in a way, speak English. This will made it easier for your first trip.

Once you get your feet wet. the world id your to explore.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:17 AM
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Hey! Thanks to everyone for your responses! I will take each one under advisement. Also, any good website suggestions for planning/budgeting a trip would be helpful!

To GregPCM:

I currently live in Georgia (Hartsfield-Jackson Intl Airport). I like both big cities and small towns. Once I get to a destination I prefer to travel via train, bus or by foot. As far as hotels go...standard double occupancy is fine by me. Nothing too luxurious...a roof and a bed.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:18 AM
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My first trip started in London, which was good becauee it gave me a chance to get acclimatized to a new culture and location, without needing to worry a lot about language, and jetlag is so much easier when language is not in the mix.

London would satisfy most of your needs. There are some very good museums, and a lot of history and architecture to add to the mix. Cost wise, you can use Priceline to get better deasl on hotels, and consider B&Bs also. London can be expensive, but you will get lots of help here for that.

For the length of time you have, I'd consider two locations. Amsterdam would be one location. I've been a couple of times and found that 3/4 days would be good amount of time to spend there.

The other place would be Paris. You could catch the Eurostar train in Lnodon and be in Paris a couple of hours later. Paris would satisfy all of your requirements.

Open Jaw flights would be best for any multi-destination trip, since you would not need to return to your landing destination. Fly into London, fly home from Paris/Amsterdam.

London/Prague, London/Rome, London/Vienna would be other combos worth considering.

As for the format of the trip, I'd say a majority of people here are more into individual travel versus organized tours, but you will get info on both options. I was nervous my first trip and it was an organized tour. Once I finished the trip, my confidence was such that all my folowing trips I organized myself. There are pros and cons to both options, we can help you make the decision.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:26 AM
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From people who made similar decisions to you I've heard that Kuwait followed by a quick trip to Ireland will give you the wide range of experience you are after
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:38 AM
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For a travel "beginner," London and Paris would be a good trip, about 5 days in each city. Arriving in London is easy as pie for your first international trip, as there are no language issues.

From Atlanta, you can fly to London nonstop, and then take the Eurostar to Paris and fly home from there. Both cities offer more than enough museums and historical sites, but with 5-6 days in each city, you could also do a day trip or two to see some surrounding countryside.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:48 AM
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Anna,

I think any artist would love Italy.

Rome, Florence and Venice would be a wonderful trip.

Byrd
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:50 AM
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Fodor's is one of the best around for planning and budgeting your trip. Trip Advisor and The Thorn Tree at Lonely Planet are two other good travel forums.

I have enjoyed traveling solo to: Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, and part of Switzerland.

At the beginning stages why not check various guidebooks out of your public library? That way you can get some ideas for free of what might interest you.

Sounds like Italy might be a good fit (art, food, history)!

With 9-11 days I would pick 2-3 cities max.


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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:57 AM
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Consider Greece and the Greek islands. Prices begin to drop in mid-September.

You can't get much better for history, and Santorini Island has many wineries as well as some of the most spectacular views of the sea in Europe.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 11:57 AM
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Given your stated interests (history, art, food and wine) I think Italy would be the ideal choice.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 12:27 PM
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Hi Anna,
I would agree with some other posters regarding Italy being a great place for a first trip abroad. I too just began travelling solo and chose Italy as my first destination. Don't worry about the language, learn a few words and you'll be fine. The art is spectacular, the food is great and the scenery is beautiful. I can't wait to go back. Any planning assistance you need can be found right here. The fodorites helped me tremendously, the advice is always good.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 12:29 PM
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I'm with those who think you should start in an English speaking country. You will feel comfortable and love it so much that you'll get the courage to venture to nonEnglish speaking countries from there. It is hard not to fall in love with London. You could make a day trip to Paris from there, also. Have a great time no matter what you decide.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 12:51 PM
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My first though was France and Italy also, but, then after reading some of the posts I changed my mind. Flights to London tend to be cheapest. So start in London, 4-5 days, and then take the Eurostar to Paris for 4-5 days, returning to fly out of London, or if lucky enough to find a reasonable priced open jaw ticket, fly out of Paris.
The Eurostar is cheap ( if booked WELL in advance) and easy ( city center to city center , no airport hassles) .
London is good start( the Royal British Museum and the Tower of London are " do not miss" ) , but the pound really hurts ( worse then euro) so pop over to Paris and see some world class musuems ( The Orsay, Lourve, Cluny and Orangerie)and have some awesom wine and cheese!

You could if you decide to do Paris and say Rome, do the same 1/2 1/2 split, and fly from PAris to Rome , it is fairly cheap, is only 1.5 hours and both cities are of course amazing destinations. Best to try for open jaw flight( fly into Paris, then out of Rome) .

You are wise to plan ahead, the best most pleasant budget hotels book up early ( thanks to boards like this and tripadvisor.com and everyones helpful advise, LOL) and train and plane tickets are best prices when ( usaully) purchased ahead.

I will mention that Sept is not really shoulder season,, in fact in Paris it is very much still high season, especially towards the end of Sept when fashion and trade shows start up.. . Book ahead.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 01:12 PM
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The very first thing you need to do is get a passport!
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 01:35 PM
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In reading your original post, my first thought was some place where language was not a barrier. Ireland was my first trip abroad and I loved it. On the "Pro" list would be less expensive than other European spots, beautiful scenery, lovely people, and language is not an issue. The "Cons" would be not much in the way of fine art; however, some great history. Transportation might also be a draw back. I always rented a car, so I don't know much about trains/buses.

London might be fun for the younger set. I did not care for London much. Very crowded and not many English in London. I am sure the countryside is just lovely but then again, not much art galleries in the country. And the currency conversion does not bode well for "reasonable" vacation. Maybe by next year it will be better but it takes quite some time to plan. It is always a crap shoot as to what the currency rates will be. Planned my trip to Germany this year at $1.50 conversion, went up to $1.60, and now is at $1.41. Too many variables at play, so you have to think that the Euro will be cheaper for you than the pound.

To date, my FAVORITE place is Italy! Loved the people, loved the sights, loved the wine, and most people spoke English or at least could communicate with you on some level. It is one of the most expensive European cities but I think you would get the most bang out of it.

Not been to France but for art galleries, you could not go wrong...

Thought: Travelling alone for your visit trip might be overwhelming. I have travelled alone each time I have gone, with the exception of Italy last year with my son. I have no fear about travelling alone but you really have to plan well and not let your guard down. Decide where you want to go and read everything you can find about that place. Know that Naples has a bad reputation for pickpocketers, worse than other parts of Italy. Know that you should take cab rides from licensed cab drivers and what their license should look like. IMO I love to travel solo but it is not for everyone and is more difficult in a country where English is not the primary language.

Good luck and let us know where you plan on going...
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 01:58 PM
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I admit that Italy is my favorite place, but honestly, for what you want...art, wine, food and history...it's perfect.

With 10 nights in Italy, fly into Venice. Stay there 3 nights, train to Florence. Stay there 3 nights with a cooking class daytrip with Accidental Tourist (I haven't done that yet, but there are many reports here that say it's great). Train to Rome and stay there for 4 nights, fly home from Rome. A perfect trip for a first time to Italy!

Trains are inexpensive, food doesn't have to cost a fortune, a lot of wonderful art can be found in churches with no admission fee.
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Old Sep 16th, 2008, 02:02 PM
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I agree with SusanP- Italy!
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