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First Time Using Fodors: Only 9 Days to vacation in Europe, Please Help!

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Old Aug 4th, 2012, 05:31 AM
  #41  
 
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If you do Paris/Amsterdam, I, in my opinion, I do not think you really would need a car. It is so difficult to park in these cities. Even we found it difficult, and often went round and round same streets to find a parking space, and we even have the blue sticker for reserved parking for disability, as we always have our daughter with us on holiday. Many of these reserved parking would either also be taken, or reserved for residents. Ulimately though, we always found somewhere. Saying that, there were times when we were lucky and found a parking space immediately. You would have plenty to see in Paris, there is an efficient underground train service, ferry service to places of interest etc. I would not imagine it would be a problem in Amsterdam either. The train station is very central, and there are tourist buses that take you to places of interest, boat trips on the canals an easy walk to the harbour where there is the science museum, walkable to the flower market etc. Maybe you might take trains to surrounding countryside attractions. In Paris try and make sure that you include the Versailles Palace and gardens - we went by car but I am sure that you can easily go by train or bus from central Paris - other Fodorites would provide this information for sure. We also enjoyed the the Asterix and Obelix theme park, it is very French and unique, nicer than Disneyland Paris in my opinion. It is outside Paris, but I am sure there is transport to this attraction. If it were me, I would spend 3 nights in Amsterdam and 7 nights in Paris. If you decide on these destinations, that is.

I am not sure, always in your case, about Munich/Salzburg - I haven't been with my family driving around, only with a group of friends in the eighties and we used public transport or taxis. But maybe this option might be more worth considering car rental since these are relatively smaller places and would most probably be easier to navigate for sure than Paris and Amsterdam. It would be nice to drive around in the Black Forest, visiting castles, palaces etc, and drive around surrounding countryside of Salzburg. If you decide to drive, try and find hotels that have parking facilities or have parking areas close by, or that are not in the very centre as there might be restricted zones. Check this out with hotel before booking. I personally do not think it will be that hard for you.

Now, if you are going to ask me what I would do if it were me LOL, we hire car anywhere we go, for the comfort of transport, because we always travel as a family of five, and because of my disabled daughter. BUT if I were you (LOL) I would hire a car only for the option of Munich and the surrounding countryside of Bavaria and Salzburg - especially since you do intend to wander around outside these cities quite a lot. This would save you doing day tours, which might prove to be costly, and saves you the inconvenience of travelling as a group with a tour leader dictating everything, or taking buses/trains every time to different areas. I also love the convenience of having a car at our disposal at the airport - no need to worry about transfers or taking taxis. We used to do that when travelling with friends of course, and it was no problem, but now I know the difference. Of course the more experienced one gets, the better. Most large and cities congested with traffic like Paris and London are not for the faint-hearted tourists or those not accustomed in driving in city centres as it needs a lot of concentration. No piece of pie. Try and book flights where you land in Munich and out of Salzburg or vice versa.

Just a reminder just in case you decide not to hire car - the Austrian rail service is excellent, these people like to do things perfect in every way, they are very disciplined yet accommodating and friendly. No bus or bus tour or whatever will leave even one minute late, I am sure their public transport will offer an excellent service, as well as that of Germany.

Now you have to decide what suits you most.
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Old Aug 4th, 2012, 06:03 AM
  #42  
 
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I was seeing maitaitom's suggestion, and it gave me an idea.

Since it is important for you that you do not stay just in cities during your holiday, maybe you can pick up hired car from Paris airport, and drive to the Loire and chateaux country area for a few days (2 or 3 nights). You then return car to Paris airport and do 5 nights in Paris and spend the last 2 or 3 nights in Amsterdam. Otherwise, start off from Amsterdam and finish off your holiday in Paris.

On our visit to Amsterdam, we only stayed slept night there. We arrived late in the afternoon, spent the evening there, and had the whole next day in Amsterdam as our plane departed at 11pm from Schilpol airport. We managed to visit the diamond museum (stop included in the short bus tour), go on a ferry trip around the harbour, a canal ferry cruise, a bus tour around the historical centre, and wander around the centre and narrow street canals. It was enough for us, though I wished we had managed to fit in the science museum mainly because of my boys. But I felt it was an enough experience of Amsterdam to have the feel of it - it was quite crowdy on our short visit. Of course I am glad that we managed to fit in this city.

I do not want to influence you in your choice, but you might also take into consideration when you ultimately choose which option you take - that it might be easier to visit Bavaria and Salzburg when you have babies or toddlers with you than it would be to visit Paris and Amsterdam, since the lateer are bigger cities.
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Old Aug 4th, 2012, 06:37 AM
  #43  
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ANNA: Thank you so much for all your advice. I think it is a great idea to hire a car and spend a few days in the country. I feel like it would be a great way to get both city and country visits. In no way are you influencing me one way or another, however you did make me think about Salzburg and Bavaria being easier to visit with babies. I think that is something we really will think about and I think it makes a lot of sense to maybe hold off on that trip. Thank you for that!

One quick question: We are hoping to travel middle of June 2013 for this trip, however it is tentative due to work schedules. If we had to move it to the end of August 2013 is it still ok to do Paris & Amsterdam?
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Old Aug 4th, 2012, 06:55 AM
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Sure, Paris and Amsterdam in August or June either one are OK.
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Old Aug 4th, 2012, 06:58 AM
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Either June or August is just fine for a Paris/Amsterdam trip.

You'll have the best weather in one and it will be acceptable in the other. June is optimum for Paris and August is optimum for Amsterdam.
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Old Aug 5th, 2012, 10:39 AM
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Both months would be fine. Paris might be warmer in August, but if you don't mind it and are used to hotter weather, then it should be ok for you in that regard. Saying that, it is not uncommon that there might be spells of hot weather even in June. But I love the heat, maybe because I am used to it. The Summer months are my favourite months.


We were in Belgium, Paris and Amsterdam between the first and third week of September a few years ago, and weather was quite warm in Paris, about 20 degrees celcius, mostly always rainy days in Belgium. and a nice sunny day in Amsterdam (last 2 days of the holiday), but it was quite cool, we needed a light sweater during the day and a thicker one in the evening.

So weatherwise, June and August are both fine. However, August would be more packed with tourists, as many Europeons prefer to do their holidays in July/August (probably many Americans as well), as schools in many countries in Europe start their Summer term holidays later than in the USA (many after mid June up to even mid July), and start again after the second or third week of September, in some countries even end of September. That is why I prefer around second week of September, as it often means less tourists, especially family holidaymakers and group tours, but then weather would start getting cooler and more chance of rain showers in various countries. But we were always lucky with the weather - except from some rain showers here and there which did not deter us from enjoying the holiday.

So, if it were me, I think I would choose mid June, but that does not mean I would not be willing to do a holiday in August either if that is the only vacation time I have available during the Summer. In my younger days I used to take holidays in August with friends and I loved the fun atmosphere especially in the evenings.
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Old Aug 5th, 2012, 10:50 AM
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CMurphy88 - I am reading your question again, and noted you said END of August (so holiday would be end of August to first week of September- so that should be a good option as well, since the very very peak tourist is the first 3 weeks of August, Italians, for example, have their shut-downs and holidays usually up to around the 23rd of August.

So you will be fine on both options.
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Old Aug 5th, 2012, 11:53 AM
  #48  
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Thank you!! Yes, plans are up in the air yet regarding the month we will go, but if we go in June it will have to be the 2nd or 3rd week and if we went in August we would leave sometime after Aug 19th. Glad to know either or would be fine! And yes, we are use to the hot humid days being in NJ!
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Old Aug 5th, 2012, 02:46 PM
  #49  
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Hi CM,

You want to visit Munich and Salzburg, visit Munich and Salzburg.

>where would you all choose to go if this was your last Europe trip for awhile?<

Paris. Everyone should visit Paris before they die so that when they get to heaven they won't spend eternity wishing they had gone to Paris.

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Old Aug 5th, 2012, 04:19 PM
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Yes....I think we have decided....Paris and Amsterdam it is! Now the fun part....actually planning the trip! Please help with must sees, places that we can just stroll around, outdoor cafes to people watch, restaurants, etc....

I would really like to see castles one day too....would visiting the Chateau de Pierrefonds be a good day trip?
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Old Aug 5th, 2012, 04:56 PM
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When I first read your posr, I thought Paris amd Amsterdam. I reallyn ove Amsterdam and it pairs well with Paris. Great choice. They are different and will give you a great experience for yoir first trip to Europe.
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Old Aug 6th, 2012, 12:52 AM
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CMurphy88 - good choice in my opinion!! Paris and Amsterdam are so grand and unique.

Do you still plan to spend a few days in the countryside of France?

In my opinion 3 nights in Amsterdam should be enough (unless you want to do a day trip out of Amsterdamor even Belgium.

Do not leave out the visit to Versailles, the palace and gardens are just wonderful.

Do you intend to take train from Paris to Amsterdam? Careful which railway you select. I was reading just now in Frommers that RailEurope are agencies and tickets are more expensive. Maybe other Fodorites can give suggestions on this as we never train to cross different countries, but used hired cars.

I have another idea - If you plan your holiday for August, would you be able to allow an extra night or two? - (maybe trying to fit in two weekends in case of limited vacation leave) - on how you can expand your trip a little, especially since you might not visit this part of Europe for a long time (I am sure your next trip will be to Bavaria and Salzbrg, lol).

So, let us say you have 11 nights instead of 10. I would fly to Paris and spend the first 5 nights (6 days) there, just visiting the beautiful central sites of this city, and include a visit to Versailles. After those 5 nights I would hire a car and base myself in a town/village north France. On the way, I would stop for a visit at the Chateau de Pierrefonds (it is to the north of Paris).

So I would then base myself for 3 nights north of Paris in northern France, the next day I would do a whole day driving around at your leisure, maybe visiting another castle or chateaux, around the countryside of France, and the next day do a whole day's visit to Bruges or Ghent (Bruges is only an hour's drive from Lille, and even less from Ghent). Then the following day, at the end of the 3 nights, I would leave car at Lille (which is extremely close to the Dutch border - maybe you can base yourself in a town or village close to Lille) , and take a train journey from Lille to Amsterdam (which would be a much shorter train journey than Paris to Amsterdam. Then spend the last 3 nights in Amsterdam, and fly back home from there.

That way you would have 3 nights away from city centres so you would be able to drive around the French countryside at your own leisure, maybe visiting a castle or two and also fit in a visit to Bruges. It is very easy to drive into Bruges, it is not huge, we did it. When we went in the month of September it was not packed with tourists.

I chose Lille in France to deposit your car, since there are very hefty charges if you pick up car in one country and deposit it in another, and since it is exactly near the Dutch border, and would probably have good train connection to Amsterdam.

Maybe you should pick up car from Paris airport if you want to avoid driving out of Paris centre - or anywhere or anywhere outside the very city centre.
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Old Aug 6th, 2012, 05:04 AM
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AMS & CDG are both MAJOR airport hubs - the result is that you can fly open-jaw (into AMS & home from CDG, always save the best for last!) for about the same price as a straight round-trip ticket from one or the other. I highly suggest you do so.

Anna has thrown in a lot of new ideas - all good but contingent on extending thew trip. FWIW, I would not suggest any changes that involves less than 5 full days on the ground in Paris.

I'll withhold any "must see" (museums, monuments, etc.) suggestions until you have finalized time planned in each place - however, here are some nice generalized "strolling/sitting/watching" ideas ideas:
PARIS: a river tour via Batobus, Place des Vosges, Ille St. Louis (an outdoor table here facing Notre Dame listening to street musicians in early evening is really special abrasserie-isl.fr‎ ), Arenes de Lutece for a nice daytime rest, Jardin des Plantes, Rue Mouffletard, Square Rene Viviani is also a nice rest stop, When returning from Montmarte (I assume you'll go), stop at Relais au de Butte for a meal/rest as you wind you way down the hill back toward the MEtro stop - totally local, cheap, delicious and convivial.

Amers
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Old Aug 6th, 2012, 05:06 AM
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AMS & CDG are both MAJOR airport hubs - the result is that you can fly open-jaw (into AMS & home from CDG, always save the best for last!) for about the same price as a straight round-trip ticket from one or the other. I highly suggest you do so.

Anna has thrown in a lot of new ideas - all good but contingent on extending the trip. FWIW, I would not suggest any changes that involves less than 5 full days on the ground in Paris.

I'll withhold any "must see" (museums, monuments, etc.) suggestions until you have finalized time planned in each place - however, here are some nice generalized "strolling/sitting/watching" ideas ideas:

PARIS: a river tour via Batobus, Place des Vosges, Ille St. Louis (an outdoor table here facing Notre Dame listening to street musicians in early evening is really special abrasserie-isl.fr‎ ), Arenes de Lutece for a nice daytime rest, Jardin des Plantes, Rue Mouffletard, Square Rene Viviani is also a nice rest stop, When returning from Montmarte (I assume you'll go), stop at Relais au de Butte for a meal/rest as you wind your way down the hill back toward the Metro stop - totally local, cheap, delicious and convivial.

Amsterdam:
in separate post... gotta run...
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Old Aug 6th, 2012, 03:56 PM
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I know the afficinados will tell you need a month or a year to really see Paris or Amsterdan or anywhere else. Trouble is you have to get as much as possible out of the time you have. Take a look in the front of Rick Steves Paris book. He has a quickie guide for those of us who have only one day. Then what to add if you have a second or third day. Versailles is definately not a castle but maybe it will give yiu a taste of royal living. Enjoy my favorite part of the trip ... The planning part.
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Old Aug 7th, 2012, 11:07 AM
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I would love to add more days to our vacation, however the time and the month all depends on my husbands work and MBA class schedule. I am a teacher so I'm the lucky one that gets summers off. If we take this trip at the end of August we probably would be able to add more days then, but not in June. (crossing my fingers then for an Aug trip)

I was also thinking the best thing for us to do is fly into Amsterdam and out of Paris. I was thinking Amsterdam may be a better city for us to deal with the jet lag.

Anna: Thank you all for all your suggestions and great info! You have helped so much!

Bardo: Love your Paris strolling ideas! Can't wait to hear about Amsterdam!
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Old Aug 12th, 2012, 03:35 AM
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You are welcome CMurphy88. Finger crossed then that you might be able to add another couple of days if you do your trip in August. I would then fit three nights touring around by hired car the countryside and include Bruges in a day trip, since you would be so close (it would be so much fun.

Enjoy your holidays, and your coming vacation to the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Tuscany - really beautiful places. I haven't been to Capri, but now that everyone mentions it on Fodors, I am keen of visiting this small island if I visit the AC again.
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