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Post by atmlady on Dec 19, 2002 16:12:31 GMT -5
I'd like to take my 17 year old daughter with me, touring by rail, staying in hostels, sometime this summer, beginning in Amsterdam.
Please comment on the route - Holland - France - Spain - Italy - Austria - Prague - Back to Amsterdam (don't think we'll have time for Germany).
Q1. Can this be done in 14 - 15 days?
Any advice at all re hostels, tours, change of route would be welcome!
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Post by nitsansh on Dec 20, 2002 16:00:53 GMT -5
To sum it in 2 words: super fast!
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Post by Kim on Dec 20, 2002 17:35:56 GMT -5
I think you might have to lean towards Spain or Italy-they are in two different directions and take quite a bit of travel time-especially for two weeks. A key to this trip would be to get a flight back from your last stop to Amsterdam. When we flew in and out of Amsterdam, KLM offered a "Back to Amsterdam" flight that cost us about $125 Canadian each and was good to fly back to Amsterdam from anywhere in Europe. It saved us a ton of time and we were so glad we had them. I am in Canada though, not sure if this is available in the US. One other thing-make sure the travel agent checks for youth/student fares for your daughter-often they are cheaper. As far as the route, this would be my suggestion: Amsterdam (2 days) Brugges, Belgium (1.5 days) Paris, France (3 days) Barcelona, Spain (3 days) Madrid, Spain (3 days) Fly back to Amsterdam (1 day) You have to add in time for travelling to these places via train, unless you get cheap flights. You don't want to be so exhausted that you've spent your whole trip on the train. Basically, I personally wouldn't want any less than 2 days in a city, unless it was very small. You could easily spend your two weeks in one country alone if you wished. Here's a few other intinaries: Amsterdam Berlin Prague Salzburg Venice Fly back to Amsterdam Amsterdam Berlin Paris Venice Rome This is a good map for seeing where the countries are in relation to each other. www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/loc-eur.htmAs you can see, if you go to Spain, Italy will be a LONG trip unless you fly. You might want to look into some of the cheap flights as it is.(Nitsansh, do you have any info on flights you could give them?) All in all, don't spread yourself too thin-you want to relax and enjoy it. Kim |
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Post by nitsansh on Dec 20, 2002 18:30:20 GMT -5
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Post by me on Dec 21, 2002 13:19:38 GMT -5
if i might add my two bits: if cheap flights are out, look into overnight trains. these can be a good way to get between places of interest while you sleep.
this is most practical for longer trips. i've used overnights, in 2nd class, between Barcelona & Madrid, and between Madrid & Lisbon.
watch out for Eurail passes. your daughter might qualify for a Student/Youth Pass (2nd class), but you'd need an Adult Pass (1st class). it might be cheaper for you both to just buy individual 2nd class tix. but, that would take away the ease of hopping on trains without waiting in what could be long ticket lines.
an alternative to flying back to the same city where you arrived, look into "open jaw airline tickets." it might cost no more than a round trip plus the one way fare. it doesn't hurt to ask! [if you end up flying round trip + a one way, i prefer to add the one way at the start of the trip. get the connecting flight out of the way when you get there. that way, have a straight home flight at the end of the trip when i'm worn out from traveling. depending on weather paterns when you'll be there, it might be more practical to do it that way]
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