First Trip to Europe!
Nov 28th, 2015, 09:33 AM
#21
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I am a novice traveler to Europe. In 2014 the Mr and I spent 16 days divided between London & Paris with one overnight trip to Bayeau. It was a great trip, but even with a week in each city we left a lot undone.
I am in the process of planning our 2016 trip to Europe. I find it helps to lay out a day by day itinerary of the places & sights we would like to visit. I use that as a guide for how many days I need for each place. It goes without saying, we won't get to see everything, but hopefully we get to cover a few 'must sees' for us.
I have a feeling once you get a taste of Europe you will find a way to return - at least that was the Mr & my experience.
Happy planning!
I am in the process of planning our 2016 trip to Europe. I find it helps to lay out a day by day itinerary of the places & sights we would like to visit. I use that as a guide for how many days I need for each place. It goes without saying, we won't get to see everything, but hopefully we get to cover a few 'must sees' for us.
I have a feeling once you get a taste of Europe you will find a way to return - at least that was the Mr & my experience.
Happy planning!
Nov 28th, 2015, 10:32 AM
#22
>>Eliminate Paris? REALLY!! LOL Eliminate London AND also save a lot of money--getting there and staying there. Paris is much more budget friendly.<<
But since they are flying out of London it makes more sense to visit London than Paris. Even though Paris is wonderful of course. And why so many posts lately about how expensive London is. If one doesn't like London -- fine - no law says you must. There are places for everyone . . . But I visit London 2 - 3 times most years and it is no more expensive than Venice or Paris or Munich. Some things cost more -- some less and w/ all the free sites it about comes out a wash. Of course lots of rural areas and smaller cities are a lot cheaper than London/Venice etc.
If it wasn't for the family history, Munich would be the logical destination to drop. But Munich/germany would seem to be a keeper.
But what you have now is really REALLY rushed.
• 2.5 days in Rome. (not 4)
• A little over half a day in Venice
• 5.5 days in Germany
• 1.5 days in Paris
• 2.5 days in London.
If Rome (arrival), London (departure) and Germany are musts . . . I would JUST do those. Stay 4 or 5 nights in Rome, 4 or 5 nights in Munich/Bavaria Germany and 4 to 6 nights in London.
Keep Venice and Paris for your 5th anniversary
But since they are flying out of London it makes more sense to visit London than Paris. Even though Paris is wonderful of course. And why so many posts lately about how expensive London is. If one doesn't like London -- fine - no law says you must. There are places for everyone . . . But I visit London 2 - 3 times most years and it is no more expensive than Venice or Paris or Munich. Some things cost more -- some less and w/ all the free sites it about comes out a wash. Of course lots of rural areas and smaller cities are a lot cheaper than London/Venice etc.
If it wasn't for the family history, Munich would be the logical destination to drop. But Munich/germany would seem to be a keeper.
But what you have now is really REALLY rushed.
• 2.5 days in Rome. (not 4)
• A little over half a day in Venice
• 5.5 days in Germany
• 1.5 days in Paris
• 2.5 days in London.
If Rome (arrival), London (departure) and Germany are musts . . . I would JUST do those. Stay 4 or 5 nights in Rome, 4 or 5 nights in Munich/Bavaria Germany and 4 to 6 nights in London.
Keep Venice and Paris for your 5th anniversary
Nov 28th, 2015, 10:38 AM
#23
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Thanks Guys! I appreciate all the advice! To answer a couple questions the tickets we have booked are the arriving in Rome May 1st and departing from London May 15th. We haven't booked anything else yet. I'm not sure when we will get a chance to go again after this trip we are going to be paying off debt, getting things set up to buy a house and start a family most likely so it could possibly be a while before we can return. Originally we only have Italy and Germany and a day or two in the UK. But since we weren't sure when we would be able to come back we threw in Paris.
I'll probably skip Florence all together and maybe add an extra day in Venice. I'm all for bed and breakfasts or maybe even hostels if they are safe and I'm able to store luggage we are going to try to pack as light as possible but will probably have at least one suitcase and a back pack I would guess. As for breakfast usually I skip breakfast most of the time or have cereal and my husband does oatmeal and yogurt so something that can kind of hold us over to lunch or maybe half way to getting a snack so we don't have to eat out for breakfast since it's not very important for us I'd rather have lunch and dinner somewhere.
The priority of places is
Rome (i have some family that came from Italy so that's how Rome and Venice made the list)
Germany (his family is from here so that's why we have the most days)
Venice
Paris (would like to see a few key places and maybe look at shops get some food)
London (we would like to spend at least a day here we don't have anything planned yet though)
I'll def do a train from Paris to London if that's better than flying I didn't even think about that, I think sometimes it hard to remember the countries are closer together and not as big as the U.S. So far I've only been to Canada and the U.S. So I have no idea what to expect but I've heard the transportation is way better. Maybe I should take some time from London and add that day to Venice
So
May 1st: Land in Rome 8am
May 2nd: Rome
May 3rd: Rome
May 4th: Morning train to Venice arrive afternoon
May 5th Venice
May 6th Flight to Germany in the morning
May 7th Germany
May 8th Germany
May 9th Germany
May 10th Germany
May 11th Fly to Paris
May 12th Paris
May 13th Morning train to London
May 14th London
May 15th Fly home
I would say Germany and Italy are the main countries and then Paris and London are add on previews so we can spend a day or so in case we can't come back for a while
I'll probably skip Florence all together and maybe add an extra day in Venice. I'm all for bed and breakfasts or maybe even hostels if they are safe and I'm able to store luggage we are going to try to pack as light as possible but will probably have at least one suitcase and a back pack I would guess. As for breakfast usually I skip breakfast most of the time or have cereal and my husband does oatmeal and yogurt so something that can kind of hold us over to lunch or maybe half way to getting a snack so we don't have to eat out for breakfast since it's not very important for us I'd rather have lunch and dinner somewhere.
The priority of places is
Rome (i have some family that came from Italy so that's how Rome and Venice made the list)
Germany (his family is from here so that's why we have the most days)
Venice
Paris (would like to see a few key places and maybe look at shops get some food)
London (we would like to spend at least a day here we don't have anything planned yet though)
I'll def do a train from Paris to London if that's better than flying I didn't even think about that, I think sometimes it hard to remember the countries are closer together and not as big as the U.S. So far I've only been to Canada and the U.S. So I have no idea what to expect but I've heard the transportation is way better. Maybe I should take some time from London and add that day to Venice
So
May 1st: Land in Rome 8am
May 2nd: Rome
May 3rd: Rome
May 4th: Morning train to Venice arrive afternoon
May 5th Venice
May 6th Flight to Germany in the morning
May 7th Germany
May 8th Germany
May 9th Germany
May 10th Germany
May 11th Fly to Paris
May 12th Paris
May 13th Morning train to London
May 14th London
May 15th Fly home
I would say Germany and Italy are the main countries and then Paris and London are add on previews so we can spend a day or so in case we can't come back for a while
Nov 28th, 2015, 10:44 AM
#24
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Rome - Germany - London.
I would definitely not bother with a rental car in Germany for a mere 5 days, especially with Munich as your base. Board the direct train into Munich from the MUC airport station. Any day trips doable from Munich can be done by train at much lower cost and probably more conveniently.
I would definitely not bother with a rental car in Germany for a mere 5 days, especially with Munich as your base. Board the direct train into Munich from the MUC airport station. Any day trips doable from Munich can be done by train at much lower cost and probably more conveniently.
Nov 28th, 2015, 10:49 AM
#25
I assume our post crossed (were posting at the same time)
Your new plan has 1.5 days in Venice, 1.5 days in Paris, and 1.5 days in London. Just toooooo much travel for toooooo little 'being' anywhere.
1.5 days in either city isn't really a 'preview'. Especially for London which is enormous -- in 1.5 days you won't really see anything.
If you just don't want to drop a destination (5 in 15 days is a LOT and it really is more than 5 because you want to tool around Germany in addition to Munich) why not consider just doing 2 or 3 nights in Munich -- forgetting about having a car and add those extra 3 days one each to Venice/Paris/London. Still way too rushed but at least your heads won't be spinning.
Your new plan has 1.5 days in Venice, 1.5 days in Paris, and 1.5 days in London. Just toooooo much travel for toooooo little 'being' anywhere.
1.5 days in either city isn't really a 'preview'. Especially for London which is enormous -- in 1.5 days you won't really see anything.
If you just don't want to drop a destination (5 in 15 days is a LOT and it really is more than 5 because you want to tool around Germany in addition to Munich) why not consider just doing 2 or 3 nights in Munich -- forgetting about having a car and add those extra 3 days one each to Venice/Paris/London. Still way too rushed but at least your heads won't be spinning.
Nov 28th, 2015, 12:12 PM
#27
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ROME: On my first trip to Rome we arrived and spent two nights and had a great time. This is enough time to see the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum, the Pantheon, plus many other sights. I have since had longer stays in Rome, and really don't find it a particularly pleasant city, especially when compared to Florence and Venice.
FLORENCE: There is nothing wrong with seeing Florence as a day trip between Rome and Venice. Just check your bags at the train station and walk around the beautiful city. You may wish you had spent at least one night here. Visit the Duomo, and perhaps read a little history about both the dome and the doors. Continue to Venice.
VENICE: You should spend a minimum of two nights in Venice, and it should be in Venice proper, not Maestre or Lido. This may be the highlight of your trip.
MUNICH: If you go to Munich from Venice you should go by train, not plane. A first-class train ticket is 69 euros, you go over the Brenner Pass, and it's just very pleasant, and likely faster than a plane trip when you factor in travel time to the airport. However, since you say that your aren't sure about going to Munich, may I strongly recommend that you fly to Cologne. You can see the cathedral, which is near the train station, and then travel by train to your choice of about a dozen neat little Rhine or Mosel villages where you can spend a few days exploring the area, and perhaps ride bikes. Options include Bacharach, Cochem, Beilstein, Trier, among others. Doing this will also put you just a short train ride from Paris.
PARIS and LONDON: I recommend more time in Paris and less time in London. Paris is romantic. London is expensive.
OTHER ADVICE: Someone suggested that you stay awake for your trip over so you could "enjoy" the luxury. If you are on United you will have left for the airport early in the morning. The IAD-FCO leg is nine hours. By all means enjoy a few drinks and a nice meal, but the real luxury is to be able to sleep for a few hours.
ADVICE 2: If you drink wine, go to Wal-Mart and buy two heavy duty, washable, plastic wine glasses that you can carry in a day pack. These are great for picnics in a park, and you can buy a nice bottle of wine for less than 5 euros. Wine just doesn't taste right out of a paper cup.
FLORENCE: There is nothing wrong with seeing Florence as a day trip between Rome and Venice. Just check your bags at the train station and walk around the beautiful city. You may wish you had spent at least one night here. Visit the Duomo, and perhaps read a little history about both the dome and the doors. Continue to Venice.
VENICE: You should spend a minimum of two nights in Venice, and it should be in Venice proper, not Maestre or Lido. This may be the highlight of your trip.
MUNICH: If you go to Munich from Venice you should go by train, not plane. A first-class train ticket is 69 euros, you go over the Brenner Pass, and it's just very pleasant, and likely faster than a plane trip when you factor in travel time to the airport. However, since you say that your aren't sure about going to Munich, may I strongly recommend that you fly to Cologne. You can see the cathedral, which is near the train station, and then travel by train to your choice of about a dozen neat little Rhine or Mosel villages where you can spend a few days exploring the area, and perhaps ride bikes. Options include Bacharach, Cochem, Beilstein, Trier, among others. Doing this will also put you just a short train ride from Paris.
PARIS and LONDON: I recommend more time in Paris and less time in London. Paris is romantic. London is expensive.
OTHER ADVICE: Someone suggested that you stay awake for your trip over so you could "enjoy" the luxury. If you are on United you will have left for the airport early in the morning. The IAD-FCO leg is nine hours. By all means enjoy a few drinks and a nice meal, but the real luxury is to be able to sleep for a few hours.
ADVICE 2: If you drink wine, go to Wal-Mart and buy two heavy duty, washable, plastic wine glasses that you can carry in a day pack. These are great for picnics in a park, and you can buy a nice bottle of wine for less than 5 euros. Wine just doesn't taste right out of a paper cup.
Nov 28th, 2015, 12:41 PM
#28
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I wouldn't let other people twist my arm about defining my wish list for me, or try to say what you want to do doesn't make sense. I wouldn't not consider what they are proposing, and look at the travel times involved, but in the end it is your trip, and if you do or don't want to see Paris, it's up to you, and plenty of people find it makes perfect "sense" to do what they really want to do on their trips, even if other people don't understand why they have chosen that itinerary. You can go your own way.
Nov 28th, 2015, 12:42 PM
#29
>> I recommend more time in Paris and less time in London. <<
How can they spend <i>less</i> time in London -- it is only 1.5 days as it is.
>>London is expensive.<<
This is really getting old -- the £ to US$ is approx. $1.50 it hasn't been this good in years. Where do people get this stuff?
How can they spend <i>less</i> time in London -- it is only 1.5 days as it is.
>>London is expensive.<<
This is really getting old -- the £ to US$ is approx. $1.50 it hasn't been this good in years. Where do people get this stuff?
Nov 28th, 2015, 12:44 PM
#30
"This is really getting old"
Too right. Rather like the people who don't travel to "Europe" because "Europe" is expensive. Or me, putting off travel to Japan because I thought it was expensive. It wasn't, Norway, on the other hand....
Too right. Rather like the people who don't travel to "Europe" because "Europe" is expensive. Or me, putting off travel to Japan because I thought it was expensive. It wasn't, Norway, on the other hand....
Nov 28th, 2015, 12:55 PM
#31
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Drink wine out of the bottle... glass tastes better than plastic.
After all you're on honeymooon aren't you ? so you can share the same bottle
Just get the bottle uncorked - in France bottles with a metallic cap are not (yet) used for the good wines.
We like the 'plop' when the cork is taken out.
Beats any 'screeetch' of the metallic cap.
After all you're on honeymooon aren't you ? so you can share the same bottle
Just get the bottle uncorked - in France bottles with a metallic cap are not (yet) used for the good wines.
We like the 'plop' when the cork is taken out.
Beats any 'screeetch' of the metallic cap.
Nov 28th, 2015, 01:20 PM
#32
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'Expensive' is relative. Not everyone on these forums is American.
OP there are some great cheap hotels in Rome that are close to your budget with good locations. Thee are many others - read reviews on Booking.com as they are completed by people who have stayed there.
http://www.navonasuiterome.com/?page_id=17&lang=en
http://www.hotelboccaccio.com/
http://www.hotelprati.com/index.php?flag=EN
OP there are some great cheap hotels in Rome that are close to your budget with good locations. Thee are many others - read reviews on Booking.com as they are completed by people who have stayed there.
http://www.navonasuiterome.com/?page_id=17&lang=en
http://www.hotelboccaccio.com/
http://www.hotelprati.com/index.php?flag=EN
Nov 28th, 2015, 01:35 PM
#33
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I'm with the 'less is more' and 'being there vs seeing there' group. What I would do is get to a more granular level of detail, in order to visualize the trip much better. Take your transit days and add in check out time, travel to airport time ( and being early for check-in), same on other end. Then figure out what you would like to see and what you must see...and add in 'nothing' time. Rome, Paris, London all reward wandering off the tourist high-light path.
Since the rail system is so good in Europe, a car may be re-considered..depending on what your plans are. Convenient if you are wandering the countryside, less so if you are simply using it to transit from city to city.
A consideration..for a first timer..is to do a guided tour of the sites in a city, then pick out the ones you want to visit, versus seeing. For example, Eiffel Tower is a nice see, but is it a 'must go up'..if yes, you are cutting into your total time.
You cannot see and experience all the cities you want to see in the time you have. So look at what your lists of see and visits are...and you may find that one city seems to have more that another..and so moving it to the 'next time'
Since the rail system is so good in Europe, a car may be re-considered..depending on what your plans are. Convenient if you are wandering the countryside, less so if you are simply using it to transit from city to city.
A consideration..for a first timer..is to do a guided tour of the sites in a city, then pick out the ones you want to visit, versus seeing. For example, Eiffel Tower is a nice see, but is it a 'must go up'..if yes, you are cutting into your total time.
You cannot see and experience all the cities you want to see in the time you have. So look at what your lists of see and visits are...and you may find that one city seems to have more that another..and so moving it to the 'next time'
Nov 28th, 2015, 03:14 PM
#34
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Hello H,
I also would recommend figuring out what you hope to see and do in each city. You have only said you are going to Rome because part of your family came from Italy and going to Germany because his family came from there.
I understand that you feel pressure to see as much as possible because you don't know when you will get back, but the more places you go, the less you see of each - unless you can add time to your trip which seems impossible for you this time around.
I think you will have a much more rewarding and enjoyable trip if you get a good grip on exactly what your priorities are for each city. Right now, you have not mentioned anything of special interest other than car stuff. Good food and history can be had in most of the cities you mention.
If you can add up the transportation times and costs, you should be able to see quite clearly how many destinations are "worth it" to you. The balance is up to you, but you can't make a good judgement unless you know WHY you are going to each destination. Right now your plans are too vague to make good decisions.
I also would recommend figuring out what you hope to see and do in each city. You have only said you are going to Rome because part of your family came from Italy and going to Germany because his family came from there.
I understand that you feel pressure to see as much as possible because you don't know when you will get back, but the more places you go, the less you see of each - unless you can add time to your trip which seems impossible for you this time around.
I think you will have a much more rewarding and enjoyable trip if you get a good grip on exactly what your priorities are for each city. Right now, you have not mentioned anything of special interest other than car stuff. Good food and history can be had in most of the cities you mention.
If you can add up the transportation times and costs, you should be able to see quite clearly how many destinations are "worth it" to you. The balance is up to you, but you can't make a good judgement unless you know WHY you are going to each destination. Right now your plans are too vague to make good decisions.
Nov 28th, 2015, 07:07 PM
#35
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Have a suggestion for Venice. Stay at the Ai Tagliapietra B&B. If you check on www.tripadvisor.com and read the reviews you will be convinced! On Trip Advisor they are listed as #14/452 B&Bs in Venice! They are also awarded the "Certificate of Excellence". (read some of the reviews)
It is small... only 3 or 4 rooms so book immediately! Lorenzo is the best host...even had gluten free treats for my breakfast. Wonderful, convenient location only about 3 minute walk from St. Marks Square. Another couple and we stayed there in 2012. the price is 100 euros per night per room in high season. Request the room with the king bed with orange spread! It is quite large with a nice bath! www.aitagliapietra.com.
PLEASE STAY 2 NIGHTS IN VENICE
It is small... only 3 or 4 rooms so book immediately! Lorenzo is the best host...even had gluten free treats for my breakfast. Wonderful, convenient location only about 3 minute walk from St. Marks Square. Another couple and we stayed there in 2012. the price is 100 euros per night per room in high season. Request the room with the king bed with orange spread! It is quite large with a nice bath! www.aitagliapietra.com.
PLEASE STAY 2 NIGHTS IN VENICE
Nov 28th, 2015, 10:01 PM
#36
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Great advice from other posters. I agree that you might be better off skipping a few of your destinations in favor of spending more time in others.
Only a day or two for Paris? London? Venice?
Pretty much you will be checking in and out of hotels. Traveling from airports to hotels and back. You will be able to tell your friends you have been to those cities, but you will know nothing about them.
Go to your library and check out guide books for each of the cities - you will discover that you can't really see much of any of them in the time you have allotted.
Pick one of those cities and spend all the time you have budgeted for the three there. You won't regret it.You are young. Trust me, you will come back to Europe again!
Only a day or two for Paris? London? Venice?
Pretty much you will be checking in and out of hotels. Traveling from airports to hotels and back. You will be able to tell your friends you have been to those cities, but you will know nothing about them.
Go to your library and check out guide books for each of the cities - you will discover that you can't really see much of any of them in the time you have allotted.
Pick one of those cities and spend all the time you have budgeted for the three there. You won't regret it.You are young. Trust me, you will come back to Europe again!
Nov 29th, 2015, 01:17 PM
#37
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There's nothing wrong with spending just a day or two in a city if you're willing to skip some of the famous, "must-see" sights. If you try to cram in every famous museum, church, and archaeological site, you risk spending your entire time shuffling along shoulder to shoulder with thousands of fellow tourists.
You really have 2 days in Rome, maybe 2 1/2 if you can hit the ground running. Please don't feel that you must see the Sistine Chapel and go inside the Colosseum. Instead, try to find some time to stroll in a park, to take a walk on one of the hills of Rome (the Janiculum, the Aventine, and the Caelian, roughly in that order, would be my suggestions), and to sit on a piazza for an hour watching the world go by.
If you leave Rome very early on the 4th, you can get to Venice before noon, and spend a whole afternoon and evening there. This might be plenty if you don't want to visit any museums or churches.
You could even fit in a few hours in Florence, following FHurdle's advice about leaving your bags at the left luggage facility in the train station while you take a quick spin around the city (on foot). I highly recommend you stop into the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, right by the train station, for a quick and inexpensive glimpse of several great Renaissance works of art.
If you do stop over in Florence for a few hours, you really should consider an extra night in Venice, otherwise you might have just a few hours there. Considering all the other things you want to see, I would suggest taking a night from Germany.
You might consider taking the train from Venice to Munich. It's often cheaper than flying, and the scenery is spectacular. The trip takes from 6 1/2 to 7 hours. You have to change trains in Verona.
Then you have only one full day in Paris and two full days in London. Again, I would urge you to skip all the crowded sites with long queues and hordes of people. Look for the hidden treasures in these cities, and limit yourself to one famous museum or church in each city, or maybe even none, depending on your interests. Both cities have rivers (with excursion boats) and lovely parks.
You really have 2 days in Rome, maybe 2 1/2 if you can hit the ground running. Please don't feel that you must see the Sistine Chapel and go inside the Colosseum. Instead, try to find some time to stroll in a park, to take a walk on one of the hills of Rome (the Janiculum, the Aventine, and the Caelian, roughly in that order, would be my suggestions), and to sit on a piazza for an hour watching the world go by.
If you leave Rome very early on the 4th, you can get to Venice before noon, and spend a whole afternoon and evening there. This might be plenty if you don't want to visit any museums or churches.
You could even fit in a few hours in Florence, following FHurdle's advice about leaving your bags at the left luggage facility in the train station while you take a quick spin around the city (on foot). I highly recommend you stop into the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, right by the train station, for a quick and inexpensive glimpse of several great Renaissance works of art.
If you do stop over in Florence for a few hours, you really should consider an extra night in Venice, otherwise you might have just a few hours there. Considering all the other things you want to see, I would suggest taking a night from Germany.
You might consider taking the train from Venice to Munich. It's often cheaper than flying, and the scenery is spectacular. The trip takes from 6 1/2 to 7 hours. You have to change trains in Verona.
Then you have only one full day in Paris and two full days in London. Again, I would urge you to skip all the crowded sites with long queues and hordes of people. Look for the hidden treasures in these cities, and limit yourself to one famous museum or church in each city, or maybe even none, depending on your interests. Both cities have rivers (with excursion boats) and lovely parks.
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May 7th, 2015 11:37 AM
