We see these specials to europe advertised where you essentially go for a long weekend - 3-5 nights. what is anyones opinion on these? jet lag? able to see much? worth it or not?

thanks

Definitely worth it -- if: you leave from the East Coast/nonstop and the price is a bargain. Jet lag depends on the person. You can do a lot in two full days if the days are planned well.

We went to London (from Pgh.) for 4 nights (in addition to night on the plane), and it was just fine! With the combination of only 5 hrs. difference in time (from EST), shorter flight than to continental Europe, and direct flight, we hit the ground running (after a little nap in hotel), and I went to work day after returning home. I've done Paris for 5 nights (plus flight night), and that worked out well and am doing it again in March. I think it's worth it especially for a late fall/mid-winter/early spring perk-me-up with a good fare!

I agree it's worth it if you leave from the East Coast. We did a long weekend (4 days) in London a few years ago in November that was very memorable. LOTS of planning went into it to make sure we didn't lose time just aimlessly wandering around, and it was well worth it. We packed an enormous amount into those four days, and except for the first night, when we had one child fall asleep on the Tube and another face down in his plate at dinner, jetlag wasn't an issue. And even those two incidents are fondly remembered in our minds and on film.

My wife and I, pre-children, did long weekends in Europe several times. If you can get past the jetlag of the first afternoon, you'll be fine.

Paris is great city for a long weekend as it is relatively compact with several major sites being within walking distance. If you don't mind the cost, I'd also recommend taking a cab to/from the airport as a way of maximizing your time.

Yes, definitely, especially if you're on the east coast of the US. Done it and it's worth the bit of jet lag you'll experience. Focus on a city for the trip (London, Paris, Rome) and don't deviate out of town for day tours. Pick one or two things to see a day and then go with serendipity for the rest of your time. It can be magical to just take off and enjoy.

For me, it probably wouldn't be worth it. I'd have to want to stay and spend the whole time in the city where the plane lands--something that I rarely do. I don't like London enough to spend the money for even a cheap flight JUST to stay in London, and I think London would probably be the shortest flight. I know there are sometimes good prices for Paris, and I would enjoy Paris, but I'd be frustrated not having time to see any place else in France beyond Paris on such a short trip, and besides, that's 6 time zones away, not just 5. If there are direct flights to Lisbon or Edinburgh from east coast USA, maybe that would appeal to me for a long weekend. Italy is too far for just a long weekend, though if there were DIRECT flights from east coast USA to Venice, I'd be tempted.

I have to agree with the other posters. I went to London in Nov for the weekend and it was great. I left on Wed evening and returned on Monday. I was only lagged at work the next day but I think it was also depression of not being in London. I was able to see things that I missed on my previous trip in July and also offered a chance to go when there were not so many crowds. I was worried about the weather but it was fantastic! The more I travel to Europe, the more confident I am traveling there solo but also more comfortable with things that I use to be really worried about - catching different planes, transporation, hotel decisions, etc. I'm not at a job that allows a nice 2 week vacation time block so I always try to do weekends. I use to do weekends in the states - NYC, DC, but now that I have the Europe bug, I did London in Nov and Paris in April is next. The bottomline - do it!

I've done it several times from the West Coast; most recently this month to London. I have taken plenty of 5 day business trips that pleasure trips are much nicer.

Have any of you taken one of these long weeknds and NOT found it worthwhile?
Has anyone taken one of these short trips but stayed in some smaller city that required a train ride from the city where the airport is located?

For me, jetlag is something that I've been able to condition out of the equation. I regularly do three-night trips (at the destination) where I will leave late afternoon-early Thursday evening from the midwest and arrive in Europe in late morning on Friday. Departure is early in the afternoon on Monday, arriving home in early evening. It's no problem for me to work on the day of departure and the day after returning, so it makes long weekends very feasible. As far as "seeing much", that is not really what the trip is about. It's about living in a different and enjoyable environment for a few days. If I happen to see or visit something extra special, that's fine -- but it's not the object. I go to cities I'm familiar with, such as Paris, so there is no time wasted getting my bearings and all of the time is therefore useful. I would be cautious about setting up additional travel to a destination with a short duration trip such as this, but a day trip on Saturday or Sunday is very do-able.

Flyboy: Do you do this purely for pleasure, or are they business trips with a little vacation mixed in?

I think this probably works best for people feel especially happy in big cities. (I usually don't.)

If the price is right, I do long weekend trips to Prague. (Especially off-season). To avoid jet-lag, I sleep as late as possible, and stay out late into the night (close down the local beer pub!) However, I would stay in a place that does not have housekeepers knocking on my door every morning for cleaning, so I can sleep in. It's great to get a change of scenery and see some friends who live in Europe, even if only for a few days.