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Help planning my first trip to europe
Mon, 01/05/2009 - 03:21
Hello everyone,
I am in the early stages of planning my trip to Europe. This is my first trip to Europe, so I want to get as much in as possible, but I also want it to go over with some ease. I’m lucky, I’m traveling with my girlfriend, who speaks French, so some of the inconviences of my first trip will be moot.
Anyway, so the 2 trip options Im planning are for a 14 day span max:
1. London -> Paris (Normandy) -> French Riveria -> Rome
2. London -> Paris (Normandy) – French Riveria -> Barcelona
Questions:
A. For trip 1, is this a possible trip for the 14 day span? Will I have enough time in each city to see all the major sights? 3 days in London, 3 days in Paris, 1 day in Normandy (I believe its a 2 hr train up and back, so I’d sleep over?), 3 days in the Cote D’azur (travel day or overnight train?), then 3 days in Rome? With travel time, is this fine?
B. Is trip two possible? I saw that there may not be a nonstop train from Nice to Barcelona. The plane tickets look to be closer to $1000, so that doesnt seem to be a choice.
C. If I get the railpass, and want to take a night train, is it just an upgrade in price from the pass to get a sleeping room, or can I not use the pass for a discount off the fair? I’m not sure how it works.
I’m sure Ill have more questions after some responses.
The main issue is that I have to fly out of a US Air destination, and Barcelona and Rome seem to be the best of the 2 in the South.
“A” should be posted on our “favorite places” forum or as a “Eurotrip.”
“B” is really a question for “cheap flights”
A. Yes, it’s possible to do, but it’s terribly rushed and you won’t see “all the major sights” unless you count driving by them on a city tour bus. How are you counting 14 days? If it’s 14 days from North America, then day 1 is overnight flight to London, arriving (jet lagged and sleep deprived) day 2 and day 14 is entirely taken up with your flight home — which means it won’t work. I recommend 4 days each for London, Paris and Rome….
B. This is even more difficult. Where are you looking for flights? Use www.whichbudget.com to see which low cost airlines fly which routes.
You should cut Rome or Barcelona if you want to have a comfortable 14 day trip….
C. Your railpass will cover the cost of the basic ticket. On overnight trains you have to pay extra for your sleeping accommodation and occasionally pay a supplement. This link lists the cost, with a railpass, for the most popular overnight trains. It includes the price without a railpass for a few of the routes. http://ourworld.comp…