First Timer - Itinerary Help - Europe tour for 22 days
May 25th, 2013, 07:22 AM
#41
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It is interesting. I am also doing almost the same itinerary but in the reverse direction in June 13. We are three adults making the trip as follows:
London 4 nights
Paris 3 nights Including Versailles
Lucerene 3 nights
Lauterbrunnen 3 nights
Zermatt 2 nights
Glazier Exp
St Moritz 1 night
BE
Lugano 1 night
Milan 1 night
Rome 3 nights
I have not considered Venice this time because of time factor and since i have done many times Alleppey - the equivalent of Venice somewhat similar what i feel. May be wrong also. Somehow we always prefer Swiss more than any other country in Europe.
London 4 nights
Paris 3 nights Including Versailles
Lucerene 3 nights
Lauterbrunnen 3 nights
Zermatt 2 nights
Glazier Exp
St Moritz 1 night
BE
Lugano 1 night
Milan 1 night
Rome 3 nights
I have not considered Venice this time because of time factor and since i have done many times Alleppey - the equivalent of Venice somewhat similar what i feel. May be wrong also. Somehow we always prefer Swiss more than any other country in Europe.
May 25th, 2013, 02:35 PM
#43
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I'd give at least 2 nights to Venice, subtracting it from Florence. Or even spend only a day in Florence. Take the train to Florence SMN from Rome, store your bags, spend a day touring, then pick up your bags and continue to Venice. Venice is very relaxing too because there are no cars/trucks/vespas. Just be sure you stay in Venice proper, not Mestre or the Lido.
However, don't cut the time in Florence if you're great fans of Renaissance art and architecture.
Also consider going to the Bernese Oberland (Lauterbrunnen) first, then Lucerne. The train trip from Lucerne to Paris is a little shorter.
However, don't cut the time in Florence if you're great fans of Renaissance art and architecture.
Also consider going to the Bernese Oberland (Lauterbrunnen) first, then Lucerne. The train trip from Lucerne to Paris is a little shorter.
May 25th, 2013, 08:25 PM
#45
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I said Alleppey is like Venice since both are water front and from tourist point of view they are some what alike. However the means of transport is water in Venice and you stay in land whereas you are always in kettuvallam (boats)for 24 - 96 hours in Alleppey. Probably I am seeking excuses for dropping Venice and Vienna due to lack of time and distance.
We love always nature and scenic beauty over art and architecture ( man made). Sorry it is personal preference.
We love always nature and scenic beauty over art and architecture ( man made). Sorry it is personal preference.
May 26th, 2013, 09:16 AM
#47
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It is interesting these opinions...
The advise of watching movies / reading books is brilliant!
Certainly some prefer Italy more over Switzerland and for a first timer like me it gets a little bit confusing...I am already losing sleep over my itinerary and have been chopping and changing a lot...
The idea of doing just a day in Florence is interesting as it does give me more flexibility going forward...but I am going to start reading Inferno soon and reading that book might make me want to spend more time in Florence!
That said..after lot of chopping and changing
this is currently my plan and I am planning to cut 1 night from London and spend it somewhere...
Rome 3N- Florence 2 - Venice 1N - 3N Lucerne (effectively 2 full days only) - 4N Wengen - 4N in Paris - 4N London
I had initially planned to reach Paris in Evening and checkout from Paris hotel after 4 nights and 3.5 days and move to london. Dropping this idea and reaching spending full 4 days and 4 nights in Paris now.
But that now gives me room to spend 1 more night somewhere..
Should it be
a) Rome (since its start of the trip can take it slow)
b) Venice (have heard a lot thats it unique but also heard a lot that its expensive and too touristy)
c) Switzerland - now by doing 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen I have already included the best of Switzerland, but am still not doing the Bernina Loop, Glacier Express , St moritz or Zermatt. Worth including these?
d) A friend suggested Positano / Corsica - but that would be tooo far I think...
e) Paris! spend more time in this fantastic city!
Also in Switzerland I plan to see Mt Pilatus , Titlis, Jungfraugoch and Schillthorn. Is it a overkill!?
The advise of watching movies / reading books is brilliant!
Certainly some prefer Italy more over Switzerland and for a first timer like me it gets a little bit confusing...I am already losing sleep over my itinerary and have been chopping and changing a lot...
The idea of doing just a day in Florence is interesting as it does give me more flexibility going forward...but I am going to start reading Inferno soon and reading that book might make me want to spend more time in Florence!
That said..after lot of chopping and changing
this is currently my plan and I am planning to cut 1 night from London and spend it somewhere...
Rome 3N- Florence 2 - Venice 1N - 3N Lucerne (effectively 2 full days only) - 4N Wengen - 4N in Paris - 4N London
I had initially planned to reach Paris in Evening and checkout from Paris hotel after 4 nights and 3.5 days and move to london. Dropping this idea and reaching spending full 4 days and 4 nights in Paris now.
But that now gives me room to spend 1 more night somewhere..
Should it be
a) Rome (since its start of the trip can take it slow)
b) Venice (have heard a lot thats it unique but also heard a lot that its expensive and too touristy)
c) Switzerland - now by doing 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen I have already included the best of Switzerland, but am still not doing the Bernina Loop, Glacier Express , St moritz or Zermatt. Worth including these?
d) A friend suggested Positano / Corsica - but that would be tooo far I think...
e) Paris! spend more time in this fantastic city!
Also in Switzerland I plan to see Mt Pilatus , Titlis, Jungfraugoch and Schillthorn. Is it a overkill!?
May 26th, 2013, 06:50 PM
#49
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Yeah Gretchen, I was thinking the same...7 days in Switzerland is enough for first time!
So this extra day,
Paris / London / Divide it between Rome and Florence (Add a half day extra in Rome and leave in afternoon and spend the night in Florence!)
So this extra day,
Paris / London / Divide it between Rome and Florence (Add a half day extra in Rome and leave in afternoon and spend the night in Florence!)
May 26th, 2013, 10:14 PM
#50
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Okay I just had another idea..
There is only 1 train from Venice to Milan during the day.thats at 16:20 from Venice..is that true...?? I find it strange...
If its true I can do this .Venice-Milan
Then next day take the 2 pm Bernina Express from Tirano.
Now question is, where to stay the night
1) Milan
2) Tirano
3) Lake Como
or some other.
If I had my way, I would like to spend the night in Venice and start from Venice early morning to Lucerne via the Bernina Express the same day.
There is only 1 train from Venice to Milan during the day.thats at 16:20 from Venice..is that true...?? I find it strange...
If its true I can do this .Venice-Milan
Then next day take the 2 pm Bernina Express from Tirano.
Now question is, where to stay the night
1) Milan
2) Tirano
3) Lake Como
or some other.
If I had my way, I would like to spend the night in Venice and start from Venice early morning to Lucerne via the Bernina Express the same day.
May 27th, 2013, 10:13 AM
#53
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with 70 minutes in Tirano, a noisy truck transit gap in the Alps you'll have time for lunch in one of several restaurants in the vicinity of the Tirano train stations. Or walk around this somewhat pleasant town to stretch your legs.
May 27th, 2013, 10:09 PM
#54
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Excellent Idea...
But I am now in another dilemma with these below options.
1) Option 1 : Stay 2nd night in Venice
3rd morning travel from Venice-Lucern via Bernina Express
Venice-Milan-Tirano-Chur-Lucerne
Total Travel Time : 8 hrs(in train) with atleast 5 changes (total=12 hrs)
2) Option 2 : On 2nd Day in Venice go to Varenna
Venice-Milan-Varenna - 4 hrs
Overnight in Varenna
Next day Varenna-Tirano-Chur-Lucerne - 7 hrs
Con : Packing-Checkout (venice)-Checkin (varenna)- Unpack
Suggestions please!
But I am now in another dilemma with these below options.
1) Option 1 : Stay 2nd night in Venice
3rd morning travel from Venice-Lucern via Bernina Express
Venice-Milan-Tirano-Chur-Lucerne
Total Travel Time : 8 hrs(in train) with atleast 5 changes (total=12 hrs)
2) Option 2 : On 2nd Day in Venice go to Varenna
Venice-Milan-Varenna - 4 hrs
Overnight in Varenna
Next day Varenna-Tirano-Chur-Lucerne - 7 hrs
Con : Packing-Checkout (venice)-Checkin (varenna)- Unpack
Suggestions please!
May 28th, 2013, 11:32 AM
#55
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just evaluate this
Rome 3 N
Florence 3 N
Venice 1 N
Vienna 2 N
Innsbruck/ Salzberg 1N
Interlaken area 3N (Jungfrau/stilchthorn/lauterbrunnen Valley & falls
Lucern 3 N (Mt RIgi/ MT Pilatus/ Mt Titlis)
Paris 3 N
London 3 N
Rome 3 N
Florence 3 N
Venice 1 N
Vienna 2 N
Innsbruck/ Salzberg 1N
Interlaken area 3N (Jungfrau/stilchthorn/lauterbrunnen Valley & falls
Lucern 3 N (Mt RIgi/ MT Pilatus/ Mt Titlis)
Paris 3 N
London 3 N
May 28th, 2013, 11:47 AM
#57
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If you are doing Venice - Milan - Lugano Overnight stay and morning visit Swiss miniature or a boat ride in lugano lake - then try BE via Tirano and St Moritz or some other combinations
You can reduce a bit of montains and add lake excursions in Interlaken: Lakes Thun or Brienz
You can reduce a bit of montains and add lake excursions in Interlaken: Lakes Thun or Brienz
May 28th, 2013, 06:55 PM
#59
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Thanks pnuts..my email is [email protected]
Shanmugamprakash, Am not sure of doing so many destinations...and this will give me less time in london and paris only 2.5 days...am staying with a relative in london
Yes you are right about balancing mountains with lakes...
I plan to do Pilatus, Jungraugoch and Schilthorn and Lake Brienz, Lucerne and Trummelbach falls when in Switzerland. If time permits will do couple of museums and montreux via golden pass!
cant wait!
right now leaning towards travelling to varenna and spending the night there which breaks the journey from venice to lucerne if I am doing BE.
Shanmugamprakash, Am not sure of doing so many destinations...and this will give me less time in london and paris only 2.5 days...am staying with a relative in london
Yes you are right about balancing mountains with lakes...
I plan to do Pilatus, Jungraugoch and Schilthorn and Lake Brienz, Lucerne and Trummelbach falls when in Switzerland. If time permits will do couple of museums and montreux via golden pass!
cant wait!
right now leaning towards travelling to varenna and spending the night there which breaks the journey from venice to lucerne if I am doing BE.
May 29th, 2013, 11:09 AM
#60
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Just read about leukerbad thermal spas and sub terrain lake nearby. In fact i am dropping one day local mountain visit in Zermatt and adding a day trip to leukerbad from Zermatt. You might be interested in doing a day rip from Lauternrunnen a 2.5 hrs journey by train and bus.
