it is too much.

There are have been a spate of people who want to Europe in one week. OK some have two weeks.

Remember you will lose 1/2 to full day every time you move to a different city.

You must decide do you want to see a few places well or many places poorly.

You should look at guide books and ascertain what you want to see. Libraries have guide books. So you can look for sights, although the hotel and restaurant information maybe out of date.

Look at a map and see how far or close you itinerary may be. And look carefully at the type of roads some are wonderful others are not.

Don't listen to friends and relatives who either have never been to Europe or have never done the trip you are suggesting.

Moving around is especially hard if you have little ones or are part of large group.

It is also expensive in terms of cabs, buses, planes, and cars to move around.

Remember gas is about twice what it is in the States and there can be an exorbitant drop off charge when returning the car in another country.

I like to land at European airports and sit right in the arrivals hall for days. No wasted time moving around. No cabs. No expensive gas. I get to know each arrival hall really well instead of seeing museums and rivers and architecture.

Be careful Cold, I did not know this, but the Cokes at airports are expensive.

Personally I like to stand on the immigration lines and let people go in front of me, so they think I am a nice guy. Especially people I suspect of being terrorists.

And don't forget to use Ann Frank as a butt of a joke.

Gretchen

Some of these postings are pure torture and if they stop, I'll tell them where she is hiding. Now go on, and become all sanctimonious about the joke.

Too soon for Anne Frank jokes?

I think cold's got the right idea, but the wrong place. Correct = why spend time trying to see museums or rivers or architecture? You can get those anywhere. Especially architecture. Unless you go somewhere that has NO buildings. And, OK, so not every place has a river ... but I don't know of a place that doesn't have a picture of one, or you can go on-line! Unless you go somewhere where your smartphone doesn't work, and seriously, LOL, who would do THAT???

The problem is that you can't get bragging rights if you stay in the same airport. So, you need to keep moving, airport to airport, ASAP! It really is the perfect solution, don't you think? You get to people-watch (efficient travelers wait until they are on the plane to do that), walk around (from gate to gate), taste the local coffee (preferably at a Starbuck's) or maybe even stop for for a quick taste of the local cuisine (most airports have someplace where you can get pizza, right?) And while you are at the airports, waiting for your departure, you can read the posts that tell you the local must-sees, so you can look for them from the air as you fly in or out. Seriously, HOW MANY people have wasted HOURS trying to go to the Eiffel Tower or whatever once they have landed, instead of just looking it from the air?!?

P.S. Thanks, IMD - I just wish anyone who wasn't already in the choir would read your message!

Unless this is just a thread to vent, the intended audience will never read this thread.

If someone asks the question, you barely need to look at the details to know they already think it probably is too much anyway.

If you see what I mean.

At least if you stay in airports, you will probably be able to pay for everything with a card or with actual dollars. That will save you the dreadful angst of paying a percentage the banks to provide you with a currency exchange service.

How low can your tastelessness go?

<i>How low can your tastelessness go?</i>

I ate casu marzu once. Does that count?

Be sure to wear shorts, because they will allow you to take longer strides and also identify you as an American tourist attempting to see 15 airports in 21 days so other people will get out of your way.

Do not check luggage. You can fit all you need into your fanny pack.

If you don't want to spend your first European vacation in airports in shorts with a fanny pack, settle yourself in an inexpensive village for the duration of your trip. Avoid cities, and driving. Spend your days sitting in just one cafe. You will leave immeasurably enriched.

I have 8 days, not including travel time. Can I fit in airports in Germany and in Marbella?

Also, my DD (dear Dalmatian) wants to visit Tuscany and Positano--which are the best airports for these two cities?

Can I pay in dollars at the airports?

Are they air conditioned?

Will I be able to find gluten-free paleo food for DD in the Greece airport?

Thanks so much for this good idea. DD wants to be able to watch the BlueMutts final games..will I be able to watch those at the France airport?

How low can your tastelessness go?

Is this multiple choice?

Can you all access this link, from The New Yorker in 2011, about Chinese tourists visiting Europe on a bus tour? A classic of the how-many-countries-can-I-fit-in genre.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2...8fa_fact_osnos

ekscrunchy--haven't finished it yet, but that's a great article. We were talking just the other day about Asian tourists in Europe, so I'll share that. Thanks

I remember that article. Fabulous!