Post by allsf on Jul 4, 2009 19:44:39 GMT -5
I've just decided to make a long time dream come true and I am planning a last minute trip to Europe.. I am flexible as when to leave (late July/early August) and how long to travel for.. but I'd like to travel for as long as my dollar allows me to..
I am a bit overwhelmed by all the planning.. knowing me and the way I do things, I usually go for well planned trips so I am a bit freaked out - and excited! - trying to put all this together last minute..
I'd say my main concern is money (isn't that everybody's concern?).. considering all I want to see and do I still have to do what's best for my budget, right? I initially thought I'd be willing to spend about U$10,000 for the whole trip (not including the airfare from the USA since I'll be using my miles).. but then I realized some sort of train pass or air fares would eat a good chunk out of it, right? is that budget even realistic at all? is that enough money to see about 20 cities in like 3 or 4 months??
I am not searching for five stars hotels but I do have some concerns about hostels (I've never stayed in one!).. mainly I'd like this trip to be fun and adventurous.. with lots of sightseeing, museums, parks, and some sort of entertainment and nightlife too.. I am not a party guy, but I do enjoy a drink or two every once in a while..
I know my itinerary looks a bit ambitious, so I'll need to be careful with my expenses in order to stretch my dollar and see as much as I can for as long as I can..time is not the issue here.. money may be.
I understand July and August are not the best times to go to Europe so I think I want to do the northern countries first so I can escape the hot weather and crowds of the most southern places. I can get a good deal with my miles to fly to Amsterdam or London.. not Paris, nor Oslo, nor Copenhagen, nor Prague, nor Berlin though..
again, I know this is VERY AMBITIOUS.. PLEASE feel free to critique.. it's all in planning still so nothing is set in stone.. I am more than open to nix or add places.. how much time should I allow to these places? things to do/ places to see/ any gay inputs?
Amsterdam/ Copenhagen/ Oslo/ Stockholm/ Berlin/ Prague/ Bratislava/ Budapest/ Bucharest/ Istanbul/ Athens/ Rome/ Venice/ Nice/ Barcelona/ Morocco/ Johannesburg/ Madrid/ Lisbon/ Porto/ Paris/ London/ Dublin/ Glasgow/ Amsterdam
am I wasting time going to any of these places? am I missing something amazing along the way?
also, what would be the best option for my main transportation? a 3 month train pass? unlimited? HELP? I don't think I want to do a super planned trip with all in the paper.. I would like to have some flexibility as for staying longer in a place I love and less days in a place I don't care for.. how do I do this regarding accommodations?
any questions/ concerns/ comments/ suggestions will be super welcomed.. anybody into meeting up along the way?
THANKS BUNCHES!!!!
I am a bit overwhelmed by all the planning.. knowing me and the way I do things, I usually go for well planned trips so I am a bit freaked out - and excited! - trying to put all this together last minute..
I'd say my main concern is money (isn't that everybody's concern?).. considering all I want to see and do I still have to do what's best for my budget, right? I initially thought I'd be willing to spend about U$10,000 for the whole trip (not including the airfare from the USA since I'll be using my miles).. but then I realized some sort of train pass or air fares would eat a good chunk out of it, right? is that budget even realistic at all? is that enough money to see about 20 cities in like 3 or 4 months??
I am not searching for five stars hotels but I do have some concerns about hostels (I've never stayed in one!).. mainly I'd like this trip to be fun and adventurous.. with lots of sightseeing, museums, parks, and some sort of entertainment and nightlife too.. I am not a party guy, but I do enjoy a drink or two every once in a while..
I know my itinerary looks a bit ambitious, so I'll need to be careful with my expenses in order to stretch my dollar and see as much as I can for as long as I can..time is not the issue here.. money may be.
I understand July and August are not the best times to go to Europe so I think I want to do the northern countries first so I can escape the hot weather and crowds of the most southern places. I can get a good deal with my miles to fly to Amsterdam or London.. not Paris, nor Oslo, nor Copenhagen, nor Prague, nor Berlin though..
again, I know this is VERY AMBITIOUS.. PLEASE feel free to critique.. it's all in planning still so nothing is set in stone.. I am more than open to nix or add places.. how much time should I allow to these places? things to do/ places to see/ any gay inputs?
Amsterdam/ Copenhagen/ Oslo/ Stockholm/ Berlin/ Prague/ Bratislava/ Budapest/ Bucharest/ Istanbul/ Athens/ Rome/ Venice/ Nice/ Barcelona/ Morocco/ Johannesburg/ Madrid/ Lisbon/ Porto/ Paris/ London/ Dublin/ Glasgow/ Amsterdam
am I wasting time going to any of these places? am I missing something amazing along the way?
also, what would be the best option for my main transportation? a 3 month train pass? unlimited? HELP? I don't think I want to do a super planned trip with all in the paper.. I would like to have some flexibility as for staying longer in a place I love and less days in a place I don't care for.. how do I do this regarding accommodations?
any questions/ concerns/ comments/ suggestions will be super welcomed.. anybody into meeting up along the way?
THANKS BUNCHES!!!!