Help Me with this Planning
Apr 4th, 2018, 11:22 AM
#41
>>Sorry for bothering you guys and keep stretching this on I just want to figure out what im doing.
Listen I am pretty Ignorant on traveling because I have never left the US. I have Family in London. I figured that Birmingham looks like a pretty cool place to visit.<<
You aren't bothering us at all. We are just trying to help you focus a bit. You've already come a long way from your first posts. OK -- what have you seen about Birmingham that looks cool to you? There are MANY cool places convenient to London by train (and of course, London is the coolest).
Listen I am pretty Ignorant on traveling because I have never left the US. I have Family in London. I figured that Birmingham looks like a pretty cool place to visit.<<
You aren't bothering us at all. We are just trying to help you focus a bit. You've already come a long way from your first posts. OK -- what have you seen about Birmingham that looks cool to you? There are MANY cool places convenient to London by train (and of course, London is the coolest).
Apr 4th, 2018, 11:28 AM
#42
Do not settle on a road trip in USA.
I think that you will have a fabulous time. With 14-16 days you can see a lot. (you still need to cut from your wish list). And if you want to move fast, do it (remember to pack only a carry-on; ditto for your sister). For example:
Day 1 : leave Los Angeles
Day 2: land in Edinburgh (if you can find a cheap flight from Los Angeles)
Day 3 Edinburgh.
Day 4 Train to London
Day 5: London
Day6: London
Day 7: Train to Paris
Day 8: Paris
Day 9: Paris
Day 10: Fly to Munich
Day 11, 12, 13,14: Bavaria area
Day 15: fly back from Munich to Los Angeles
I think that you will have a fabulous time. With 14-16 days you can see a lot. (you still need to cut from your wish list). And if you want to move fast, do it (remember to pack only a carry-on; ditto for your sister). For example:
Day 1 : leave Los Angeles
Day 2: land in Edinburgh (if you can find a cheap flight from Los Angeles)
Day 3 Edinburgh.
Day 4 Train to London
Day 5: London
Day6: London
Day 7: Train to Paris
Day 8: Paris
Day 9: Paris
Day 10: Fly to Munich
Day 11, 12, 13,14: Bavaria area
Day 15: fly back from Munich to Los Angeles
Apr 4th, 2018, 11:48 AM
#43
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What countries are a MUST to visit in Europe? Forget about my prefrences for a second, I want your opinions. Germany is definitely one of them for me but I want to hear your opinions.
Apr 4th, 2018, 12:11 PM
#45
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There are no 'must' countries but one you want to see not others. I traveled Europe for decades to every country, many umpteen times and IMO there are no musts.
Your original ideas are just as much 'musts' as any countries ToujursVoyagers above lays out a perfectly good plan.
Your original ideas are just as much 'musts' as any countries ToujursVoyagers above lays out a perfectly good plan.
Apr 4th, 2018, 12:27 PM
#47
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So if skipping UK and Ireland and with 14-16 days you could easily add a country in between Paris and Germany - like Switzerland and a few-day stay in the Interlaken area to experience the high Alps or from Munich take night train to Venice - few days and take night train to Paris.
Or just spend all the time in Germany with original wish list and in Paris with day trips.
Why do you not come up with a day by day proposed itinerary and run it by us? Include travel times in planning.
Or just spend all the time in Germany with original wish list and in Paris with day trips.
Why do you not come up with a day by day proposed itinerary and run it by us? Include travel times in planning.
Apr 4th, 2018, 12:43 PM
#48
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So if skipping UK and Ireland and with 14-16 days you could easily add a country in between Paris and Germany - like Switzerland and a few-day stay in the Interlaken area to experience the high Alps or from Munich take night train to Venice - few days and take night train to Paris.
Or just spend all the time in Germany with original wish list and in Paris with day trips.
Why do you not come up with a day by day proposed itinerary and run it by us? Include travel times in planning.
Or just spend all the time in Germany with original wish list and in Paris with day trips.
Why do you not come up with a day by day proposed itinerary and run it by us? Include travel times in planning.
I am in school right now but once I go home and finish my homework I will come up with an itinerary. I just hope you people are awake because I have no clue what area of the world yall are from. Lol
Apr 5th, 2018, 06:23 AM
#49
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So I have decided to go with my father there for 10 days. My itinerary will be this; https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/...rary-222188510
(EXCEPT, for the last couple of days I will take a train to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre and then I will fly out from there)
Thoughts? Advice? Please review the link! Thanks again.
(EXCEPT, for the last couple of days I will take a train to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre and then I will fly out from there)
Thoughts? Advice? Please review the link! Thanks again.
Apr 5th, 2018, 06:47 AM
#50
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Personally I would Fly into Dublin spend a day (that is sufficient as it is a relatively small city) then fly to London for 2 days (personally I would take a train into the Cotswolds for a day and Birmingham is a big don't bother), then fly to (pick one city) Germany for 2-4 days then fly into Paris for 2 days and fly out of Paris. DH and I have done similar trips to Europe for 10 day trips in Europe and it isn't to immerse in a country but to get a quick taste of a couple of countries. It is easily doable.
Opps, after I just posted I read your latest post. Sounds like a good plan for you and your dad. Bon Voyage!
Opps, after I just posted I read your latest post. Sounds like a good plan for you and your dad. Bon Voyage!
Apr 5th, 2018, 07:36 AM
#52
Ok, I'm a Brit and I worked with bunches of Americans coming to Europe for the first time (though often older than you) and whole load of things confused them, so the big step for them was to get out of the car. Once we showed how a modern train system works they just jumped on board. The other things that threw them was money and language. Actually language is not an issue as, in most tourist areas, there will be people about who speak English, having to deal with different value money is just tough.
So, if I was coming to Europe for the first time, I would fly into UK (London or Edinburgh) or Dublin. Why? Because, though lots of things are different the language and laws are very very similar. It is like Europe-lite. Of these, London is the obvious one as it is just so big, the biggest city in Europe by far with loads of things to do, many of them free. Dublin is a little small while Edinburgh needs to be avoided in August (it is a 4 week party, so maybe just go there)
The other areas I would consider are France/Germany or Italy. Why? Because with no insult intended to the rest of the continent, these are the power houses and the centres of culture. Where would I go, Paris for one. Florence would be my number 2 (with a side order of Venice) (Rome is fine with a few nice bits but, to me it is always a bit "meh") and number 3 would be where German's go to play, (not to disparage Berlin, which has some fine museums and is a bit hip at the moment) but Germany in the small towns and countryside is surprisingly beautiful. Wandering in the woods, hiking over hills or cycling along rivers is just so nice.
I've just seen your Dad's plan and it looks great, make sure you are ready for some serious walking, you will find cobbles in lots of places so high heels are a no-no. The Sunday morning Hamburg fish market is a storm, watch out for flying plants as the Dutch retailers try and empty their wagons.
So, if I was coming to Europe for the first time, I would fly into UK (London or Edinburgh) or Dublin. Why? Because, though lots of things are different the language and laws are very very similar. It is like Europe-lite. Of these, London is the obvious one as it is just so big, the biggest city in Europe by far with loads of things to do, many of them free. Dublin is a little small while Edinburgh needs to be avoided in August (it is a 4 week party, so maybe just go there)
The other areas I would consider are France/Germany or Italy. Why? Because with no insult intended to the rest of the continent, these are the power houses and the centres of culture. Where would I go, Paris for one. Florence would be my number 2 (with a side order of Venice) (Rome is fine with a few nice bits but, to me it is always a bit "meh") and number 3 would be where German's go to play, (not to disparage Berlin, which has some fine museums and is a bit hip at the moment) but Germany in the small towns and countryside is surprisingly beautiful. Wandering in the woods, hiking over hills or cycling along rivers is just so nice.
I've just seen your Dad's plan and it looks great, make sure you are ready for some serious walking, you will find cobbles in lots of places so high heels are a no-no. The Sunday morning Hamburg fish market is a storm, watch out for flying plants as the Dutch retailers try and empty their wagons.
Last edited by bilboburgler; Apr 5th, 2018 at 07:39 AM.
Apr 6th, 2018, 12:26 PM
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The history of Neuschwanstein is what made me really want to see it - 'Mad' King Ludwig of Bavaria was infatuated in the latter 1800s with building fantasy castles - thus his nickname of 'Mad' - for bankrupting the Bavarian Treasury with his knack for doing so, finally leading to him being assassinated (allegedly) just before his most fanciful one, Neuschwanstein was fully finished.
Of his 4 main fantasy castles, Neuschwanstein is the most fanciful by far - ostentacious for sure so yes you do not have an authentic medieval castle but an Ersatz one and one that looks like what we want old castles to look like in our dreams. This is one reason Walt Disney patterned his Sleeping Beauty castle for Disneyland after Neuschwanstein.
To me the interior is one wonderful surprise at every turn - unlike authentic medieval castles that I often find rather boring.
Next to Neuschwanstein Castle is another of Ludwig's castles - whose roots are medieval but which was basically rebuilt by Ludwig's pop I think and served as Ludwig's boyhood home - needless to say he 'renovated' it too.
So the history of Neuschwanstein to me makes it even more interesting. But I can see where folks would be dissapointed in it - those seeking authentic medieval castles and there are quite a few here who have felt that way.
So take what StCirq says to heart and if you want to see a real historic old castle - not one someone dreamt up in a mad fancy - seek out Germany's many many authentic old castles. And Neuschwanstein attracts hoards and hoards of visitors - even one November when I was there there was a long line - so book time slots with tickets ahead of time on the official site. (I guess never did that just saying what others have said - or expect a long wait in line). The interior tours are also mobbed - more detracting from the enjoyment of the place.) The German Tourist Office calls the castle the single most visited site in Germany in literature I've read (not sure about that!)
So there are reasons many do not care for Neuschwanstein. So don't trek out there just because you've heard of it
Of his 4 main fantasy castles, Neuschwanstein is the most fanciful by far - ostentacious for sure so yes you do not have an authentic medieval castle but an Ersatz one and one that looks like what we want old castles to look like in our dreams. This is one reason Walt Disney patterned his Sleeping Beauty castle for Disneyland after Neuschwanstein.
To me the interior is one wonderful surprise at every turn - unlike authentic medieval castles that I often find rather boring.
Next to Neuschwanstein Castle is another of Ludwig's castles - whose roots are medieval but which was basically rebuilt by Ludwig's pop I think and served as Ludwig's boyhood home - needless to say he 'renovated' it too.
So the history of Neuschwanstein to me makes it even more interesting. But I can see where folks would be dissapointed in it - those seeking authentic medieval castles and there are quite a few here who have felt that way.
So take what StCirq says to heart and if you want to see a real historic old castle - not one someone dreamt up in a mad fancy - seek out Germany's many many authentic old castles. And Neuschwanstein attracts hoards and hoards of visitors - even one November when I was there there was a long line - so book time slots with tickets ahead of time on the official site. (I guess never did that just saying what others have said - or expect a long wait in line). The interior tours are also mobbed - more detracting from the enjoyment of the place.) The German Tourist Office calls the castle the single most visited site in Germany in literature I've read (not sure about that!)
So there are reasons many do not care for Neuschwanstein. So don't trek out there just because you've heard of it
Apr 8th, 2018, 01:41 PM
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The Munster attack was not terrorist related but just some German going bonkers - in any case the chances of a tourist being involved in any terrorist incident in Germany or Europe is nil if that was your concern.
