Which order should I travel
 

I am travelling to Europe this September for 5 weeks. list of my destination are Scotland,london, Barcelona, Spain, Venice , Paris ,Switzerland ,Portugal. Which order should I follow. Is it good idea to fly to Scotland as first destination ? Or Switzerland ? Is train the best option or plane ? Any help will be apreciated. Any sugestion ?

Hello PLuitel.

I would suggest you study the tours offered by commercial bus companies (Tauck.com, Ricksteves.com). They have often worked out efficient routes, and you may be able to get some ideas.

A word of warning - don't try to keep pace with commercial bus tours, it takes longer to 'do it yourself.'

I would price plane tickets to decide the cheapest place to fly into and out of. If you can fly into your northern most destination and out of your southern most one, that saves backtracking at the end of your trip.

I find your list confusing, as it has 8 places listed, 4 counties and 4 cities. I'd suggest you look carefully at your list and make some adjustments. 5 weeks sounds like a long time, but when you are talking about a whole country in less than a week, it is unrealistic. If you list just cities you plan to base in, it will be clearer. Be aware that moving around takes time - time you might otherwise spend doing/seeing/experiencing the things to came to Europe for. Then take another look, listing the places you want to visit in the various cities. This will help you determine if you have divided you time well and whether you need to eliminate any places.

For lots of help planning a train trip check these IMO superb sources: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - if going to all those places consider some kind of railpass.

Is train the best option or plane ?>

A mixture of both perhaps - overnight trains also let you cover a lot of ground at night and save on the cost of a hotel.

Scotland,london, Barcelona, Spain, Venice , Paris ,Switzerland ,Portugal. Which order should I follow.>

Perhaps - fly into Lisbon
take overnight train to Madrid
train to Barcelona
fly to Venice
take train to Switzerland
take train to Paris
Take eurostar train to London
Take train to Scotland

Fly out of Scotland.

PalenQ's list is a good one, however I might reverse it and fly into Scotland and out of Lisbon.

By early October the weather in Scotland may well be horrendous (it might not too, but on the balance of probabilities...). Head south as the month progresses, it gives you more chance of decent weather.

Yes - I failed to note the time of year so Rubicund's reversal of the itinerary I suggested makes total sense.

PLuintel - what do ya think?

PL has gone I guess?

Sorry guys for late reply ,Back from mini holiday. Thank you all of you for your reply. I really appreciate. I have booked my ticket in and out from Edenburg keeping mind in Rubicond sugestion. So these are the list of cities I am travelling , Edenburg, London, Portugal, Barcelona, Madrid, benedrum, geneva , Venice , Paris. Is there anything I am missing. I have lots of close family and close friend in most of the place except Venice and Paris. I am definitely flying first to Edenburg but not sure where after that?? Edinburg, London , ........need some help.

PaleQ nope I have not gone , just busy exploring Sydney.

So these are the list of cities I am travelling , Edenburg, London, Portugal, Barcelona, Madrid, benedrum, geneva , Venice , Paris.>

Logical to me:

Fly into Edinburgh

Train to London - there is also an overnight train

Eurostar train to Paris (www.eurostar.com)

Train to Geneva

Fly to Barcelona

Train to Madrid

Train to Lisbon (also can take overnight train)

Benidorm - is that what you mean - that English lager lout enclave in Spain? Nothing there for average tourist but lots of bars and action - otherwise a waste of time for most.

Why Bendirom? I went there because I love those type of places - a Blackpool with good weather. Why you? And go for it if you really want to but it's a very plastic place, for Spain.

You will lose time and money backtracking to Edinburgh. An open jaws ticket flying into Edinburgh and out of Lisbon would cost about the same and be more efficient. But I guess it's too late for that.

Yes it would be better if I can fly back from Lisbon.I guess its too late ,I am trying to change it ,let's see. I may delete Bendirom from my list.