chocaholic

I think that when you plan your own trip is when you have an idea of what you would like to do and see while you are there. Planning and researching takes a lot of time. So, if you don't have time to do research. It's probably best to go with a tour. But I find researching a place you like to visit is fun. However, a tour maybe best if you don't speak the language.

mv_rd

Planning can be overwhelming. I felt the same when I first started back in August for my trip in May.
My 1st trip to Europe was on an escorted tour. I felt that we didn't spend enough time in each place and it was all for the sake of saying "I've been there."

This year, I planned a 12 day trip to Italy. I have received lots of valuable information on this site and most of the time I have used the search option. I also went to the library and checked out books instead of buying them.

Once you figure out where you want to go you can start your research there. Start looking up hotels, restaurants, and things to do and see.

laurie_ann

I second the Rick Steves book "Europe Through the Back Door". He has some great ideas for planning a trip, including thinking about why you are going and many example itineries. He covers other practicalities too. His specific books for countries or cities are great too once you narrow it down. Also his website www.ricksteves.com and his TV show on public television (website gives schedules for most locations.) Also, don't dismiss cookbooks, novels, childrens books or films for inspiration in addition to traditional guidebooks. Have fun planning!

Dave_in_Paris

With all due respect, I don't think its quite as black and white as chocaholic suggests. We don't take group tours, but we also don't chart our activities very thoroughly. If you know everthing there is to know before you set out, why bother to make the trip? As for speaking the language, it may be useful to note that loads of Continental Europeans, as well as English-speakers, don't speak the language of the European countries they visit, and they get along. I fondly recall a visit to Florence, during which we wandered into a restaurant with a handwritten menu in Italian only. The "menu master" was useless. With sign language we worked out a deal: "You feed us and we'll pay you." It worked out just fine!

ira

Hi Elainee
>.. on our first trip to Paris (1960) we stayed at the Angleterre and our friend stayed at the Boneparte. We paid $4.07 for our room including breakfast. The Boneparte was cheaper. Those were the days!!<

Oh, Lawsy! That was before the current owners took over.

Hi Marsha
>Ira: why the Bonaparte?
It goes back a long, long way. They were extremely good to us on our first visit, and we have never forgotten it. All of our visits have been most pleasant.

>Would older kids feel comfortable there?

I don't see why not.

>Are there any family rooms?

I know that they have triples. They also have rooms (eg, 18 & 19) that are on their own short corridor with doors right next to each other. 18 has a double bed, 19 has 2 twins.

Those folks who complained about Napoleon must have been cat haters.

Clifton

I've always thought that the hardest part was deciding where to go. I also kind of wonder if picking up a general resource about Europe isn't kind of like throwing fuel on a fire. I could see a person coming away from the big book of European travel or a tour itinerary and then are back here, being the one with the Berlin - Munich - Rome - Paris - London 5 day plan, and suspect many of those that you see going down in flames here took just that approach.

I agree, I think, more with Travelnut. Michele, what is that pops into your head when you've thought of the trip? Give people here your visual of castles, coastlines or cafes. As many have said - why Europe? These folks will know a few places that fit the bill. Then research those few places by popping into your local library or Barnes and Noble. And websites too. I like the images function on Google to see pictures of what places look like. Decide, then plan the time and budget - worry about what you have, not what we think things should cost, and then ask more questions. Almost every price level for meals, lodging, etc are available in Europe, just like here. You can spend as much or as little time in any one place as you like, although people may not agree with your choice. Those are differences in style or circumstance (apply your own). Good luck.

jdraper

Deciding where to go can be rather confusing but that is your first step. Once you decide where you are going the rest just falls into place as you read books and do further research. Years ago Hubby and I both made a list of our top ten places we wanted to see and we are still working our way through the list. As soon as we finish a trip we determine when we will be able to get away again, we look at the list and start checking air fares for the next two or three places on each of our lists. We try to alternate who gets to pick the next trip so that we both get to see our top ten over time and make it a priority to select places that we have both chosen. Whichever place has the best airfare for the time we want to go books the flight and thats the next choice. After that we get guidebooks and start our research and it just sort of falls together. If you try to research all of Europe, or any other continent, at one time you will have way too much information and will not be able to come up with a good plan. Happy travels, I envry you this first trip to Europe and the love affair that will surely follow.

annesherrod

I completely with nikki that it has to begin with a fantasy! Where have you dreamed about?
Once you have a that idea in your head go buy a good book. I personally like the Frommers Book the best.
Planning is half the fun!

suze

There may be reasons that an organized tour is a good choice for some people, but not speaking the lanuage is not one of them. Sure it is great to learn a few friendly phrases and greetings, but it is possible to navigate a simple independent first trip to Europe as an English-only speaker.

mpprh

Hi

I'd just say that much of the advice is city based.

If you are already city resident, maybe some rural trips could make a better vacation ?

Peter
www.the-languedoc-page.com

hopscotch

There are two recommendations for Rick Steves' "Europe Throough the Back Door" on this thread. There are two other books that are better than that one: John Whitman's "The Best European Travel Tips" and John Bermont's "How To Europe." Each will get you up to speed on traveling in Europe.

If you are a member of AAA go in and get their "Europe Travel Book," Planning Map, and individual country maps. The AAA travel book has improved remarkably in the last decade and is a great introduction to traveling in Europe.

chocaholic

I think that its important to be able to speak the language to where you are going. You are going to relax and enjoy, and not irrated when you are asking for something. For the last few years I've chosen to travel in the states and Canada just for that reason. French is my third language.

WillTravel

I'd like to be able to speak the language where I go, and it would make it easier to partake in the culture, but I've had great visits to a bunch of European countries with only knowing a few phrases, some words, and having some reading ability. I'd hate for anyone to not visit a country in Europe due to language reasons. A polite, patient person will have no problem, despite the language barrier.

cmt

Does anyone else besides me think it's just a little odd that this vague thread has been going on and on with 30+ advice posts even though the original poster has never returned?

chocaholic

I gather she had no real interest in going to Europe then..

LoveItaly

And the original poster has only posted this one time to start this thread? The "T" word.

cigalechanta

http://winace.andkon.com/pics/dnftt.jpg

Clifton

A lot of people are just the type, I think, not to come back to comment. Answered one a week or so ago from a regular who mentioned my name specifically. They didn't reply back but I figure they must have read it, or else why would they ask. It may not be my style, but hey, it's a big world, you know?

I'm willing to give benefit of doubt. It's not Michele's first post. A post here and there since 2003.

I'm not sure what the recent tension is about what everyone's motivation is for asking a question. I can see dragging it out into the light when it's some off the wall topic that is designed to get a fight started. But "where to go?" What's that going to start except people getting to give their opinion about travel, which is all anyone here wants to do anyway. I don't think any of us are here for a any higher calling than to sit and spend our idle time talking about our leisure hobby. Why not just enjoy the question?

cigalechanta

I noted she has children, that could keep her busy. So she may not be a troll as I thought also.
Clifton is right, the troll bug is infectious.

cmt

I did NOT think she was a fake and deliberately posting this way just to lead us on a goose chase. She has posted before. I just thought it was odd that (1) so many people gave such nice and detailed answers to such an extremely vague question, and (2) that the poster never came back. That's all--no accusations of trollness.