My adult daughter and I are looking for ideas on where to travel next. As long time wanna-be world travelers, we finally got to take week long vacations to Paris (last year) and then Rome (earlier this year). We are looking for somewhere to go this winter that will be interesting and different. We are NOT big shoppers....no couture for us.....but souvenir shopping is desired. We would be more interested in the arts, museums, daytrips to interesting sights.

We are mainly interested in architecture and scenic views. For some reason, we are not interested in places like the Caribbean, etc. We are leaning toward somewhere in Europe.....maybe somewhere that is not well known to most travelers......somewhere off the beaten path. I'm pretty open minded, but I'm fairly sure that I don't want to go to a place with high political tensions, extremely impoverished or dangerous for two women traveling together.

Good food is a must, we are on a strict budget.....so picnicking is part of the plan. We've used www.go-today.com in the past with good results. However, I want to become more of a risk taker and review other options that may/may not be better than that travel agency. So, I guess I'm looking for suggestions on where our next journey will take us and possibly tips on other agencies that offer comparable packages. We're also open to renting an apartment if it makes sense.....but the operative word is BUDGET! lol

Where would you recommend that we visit? What little known gem would you suggest we give a try? Also, we are very interested in visiting multi-cities....while we enjoyed visiting Rome....we certainly should have taken a day trip to another city in those seven days.....or at least splitting our time evenly between two cities. Thanks in advance!!

Renee

Hi renee,

Will you be going over the Xmas/New Year season?

Have you been to London? London has arts, museums, culture and day trips galore. It is nicer in the spring but if you haven't been there, London is a must.

Picnicking in winter? I guess that's possible, but it seems a bit odd.

Since you say you like big cities, how about Vienna and Prague? Or Strasbourg, Colmar, and Freiburg? I associate those places with cheerful winter activities. On the other hand, I wouldn't single those places out for great food.

When, exactly, are you planning to travel?

Oh, DUH! Sorry guys, I will be visiting next March. When I said picnicking in winter, I don't mean spreading out the checkered red and white cloth and carrying a picnic basket....I just mean going to a monoprix like store....buying bread, meat and assorted goodies and finding a nice bench to enjoy the view and eat lunch.....in other words, I'm not limiting myself to restaurants only. Sorry that I wasn't clear, St. Cirq.

Oh, we were considering Amsterdam and Brussels...but I'm not so sure now after reading some posts.....can't you tell I'm confused? lol Luckily, I have a lot of time to plan for this.

There're some excellent suggestions already. Not quite off the beaten path, but consider Barcelona and Berlin as well. There're interesting day trip possibilities in Berlin though I've only been there for two days and haven't really explored (but for the record, Potsdam and also a concentration camp).

One thing -- I find London to be an expensive city. Your money will go further elsewhere, I believe. But London is obviously a must on anyone's list.

If you are on a budget, consider eastern Europe. Budapest and other parts of Hungary are high on my list of places to go next, and are much cheaper than, say, London, which is very expensive. Poland and Slovakia should be considered. Also, what about Croatia? Also high on my list, the people on this board who have been there rave about it.

Karen

You're picnicing description reminded me of the trip my mom and I took to Ireland. It wasn't the first place I thought of when you posted, but it was a magical trip.
We "followed our noses" and stayed at B&B's and Farm and Breakfasts. We picked up the guides at the tourist bureau when we landed in Shannon and enjoyed economical accomodations (at that time the rate was guaranteed at 9.5 to 10.5 pounds per person. We enjoyed a big breakfast, had a "picnic" in the car for lunch and then ate one dinner out a day. We LOVED Ireland.
We had not planned to take the trip out to the Aran Islands but did at the last minute and it was great.
You mentioned "multi-cities" we also traveled on to England and Scotland, but Ireland was a true "gem"

Hi Renee-

How long are you planning to go for? (I can't find that in your posts)

I would lean towards StCirq & Karen's suggestions: Prague and/or Budapest if your main goal is a budget trip. Renting an apartment usually is somewhat cheaper than staying in a hotel, but most apartments require a 1 week stay. So if you are traveling between several cities, that might not be for you.

Southern Spain.

Now that I understand you are going in March, I agree with Brian in Charlotte. Go to Andalucia - visit Seville, Granada and the white villages. The weather will be somewhat mild and the days longer than in December or January (I was thinking real winter).

Thanks, I appreciate and will investigate all of the cities mentioned. Of course, I welcome more suggestions so that I can make an educated decision.

While London is more expensive than all the places mentioned, there is so much to see and do that is free or low cost.
Many world class museums and galleries are free. The National Gallery, The British Museum, The National Portrait Gallery just to mention a few. Free noontime concerts. You mentioned architecture - one of the things I love to do in London - wander the neighborhoods. A day trip to Bath is a must.

As mentioned on other threads, there are plenty of budget places to eat in London. I love picnics as well. In the Royal Parks, by the Eiffel Tower, by the harbor in Bergen, Norway. Picnics are fun!

Concerts, lectures, exhibitions - there is so much going on in London, not too mention the theatr as well as the sights.

I really don't consider London expensive. There are days there where the only money I spent was on dinner. I keep that cost to around 10 GBP.

Wherever you choose to go, you will have a good time. I will never get tired of Europe. Enjoy your trip!

Hi Renee,

How about Basel (history, museums, souvenirs, day-trips) and Luzern (scenery, scenery, scenery, and some shopping)? Ok ok Luzern's not exactly off the beaten path, but it's gorgeous.

s

Prague. Not quite off the beaten path, but it's quite a change from Rome and Paris. Wonderful place for art and architecture.

We are budget travellers and we went to southern Spain (Andalucia) last March. The weather weas gorgeous which is a big plus for us since we live in Minnesota. Prices seem cheaper than many other parts of western Europe. We rented a house in a small village for 5 nights, but you would need a car to do that and I don't know if that is something you'd be interested in. We used the train for part of our trip and rented a car for the rest. Seville is marvelous and you could take day trips from there.

I also can't tell is you are only interested in major cities or if the weather is important to you. Many more northerly places can be rather dreary at that time of year. We've spent a lot of time in eastern Euroep and thoroughly enjoy it. It is interesting, the prices are lower and you are more off the beaten path. Budapest on to Vienna would be another nice trip. Vienna is pricey however.

Given your stated desires, i.e., multiple destinations, not shopping-crazed, a tight budget, and March, I'd suggest you consider (okay, ready?) a cruise. For example, Costa Cruises, an Italian subsidiary of Carnival, has an 11-day cruise in March that goes from Italy to Barcelona, Casablanca, the Canary Islands, Madeira, and Malaga, Spain, before returning to Italy. Depending on your cabin choices and how good a shopper you are, you can probably get away with spending something like US$1100 - $1500 per person. Remember that includes room, board, transport, and entertainment. Hard to touch that price on land considering trains, buses, all that, especially with the catastrophic $ - € exchange present.

Cruises are certainly not for everyone, however, this gives you sun, sea, a waterfront hotel room, off-the-beaten-track places, and significant creature comforts at a very reasonable price. Plus, you unpack once and that's that. You don't have to go to the midnight buffets, art auctions, bingo or other schlunky gimmicks; you can sit on the deck or in a library reading, watching the ocean, or learn how to use the Barcelona metro, which requires precisely three minutes.

Give it a thought.

Continental weather can be iffy in March. For that reason I would lean toward the Iberian peninsula, the farther south the better.

Renee, Although March weather can be changeable, it's never been enough of a factor for me NOT to consider going to Europe given the chance. Have you also considered Lisbon? I found it to be one of the cheaper cities and should fit your bill. However, I love Amsterdam and think you should still consider it. Everytime I've been (5 total), I've had an entirely different look at this versatile city (and day trips are a breeze). If still considering, Belgium, you might find Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges to be worth your while - very easy to get to from Brussels. Just more food for thought...let us know how you're leaning! Julie