Cheryl Z.

<BR>Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing but I wouldn't recommend our way for others. We did it on a whim with three weeks planning (and that was only because the cheapest airfare we could get was three weeks advance). Many years ago, Italian friends of ours who owned a local restaurant were going back for the summer, and always asking us to come with. So one night at their place (probably over too much wine!) to say goodbye as they were leaving the next day, we decided to just do it. We already had passports, and my husband just started calling airlines etc, we got the travel books, etc, decided to take the train (loved it), we already knew enough to pack light, contacted various friends who'd been before, and so on. It was wonderful, wouldn't change a thing. It whet our appetite for European travel (mostly we'd been all over the US and to Mexico and Hawaii alot). Since then of course we do more planning......except for our next trip. We just got home from Switzerland, and within days, decided to go to Denmark and Norway next week - that's with 7 days notice and planning! Our trips are our birthday, anniversary, valentines Christmas etc. etc. etc. presents to each other. <BR>I don't care about fancy clothes, expensive jewelry - I'm thrilled to death that I can be someplace like in Paris, and I NEVER have a bad time, just lots of adventurous experiences!!

Denise Van Dusen

Jen - If it is possible, could you send me a copy of the itinerary you made for your friend? I am traveling to Europe for the first time next summer and would love any ideas you might have. Thanks! Denise

Dayle

The only thing I would have changed about my first trip to Europe is that I would have gone sooner! I always wanted to travel to Europe in the worst way, but had it in my mind that when I did it, I wanted to go for at least 3 months and be able to go wherever I wanted. Well, THAT never happened, it wasn't realistic! So, finally, at the age of 41, I got to go on a 2 week trip. First week skiing with a group of 500 skiers from the western US in Cortina, and the second week a whirlwind tour of Italy with the man I loved. We knew it would be just a teaser, and enjoyed it to the fullest! Had the time of my life and can't wait to go back. Moral of the story: don't wait for the perfect time -- just GO! <BR>

Mary-Kay O'Brien

Dear Jen <BR> <BR>Wow, these postings are great! So many experiences and good advice. Highlights that most do not easily forget their first trip and most relish in recalling it. <BR> <BR>I will add my 2 cents: <BR> <BR>On your first unforgettable trip to Europe - : <BR> <BR>1) For your first trip to Venice, arrive in the late evening and arrive San Marco square at night! Beautiful and haunting you'll never forget it. <BR> <BR>2) Try as many flavours of ice-cream when in Florence - you'll never taste anything better. <BR> <BR>3) Even if you are not religious, visit an 'EveningSong' service in Canterbury Cathedral, England. Its something that you will remember! Also, Canterbury is a fabulous town to visit. <BR> <BR>4) Lusanne, Switz is a little expensive but if you get there, spend a couple of hours just walking by the lake, its very peaceful and calm and very scenic. <BR> <BR>5) If you are in Switz, make the extra journey to Interlaken - and try fondue! <BR> <BR>6) Lastly, even though I've mentioned a few different cities, I would not rush from place to place, even though its very tempting to do so. <BR>Pick a few countries of interest and really enjoy them. <BR> <BR>BON VOYAGE!

Carol

To Ken - By anywauy are you from Rochester, NY, your email address is frontier? <BR>

Lynda

I would love to take that first trip again. It was so exciting. I can still remember getting on that plane and crossing the ocean. I remember getting off the plane and into a rental car and getting on the autobahn. Even after a couple years of studying German I was amazed at how fast you were transported to another culture. It was so much fun. I don't think any trip is as good as the very first one to Europe if you have the right attitude. We love to travel and see new sights. We go to Europe every fall and spend the rest of the year reseaching for the next trip. We have pictures all over our home of different parts of Europe to help keep the memories alive. Keep a journal! It brings back so many memories for you.

Dave

The one thing I would suggest to people going to Europe is to step off the beaten path and see sites other than those trumpeted in the guide books (no offense to FODORs). Watch the locals and see where they go to have a good time, if possible, or if there are popular scenic vista that are always crowded with tourists, look for another vantage point or try the less frequented areas. Oftentimes, they are more spectacular and sometimes, you have them all to yourselves to enjoy.

Bob Kisch

I agree, that I'm also sorry that I did not visit Europe earlier in my travel life. Picture, annually since 1961, always returning to Florida and after the first two vacations there of actually sightseeing, all the others were fishing by day, drinking by night and some sun tan in between. In fact, when regular employment ceased for me in 1973, went down for a few weeks to get my head together and wind up working at the hotel I'm staying at, to have some continuity of earnings. This 20th. Century developed strip of sand, in no way compares to the antiquities of Europe. The Templar Battles, the voyages of discovery, the arts, music, science, inventions, Roman and other ruins dating from B.C., etc. The calmness of Europeans, compared to Florida violence and that's a ditto for the Caribbean islands. We save from our paychecks, so we can visit with these people and then we get violence from them. Love the calmness of European people. Oh, when we stopped at a realtor, to price condos, a car pulls up with four local toughs, wanting to know "what's going on?", "what's taking place?" But, only that one incident! <BR>

Babe

If I could do my 1st European trip again, I would definitely disregards Spain specifically Barcelona <BR>as I dont have any good memories about the people <BR>there and actually felt too much racism there maybe b'coz Im Asian. <BR>

Chad

I just returned from my first trip to Europe. We started in Paris, then went to Venice, Florence, Rome, and Nice. We did all of this in 10 days... If I had it to do all over, I'd not pack 5 cities into 10 days... My girlfriend and I would've loved to have spent more time in 4 of the 5 cities we visited (we didn't like Rome, but we were hot and tired to begin with!). I think that the rule I'll follow next time is to visit 3 cities with every ten days I have available. <BR> <BR>Another thing I'd do differently is to MINIMIZE overnight train travel OR pay the extra money for our own sleeper car. I know that that is the exact opposite of what most others say, but my experience with night trains wasn't grand! I guess I really value my privacy and the couchettes don't afford one any privacy whatsoever. If travelling by day, make sure to take the TGV, Eurostar, etc. trains. These are much more faster, with much more comfortable seats than the older, slower trains.

sandra engley

In 1972, my first trip to europe was on Pan Am for $200 student airfare, had a 21 day student railpass for $125. Used "Lets's Go Europe' student guide book. Stayed the 1st week in Amsterdam, and Lucerne, 2nd week in Italy, 3rd week in Paris, the 4th week in London. Was happy with the places I selected before leaving home, made many side trips. <BR> As Neal mentioned earlier, learned the USA was not the center of the universe! In European eyes our nation was in its infancy, less then 200 years old. When people asked me questions about America that I could not answer, I knew my next trip would be to explore America, and especially our nations capitol. Did this before returning to Europe in 1974, that trip when natives asked questions I felt I was a much better representative of the USA. <BR> Should have taken more film and pictures. First trip used 2 rolls of film in 4 weeks. Next trip 4 rolls of film in 2 weeks. The most recent trip took a roll a day. You can never have too many pictures, but you can regret leaving your camera behind when you are out for a stroll around town. Sandra

Carolyn

After reading these posts, they all offer great advice! The most important to me would be: <BR> <BR>1) Take many pictures, film and developing are cheap! <BR> <BR>2) Keep a journal. Some nights it felt like drudgery but I've read and reread my journal several times in the 1 1/2 years since my trip. It's amazing how you forget the "little" things that mean so much when you are living them. <BR> <BR>3) Pack light. <BR> <BR>4) If driving, buy a road atlas. AAA maps are not detailed enough. Also, renting a car in one city and returning it to another is a great idea. Driving a big loop is usually too much driving and it all takes longer that you think. <BR> <BR>5) Learn some phrases from each country you plan to visit. We felt like the "stupid" Americans and will NEVER make that mistake again. <BR> <BR>Europe is wonderful, no matter where you go. Have a great time!! <BR>

steph

<BR>Like Matt (above), I'm 17, and I will be going to Europe summer of 1999. This forum has really helped me. It's better when you actually talk to (or read passages from) ones who have actually traveled to Europe. Travel books only have but so much information. <BR>thanks again!

Carol

I too didn't begin travelling to Europe until I was in my late 30's--I always seemed to have other kinds of plans. Huge mistake as far as I'm concerned, I wish I'd started 15 years earlier! My first trip was to Italy solo and, of course, I fell totally in love with that beautiful country and the friendliest people in the world. I was <BR>fortunate enough to have five weeks <BR>there. I did everything myself--researched and planned my trip down to morning and afternoon activities (!), booked a flight through a consolidator, and did not have a single hotel reservation. Friends had assured me that I'd have no trouble finding a room through the Tourist Offices in the train stations and by George they were right. I used the Fodors and Frommers hotel descriptions to identify desirable 2-star locations, and most of the time, the Tourist Office was able to get me a room at a place I requested. <BR> <BR>This gave me the flexibility to spend as much or as little time in any one place as I wished and was probably one of the main keys to a fabulous trip. I began in Rome, went south to Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi coast, back to Rome for a couple of nights, made a day trip to Assisi, took the train to Florence, made a day trip to Siena (sorry that I didn't also stop in San Gemingnano), took the train to Venice, train to Milan, and train to Zurich because I wanted to ride through the Alps! <BR> <BR>So I too would recommend that for your first trip you visit one country in depth. Being slightly biased, I think Italy is a marvelous place to begin.

Carol

I'd like to add that planning my trip down to the last detail gave me a sense of my priorities. I had the freedom to eliminate the less important activities and focus on what I most wanted to do when I realized there just wasn't enought time to do everything! <BR> <BR>One last piece of advice. Bring TWO pairs of comfortable walking shoes. The best way to visit any place is to walk its streets and to ride its buses. Do see the most famous things in a place, you'll regret that you didn't--but also get up early in the morning, go to the markets, and wander "aimlessly" around.

Tom

Great postings! The only commandment that I don't think has been repeated enough is to write a journal entry every day. Its the best fifteen minutes/day you can spend on a trip. I have written a journal for all my trips except the first two when I was in college. I regret not thinking of it then. But that regret is allayed greatly when I read the seven journals I have written since then.

Shelley

I am planning a first trip to Europe next summer, and find all of these posts very informative. Would appreciate any suggestiongs re: an itinerary to follow, and how much money to spend, as well as tips on travelling alone as this will most likely be a solo journey. Thanks!

David

It's now exactly 10 years since my first trip to Europe. As you can see from my eMail address, I'm from Australia, so this meant, in those days, a 26 hour plane flight to London (with 2 stops for fuel). <BR> <BR>I took my wife and 2 teenage (17 & 15 years) children, and toured England, West Germany (as it was then), Austria and Italy. We drove throughout Europe (I would not do it again as in Australia we have right hand drive cars, so it was an experience) and went with only one definate date, the day we left Rome for home. I planned it all in 4 weeks as it was partly a business trip, and went without a lot of knowledge of what was ahead. However, I did ensure that at least one of us knew some German or Italian and that we had Road maps and Phrase Books to help out. <BR> <BR>Looking back at it now, it was definately worth it, in fact the family still gets together and talk about it. I have been back to Europe since, and my wife and I are in the planning stage of yet another trip to Europe in 1999 for 2-3 months( this time we are going to Back-pack - our 60 year old Brother-in-law and sister recently did it for 12 months - if they can we can). <BR> <BR>However, the point to this is, find out as much as you can from bulletin boards such as this one, friends and relatives who have been and please be flexible in your plans and tolerant in the various countries that you visit. <BR> <BR>PS Have fun!!!!

ole Falk

My first trip to europe I did on the <BR>25/11/1961 and it only took some fifteen minutes, Everything work out OK, So I dont want to do that trip again. <BR> <BR>Ole

Neal Sanders

Hi, everyone. Here is a very old thread that I found in the archives. Some of you may have thoughts that you would add this "oldie but a goodie."