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re: Two weeks in Europe
Posted on 3/23/22 at 12:01 pm to GeauxTigahs92
Posted on 3/23/22 at 12:01 pm to GeauxTigahs92
I would pick a single country, a single region of that country and stay a week, while doing daytrips. Then I would go to a second country and do the same.
I would suggest Ireland and Scotland
Or Spain ( Barcelona) and France (Nice)
Or France (Nice) and Italy (Amalfi coast).
Doing Ireland and France would be great. I'd definitely start with Ireland and remember you can land in Shannon or Dublin. I'd book a place in Dublin for the whole week and just do day trips.
Then on to whatever region of France you prefer, Paris being the most obvious. Remember , you can book KILLER day trips from anywhere and that allows you the comfort of having a base and still take a bus or train out to great areas for the day and return 10-12 hours later. If you go on Tripadvisor and just look at the "Things to do" category that is usually the way to go.
I would suggest Ireland and Scotland
Or Spain ( Barcelona) and France (Nice)
Or France (Nice) and Italy (Amalfi coast).
Doing Ireland and France would be great. I'd definitely start with Ireland and remember you can land in Shannon or Dublin. I'd book a place in Dublin for the whole week and just do day trips.
Then on to whatever region of France you prefer, Paris being the most obvious. Remember , you can book KILLER day trips from anywhere and that allows you the comfort of having a base and still take a bus or train out to great areas for the day and return 10-12 hours later. If you go on Tripadvisor and just look at the "Things to do" category that is usually the way to go.
Posted on 3/23/22 at 1:33 pm to Lsupimp
I agree with everything you said but the Amalfi Coast. It’s not a good base to explore from. The ferries get shut down if the wind and chop gets up and the roads are terrifying to most people.
It’s a great place to visit for a few days.
It’s a great place to visit for a few days.
Posted on 3/23/22 at 2:11 pm to baldona
quote:
What's your age and how many times have you been to Europe?
42
7 times
Posted on 3/23/22 at 3:28 pm to VABuckeye
Yeah, probably true. So just pick any region in Italy that applies. The Piedmont is perfect and close to the south of France. I love that Ireland/ France idea though. Nice contrast and both awesome for totally different reasons.
Also, lord I love Barcelona. It’s so easy to just walk and do things there and there are so many great day trips. Oh and tapas and sangria and Catalonian people.
Also, lord I love Barcelona. It’s so easy to just walk and do things there and there are so many great day trips. Oh and tapas and sangria and Catalonian people.
Posted on 3/23/22 at 4:08 pm to NOLALGD
quote:
In this case my best advice is fly into Dublin, 4-5 days there/surrounding areas then quick flight to Paris and spend 7-8 days in France (assuming you have a full travel day on each end).
This would be my recommendation. If your must-do's are Ireland and France, spend a bit of time in Ireland, then fly to France and spend more time there. I wouldn't recommend adding a 3rd stop because you're limiting your enjoyment of your other two.
But I also don't like to feel rushed, and enjoy exploring cities more than I enjoy just seeing sites. For example, I've been to New York 5 times and I've never seen the Statue of Liberty or been inside the Empire State building
ETA: in 2020 we did Amsterdam (3 days) and Paris (5 days), and I felt a bit rushed in Paris. 3 days was fine for Amsterdam though.
This post was edited on 3/23/22 at 4:13 pm
Posted on 3/23/22 at 9:33 pm to GeauxTigahs92
There's certainly more to see and do in France than there is in Ireland.
The amazing thing about Ireland is just how green it really is, but the reason for that is that it rains a half the days of the year in the west of Ireland and a third of the days of the year on the east coast. What makes Ireland special is the warm water of the Gulf Stream that then causes all those rains.
So, the Ring of Kerry has some spectacular scenery, but you absolutely have to be prepared to go see it and find that it's raining or foggy, and you really can't see much that day.
But, yes, the focus of your Ireland trip should not be Dublin. I'd suggest spending a couple of days based in Cork or Killarney, and you should consider renting a car.
France is so much bigger than Ireland. If you're going for a week, then Fun Bunch is right that you should just spend it in Paris. You can go for a daytrip to Versailles or Chartres, but there's plenty in Paris to keep you occupied for a week.
Save Austria for another trip.
The amazing thing about Ireland is just how green it really is, but the reason for that is that it rains a half the days of the year in the west of Ireland and a third of the days of the year on the east coast. What makes Ireland special is the warm water of the Gulf Stream that then causes all those rains.
So, the Ring of Kerry has some spectacular scenery, but you absolutely have to be prepared to go see it and find that it's raining or foggy, and you really can't see much that day.
But, yes, the focus of your Ireland trip should not be Dublin. I'd suggest spending a couple of days based in Cork or Killarney, and you should consider renting a car.
France is so much bigger than Ireland. If you're going for a week, then Fun Bunch is right that you should just spend it in Paris. You can go for a daytrip to Versailles or Chartres, but there's plenty in Paris to keep you occupied for a week.
Save Austria for another trip.
Posted on 3/23/22 at 11:02 pm to GOP_Tiger
I posted on here a few days ago that my favorite two week itinerary is to spend ten days in Tuscany, consisting of 3 in Florence and a week at a villa in the countryside exploring the hill towns, then take the train from Florence to Venice. But, on a first trip across the pond, this may be too concentrated. Save that for another time. Or, do Florence as a day trip from the villa and add Rome at the beginning. It is a quick and easy flight from Rome to Florence.
If you want to go to Ireland and France, I would fly in to Dublin, explore Ireland for a few days, go to London, take in the sights there, then take the Eurostar which gets you from downtown London to downtown Paris in three hours. Spend as many days as possible in Paris from where you can take some great day trips. That is my recommendation.
If you want to go to Ireland and France, I would fly in to Dublin, explore Ireland for a few days, go to London, take in the sights there, then take the Eurostar which gets you from downtown London to downtown Paris in three hours. Spend as many days as possible in Paris from where you can take some great day trips. That is my recommendation.
Posted on 3/23/22 at 11:43 pm to GeauxTigahs92
I can't speak to traveling post-Covid, but we were in VERY similar shoes back in 2012 (18 days to use). As far as itinerary: wife needed Paris, I needed Munich, and we both needed Cinque Terre.
Our trip that year was Paris > Munich > Salzburg > Halstatt > Venice > Cinque Terre > Rome
It was a whirlwind, but a thrilling one. Mostly short trains aside from Halstatt to Venice (full day). Did first-class from Paris to Munich for $7 more which made life easier. This itinerary came with shorter visits, but it also let us find out what we like most about Europe and what we don't.
The phrase "assume you will return" is the key point here; you probably need to ask yourself this before you book your itinerary. Once you get a taste of Europe, you're going to want to start planning the next trip, but kids, money, etc can get in the way. If you're going to return, why not do France on this trip and Ireland on the next? If you're not, do both while you can.
Your itinerary isn't easy...Ireland is best explored slowly by car IMO, and how much of France is your wife hoping to see? You brought up Sound of Music which is Salzburg area and one of my favorites to explore but that may be a leap of faith when stacked next to your top priorities.
Lots of great advice in this thread...I'd recommend watching a few Rick Steves shows and seeing where you want to immerse yourselves.
Good luck and enjoy the planning process! We did 2012, 2014, and 2018 in Europe (plus a failed attempt in 2020 to take my daughter to Keukenhof to see the tulips). Aside from life with the kids, on my deathbed it will be those days spent abroad that I cherish most. Get over there while you can.
Our trip that year was Paris > Munich > Salzburg > Halstatt > Venice > Cinque Terre > Rome
It was a whirlwind, but a thrilling one. Mostly short trains aside from Halstatt to Venice (full day). Did first-class from Paris to Munich for $7 more which made life easier. This itinerary came with shorter visits, but it also let us find out what we like most about Europe and what we don't.
The phrase "assume you will return" is the key point here; you probably need to ask yourself this before you book your itinerary. Once you get a taste of Europe, you're going to want to start planning the next trip, but kids, money, etc can get in the way. If you're going to return, why not do France on this trip and Ireland on the next? If you're not, do both while you can.
Your itinerary isn't easy...Ireland is best explored slowly by car IMO, and how much of France is your wife hoping to see? You brought up Sound of Music which is Salzburg area and one of my favorites to explore but that may be a leap of faith when stacked next to your top priorities.
Lots of great advice in this thread...I'd recommend watching a few Rick Steves shows and seeing where you want to immerse yourselves.
Good luck and enjoy the planning process! We did 2012, 2014, and 2018 in Europe (plus a failed attempt in 2020 to take my daughter to Keukenhof to see the tulips). Aside from life with the kids, on my deathbed it will be those days spent abroad that I cherish most. Get over there while you can.
Posted on 3/24/22 at 6:47 am to drockw1
quote:
but kids, money, etc can get in the way.
Truer words were never spoken.
I backpacked for 3 months in Europe in '79. Later met wife (no pics) and we traveled to Germany, Austria, Switzerland in the mid 80's.
Then kids and life got in the way.
ONLY in 2017 did we "re-begin" our European travels. Have been blessed to have taken 3 Viking River Cruises and gotten to visit a large number of new European Countries we'd never been to, particularly Eastern European Countries.
Our theory is as we age we can visit more of the US, but for now we hope to do one big European Trip / Year. Next up is a Viking Ocean Cruise in May touring Norway/Sweden/Poland/Germany. Can't wait.
Get it while you can. Life's too short to sit around and dream. Do it!
Posted on 3/24/22 at 9:51 am to Epic Cajun
quote:
If your must-do's are Ireland and France, spend a bit of time in Ireland, then fly to France and spend more time there.
Maybe I just hate airports more than most, but I'm very surprised at the amount of people supporting France and Ireland in the same trip. I would NOT do those together, especially for a first time. Admittedly flights really aren't THAT bad, its probably 1.5 hours and they are pretty cheap. Its just the added stress of getting to the airport, getting there early, Covid procedures, repacking for a flight, getting from the arrival airprot to city center, etc.
But if you are going to Dublin/ Ireland I really think that should be more than 7 days. There's a lot to see and do there but also not weeks and weeks. 10-14 days and you can really see a vast majority of Ireland.
I would consider going to Ireland for a first trip if you want to go there, its a great way to start exploring internationally. Then go from there.
Or save Ireland for the future.
Posted on 3/24/22 at 11:21 am to baldona
I would not do that either.
I think people are just saying he could, if that's what he really wants to do, and here's how.
I think its a terrible idea.
I think people are just saying he could, if that's what he really wants to do, and here's how.
I think its a terrible idea.
Posted on 3/24/22 at 11:30 am to baldona
All of that is true unless you want to look at it this way. Ireland and London make sense on the same trip and Paris is a quick, easy and actually enjoyable train ride from London.
Posted on 3/24/22 at 1:04 pm to geauxpurple
I don't understand why London makes any sense. If he wants to spend time in Ireland and France, then a week in Ireland and a week in Paris is a great trip.
No, he can't see all of Ireland in a week any more than he can see all of France in a week, but again travel as though you are coming back.
There's nothing wrong with getting a good first taste of both countries, and a week in each is a good way to do that.
I simply strongly disagree that you should spend that Irish week in Dublin. Split it up with some time in Cork/Killarney/Galway. You can see what you want to see in Dublin in 2-3 days.
No, he can't see all of Ireland in a week any more than he can see all of France in a week, but again travel as though you are coming back.
There's nothing wrong with getting a good first taste of both countries, and a week in each is a good way to do that.
I simply strongly disagree that you should spend that Irish week in Dublin. Split it up with some time in Cork/Killarney/Galway. You can see what you want to see in Dublin in 2-3 days.
Posted on 3/24/22 at 1:18 pm to Fun Bunch
Not sure the big deal in taking a flight midway through a 14 day trip, especially if youre spending one week in/around one place and 2nd week in/around another place…
Get to the airport 2 hours early, 1.5 hour flight, 1 hour to get bags and get to destination. Thats 4.5 hours over the course of 14 days, more than half of which are spent having drinks in the airport/on the plane. As long as thats blocked off as a travel day and you don’t have some big activities planned there’s really no problem there. Not a whole lot different then a 6 hour train ride
Now if you were trying to hit several different places in that 2 week span then thats a terrible idea
Get to the airport 2 hours early, 1.5 hour flight, 1 hour to get bags and get to destination. Thats 4.5 hours over the course of 14 days, more than half of which are spent having drinks in the airport/on the plane. As long as thats blocked off as a travel day and you don’t have some big activities planned there’s really no problem there. Not a whole lot different then a 6 hour train ride
Now if you were trying to hit several different places in that 2 week span then thats a terrible idea
Posted on 3/24/22 at 1:23 pm to PassGassed
Air travel is just stressful. Nothing ever goes as planned, getting to and from the airport, getting on board through security, etc. If you can avoid it I generally try to.
Another reason why I like the "Stick to 1 Country" Trip:
Language and Custom. You can focus on learning some key phrases in 1 language if you need to. You can focus on learning 1 set of customs (tipping, etc), types of food run less of the gamut, etc etc.
Its a small thing, but it improves trips for me. The Euro does make things a lot easier in Europe, though.
Another reason why I like the "Stick to 1 Country" Trip:
Language and Custom. You can focus on learning some key phrases in 1 language if you need to. You can focus on learning 1 set of customs (tipping, etc), types of food run less of the gamut, etc etc.
Its a small thing, but it improves trips for me. The Euro does make things a lot easier in Europe, though.
Posted on 3/24/22 at 2:32 pm to PassGassed
quote:
Get to the airport 2 hours early, 1.5 hour flight, 1 hour to get bags and get to destination. Thats 4.5 hours over the course of 14 days
I would add at least an hour to this. You are saying get there 2 hours early but that doesn't include traveling to the airport as well as packing, packing for a plane is different than packing for a train as far as disposables and what not. Additionally, depending on your flight times you can lose time there or change your schedule around.
But you are correct, its not a HUGE deal. I just think its not nearly as easy as hopping on trains. I just am of the opinion if you are flying around Europe outside of island hopping or something of that nature you may be trying to cover too much ground in one vacation.
This post was edited on 3/24/22 at 2:34 pm
Posted on 3/24/22 at 8:02 pm to GeauxTigahs92
quote:
Wife (no pics) and I would like to take a two week trip to Europe in the near future. How many countries can you realistically go to and enjoy each of them? Which ones would you recommend and prioritize? Neither of us have been out of the country so we have no experience with international travel.
Is this a once in a lifetime trip or do you see yourselves going back?
What's important for yall to see/do? Cities? Small Towns? Nature? History? Shopping?
With a few more details we can probably help you more effectively.
Posted on 3/24/22 at 10:29 pm to baldona
Every airport is different and some are pretty easy to get in and out of whole others are an hour from the city center. Some airports are linked to the metro and you can zip right to where you need to be. I think you need to know your logistics. The more time you spend in transit, the less pleasant it tends to be. That being said, I like to do a main destination action and then add a stopover for an extra experience. Renting a car can also save you a lot of time while covering a lot of ground and seeing smaller towns. For Ireland, I would absolutely rent a car.
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