dwdvagamundo

Concur you can do this on your own, and concur with Mamcalice to substitute Rome for Barcelona, unless there is some special reason you have for going to Barcelona. Three cities in two weeks is about right for a first trip.

One concern I have is that you aren't going to see anything but cities, unless you plan day trips out of each,

Looks like you're thinking of Stonehenge--I'd also consider Avebury, which is much more "seeable." You should be able to arrange a day trip to both out of London as they're near each other. And, in my experience, you will not spend much time at Stonehenge.

LucyG

The reason we were thinking Barcelona was because we thought we'd do Italy as a separate trip.

We would like to venture out from the cities. Any suggestions for country sights?

dwdvagamundo

Presuming you are interested in Stonehenge, you could stay two or three nites around Bath out of London. It's fairly close to Stonehenge and Avebury, and is a very interesting city on its own.

From Paris, you might enjoy Chartres, with its great old Cathedral. Or Reims, in Champagne. or Normandy.

Never been to Barcelona, so can't advise you on that from personal experience.

PalenQ

Barcelona day gtrips include Montserrat, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites for Christians in Europe - about an hour or so out of town via suburban train and then chairlift to its spectacular mountain top location - come see the much venerated black Madonna icon - long lines however form to see it at times.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...rat-spain.html

ElendilPickle

If you're planning on three cities in 14 days, that gives you very little time for day trips outside those cities.

I've only been to London, but there is plenty to do there. We spent 2 1/2 days in the city, and while we got to see the things which were highest on our list, we didn't have time for St. Paul's, or the Tower of London, or the National Gallery, or the Victoria and Albert, or really to just walk around and take our time seeing much.

If you really want to add day trips, I would cut the trip to two cities.

Lee Ann

janisj

Lee Ann has got it right. If you want to do 3 cities, that is fine (though that would be VERY rushed for London), but there would be no time at all for excursions. Remember - you lose he best part of a day when you move from one city to the next.

If you want outside-the-city day trips you really need to pick two cities and leave it at that.

LucyG

Ok. Thanks. I know many people say to limit the number of cities - I thought three would be ok. Maybe we'll just do the city attractions and if we find the time try to travel elsewhere.
We're not going until June, so plenty of time to plan. I'm still nervous about doing it on our own but everybody's input has been awesome! I need to get a travel guide and start reading.

Goldens

You may also want to look at Frommers. There are some really helpful day by day itineraries that will give you ideas.

suze

<<I'm still nervous about doing it on our own>>

I trust myself more than I would ever trust a tour company or travel agent. Because I believe that no one cares as much about the success of my trip... as ME!

europeannovice

Once you start reading about each of the cities and possible day trips from them, you will want to add more and more days to your trip. I also advise two places rather than three so you are not running around as much and really get to see and enjoy them more.

I listed a whole host of things to see in both London and Paris above. Easy day trip from Paris is to Versailles and another easy day trip from London is to Hampton Court Palace which we enjoyed more than Versailles. Less crowded for one thing. Beautiful gardens, character re-enactments by Henry VIII and company, and great Tudor kitchens especially when they do the live kitchen demonstrations.

Outside of London there are Bath, Stonehenge, Avebury, Lacock, Salisbury, the Cotswolds, Oxford, Cambridge to name a few. York is also fabulous but about a two hour train ride from London. You can easily spend a couple of days in York--plenty to see/do--great railroad museum, the York Minster, the Shambles etc. Plenty to do to fill a month or more all in all. You can also take a quick train ride from York to Edinburgh and dip into Scotland from there.

Loads of research available. Enjoy selecting.

KL467

If you do decide to travel with a tour group, I would recommend www.ricksteves.com. I have been on four trips with this tour company and enjoyed them very much.

PalenQ

Yes though rick Steves tours are no longer the economy budget thru the back door tours they once were - now using rather upscale but still intimate hotels I guess I too think as tours go they are fine - that said I have never taken any tour - tours often mean a very early reveille to hit as many spots as possible - itineraries are often very fast-paced (not saying that about Rick's - if it's Tuesday it's Belgium!

justineparis

As I pointed out Rick Steves now offers "non Tours" where you just get bus transport from city to city and hotels are prearranged..it works out well for some folks who don't want the tour experience but don't feel ready to handle all trian and hotel arrangements themselves. doing it on a tour where all the logistics are prearranged does make it easier to just get a taste of a few more places then when on your own. As noted, when you travel from city to city there is minimally an hour or two y used with boring stuff like getting to train station and from new place to new hotel.. thats eliminated by the door to door bus.



If you go on your own and are interested in some daytrips I totally agree three cities will be too much then.. London and Paris themselves easily deserve a full 3-4 days.. not half days, not travel days, but full days.. now.. add even one daytrip out of each city.. theres your time budget blown if you were to add in another major city.

LucyG

I've been looking into all the resources you have provided above. I can't tell you how helpful this is. We're probably going to do three cities and stick to town. Our goal is to hit up some major tourist sites for now and when we retire take the month long journey to our favorite places.

What would be the "average" airfare from LAX to London?

mokka4

I use the travel-industry website:
matrix.itasoftware.com
enter start and end destination airports, dates, etc and you can check 30 days' worth of prices and itineraries with various airlines.
I usually monitor this site 2x weekly for months to get an idea of going airfares.
when you decide to 'bite', go to the indicated airlines' site to purchase. (You can't buy from matrix).
Have found rates to be reliable indicators over last several years.