twoflower

Thanks Rex, I see what you mean. My first ever European trip was 3 months, and if I'd had the money and a boss who wasn't screaming for me to come back, I'd have stayed longer. But yes, we made mistakes, and missed some things. For all that, I have no regrets about it. Mind you, it helps to be philosophical - like saying to oneself "while I'm missing one thing I'm seeing something else - usually something unexpected, and often something quite wonderful that I'll recommend to others". All part the rich tapestry of travel, isn't it!

LoveItaly

Well Rex, although I usually agree with your thinking I do have to stay my first trip to Europe was two months in Italy. I truly believe the reason it was so wonderful is because we did have a lot of time. We were not rushed. We had on suitcase and one carryon each so we sure did not overpack. We enjoyed sightseeing, relaxing and really getting the feel of Italy. We were in the major cities, little villages, 5star hotels and even a 1star hotel (although it did have an ensuite bathroom). We went to Capri with the intention of staying two nights and ended up staying ten nights. Guess you could call it a vacation within a vacation.

My personal opinion is that a lot of people do not have enough time to enjoy their first trip to Europe and consequently get tired and overwhelmed and come home totally exhausted.

Just my opinion from my personal experience. Take care.

rex

For what it's worth, <i>my</i> first trip was about six weeks - - I was 15 years old, and it was (in name), a &quot;course&quot; on Western civilization, and I think it cost $900 (airfare included) in 1969. and yes, it set the hook.

But if I (or anyone in my family) had tried planning it, I'm sure it would have cost many times more, and involved catastrophes galore.

I doubt that &quot;we&quot; ever convince anyone planning a sixweek mega-extravaganza to cut the trip length in half. Maybe we make them think - - about looking at europe travel as NOT... a &quot;once in a lifetime&quot; thing.

kel2202

Well, I must say it all started out quite positive when I first wrote my thread - now I wish I kind of hadn't bothered!!!!!

I have gone over my trip quite a few times with many of my friends and relatives who have travelled to many places all over the world and they seem to think that its an excellent plan, you make me sound a bit naive - I only came on this website (it was actually recommened - pah!) to get a few different peoples perspective - after reading some of the replies I have received it makes you not want to bother going travelling because
a/ you'll probably get it wrong first time and have a crap time
b/ you'll waste lots of time and money and
c/ you'll just end up knackered!

Well I didn't think that was what this website was going to be about, a little encouragement wouldn't go amiss and just some advice from your own experiences instead of patronising comments like -
Suze - I have researched all the train companies and timetables and routes and connections, but some don't give exact fares and I just wondered if anyone has travlled any of these routes by train and could share some advice - SORRY.

And Rex, I find you very patronising to young travellers &quot; first time baby boom europe travellers&quot; Yes I am a twenty something and despite all your comments I feel I am very well organised and that I have put a lot of thought into my trip and I cannot wait to go!
There, I have had my little outburst - By the way thank you to all of you who put encouraging and productive advice!

Have a good day x

crefloors

kel2202: Just keep asking your questions and ignor the negative. Mistakes are how we learn and if you make one so what? You are young, enthusiastic, and I'm certain this will NOT be your last trip. Just enjoy yourself, and I know you will. My only two cents here is, don't cut Venice if you don't have to. It's a really special city. Have a fabulous adventure, I know you will.

rex

I'm sorry that you found my remarks patronising. From my earlier posts - -and again in the third one - - I though I was making clear that I was making some generalizations about <i>some</i> people who ask questions here about their <u>first</u> trip to Europe - - <i>in contrast</i> to you and your quite well though-out plans.

I said earlier that you have laid an excellent foundation - - and that your trip is a good length.

I was asked to clarify &quot;why did I think/what did it mean&quot; when I said that <i>often times</i> I judge a first-time trip of more than 3-4 weeks to be a bad decision (too long).

And in nearly six years, and almost 10,000 questions here - -I <i>do</i> feel that my <i>generalization</i> has a sound basis (I am a baby boomer myself, for what it's worth)...

... for saying that there are two populations of people who come here with this (ill-advised) idea of seeing &quot;all of Europe&quot; in a way-too-long trip of too many weeks, because &quot;they might never get back there again&quot; - - and they are predominantly age 45-55, but a second group are 19-29.

I am not implying that you belong to either group - - or that your trip is &quot;wrong&quot; for any of &quot;those&quot; reasons...

jsmith

Rex makes a good point about the duration of a first trip.

Before retiring I never had the luxury of taking more than 3 weeks for a vacation. Now, in retirement, I find that at the end of 3 weeks I am ready to return home. It may be, as Rex said, that not everyone is comfortable being away much longer and it would be preferable to find out at the end of a three week trip than in the middle of a six week one.

Kelly, if you wanted rubberstamping, why ask questions in the first place? There didn't seem to me any reason for you to develop the attitude you did. Nobody criticised you but you seem to think some general comments were specifically directed to you. Get over it.

kel2202

Oh yeah, forgot to say thanks crefloors - I am sure i will have a fantastic trip, and i have just booked myself 2 nights in venice before i move onto Verona, I thought - 'How can i go to Italy and not go to venice?!' I hope this isn't the last of my travels! Thanks again xx

jsmith

I hope you enjoy your SOLO trip and those to come.

LarryY

For traveling around Italy and Greece if you go to : www.viamare.com you can find a full up to date list of ferry times and you can even buy your tickets there online and have them delivered to you in advance. It was really helpful for my holiday.

suze

Wow, i've been off the board a couple days &amp; what a surprise to see my name with a sarcastic SORRY from Kelly. I had been enjoying this thread, didn't say a thing negative, and thought i was being very supportive.

But questions like &quot;how long will these journeys be?&quot; and &quot;is it really expensive?&quot; without any details are impossible questions to answer. Or cost of trains routes without specific depart/arrive cities, class of travel, pass or point-to-point, etc. are vague at best.

rex

Weird. I could have sworn that there was a &quot;softened&quot; reply from Kel to me, after my last post. Did editors remove it? Or am I hallucinating?

suze

Hmm, that's curious.

I was just so surprised myself by the tone our OP decided to take. Sure sometimes posters are argumentitive and judgemental on Fodors but this was not one of those times. I thought everyone was being very nice to Kelly. Afterall she had asked us:
&quot;Do you not think this is a good plan of mine??&quot;

jsmith

Rex, there was a contentious reply by kel2202 to my posting on 5/26 @ 2:53 PM.

kel2202

No Rex, there was a softened reply saying sorry - you didnt imagine it - here it is again though 'sorry' Maybe i ws having a bad day!!! Stressed out and taping away on my keyboard seemed to relieve it! I also thought maybe i was being rather over sensitive. Thanks for all the advice Rex, and the others who have all taken time to add comments and advice. suze i did ask rather vague questions - i think its because i thought id done so much preparation i just wanted it all done for me! Nevermind, no harm done,
Take it easy everyone -
K xx

suze

thanks Kelly,

ya hurt my feelings because i had taken an interest in your post, topped it a couple times when it got way down the list, tried to share info you might find handy. people here are generous sharing what they know but not necessarily willing to do specific research on your behalf.

here's hoping you will continue to post and read on Fodor's. it truly is an incredible resource. unfortunately when you ask a question, be ready... because people WILL answer it ;-)


kindly, s.

mr_go

So, to summarize...

1. Kel, you have a good trip plan started here, especially for a first-timer.

2. Welcome aboard! We like it when people think things through before they start asking questions, and that's clearly what you've done.

3. You've gotten some very good advice here, and there's plenty more where that came from. Don't be shy, ask questions galore!

4. Don't dare skip Venice.

5. When you return from your trip, add to our knowledge base with a full trip report. I'm looking forward to it.

rex

Very good summary...

kel2202

Thanks everyone, only 4 days to go before I jet off! When I get back I will let you all know how I got on and I will be more than happy to pass one any tips and advice I can give from my experience! Thanks again people xxxx

kel2202

I am only just getting around to making a few comments about my trip! And i came back about two months ago! Well i had the best time, im just going to give a very brief report for anyone who may be interested!! Spain was ok, great weather, not very impressed but it was fine for what it did, if that makes sense, Italy was so amazing, Rome was out of this world as was Florence and Venice, i ended up spending quite a bit of my time in Venice, got friendly with a few locals and am going back there next year definately, Austria was ok, weather was terrible, even though it was supoosedly summer, salzburg wasnt great but then i was a bit lonely there which may have tainted my opinion, Vienna was lovely, bit expensive but lovely. Travelling around on my own was so easy and cheap! Prague was great, so so so cheap! stayed in a fantastic 5 start hotel and it hardly cost anything! great! And last of all was Berlin, which was such a surprise to me, wasnt really that keen on going there for some reason but boy am i glad i did, because it was fantastic, steeped in fascinating history, and the most wonderful sights, and very friendly people, loved it so much am going back there next weekend for the christmas markets! so that was my incredibly brief summary! thanks to you all for your advice and guidance! great website!! xxxxx