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Planning a my first Europe trip next year
Posted on 3/10/24 at 8:42 am
Posted on 3/10/24 at 8:42 am
We have two weeks plus a weekend so 16 days. What cities should we visit? Is it best to plan using a tour operator?
16
Posted on 3/10/24 at 9:22 am to lsu4life77
Seat61.com offers good advice for train ticket strategy.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 10:31 am to lsu4life77
Do you want to see a much as possible bc you doubt you will ever go back? Or really get to know one region and stay there the entire time?
Like the entire trip in Italy or France.
Like the entire trip in Italy or France.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 11:20 am to lsu4life77
Italy is always a good place to start in Europe. There’s a lot of history there. Europe though is very diverse. It depends on your own interests.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 1:22 pm to lsu4life77
As others have said and will say it’s a broad question.
What are your interests? Food? Beaches? Nightlife? History/culture? Nature/hiking (Alps etc.)?
Time of year visiting.
My advice is skip the overly obvious greatest hits itinerary featuring Paris and London among others (usually throw in one of the Big 3 Italian cities).
As others recommended a region focus could be nice i.e. the Iberian Peninsula, the Alps, Italy etc.
For IMHO some greatest hits you could do that are slightly less obvious:
Diverse Mix: Lisbon (+ Sintra) > Amsterdam > Munich (+ Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Salzburg)
Iberian tour-A: Lisbon > Barcelona > Bilbao > San Sebastián
Iberian tour-B: Porto > Lisbon > Malága > Granada
Party tour: Lisbon > Barcelona > Amsterdam > Berlin
Northern Italy highlights: Venice (2 days) > Verona (1 day - day trip) > Lago di Garda (Sirmione) (2 days) > Bologna (2 days) > Cinque Terre (3 days)
With more context and info happy to offer more fine-tuned advice
What are your interests? Food? Beaches? Nightlife? History/culture? Nature/hiking (Alps etc.)?
Time of year visiting.
My advice is skip the overly obvious greatest hits itinerary featuring Paris and London among others (usually throw in one of the Big 3 Italian cities).
As others recommended a region focus could be nice i.e. the Iberian Peninsula, the Alps, Italy etc.
For IMHO some greatest hits you could do that are slightly less obvious:
Diverse Mix: Lisbon (+ Sintra) > Amsterdam > Munich (+ Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Salzburg)
Iberian tour-A: Lisbon > Barcelona > Bilbao > San Sebastián
Iberian tour-B: Porto > Lisbon > Malága > Granada
Party tour: Lisbon > Barcelona > Amsterdam > Berlin
Northern Italy highlights: Venice (2 days) > Verona (1 day - day trip) > Lago di Garda (Sirmione) (2 days) > Bologna (2 days) > Cinque Terre (3 days)
With more context and info happy to offer more fine-tuned advice
This post was edited on 3/10/24 at 2:57 pm
Posted on 3/10/24 at 1:46 pm to lsu4life77
For us to really help, we'd need to know a bit more.
Let's start with when you're going. That would change my advice dramatically.
Let's start with when you're going. That would change my advice dramatically.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 2:40 pm to GOP_Tiger
Pick one large country. One. And spend all of your time immersing there. Use a large city as a hub and branch out from there.
Italy.
Spain.
Germany.
France.
UK.
Sweden.
Ireland.
Italy.
Spain.
Germany.
France.
UK.
Sweden.
Ireland.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 3:51 pm to lsu4life77
You don't need a tour operator. You can plan everything yourself.
16 days is a tough nut because it's too long for one place but too short for a proper tour.
If you really love one of the bigger countries (UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany), you could spend all of your time in just one of those doing a deep dive at a relaxing pace.
Or you could pick two countries and divide them with a week a piece. While rail is the best way to travel in Europe, the influx of low cost airlines means you don't have to plan an itenerary around two places close together.
All just depends on what you're interested in and the time of year.
If you want to be ambitious you could do a whirlwind tour: Amsterdam(3)--> Belgium(3)--> Paris(4)--> Swiss Alps(3)--> Munich(4) using an open jaw plane ticket and high speed rail in between those places. That's a lot of movement and relocation though and you better plan well. But it hits the highlights and gives you a pretty diverse taste of Europe in a short span.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 4:24 pm to lsu4life77
Age?
I ask because you will get “do it yourself” from younger people and those with lots of international travel experience.
We are going to Italy in 2025 with Roads Scholars. I am a huge trip planner but at this point in life I’m ok with someone else planning that one.
I ask because you will get “do it yourself” from younger people and those with lots of international travel experience.
We are going to Italy in 2025 with Roads Scholars. I am a huge trip planner but at this point in life I’m ok with someone else planning that one.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 4:32 pm to lsu4life77
Are you going to experience nature (think Iceland, Norway, or Switzerland)? Are you focused on historical sites? Food? Art?
There are so many options. It really depends on your interests.
There are so many options. It really depends on your interests.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 9:44 pm to lsu4life77
https://matrix.itasoftware.com/search ITA allows you to search routes that fly from where you live into Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, etc. In Northern Europe, it's not complicated, you're a 2 hour train ride from almost anywhere that doesn't have to cross the Alps.
Some love tours, I hate them, and I'm your age. I'm not a 12 year old, I can figure stuff out on my own, and not be held to the bathroom schedules of 70 year olds. Thanks, but no.
You're going to be forced into visiting Paris, because there is a woman involved I assume. Barcelona is a must visit.
Depending on the service, watch multiple shows. The Grand Tour (Amazon) makes me want to drive through central Europe for weeks. But Anthony Bourdain's shows may give you more color.
As long as you can drive stick, renting a car is not bad at all. But you need to know where gas stations are. There may be a gas station every 50km, it's not like the US where there is one every 3 miles. And the smaller the car the better.
Some love tours, I hate them, and I'm your age. I'm not a 12 year old, I can figure stuff out on my own, and not be held to the bathroom schedules of 70 year olds. Thanks, but no.
You're going to be forced into visiting Paris, because there is a woman involved I assume. Barcelona is a must visit.
Depending on the service, watch multiple shows. The Grand Tour (Amazon) makes me want to drive through central Europe for weeks. But Anthony Bourdain's shows may give you more color.
As long as you can drive stick, renting a car is not bad at all. But you need to know where gas stations are. There may be a gas station every 50km, it's not like the US where there is one every 3 miles. And the smaller the car the better.
Posted on 3/10/24 at 9:45 pm to lsu4life77
Stick to a country, like Italy or Spain or France.
You can do 3 cities in that time frame very comfortably, use the train system in between. Fly into 1 city and out of another.
Another option would be using a place like Paris as your base, enjoy yourself take your time, take day trips elsewhere.
Do not do something idiotic like doing London, Paris, Rome, Berlin and see 4-5 countries.
You can do 3 cities in that time frame very comfortably, use the train system in between. Fly into 1 city and out of another.
Another option would be using a place like Paris as your base, enjoy yourself take your time, take day trips elsewhere.
Do not do something idiotic like doing London, Paris, Rome, Berlin and see 4-5 countries.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 12:33 am to lsu4life77
12 days in the UK was great but still not enough. You could totally have a full 16-day itinerary in one country.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 2:23 am to lsu4life77
Go get and read "Europe through the back door" by Rick Steve's. Follow one of his two week itineraries.
Don't focus on one country, but maybe one region.
I would do Italy- Germany- France or Spain France Italy.
Don't focus on one country, but maybe one region.
I would do Italy- Germany- France or Spain France Italy.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 6:42 am to lsu4life77
Lots of good suggestions here. You can't go wrong with any of them.
My advice:
1. Have the mindset you can't do it all.
2. Believe this is the first part of your journey and you'll be going back to Europe over and over for many years.
3. Don't do the "if it's Tuesday it must be Vienna" routine where you try to squeeze in multiple countries just because "you're in Europe".
Agree time of year and budget are essential to getting valuable input.
Off the top of my head, you'd love your first trip going to Florence, basing there, and doing day trips.
Bonus tip:
LifeStyle Hal is our favorite YouTuber. Watch his videos and get immersed in the wonder that can be European Travel. Guarantee you'll find a "I want to go there" location!
EDIT: I just thought about this..Take a cruise. We did the Viking Homeland cruise 2 years ago. One of the best trips we ever took. You get picked up at the airport. They take you to the ship. You unpack. And that's it for 15 days! Stopped at some amazing ports along the way. Great way to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the World and get a taste for where you might want to return one day. HIGHLY recommend looking into it.
My advice:
1. Have the mindset you can't do it all.
2. Believe this is the first part of your journey and you'll be going back to Europe over and over for many years.
3. Don't do the "if it's Tuesday it must be Vienna" routine where you try to squeeze in multiple countries just because "you're in Europe".
Agree time of year and budget are essential to getting valuable input.
Off the top of my head, you'd love your first trip going to Florence, basing there, and doing day trips.
Bonus tip:
LifeStyle Hal is our favorite YouTuber. Watch his videos and get immersed in the wonder that can be European Travel. Guarantee you'll find a "I want to go there" location!
EDIT: I just thought about this..Take a cruise. We did the Viking Homeland cruise 2 years ago. One of the best trips we ever took. You get picked up at the airport. They take you to the ship. You unpack. And that's it for 15 days! Stopped at some amazing ports along the way. Great way to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the World and get a taste for where you might want to return one day. HIGHLY recommend looking into it.
This post was edited on 3/11/24 at 7:36 am
Posted on 3/11/24 at 7:30 am to purpgold718
Adding so more thoughts (as one does when one is a habitual rambler):
- Contrary to what is often stated in this Travel forum, train isn’t (always) the best way to get around. So to save time (and often money) consider budget airlines to get you between further apart destinations. Trains as I’ve said before make sense within a given country (and still within limitations) or dedicated transnational lines such as the Thalys connecting Paris > Brussels > Antwerp > Rotterdam > Amsterdam or the Eurostar connecting Amsterdam/Rotterdam > Brussels > London. Outside of this even famous national railway operators such as DB in Germany are marred by perpetual delays and overcrowded trains, and inter-regional/transnational travel by train can be a lot more costly and time-consuming than is typically given credit on this forum.
- There can be some merit in a diverse itinerary to get a taste of different regions and hone in on one to focus on for subsequent visits, but diversity and density of itinerary should trade off a bit to balance things out. In other words if you’re gonna go to multiple regions of Europe spread out, limit yourself to 3 “home base” regions - for example Northern Spain > Benelux > Alpine DACH (German speaking) region. And ensure your spending at least 3-4 full days in each spot. Traveling within certain countries can also offer as much diversity as going to other (neighboring) countries, Spain has several different regions and cultures as do Germany, the UK and Italy. Hell, even Maastricht in the south of the Netherlands probably has more in common with nearby towns/regions Belgium, Germany or France than it does Amsterdam. Or to better illustrate Bavaria in Southern Germany has more cultural and linguistic similarities to (most of) Austria than it does to Northern Germany.
- Contrary to what is often stated in this Travel forum, train isn’t (always) the best way to get around. So to save time (and often money) consider budget airlines to get you between further apart destinations. Trains as I’ve said before make sense within a given country (and still within limitations) or dedicated transnational lines such as the Thalys connecting Paris > Brussels > Antwerp > Rotterdam > Amsterdam or the Eurostar connecting Amsterdam/Rotterdam > Brussels > London. Outside of this even famous national railway operators such as DB in Germany are marred by perpetual delays and overcrowded trains, and inter-regional/transnational travel by train can be a lot more costly and time-consuming than is typically given credit on this forum.
- There can be some merit in a diverse itinerary to get a taste of different regions and hone in on one to focus on for subsequent visits, but diversity and density of itinerary should trade off a bit to balance things out. In other words if you’re gonna go to multiple regions of Europe spread out, limit yourself to 3 “home base” regions - for example Northern Spain > Benelux > Alpine DACH (German speaking) region. And ensure your spending at least 3-4 full days in each spot. Traveling within certain countries can also offer as much diversity as going to other (neighboring) countries, Spain has several different regions and cultures as do Germany, the UK and Italy. Hell, even Maastricht in the south of the Netherlands probably has more in common with nearby towns/regions Belgium, Germany or France than it does Amsterdam. Or to better illustrate Bavaria in Southern Germany has more cultural and linguistic similarities to (most of) Austria than it does to Northern Germany.
This post was edited on 3/11/24 at 8:41 am
Posted on 3/11/24 at 7:48 am to purpgold718
quote:
train isn’t (always) the best way to get around.
^^ THIS
We've had some great train experiences. Going from Prague to Krakow for one. First class. Not that expensive. Great service and food. Easy.
BUT..
It can be daunting trying to figure out routes, connections, platforms, particularly if you're a newbie to train travel in Europe. Add some that might overpack and have to navigate that couple of minutes, getting on, find overhead space..Been there done that. It can be stressful.
What we've learned along the away is just pay for the 1st Class ticket. Not that expensive really and it's a world of difference in terms of the experience.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 9:51 am to Napoleon
quote:
Don't focus on one country, but maybe one region.
I would do Italy- Germany- France or Spain France Italy.
Can't disagree with this more. Its a terrible idea, IMO.
Any trip I've had remotely like that has been my worst ones.
Stick to a country. See different parts of it. It lets you immerse yourself in one culture, one language. You get a lot more out of it and way less travel time.
Posted on 3/11/24 at 11:19 am to Fun Bunch
I would say that 16 days is enough time to do two countries. I would even say that I might get bored doing 16 days in, say, Ireland or Denmark (both great to visit -- just not for that long).
Posted on 3/11/24 at 1:28 pm to GOP_Tiger
A lot of people recommend Italy as place to focus on and delve into.
I love Italy, I speak the language fluently and partially grew up there, it’s a second homeland to me. That said, I have to really push the alternative of the Iberian Peninsula.
Generally the infrastructure in Spain & Portugal both in a general (roads/public transport) and touristic sense are superior to that of Italy.
More favorably priced offerings in just about every category (for Europe these are gonna be your most budget friendly options west of Poland), excellent food, and diversity of landscapes that easily rivals those of France and Italy.
So another dreamy Iberian itinerary for inspirational purposes:
Fly into Barcelona, stay there 5 days including potential day trip to either Girona or Costa Brava.
Take train to San Sebastián (~ 5 hours) spend 2.5-3 days there, 1 hr 30 min bus ride to Bilbao spend 1 fullish day there see the town and the Guggenheim.
Fly Bilbao to Porto (probably an hour long flight max)
3 days in Porto (including Douro Valley daytrip excursion)
Train to Lisboa ( ~ 3 hours)
4 days in Lisbon including day trip to Sintra to hike through the enchanting palaces and estates and finish off with a dip in Praia da Ursa one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen the world over (disclaimer: Ursa only a serious option if you’re dealing with people capable of a semi-intensive hike to descend the cliff to beach)
Fly back stateside from Lisbon.
Second disclaimer: this is not at all to detract from the marvels of bella Italia, it’s absolutely worth visiting, but just providing an option that’s a little bit less cliche for an American visiting Europe for the first time and also a bit more budget friendly.
I love Italy, I speak the language fluently and partially grew up there, it’s a second homeland to me. That said, I have to really push the alternative of the Iberian Peninsula.
Generally the infrastructure in Spain & Portugal both in a general (roads/public transport) and touristic sense are superior to that of Italy.
More favorably priced offerings in just about every category (for Europe these are gonna be your most budget friendly options west of Poland), excellent food, and diversity of landscapes that easily rivals those of France and Italy.
So another dreamy Iberian itinerary for inspirational purposes:
Fly into Barcelona, stay there 5 days including potential day trip to either Girona or Costa Brava.
Take train to San Sebastián (~ 5 hours) spend 2.5-3 days there, 1 hr 30 min bus ride to Bilbao spend 1 fullish day there see the town and the Guggenheim.
Fly Bilbao to Porto (probably an hour long flight max)
3 days in Porto (including Douro Valley daytrip excursion)
Train to Lisboa ( ~ 3 hours)
4 days in Lisbon including day trip to Sintra to hike through the enchanting palaces and estates and finish off with a dip in Praia da Ursa one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen the world over (disclaimer: Ursa only a serious option if you’re dealing with people capable of a semi-intensive hike to descend the cliff to beach)
Fly back stateside from Lisbon.
Second disclaimer: this is not at all to detract from the marvels of bella Italia, it’s absolutely worth visiting, but just providing an option that’s a little bit less cliche for an American visiting Europe for the first time and also a bit more budget friendly.
This post was edited on 3/11/24 at 1:38 pm
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