Where would you spend 3+ weeks in Europe?
Feb 24th, 2016, 11:37 PM
#21
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I think you need to do a lot of research and personalize this. There are so many choices. For example, I would probably call off the wedding if I had to to johnpeter's route, but I'd be overjoyed with Sassafrass's. Pick what works for you.
Feb 25th, 2016, 04:23 AM
#23
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I do not see 'honeymoon' as indicating anything specific - who doesn't like a 'romantic' destination, whatever that is? What matters is the style of travel you and your companion/new husband prefer. WHERE you go, within reason, is less important.
I have always liked having a few days at the end of a vacation to 're-acclimatize' to my usual routines before going back to work. So my 3 weeks would be more like 2.5 - say, 12 nights in the south of Spain, and a couple of nights in both directions in Paris (i.e. I'd use Paris as a gateway.) That plus the night on the plane makes it 17 nights - so I'd add maybe a night before leaving, to give me a day to finish packing, and 3 nights (2 days) to recuperate after the fact. However, I suspect there are those that have no problem flying in at 3 p.m Sunday and returning to the daily grind at 9 the next day, because it will maximize vacation length. Which one are you?
There are countries and itineraries which are most suited to driving, but public transit in Europe is almost always an option - with the caveat that you will need more time in fewer places. Again, which suits you better? Driving is freedom for some and a nightmare for others, and being or not being on a honeymoon doesn't seem to be a factor.
And finally, I like the idea of moving to a new place, if only a couple of hours away, every few nights. I prefer constant moving to the risk of being stranded somewhere that we didn't really like. But again, this isn't everyone; what matters is that you can decide which is for you.
Good luck.
I have always liked having a few days at the end of a vacation to 're-acclimatize' to my usual routines before going back to work. So my 3 weeks would be more like 2.5 - say, 12 nights in the south of Spain, and a couple of nights in both directions in Paris (i.e. I'd use Paris as a gateway.) That plus the night on the plane makes it 17 nights - so I'd add maybe a night before leaving, to give me a day to finish packing, and 3 nights (2 days) to recuperate after the fact. However, I suspect there are those that have no problem flying in at 3 p.m Sunday and returning to the daily grind at 9 the next day, because it will maximize vacation length. Which one are you?
There are countries and itineraries which are most suited to driving, but public transit in Europe is almost always an option - with the caveat that you will need more time in fewer places. Again, which suits you better? Driving is freedom for some and a nightmare for others, and being or not being on a honeymoon doesn't seem to be a factor.
And finally, I like the idea of moving to a new place, if only a couple of hours away, every few nights. I prefer constant moving to the risk of being stranded somewhere that we didn't really like. But again, this isn't everyone; what matters is that you can decide which is for you.
Good luck.
Feb 25th, 2016, 04:27 AM
#24
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Consider one of these. http://www.leboat.com/vacations/destinations
We have done http://www.leboat.com/vacations/dest...lamingo-cruise.
http://www.leboat.com/vacations/dest...lland-cruise-0
They both were fabulous. Such a relaxed and easy way to really emerse yourself into a region of a country. You can order brochure and pick which place and boat would be best for you.
We have done http://www.leboat.com/vacations/dest...lamingo-cruise.
http://www.leboat.com/vacations/dest...lland-cruise-0
They both were fabulous. Such a relaxed and easy way to really emerse yourself into a region of a country. You can order brochure and pick which place and boat would be best for you.
Feb 25th, 2016, 04:29 AM
#25
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I would probably do a week in London, another in Paris and a third in another area of France - perhaps Alsace or Riviera with a car - depending on time of year.
But we love road trips and would probably spend the last week in 2 different towns.
But we love road trips and would probably spend the last week in 2 different towns.
Mar 2nd, 2016, 03:59 PM
#27
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Thank you for the suggestions!
We decided to go to Amsterdam for 3 nights, then Paris for 6 nights, Bilbao 1 night, then San Sebastian, Spain for 3 nights, Seville for 4 nights, Granada 2 nights, and Barcelona for six nights.
Recently I've been thinking about how I would love to go to Greece, but I had already picked out all of my hotels and done a ton of research so I think it will be a future trip!
We decided to go to Amsterdam for 3 nights, then Paris for 6 nights, Bilbao 1 night, then San Sebastian, Spain for 3 nights, Seville for 4 nights, Granada 2 nights, and Barcelona for six nights.
Recently I've been thinking about how I would love to go to Greece, but I had already picked out all of my hotels and done a ton of research so I think it will be a future trip!
Mar 3rd, 2016, 01:21 PM
#28
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Sounds good - I would put another day into Amsterdam and take one from San Sebastian however and Bilboa could be a day trip by bus from S Sebastian - one less relocation - Bilboa seems to be an underwhelming town for many except for the art museum (I have not been there- just repeating what others say - not that it is not nice but maybe a day more in Amsterdam...
do a day trip out of Amsterdam to a Dutch regional town like Delft or Haarlem or Alkmaar for the famous Frinday morning cheese market (Apr-Ept I think) or to Zaanse Schanse for Holland's 2nd largest grouping of windmills - just a short train ride from Amsterdam.
Been to San Sebastian twice and two days was enough - well if you like to beach sit maybe more.
If going by train investigate the Eurail Select Pass valid in Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg), France and Spain.
And I would suggest thinking about splitting time between Barcelona and Madrid - say 3 days in each.
A day trip from Madrid to Toledo could be a real highlight of your trip.
But as you have it is fine too - just if it were me the first time in those places but it is not me it's you!
do a day trip out of Amsterdam to a Dutch regional town like Delft or Haarlem or Alkmaar for the famous Frinday morning cheese market (Apr-Ept I think) or to Zaanse Schanse for Holland's 2nd largest grouping of windmills - just a short train ride from Amsterdam.
Been to San Sebastian twice and two days was enough - well if you like to beach sit maybe more.
If going by train investigate the Eurail Select Pass valid in Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg), France and Spain.
And I would suggest thinking about splitting time between Barcelona and Madrid - say 3 days in each.
A day trip from Madrid to Toledo could be a real highlight of your trip.
But as you have it is fine too - just if it were me the first time in those places but it is not me it's you!
Mar 3rd, 2016, 02:55 PM
#29
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PalenQ, I wish I could have added it to Amsterdam!! The apartment I picked for Paris was only available for certain dates, so I booked that and then booked an apartment for Barcelona at the end of my trip, so I could only add time to the middle: San Sebastian, Seville, or Granada. So I chose San Sebastian, but hotels are so expensive there that I thought maybe Bilbao would be better for the extra night. Then I figured if we don't like Bilbao we can do a daytrip from there to Saint Jean de Luz, Hondarribia, San Juan, Lekeitio. I am wondering if this is too much time in San Sebastian though :/
