I'm working on a 2 week travel plan for 4 women next fall - we are all sick of hosting Thanksgiving for our families and will give thanks to be out of the country. Potential places to see are Greece, Turkey, Prague, Dubrovnik, Amaterdam...Not trying to see it all. Where would you recommend we focus our plans?

Not to be snarky, but I suggest you focus your plans on doing some research yourselves. Once you have explored destinations and matched what you enjoy doing with your available budget you can come back with specific questions with which we would be glad to answer. We have no idea at this juncture about your group, your preferences and what might bring you joy.

A good place to start your research would be to go to your local library and look through some of the guidebooks that have high-quality photographs that provide inspiration, such as the National Geographic Traveler, Insight Guides, or Eyewitness Guides.

With 2 weeks, you could see a BIT of Greece <u>or</u> a BIT of Turkey <u>or</u> Prague + one or two nearby locations <u>or</u> a BIT of Croatia <u>or</u> Amsterdam and some nearby locations....

Good luck with your planning!

Please do not be upset by above replies. They are being helpful, hoping you will make your own choices rather than having others make them for you.

Having just flown in to Istanbul from Prague, I feel that any of the other locations in almost Winter or Winter will be a let down. Although I really do not know Dubrovnik, I believe it will be too small by itself in Winter without its countryside.

We were in Northern Greece ten days ago and although lovely and lively, consider the whole country a Spring and Summer destination.

Please read kja's and other travelers' trip reports for Turkey and mine for Prague (although it is tagged Germany)

You can use Amsterdam as a stop-over on the way in or out if you fly KLM.

@ OC: Thanks!

I agree with otherchelebi. Greece and Turkey are much better destinations for a late spring-early fall trip. I think you would be better off sticking mostly to major cities for November, but first you do need to research and come up with a budget.

Sorry-- I meant to say that Greece and Croatia are better spring-fall destinations. Istanbul might be OK in November, but maybe not coastal/countryside areas.

Without knowing your interests it;s impossible for US to pick YOUR travel destination. Also - we have no idea where you have already been - and if you liked it - and why.

But do take into account that you will have winter weather and fairly short days - so you should probably concentrate on cities with a lot to do indoors - since it's really too early for winter sports and much of the countryside will be grey and dreary.

Please provide more info.

Thanks for all the responses. No offense taken. I know the forums are filled with seasoned travelers, but just wanted to hear from those with a passion for these places. Otherchelebi, I have read a bunch of your posts. Who knows what a year from now could bring, but if we visit Turkey it would mainly be Istanbul and places like Ephesus so, thoughts? One in our group has schlepped around independently in northern India for a month, and the rest of us are also experienced infependent travelers.

I wonder, assuming all the restaurants aren't shut up tight, if having Santorini and Crete relatively free of tourists wouldn't be just great. We would definitely want to see historic sites and museums and check out local favorite restaurants. We appreciate luxury but have also done a lot of roughing it travel. I think 100 euros +/- per person nightly would be doable.

Does that help?

What is your question?

Where to go

Of the places mentioned above at that time of the year (late fall).

We just did Prague, Bratislava and Budapest as part of a 3month European trip. We spent 5 nights in Prague, 4 nights in Bratislava and finally 4 nights in Budapest. We were already in Europe, so no jet lag to deal with, although our travels to Prague, which was first stop did take better part of day and we arrived in the evening. We did a day trip to Vienna from Bratislava.

We left Budapest on Thanksgiving day, so our weather would be about the same as your trip, time wise.

It was not the best weather, but we knew it going into the trip. Cool daytime temps, and cold at night(just at freezing make) and it was grey and drizzly or rainy a lot. Keep that in mind.

These were 3 really inexpensive destinations (compared to Western Europe). We really liked Prague and Budapest, a lot! Bratislava was ok, it is further back than the other 2 as far economy, development etc.

We would have stayed in Vienna in lieu of Bratislava but for the cost of hotels there and done day trip TO Bratislava instead of the other way.

We did find the moving (and all it entails) so frequently on such a short trip got to be a bit of a drag. We used trains between cities, which was easy and cost effective.

If you only have 14 days, which include flights to and from US, I would really suggest 2 cities. We could have easily done more time in both Prague and Budapest.

We did several walking tours which we found to be great. Architecture, history is wonderful...food was a bit heavy and the same in all 3 countries. Lots of dumplings, cabbage.

Hopes this helps a bit. Do spend some time on looking at the cities and match them to your interests. Good luck!

<i>"I wonder, assuming all the restaurants aren't shut up tight, if having Santorini and Crete relatively free of tourists wouldn't be just great.</i>

I agree, and there are always some restaurants open wherever you go. It won't be beach weather, and you may not be able to sit at outdoor tables every day, but you are likely to have some good weather along with days of wind and rain.

One important point: there is only <b>one ferry per week</b> between Crete and Santorini that time of the year. You will have to time your trip to take advantage of that ferry, or detour back through Athens to get between Santorini and Crete.

Now we're talking, thanks! Since this trip is a year away, I am just brainstorming at this point. I love the idea of Prague and Budapest, although not so much the cabbage and dumplings.

Just to throw out another completely different thought process, what about Spain? I'm sure our bunch would want to check out Barcelona, but I'm more thinking the south of Spain given the weather factor.

But there is something about Istanbul and Ephesus and ancient Greek and Roman things that keeps calling me...

If it's "ancient Greek and Roman things" you are interested in, you would be better off staying on mainland Greece. The Argolid area of the Peloponnese (around Nafplio) is rich in ancient ruins and only 2-3 hours by road from Athens. If you don't mind renting a car, the four of you could do it cheaply, and be free of the restrictions of off-season ferry schedules. Athens would be great in November. Mild weather, few tourists, and everything open — a great time to explore that wonderful city!

We left Budapest and headed to Spain; we are here now. We did 4 nights in Madrid, 3 nights in Valencia and are just finishing 4 nights in Barcelona!!

We've enjoyed all 3. More expensive and the weather, while a bit warmer, was cool and we had drizzle in Madrid.

You can see why I am a bit weary of 4 night stays, it is a schlep after awhile. We have said 5 or 6 will be minimum from now on.

DebitNM, I fall into that trap on trips, too. I never have more than a couple of weeks at a time, and you want to see more but the truth is it's nice to stay in one spot longer and really get to know it. I've been to Paris for long stretches several times, and I always find new places and thing I live to do because I'm there long enough.