February Trip

[Heidi]

Hello,
I had an unexpected change in my life and decided that I was going to do what I have always dreamed of. My plan is to stay in Europe for 30 days and this is what I have put together so far:

London 5 days at the Enrico Hotel

Stratford upon Avon : 2 days. The hostile listings were not great so I am thinking a budget hotel 2days

York 2 days at The Blossoms

Edinburgh 3 days with a family friend

Paris 5 days Armstrong looked the best on the web.

Rome 4 days Hotel Chicago

Florence 2 days Hotel Leopolda

Venice 2 days Hotel Murtollo.

I am in the over 35 age group and planing on staying in the individual rooms. I don't think the dorms would be right for me.

How flexible are the hostiles, if I wanted to stay an extra day some where will it be possible ?

I will be buying Brit Rails an Euro-rail passes. Also what is the best way to get from the UK to Paris ?

Thanks so much !!!!

[Jules80]

Heidi,

looks like a great trip. couple of things. don't buy a eurail pass. if you're leaving the uk from edi fly to paris. if you're leaving from london, maybe the eurostar? fly from paris to rome (it will be quite a long train ride) there are loads of budget airlines with cheap flight (30-40 euros). don't buy a eurail pass for italy... in terms of trains, its really cheap in this country.

in february, deciding to stay an extra day at the last minute shouldn't be a problem. however if they have a booking for someone else the next night you won't get your room back. but as it is feb it should be less of a problem.

Jules

[WillTravel]

Check the booking conditions. Some allow 24-hour cancellation, some 72-hour cancellation, and some same-day cancellation. In general, if you reserve directly without credit cards you won't be on the hook, but you'll also lose your room if you don't show up by the specified time.

[herrbert]

Hello Heidi,

I would do the Italian leg of the tour in the other order Venice - Florence - Rome. The reason for this would be that you have a bigger change to get a flight back from Rome to the US/Canada (can't see where you from actualy). Providing you have an open jaw ticket, it would save you one travel.

[Eagle]

Heidi, to add to what the others have posted, your Itinerary looks good, althouth I agree with herrbert in that visiting Venice-Florence-Rome is a much more logical order of travel. Also, you didn't indicate your starting location but if you're traveling from North America, your first day will be used by flight times and the time difference so you will actually have four days in London.

I haven't checked the Hotels you listed, so can't comment. With regard to staying in Dorm rooms in Hostels, it's not really that bad. I'm well over the 35 year old mark, and usually stay in Dorm rooms rather than private rooms. On my last trip in Sept. / Oct., I stayed in both four-bed and six-bed (co-ed) Dorm rooms and had no problems at all. The lack of privacy is a bit of a disadvantage, and for that reason I alternated Hostels with budget Hotels. However, staying in Hostels is usually a good way to meet people.

As Jules80 suggested, your best bet for travel from the U.K. to Paris is probably by air. I haven't checked the schedules, but you should be able to get a flight from Edinburgh to Paris quite easily. Note that many of the budget airlines have quite strict limits for baggage, and tickets are non-refundable once booked.

You might try entering the rail portions of your journeys into www.railsaver.com to see the what options the site recommends for rail passes. Since you'll be using a combination of airlines and rail journeys, you might find that buying P-P tickets won't be much different than using a Rail pass.

If you're going to be visiting any of the Museums in Paris, I would highly recommend that you consider a Paris Museum pass. The three day pass should work well for your trip. You should be able to buy these at most travel agents before you leave, or you can obtain these at Tourist offices in Paris. One other note - it's just about impossible to see all of the Louvre in one day, so just plan to visit one wing - the Denon wing would be a good choice IMHO.

If you're planning to visit the major Museums in Florence (Uffizi or Accademia), reservations would be a really good idea! Your Hotel should be able to book these for you if requested. Not sure how busy these will be in February, but it might save you a long wait in the ticket line? Be prepared for airport-style security at many of the major Museums, St. Peter's in Rome and the Borghese Gallery (NO bags of any kind are allowed there!). Your Daypack or whatever will be put through an X-Ray scanner. Some Museums (Accademia from what I recall???) also don't allow liquids or water on the premises.

I'm assuming from the wording of your Post, that this is your first visit to Europe? If that's the case, I would also highly recommend reading the Rick Steves Guidebook "Europe Through The Back Door 2007" before you leave. It's an essential pre-read for visiting Europe!

Hope this helps. Good luck with your planning!!!

[me]

HerrBert has a great idea, reversing the order of Italian cities. i would add that Florence deserves an extra day. this is especially true if you want a daytrip to Pisa from Florence.

Rome needs at least an extra day. it is, after all, is the most important city in the history of the Western world!

[madamtrashheap]

heidi, totally agree with what the others have posted - advice well worth taking.

A few things on the hostels you've listed:
Enrico, London - in a good area, lots of B&Bs in that area, close to Victoria station (Tube and busses). There are a few cheap places to eat there, but make sure you venture to other parts of the city as it's easy to do so from that location. Most of the B&Bs here are "traditional" London style (make that UK style) in that the bathroom is not in the room and you may have to share with another room (or two). It's not a problem, just something to be aware of.
Stratford-upon-Avon - there are some great B&Bs and Guest Houses to be found in this pretty town; try Avonlea or Bradbourne House (both on the same road), they are about a 10min walk from the old town and near the river (good for strolls past the willows). I stayed in Bradbourne many years ago and was very happy with it.
The Blossoms, York - I've not stayed here, but my brother lives in York and says it's a fine budget hotel in a good location, not too far to walk around (not that York is that big anyway!).
Armstrong, Paris - it's still "inside" Paris (ie inside the ring road Peripherique), but only just. I used to stay with a friend on that side of town and it's just near the Pere Lachaise cemetery (Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt, Marcel Proust and Frederic Chopin's reting places) and not far from the Bastille area which has some good bars, mix of restaurants and clubs. If you would prefer a hostel and closer to the action, have a look at Le Village, Aloha, Peace & Love, Absolute Paris or Woodstock (all accessible on the GFE site too).
Hotel Chicago, Rome - no doubt you've seen a lot of references to two favourite hostels on this site, The Beehive and Alessandro Palace. Hotel Chicago is super close to Termini station which will make arriving and departing easy, as well as walking around central Rome. Although as in many European cities, just be cautious walking around the streets just near the train station as pickpockets like to target these (and other) areas.
Hotel Leopolda, Florence - it's not as central as some hostels and hotels (particularly near the train station), and would be a bit of a walk to the station and centre of town as it's not as close as it seems. There's no need to stay out of town in Florence (unless it's in a villa!), so try hostels & B&Bs near the station and Duomo like Leonardo House Hostel (dorm room), Luna Rossa Gusthouse, Pensione Canada (like a B&B), Hotel Ghibellina (budget hotel, good location), Hotel Fiorita (budget hotel near station, pretty courtyard, security gate and friendly dog!), Florence Room B&B (good location). Over the river near Santo Spirito are places like Soggiorno Pitti (good value hotel) or Hotel Vecchia Firenze (budget hotel). If you still want hotels, look at Albergo Firenze Florence (right in the centre of town), Hotel Della Nazioni (just across from the train station), Viva Hotel Capitol (behind Santa Croce church on other side of town to station, but still good location), Hotel President (not in the centre of town, rooms are basic, but top floor has great views of city and busses run into centre regularly or you can stroll for 15-20mins and get there), Hotel San Lorenzo (10min walk to city centre).
Hotel Murtollo, Venice - not familiar with it. If you like the location and price, then go for it, otherwise there are others like Hotel Arione (near station), Locanda Giovanni e Paolo (more residential palace, but only short walk to St Mark's Square), Haven Hostel (halfway between the station and St Mark's and on the Grand Canal) or Hotel Gallini (not galmourous but good location)

Look into single rooms in hostels as well as dorm rooms (single sex if you don't want co-ed dorms) as they may prove a better ceal in some places. The thing about Hotels is that whilst you'll get a room fairly easily in February (except Venice during Carnivale - Feb 9 to 20th in 2007), the rate may change for "last minute" bookings and not always in your favour. If this is the case, try to reason with them that you've just stayed and really like it so want to stay an extra day - that usually helps!

Have a fantastic trip - may it be better than your dreams!