asia

I have been using the asian site for awhile and am currently venturing out to do some travelling/vacationing in Europe....not too sure where to go, so I posted this question yesterday: <BR> <BR>Any advise on where to go and what to see and where to stay (hotel) in europe. <BR> <BR>Plans: <BR>.2 weeks available on our schedule <BR>.we intend to go late this year (Sept, Oct, Nov) <BR>.don't really mind where we go <BR>.we are not backpackers, like to stay in medium rate to above average hotels <BR>.like to shop and explore our surroundings and blend in as much as possible eventhough staying in a hotel <BR> <BR>thanks everyone for your advise...we have travelled much to ASIA and now we are dedicated to the Europe side...we need to explore and educate ourselves of this part of the world! <BR> <BR>cheers everyone! <BR> <BR>I found that out of the 3 responses that I received that only RICHARDAB answered my question and helped me out as oppose to telling me to go to the library! <BR> <BR>I thought this site was for us to swap travel ideas, tips, and stories...didn't know I would have to visit a library first!!!! <BR> <BR>MY REQUEST FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR MY EUROPE TRAVEL/VACATION STILL REMAINS....please advise/suggest on this topic. <BR> <BR>Please don't post any replies if you are not going to be helpful with my situation...I find it frustrating!! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

jhm

Sorry you're frustrated. If you have two weeks, it truly depends on whether you are more city-oriented or getting-to-know-one-country oriented. You could easily spend two weeks in "just" London and Paris and have more than enough to do. You could also spend the two weeks doing a trip to Italy: Rome, Venice and Florence perhaps. Either one of these would be great if you love to shop, as you say. It's hard to help without knowing more of your inclinations: interests (arts, history, etc.; someone who's first and foremost an art history buff is going to do a different trip from someone who loves hiking more than anything in the world), language abilities (if you speak French, I think you'd have more of the "blend into your surroundings" experience than most would in France), culinary tastes, etc. <BR> <BR>I think people will be more than willing to help and give advice when they have more of a sense of who you are. <BR> <BR>Now, if you can give me info/recommendations on tour companies who work in Vietnam, I'll see what else I can do for you.

Lee

Dear Frustrated: Be as specific as possible and you will get lots of hints and help. <BR>I think you got vague answers because you did not say much about what interested you. <BR>Once you decide upon some destinations, I will be glad to assist, particularly with Paris, Italy and London. <BR>Happy traveling <BR>

yuen-pitre

Hi JHM and Lee. <BR> <BR>thanks for the kind response and suggestions...much appreciated. <BR> <BR>JHM, most of my trips have been conducted by this company (they are packaged tours) - try this website and talk to your travel agent about getting the package from this tour company. their website is www.toureast.com. I visit the canadian site as I live in Toronto. I find the Toronto site is better. www.toureast.ca. <BR> <BR>Happy travels to Vietnam...we have only been to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali as they are our favourite spots....if you need any advise on these areas let me know!

Cindy

Asia, <BR> <BR>I saw your prior message, and I didn't respond because I didn't know how to address such a broad question, not because I wished to frustrate you. You have to give us a little something to go on. Given the info you provided, one of us could probably suggest 40 itineraries for you, and that's pretty time-consuming for everyone. Decide where you want to go based on what you like to do, and then take it from there. <BR> <BR>But if I were taking my first trip to Europe, and if I had two weeks, I'd spend a week in France and a week in Italy. But that's just me.

Rex

I thought that I provided you with a lead to a very specific answer - - an entire trip - - and cordially invited you to come along. <BR> <BR>Perhaps you didnt see it (but I thought you did) - - www.rexbickers.italy.com - - a trip put together for visitors to this site, totally non-commercial and non-profit for all involved in it - - for "wanna-be" independent travelers who see some advantage in pooling resources, and doing some things (like staying in a villa) not easily included on a trip of just one or two people. <BR> <BR>The breadth of your question is off-putting to a lot of people here. It's like asking "can you recommend some good restaurants, in the United States?" <BR> <BR>But nevertheless, I hope that you increasingly this forum to be a warm and welcoming place. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

asia

Rex and Cindy....thanks for responding...I am encouraged now because of people like you...you definitely make a difference....yes Rex I did see your posting on travelling with a group of people...will consider that. <BR> <BR>I have to say that my question isn't really meant to be specific as I myself don't know where I should concentrate on when going to Europe which is why I need your suggestions on what you think would be best based on your travelling expertise to that part of the world. <BR> <BR>I did indicated that we don't really mind where we go in Europe therefore opening the forum up for everyone else to comment on where they think is best for 2 weeks, during the 3 months of choice which I indicated and also the type of hotels (medium to above average rate). <BR> <BR>thanks again for your helpful comments. <BR> <BR>cheers!

dan woodlief

Might I be a little specific? I don't know your interests yet. However, I will advise you anyway to either spend a week in Paris and the rest nearby (maybe in France or Germany) or spend the whole two weeks in Italy (Florence, Rome, Venice, Sienna, etc.), and I can guarantee you a good introduction to what is so great about traveling to Europe.

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Hello Asia, My advice is to keep it regional. The time of year is a factor. There is a big difference in Sep and Nov. in some regions--like the Alps. <BR>To get you thinking, here are some of my favorite 2 week itineraries. Let me know if you need more help. <BR> BOB the NAVIGATORS’ FIVE FAVORITE ITINERARIES <BR>________________________________________ <BR> <BR>MAGICAL FAIRYLANDS: <BR> * Arrive and depart from Munich--14 nites--May thru Sep.--car travel <BR> * ITINERARY: Salzburg, Dolomites, Venice, Lake Garda, Bavaria <BR>======================================== <BR>BELLA ITALIA: <BR> * Arrive Milan, depart Venice--15 nites--car & train travel--April thru Oct. <BR> * ITINERARY: The Lakes, Ligurian coast, Tuscany, Florence, Venice <BR>======================================== <BR>CLASSIC ITALIA: <BR> * Arrive & depart Rome--12 to 14 nites--car & train travel, all year <BR> * ITINERARY: Florence, Tuscan & Umbrian hilltowns, Rome <BR>======================================== <BR>LA DOLCE VITA: <BR> * Arrive & depart Rome--12 nites--car & train travel--March thru Oct. <BR> * ITINERARY: Amalfi coast, Tuscany hilltowns, Rome <BR>======================================== <BR>OF ALPS & LAKES: <BR> <BR> * Arrive and depart Zurich--12 nites--train travel--June thru Sep. <BR> * ITINERARY: Berner Oberland, Lugano, Lake Como, Luzern <BR>======================================== <BR>These are merely intended to be sample itineraries. There is also a good potential itinerary in Spain and Portugal for fall travel. I would stay south for this trip, especially after Oct 15. Northern Europe--that means north of the Alps--can get chilly.

ohoh

For our first European trip, I called a travel agent and told her my general date time-frame, and that I wanted to spend under "x" $, and were interested in Paris, London, Madrid, or Rome. (We were planning for one week, and enjoy big cities.) She came back with suggestions for Paris and London, which I then researched on the web and we chose Paris. Once I had a destination, I found this forum was terrific for suggestions on what not to miss, restaurants, and general atmosphere.

elvira

asia, you posted a couple of times, and did get responses from Rex, me and a couple of others. All of us basically said the same thing: here are broad suggestions, but we can't tell you what to do. If you went into a travel agency with this same request, the agent would say the same things and ask the same questions of you. These people get paid to do that sort of work; nobody here does. We're under no obligation to answer a post, and certainly no obligation to do unpaid work. Don't cop an attitude, don't tell us what to do, and don't get snotty. If you don't like the way we respond to your post, pay a travel agent and stop trying to get something for nothing. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Justtrying

Perhaps the tip about going to the library was fair. You are asking for everything and really not giving us much to go on. Instead of repeatedly posting your request, do a little research (read a guidebook or peruse the Fodors destination guides on this website) and come up at least a couple of your own thoughts. Surely you have some preferences (or will have some) which you can then bounce off of people on this forum.

Rex

I (and others) have posted an answer something like this before, but bears repeating - - start with WHY do YOU "think" you want go to Europe? what does Europe mean to you? what images does it conjure up for you? Castles? Milan fashions? English teas? Gothic cathedrals? the Porsche factory? Ancient Rome? sun and sea on the Riviera? bullfights? fjords? and perhaps the most important (to me) - - the wine/cheese/breads of France? <BR> <BR>Tell us what you always envisioned a trip to Europe might include - - and we will tell you where - - and how - - to find it. <BR>

wes fowler

It's probably unfair of you to expect meaningful advice from some of the Fodors contributors with the little information you provide regarding your interests. It's probably equally unfair for us to impose our subjective suggestions and ideas upon you with so little information to aid us. Here, nevertheless, is a thought for you to consider. With only two weeks, optimize your time by reducing travel and limiting yourself to a concentrated geographic area offering the most diversity in language, customs, scenery. Consider Paris for six days, with perhaps a day trip to Versailles. Travel to and spend four days in Belgium. Brugge being an ideal and lovely spot from which you can take day or half day trips to Ghent, Brussels or Antwerp (or even Luxembourg for a luncheon of game in the Ardennes). Move on to Amsterdam for the remainder of your journey. In doing so, you'll have exposed yourself to a good example of the diversity of Europe and its peoples.

Shel

Sounds to me like you'd like opinions. So here you go: <BR>FIRST: Tell yourself that you will go back, many times, so you do not have to see it all this time. <BR>NEXT: Have a very open mind once you are there and go with the flow. This will help you avoid frustration (like you feel about this board) when your expectations are not met. Since you have travelled in Asia, you know what I mean. <BR> <BR>My opinion on where to go in 2 weeks (rent a car after Paris and be prepared to drive): <BR>1. France <BR>Paris for 4 nights (remember, you will come back) <BR>North-easterly drive through France seeing Alsace and Burgundy regions for 2 nights <BR>2. Switzerland <BR>Lucerne 1 night (if your schedule is too tight, skip Lucerne) <BR>Grindlewald or Murren 2 nights (Interlaken area--go to top of Schilthorn or Jungfrau if it is clear. Go to ice caves) <BR>3. Austria: Salzburg 1 night <BR>4. Germany <BR>Fussen 1 night (see the Castle) <BR>Munich 1-2 nights (see Munich itself and Dachau) <BR>Rothenburg 1 night <BR>Frankfurt for your last night, return the car and go home. <BR> <BR>On your way home, start planning your next trip, which will be to Rome, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre (or the Lakes region), and all of southern France. <BR> <BR>That's my opinion. But the truth is that you can't loose. Europe is a lot of fun any way you slice it. Have fun planning.

alan

Hi This is the second posting I've seen in 2 days, asking the same question. Were you so frustrated the first time? <BR>To get to your question, What are your interests? What countries have you thought about? I've traveled mostly in Central Europe and Eastern Europe the past few years. We rent a car and stay in a fairly small geographic area, no grand tour. Eastern Europe is diferent from Western Europe not just geographically, but has a different polital background. I also travel in smaller hotels usually 2-3 star. <BR>I usually do however go to a bookstore and browse to find out where I may be interested in going, otherwise it's a crapshoot and vacation time is too precious. <BR>alan

xxxx

This is the third posting of yours I've found on line, are you THAT frustrated or just bored?

Art

I never thought that I would suggest this, BUT with you broad question and not having TIME to do any research (I find that hard to believe) I think that you ought to go to a travel agent and book a tour that does 10 countries in 10 days. Reminds me of the movie "If this is Tuesday, this must be Belgum". This will give you the broadest view of many area of Europe and you can better decide where you want to go to next time.

asia

Hi everyone,<BR><BR>thanks for the information...now it seems that I might some places to concentrate on...seems interesting and I think i might have 3 specific places to visit although maybe 2 weeks is not enough.... here they are:<BR>Paris<BR>rome<BR>madrid <BR><BR>don't know which to get rid off...HELP!<BR><BR>Elvira, I find your comments harsh...no I did not tell anyone what they should be doing and so forth...maybe you should read my message again.....please don't help if you are feeling antoganistic towards my questions...I need advise and tips not negative comments. It is ironic how you told me what to do and that I am being snooty.....are you not doing exactly that to me!!! anyway , it is o.k if you don't want to participate in my request for help, but don't make me feel bad. <BR><BR>Thank you again everyone...now that I have to eliminate one of the above....which should I get rid off...horrible decision to make...they all seem fantastic based on several suggestions!

Rex

I don't know if this is too off-topis or not, but the issue of how to help the "new-comer" to Europe travel strikes me as analogous to a discussion I head on NPR yesterday - - about the challenges magazine editors face - - and they contrasted Brides magazine(s) versus Gold magazine(s). The former has a continuous flow of predominantly new readers with the same basic questions and need for information, and not many long-term readers; the latter also has a continuous flow of new readers whith many novice questions, combined with many subscribers that stay on for decades. Both face the problem of keeping the material fresh and interesting. Brides magazines know that they HAVE to run a story on brides' dresses, on cakes, on planners/planning every month - - for them, the problem is to keep the editorial staff from being bored to tears without getting too esoteric for their readers. And Golf magazine has to maintain a balance of not appearing too "snooty" for newcomers to the sport.<BR><BR>Interestingly, both were considering a story (upcoming) on helicopter trips "over" Ireland!<BR><BR>This forum has the same problem, and tolerance for the needs of the new and the insatiable appetite for "new and different" run though cycles.<BR><BR>Any of us, on any given day can post something that makes us look like "the weakest link".<BR>