Ideas and Suggestions Re. My 1st Trip To Europe
Oct 2nd, 2011, 11:07 AM
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Ideas and Suggestions Re. My 1st Trip To Europe
Hi! I am traveling in November, 2011. I am planning on flying into Heathrow/London. I have one week of traveling alone before my group of friends arrives. My idea is to fly into Heathrow, spend a few days in London and travel to Paris for a few days. After 8 days, I will fly from Paris to Venice. I will be spending a week with a group of friends. Our portion of the trip includes Venice, Florence, Siena and Rome. The rest of the group will be flying back on Tuesday, but I plan to stay until Sunday. What would you do with the remaining 5 days of travel time? Please keep in mind that I am a female traveling alone.
Oct 2nd, 2011, 11:23 AM
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Sounds like a reasonable plan - be sure to book your train ticket to Paris ASAP to get the cheapest price at www.eurostar.com
Where will you end up? Rome? And where are you flying home from?
Where will you end up? Rome? And where are you flying home from?
Oct 2nd, 2011, 11:24 AM
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Well - if the group is trying to see Venice, florence, Siena and Rome in 8 days I would spend the additional 5 days in seeing Rome- since you won;t have time to do any of that in the previous 8 days. (IMHO a first visit to Rome should be 5 days (6 night) if ou really want to get a feeling for the city.
In the previous 8 days you need to spend at least 3 nights (2 days) in Venice - although I would do 1 more, and 3 days (4 nights) in Florence - to see the city and make a day trip to Siena.
In the previous 8 days you need to spend at least 3 nights (2 days) in Venice - although I would do 1 more, and 3 days (4 nights) in Florence - to see the city and make a day trip to Siena.
We posted at the same time!
Oct 2nd, 2011, 11:29 AM
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You are moving very quickly through Italy, so it is likely that after your friends depart in Italy, you may want to stay on in Rome, or revisit Florence or Venice (or Siena). Or maybe see something different. But you will have a much clearer idea of what it is you do want to do, and you will be able to look at the weather.
In November, you won't need to make accommodations reservations in advance. But you should do research ahead of time about places to stay, and pack with you a good overall guidebook to Italy, should you decide you want to see someplace you didn't expect you'd want to see, and you can check on the logistics of getting there from Rome, plus get some hotel tips.
In November, you won't need to make accommodations reservations in advance. But you should do research ahead of time about places to stay, and pack with you a good overall guidebook to Italy, should you decide you want to see someplace you didn't expect you'd want to see, and you can check on the logistics of getting there from Rome, plus get some hotel tips.
Oct 2nd, 2011, 11:32 AM
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All of us were posting at the same time.
How much time you "need" to spend in each place depends on your personal interests, not a textbook or cookie-cutter idea of how a tourist should behave. Many people would enjoy spending weeks everywhere you are going. Some people can't stand Rome. Some can't stand Siena. It's your trip. Do want you want and don't let yourself be scolded by travel nannies. Have a great time.
How much time you "need" to spend in each place depends on your personal interests, not a textbook or cookie-cutter idea of how a tourist should behave. Many people would enjoy spending weeks everywhere you are going. Some people can't stand Rome. Some can't stand Siena. It's your trip. Do want you want and don't let yourself be scolded by travel nannies. Have a great time.
Oct 2nd, 2011, 11:36 AM
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I don't quite understand the schedule. What is the "portion" of the trip that you and your friends will be visiting Venice, Florence, Siena, and Rome?
As I understand it you have a couple of days in London, 8 days in Paris, then a "portion of time" with your friends, then 5 days at the end on your own. But it's hard to say whether you should go back and revisit someplace you traveled with your friends or move on to something else without knowing how much time you and your friends will have together.
As I understand it you have a couple of days in London, 8 days in Paris, then a "portion of time" with your friends, then 5 days at the end on your own. But it's hard to say whether you should go back and revisit someplace you traveled with your friends or move on to something else without knowing how much time you and your friends will have together.
Oct 2nd, 2011, 12:03 PM
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The OP says the group of friends will be together in Italy for "a week." Here's how I interpret her Itinerary:
Day 1: arrive London
Day 2: London
Day 3: London
Day 4: London
Day 5: travel to Paris
Day 6: Paris
Day 7: Paris
Day 8: fly to Venice
Day 9: Venice
Day 10: Venice
Day 11: Florence
Day 12: Florence (Siena somewhere in here)
Day 13: Rome
Day 14: Rome
Day 15: Rome; friends depart; What next?
Day 16: ?
Day 17: ?
Day 18: ?
Day 19: ?
Day 20: fly home
Not enough time anywhere for me, but without knowing your interests, it would be difficult for me to judge what would be best for you.
Day 1: arrive London
Day 2: London
Day 3: London
Day 4: London
Day 5: travel to Paris
Day 6: Paris
Day 7: Paris
Day 8: fly to Venice
Day 9: Venice
Day 10: Venice
Day 11: Florence
Day 12: Florence (Siena somewhere in here)
Day 13: Rome
Day 14: Rome
Day 15: Rome; friends depart; What next?
Day 16: ?
Day 17: ?
Day 18: ?
Day 19: ?
Day 20: fly home
Not enough time anywhere for me, but without knowing your interests, it would be difficult for me to judge what would be best for you.
Oct 2nd, 2011, 12:42 PM
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Ellenem has it exactly right. Since I am almost 40, have 3 kids, and likely won't make it back any time soon, I am thinking somewhere else. Any suggestions re. a good trip that is easy to get to and will take a few days? I had someone suggest Prague.
Oct 2nd, 2011, 05:38 PM
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After the busy time you will have for the first two weeks, I'd be inclined to head to Sorrento and relax. You could visit Pompeii from there, or ride along the Amalfi Coast, or sit and regroup after your busy time.
Oct 6th, 2011, 01:43 PM
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If you go to Prague, keep in mind that the highs will only be around 40 degrees, colder than London!
I would suggest staying in Rome for an extra night or two after your friends leave. If you don't get a chance to see Pompeii while your friends are in town, you can see it then. You may then want to consider going to Athens, Greece for your last few days in Europe.
I am planning a trip similar to your itinerary for next year and if I had an extra few days than this is what I would consider doing.
Please let us know what you decide to do!
I would suggest staying in Rome for an extra night or two after your friends leave. If you don't get a chance to see Pompeii while your friends are in town, you can see it then. You may then want to consider going to Athens, Greece for your last few days in Europe.
I am planning a trip similar to your itinerary for next year and if I had an extra few days than this is what I would consider doing.
Please let us know what you decide to do!
Oct 6th, 2011, 05:35 PM
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Prague is certainly a fascinating place - but after having bounced around so much already I definitely wouldn't want to add more flights and more cities to the list.
However, if that is your dream - just go ahed and do it. Just be prepared for winter weather - since you will be on the central european plain = much more wintry weather than London or Paris.
However, if that is your dream - just go ahed and do it. Just be prepared for winter weather - since you will be on the central european plain = much more wintry weather than London or Paris.
