I am in the very beginning stages of planning a 3 week trip to Europe at the end of the year. I realize this question is quite vague but having little knowledge of Europe, I don't even know where to begin. I thought I might start by looking at tours and deciding on 3-5 countries from there. Can anyone recommend a good resource for me to begin my search? <BR> <BR>Thanks so much!

Although I have always traveled independently, I planned my first trip by picking up a lot of tour brochures (and calling 800 numbers for free tour brochures listed in the back of travel magazines). By looking at some of the offered combinations, I began to piece together an appropriate itinerary, but generally expanding the stays by at least one night each. I'm just not into a city per night type itinerary. The brochures were also pretty good for showing you the hotels that are offered with the tours and giving you a good starting point for those.

Jennifer, <BR>This is a common problem and one that's seen some discussion lately. As Patrick suggests, tour brochures can help a lot. Some other posters also suggest studying & copying Rick Steves' prototypical 21-day Europe tour; you can see it for yourself at www.ricksteves.com. You can also get started by simply recognizing what you enjoy most: beaches or mountains? museums or night life? country or city? architecture? culinary? bicycling? photography? Soon your personal itinerary will emerge. *Then* the work and the fun begins!! <BR> <BR>s

Jennifer, <BR>Each year a question such as yours pops up in Fodors. Some years ago, in response to a query such as yours I posed the question, "How do you plan your European trips?" The responses I received will give you a goodly number of ideas and suggestions. I've resurrected it for your information; just do a text search for the title.

Jennifer, <BR>You probably already have some vague idea of what sounds more interesting to you-Follow that and start doing some reading. Go through this forum and go to the library and look through some books such as fodors, frommer etc. I think a great introduction trip is Paris and Italy. Most everybody wants to see Paris and there are many places to see in Italy that are relatively close to each other. Of course,if you more intrigued with castles of Germany and Prague start investigating that route. <BR>No matter you do, consider it a start and that there will probably be more trips in the future so you don't have to see it all in one trip.

Whenever we start thinking about a trip <BR>(which is on the flight home from our last one!), we call our library and order video tapes on any country we have the faintest desire to see. We have gotten many great videos (and some not so great) that have sparked a new adventure. <BR>You may even want to attend some of the Travelogues that many organizations sponsor. They can be filled with spectacular sights and good information! <BR>Bon Voyage! <BR>Gloria

Hi Jennifer. I started returning to Europe after a multi year absence by pursuing my interests: <BR>1. Mountains <BR>2. Music <BR>3. Art <BR>4. Famous monuments and show places <BR>So I figured out fairly quickly that Switzerland was the place to go for the mountains and on the first trip back I fell in love with the place. <BR>Then we went to Paris and I fell in love again, with music, art, food, interesting places to visit, great historic sights, and so on. <BR>Then we visited Austria, which gives one mountains, art museums, and music, particularly Salzburg, Vienna, and Linz (Brucker Festival). <BR>Then there is London for symphonic concerts, etc. <BR>I think if you pick up on a theme that you like, and pursue it where it is fun for you to be, your trips will be better suited to what you want to do. <BR>I decided long ago that if I go to a place, I want a real objective to visit. <BR>I am not going to go visit some place just because it is a tourist stop on some brochure. <BR>Earlier in my travels, I went to two or three places because I thought it the thing to do to go there. <BR>After I got there, I hated the place and could not get out quickly enough. <BR> <BR>Also, a caution. Plan your visits to the major cities carefully. I made a huge mistake on my first visit to Paris. <BR>I just turned up, found a hotel, and started wandering about. Had I done a little more homework, the visit would have been much more successful. But I learned a valuable lesson, and believe me, the last two visits have been so well planned that we ran out of time long before we ran out of places to go. <BR>I tell people now to plan only half of the time you are in Paris; Paris herself will show you what to do with the other half. <BR>There is always something unexpected or something that takes longer than you thought it would. I like to have the time to enjoy the moment rather than being forced to leave something I am enjoying because the tour schedule says we must now see something else. <BR> <BR>I know this sounds a little vague. But before we decide on the next set of destinations, I ask myself and my wife this question: <BR>What do you want to see and what would you like to visit on our next trip? <BR>My wife likes Monet, so we returned to Paris and visited the Musee Marmottan for the first time and revisited Musee d'Orsay. I had heard of Vaux-le-Vicomte in Melun to the east of Parisk and our visit was vastly rewarding. <BR>Then we went to Switzerland, the Berner Oberland, for an unforgettable week, then we indulged our music interests in Salzburg and Vienna along with visits to Schönbrunn, the Hofburg, and the art museum. <BR>Because we did what we wanted, we came home immensely satisfied with our trip. <BR>(Of course it helps to have a companion who is with you all the way. In that respect I travel with the best.)

Jennifer, See if this helps. Consider the macro criteria first. good luck ! <BR> <BR>I get inquiries virtually every day requesting my help in developing a well conceived TRIP PLAN for independent travel in Europe. I am always willing to offer the benefit of my experience , but some requests can be a real challenge. Here is a recent example: <BR> <BR> “ Dear Bob, I have seen your frequent comments on the Fodors forum and would like your help in planning our family trip to Europe. We are four[ ages 9&13] and will be traveling in August to these places we have always dreamed about---the Cote d’ Azur, Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Rome and the Amalfi coast. Can you please tell us where to stay and what to see? <BR>Oh yes, we only will have ten days and we will be on a tight budget. Can you help us ? “ <BR> <BR> The challenge is to inject a dose of realism without completely dousing the dream. Not an easy task. But, after having planned more than fifty customized itineraries for others, I have learned that the most successful trips are invariably those that are conceived by considering the macro criteria first. You must start with the “BIGGIES” in your planning phase and then the rest will fall into place. Anything less will seriously compromise the eventual trip success. <BR> <BR> The above scenario is a textbook example of poor planning. It fails to consider these criteria: <BR> WHEN ? Pick your destinations based upon optimal seasonal considerations. Avoid <BR>most of southern Europe in the hot summer months. Visit Iberia or Italy in May or October <BR>and save the Alpine venues, northern Europe, and Ireland or Scotland for July and August. <BR> HOW MUCH ? Your budget will often dictate which destinations are feasible. Set a <BR>realistic budget and then plan accordingly. Forget the upscale resorts during high season. <BR> ENOUGH TIME ? Trying to do too much is the most common planning error. A ten day <BR>itinerary calls for a MAX of four destinations---a 14 day itinerary suggests six. And, try to <BR>plan your route for less than four hours of travel time to the next destination--- by car or train. <BR> RAILS OR RENTAL CAR ? Your mode of transport will determine trip timing and choice of destinations. Train travel can be efficient but is very limiting for off-the-mainline locations. <BR> EXPERIENCE LEVEL ? Trip stress is directly related to your travel experience in Europe. <BR>So, plan your initial trip to minimize the stress factors. DO NOT BITE OFF TOO MUCH ! <BR> You may not always be able to control these variables, but you do need to develop your trip strategy considering their eventual impact---it will make all the difference. The worst mistake is to start with the single criteria of “WHERE” and then try to force feed the rest. <BR>My best advise is to plan this trip with the assumption that you will be returning to Europe for <BR>subsequent trips. Start with a good map and perceive Europe as geographic regions. Then, plan perhaps as many as three desired itineraries in advance. You will very likely return ! <BR> <BR> BOB THE NAVIGATOR [email protected] <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Definitely get Rick Steve's Europe Through the Back Door, it is very helpful in plannning a first trip to Europe. Or take a look at his website <BR>www.ricksteves.com <BR>

Jennifer- <BR>The recommendations you've received are great. The only other thing I would add is for you to block off some time and head over to your nearest bookstore. Spend some time just browsing in the European section and see what you gravitate toward. (Be sure to pick up Rick Steves--also keep your eye open for his PBS show, "Travels in Europe") <BR>Secondly, although three weeks sounds like a vast amount of time, don't spread yourself too thin. I spent three weeks in September just traveling in France, and I didn't come close to seeing everything. I would pick two or three countries (geographically close to each other) and really get to know them. Just tell yourself that you'll be back to see the rest! <BR>Good Luck! <BR>-Amy

Another vote for Steves' Europe Through the Back Door. <BR> <BR>Steves may be 'controversial' to some, but this book is a classic. An excellent overview of Europe. Having read it you'll be in a great position to identify where you want to go and what you want to see there. <BR> <BR>Ed

Jennifer, <BR> <BR>My first trip to Europe (way back in '87) was to Greece (+ Egypt) - specifically because I'd majored in archaeology and ancient history and it had long been my dream while studying to see those sites and museums! <BR> <BR>As you don't seem to have any specific preferences, how about a 3 week tour that covers several countries. That way you know what you'll want to come back to see more of. <BR>

Hi You've really received some good advice from people. Just wanted to add my 2 cents. What are your interests? What cities and/or countries have you always wanted to visit? Pick up brochures. I always go to the library and go through the travel books, take several home and read, read read. Go to bookstores also and see the books there and browse through them for ideas. Visit countries that you will be comfortable staying in. Three countries sounds good because otherwise it becomes like a blur and they all run together. A week visiting each country is maximum so you don't become fatigued. My wife and I travel independently and many times we spend 2 weeks in a country or even an area. There is more to it than visiting the sites such as churches, castles, or museums. It is a lot to absorb. It's also nice to sit in a cafe and people watch, shop etc. Whatever you decide enjoy alan

Now come on Ed, you are just being too commercial recommending a "competitor"