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re: Planning a my first Europe trip next year
Posted on 3/11/24 at 1:44 pm to GOP_Tiger
Posted on 3/11/24 at 1:44 pm to GOP_Tiger
quote:
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).
That is correct, but I was rec'ing something like Italy or France or Spain, where 16 days doesn't even scratch the surface
Posted on 3/11/24 at 8:39 pm to Fun Bunch
We've disagreed on travel styles. I prefer to get as much in as possible.
I think it's a waste to just go to one country.
Especially when you can take dirt cheap flights between cities in Europe.
I would do a few days in a couple of different countries rather than weeks in one country.
.I knocked out Paris- Amsterdam and Brugges in one trip. In six days.
Then did Madrid- barcelona in five days.
Then Rome, Positano, Pompeii, venice, lugano and como in 8 days.
But to each their own.
I did ask these trips within a calender year. With also taking 5 trips to Mexico and one to South America.
I prefer multiple short vacations rather than a few long ones.
I think it's a waste to just go to one country.
Especially when you can take dirt cheap flights between cities in Europe.
I would do a few days in a couple of different countries rather than weeks in one country.
.I knocked out Paris- Amsterdam and Brugges in one trip. In six days.
Then did Madrid- barcelona in five days.
Then Rome, Positano, Pompeii, venice, lugano and como in 8 days.
But to each their own.
I did ask these trips within a calender year. With also taking 5 trips to Mexico and one to South America.
I prefer multiple short vacations rather than a few long ones.
This post was edited on 3/11/24 at 8:42 pm
Posted on 3/12/24 at 5:54 am to GOP_Tiger
quote:
I would even say that I might get bored doing 16 days in, say, Ireland or Denmark
You can easily do 16 days in Ireland and not get bored. I'd say 16 isn't enough for Ireland imo. I could spend a month there easily but I also like ancient history, nature, pubs, music etc.
Posted on 3/12/24 at 6:25 am to Napoleon
quote:
prefer to get as much in as possible.
I’m like this. I’d rather see more because I’m never going to see much of the world as it is.
Posted on 3/12/24 at 8:00 am to YNWA
quote:
You can easily do 16 days in Ireland and not get bored. I'd say 16 isn't enough for Ireland imo. I could spend a month there easily but I also like ancient history, nature, pubs, music etc.
No shite. This is why it’s a dumb argument for newbies to spend the entire time in one place. I lived in Hawaii for 2.5 years and didn’t do it all.
It’s all what each person wants.
For someone who has never been to Europe, I think it’s crazy to recommend one country, that’s not going to Europe. But if that’s what you want, do it.
There’s nothing wrong with getting a great tasting of multiple countries by doing 3-4 or more in a 2 week span to really get a great taste of different things and see what you really do enjoy and more importantly what you don’t. Pick 4-5 within 2-4 hour train rides or car rides of each other.
Posted on 3/12/24 at 10:15 am to YNWA
quote:
You can easily do 16 days in Ireland and not get bored. I'd say 16 isn't enough for Ireland imo. I could spend a month there easily but I also like ancient history, nature, pubs, music etc.
I would get bored with spending all 16 days of my first European trip in Ireland, knowing how much other cool stuff I could do in other countries only a quick, cheap, 1-hour, flight away.
Because things like ancient history, nature, and music can be found in other countries in Europe besides Ireland.
Back to the OP, I think that trying to do more than four hotels in a 16-day trip is ridiculous. You'll waste lots of time just moving around, checking in and out, and getting your bearings.
Personally, I'd advise picking two countries and staying in two cities in each.
Some random examples:
Barcelona and Madrid, Venice and Florence
Vienna and Salzburg, Athens and Corfu
Brussels and Bruge, Paris and Normandy
This post was edited on 3/12/24 at 10:23 am
Posted on 3/12/24 at 10:36 am to baldona
quote:
For someone who has never been to Europe, I think it’s crazy to recommend one country, that’s not going to Europe. But if that’s what you want, do it.
I think the big question is - Do you think you will come back in the near future?
Some people know they are about to start demanding careers and have kids so long term international travel will likely be put on hold. In those instances, go for broke and knock out as many experiences as you can before life slams on the breaks.
But other people have the flexibility to take long vacations and are just trying to decide if they are beach people, Europhiles, campers, etc... In that case you can do one or two countries at a relaxed pace and plan to go back and hit all of the others on subsequent trips once you have gotten your feet wet and realized that Europe is right up your alley.
It's all about what stage in life you are at and what you enjoy.
Posted on 3/12/24 at 12:33 pm to Tigertown in ATL
quote:
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 sort of agree with this, but don't think it depends on age. I think whether you plan yourself or not depends on how much you enjoy travel research. I am 62, have traveled a good bit, but not as much international, but I am too obsessive and controlling about planning to allow someone else to do it. I love reading travel blogs and books. You need to be able to devote time to planning and like details or you won't get the trip you want. If you aren't willing to do that, let someone else plan.
Posted on 3/12/24 at 12:59 pm to GOP_Tiger
quote:
Because things like ancient history, nature, and music can be found in other countries in Europe besides Ireland.
Yes, you go on those trips next time, and the next time.
Posted on 3/12/24 at 1:01 pm to AUFANATL
quote:
I think the big question is - Do you think you will come back in the near future?
Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh
This is the reason why every person does these stupid 4 country trips "I'll never make it back"
its the exact wrong attitude to have.
Always assume you will enjoy yourself, and that you will.
Focus. Focus on making an ENJOYABLE TRIP. That is the point of a vacation, after all.
Posted on 3/12/24 at 1:33 pm to Tigertown in ATL
quote:
prefer to get as much in as possible.
I’m like this. I’d rather see more because I’m never going to see much of the world as it is.
Totally agree. I plan my vacation to go, go, go and usually plan 1-2 days at the end that are more relaxing for recovery. If I'm going somewhere, I want to see it all.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 2:27 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Always assume you will enjoy yourself, and that you will.
Focus. Focus on making an ENJOYABLE TRIP. That is the point of a vacation, after all.
I'm joking for the most part, but have you ever considered you are just lazy? People travel different.
There's so many places to visit in the world, this idea people should only visit one country on a continent during a long trip is just ignorant unless that person knows FOR A FACT that's their own preference.
I disagree with spending hours and hours and taking multiple flights on a single euro trip, but I know multiple people that did it and loved it.
But Europe is very easy to see multiple cultures on very short 2-3 hour train rides in a single trip. That can be tons of fun.
Its very exciting to me to wake up and get on a train and head to a new country or city. I live for that, for about 2 weeks. Then I'm ready to be home again. Only to want to do it again in a couple of months.
Posted on 3/15/24 at 3:02 pm to baldona
If someone knows that they want to spend all of their time in a specific country, that's one thing.
But if you don't know, my philosophy is to sample two or three and figure out which one I'd like to return to and spend more time in.
But if you don't know, my philosophy is to sample two or three and figure out which one I'd like to return to and spend more time in.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 8:23 am to kciDAtaE
I personally never understood the people who choose to race across Europe like they are collecting items for a scavenger hunt or badges for a vest. I’d prefer more immersion and see less. There’s something to be said for the quality of the experience.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 5:29 pm to Motownsix
I tend to agree. The first trip to Western Europe should be a low impact "taster," in order to figure out what you like, and how you like to do it.
It's kind of ironic that Americans whinge about the EU being relaxed, and plan itineraries that are anything but.
It's kind of ironic that Americans whinge about the EU being relaxed, and plan itineraries that are anything but.
Posted on 3/17/24 at 9:59 pm to lsu4life77
Stay clear. Russia is going to be at war with every European country next year.
Posted on 3/20/24 at 11:12 am to Motownsix
quote:
I personally never understood the people who choose to race across Europe like they are collecting items for a scavenger hunt or badges for a vest. I’d prefer more immersion and see less. There’s something to be said for the quality of the experience.
Although I agree with you, many people go to Europe once in their life.
It’s an understandable tension when traveling. If you are only ever going to spend 4 days in your entire life in Paris, do you relax and stroll within a neighborhood or get in line to see icons of our shared cultural heritage.
Posted on 3/22/24 at 5:15 pm to lsu4life77
It's all pretty amazing, so I'd focus on one or two areas you've always wanted to go, and get to know them very well. That will lessen the complication. Pick a good central location and take day trips by train. If you pick a base with a good airport, you can fly in direct, and save a ton on the rental car. If you like autonomy, get the car and hit the road. Beware of zones in cities which are off limits to non-local cars. The cities all have arrangements with the rental car companies and you'll get nailed when you turn in the car. If you go to Prague, DO NOT take the train to Austria -- what looks like a 2-hour trip takes 8+ hours, IF everything is working right (which it never does). Never travel around All-Saints Day at the end of October. Everyone is on holiday and the transportation and lodging is all booked.
Florence is a must-see, as is the Tuscan countryside. Lucca and Cinque Terre are also amazing and highly recommended, as are the hill towns. Stay a little off the beaten path and you'll eat like a king for less than you will in the cities. Find a weekend festival or flea market and get a roasted pork sandwich. It'll change your life (maybe not, but I'd liken it to eating your first muffaletta or oyster po-boy). Go to Vernazza and have anything with pesto on it. Incredible.
Splurge and get a good camera. Buy extra memory cards so you don't have to download anything and risk losing the images if the laptop hard drive dies.
TRAVEL LIGHT..! Don't dress overtly American, keep a low profile, and act like you've been there before. Study where you are going before you get there. To be sure, the paper is the paper and the ground is the ground, but knowing something about what to expect is important.
If you have someone in your group who is an anal-retentive OCD detail freak or artist, they may be overstimulated by their surroundings, so if you have a walking destination or a particular time you need to be somewhere, you may want to turn them loose to stroll around for a while to take the edge off, otherwise they will take 20 minutes to go one block and everyone else in the party will be frustrated.
Go to the churches. They are incredible, and even if you are not a religious person, you will feel the presence of God. Take it from a not religious person...
Treat the cities like NOLA -- don't venture off alone, and watch your purses and wallets. No expensive jewelry, watches, etc. You know the drill.
Above all, just be nice to people. You're on holiday, not a death march, so chill out and just be a native for a couple of weeks.
Have fun..!
Florence is a must-see, as is the Tuscan countryside. Lucca and Cinque Terre are also amazing and highly recommended, as are the hill towns. Stay a little off the beaten path and you'll eat like a king for less than you will in the cities. Find a weekend festival or flea market and get a roasted pork sandwich. It'll change your life (maybe not, but I'd liken it to eating your first muffaletta or oyster po-boy). Go to Vernazza and have anything with pesto on it. Incredible.
Splurge and get a good camera. Buy extra memory cards so you don't have to download anything and risk losing the images if the laptop hard drive dies.
TRAVEL LIGHT..! Don't dress overtly American, keep a low profile, and act like you've been there before. Study where you are going before you get there. To be sure, the paper is the paper and the ground is the ground, but knowing something about what to expect is important.
If you have someone in your group who is an anal-retentive OCD detail freak or artist, they may be overstimulated by their surroundings, so if you have a walking destination or a particular time you need to be somewhere, you may want to turn them loose to stroll around for a while to take the edge off, otherwise they will take 20 minutes to go one block and everyone else in the party will be frustrated.
Go to the churches. They are incredible, and even if you are not a religious person, you will feel the presence of God. Take it from a not religious person...
Treat the cities like NOLA -- don't venture off alone, and watch your purses and wallets. No expensive jewelry, watches, etc. You know the drill.
Above all, just be nice to people. You're on holiday, not a death march, so chill out and just be a native for a couple of weeks.
Have fun..!
This post was edited on 3/22/24 at 5:17 pm
Posted on 3/22/24 at 5:42 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Another option would be using a place like Paris as your base, enjoy yourself take your time, take day trips elsewhere
I could easily spend 16 days there without leaving the city...
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