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Post by Civ on Sept 3, 2002 18:39:56 GMT -5
Hello, I'm new to this board and have already found some helpful information. I have arranged for a little 2 week trip to Western Europe next month. I've bought my r/t ticket to London and have hit a bump in planning. I had hoped to find an open-jaw ticket, but I didn't, so no matter what, I will have to end up in London for my flight home to the states. Here's a little sample itinerary I'm toying with: (These stops will be 2-3 nights ea.) London Amsterdam Berlin Prague Salzburg Back to London Or should I throw in Paris instead of Salzburg, or should I go to Nuremberg and fly back from there, or should I.....!?  Ahhhh! I just can't decide. Mostlty it's an issue of cost. There are only a couple of flights to london that are cheap from certain cities. (i.e. none out of Prague, but only $40 out of Frankfurt!) The other big factor is time. See, I have the attention span of a 5 yr old. If I stick in the same place for too long, I'll get bored or worse...homesick. I'm a on-the-go type of traveler. But I also don't want bite off more than I can chew. I'm welcome to any and all suggestions. Thanks! |
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Post by Patrick on Sept 3, 2002 19:18:53 GMT -5
I'm surprised you can't find good discount flights! London's a major hub for cheap air travel in europe as far as I know.
Maybe you could try
London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Salzburg, Vienna, Paris, back to London
I'd skip Prague if you're going in a month (floods cleanup). I don't think time will be such a big factor, you may find that yourself tired moving from place to place so quickly.
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Post by Kim on Sept 3, 2002 19:57:14 GMT -5
London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Salzburg, Vienna, Paris, back to LondonPatrick's intinary is a good one but Vienna to Paris is a 14 hour train ride, just so you know. However, it is an overnight train if you wanted to do it. If you skip Vienna and do Salzburg, it's 10 hours. Maybe: London, Brugges, Amsterdam, Berlin, Salzburg, Paris, back to London. Actually, to be honest with only two weeks I would scrap Austria all together. With travel time in there, it's a long haul. Have you looked into EasyJet? My friends used them this month and it was cheap.. I looked on their site for fares back to London from different places for next month: Barcelona 87.40 Euros Nice (France) 72.40 Euros Madrid 72.40 Euros It's all about what day you want to fly on. You can fly from Paris to London (Lutton airport) for 14.90 Euros on some weekdays-that's cheaper than a train ticket! If you can be flexible, which you pretty much can, you can get a great deal. They said EasyJet was terrific too-and my best friend is very paticular! Book online for the cheapest prices. Here is their site: www.easyjet.comHmmm... that gets me thinking of a whole new intinary for you! London, Brugges, Amsterdam, Paris, San Sebastian (Spain), Barcelona, Fly back to London. Kim
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Post by me on Sept 3, 2002 22:24:52 GMT -5
must differ with Kim on skipping Austria  salzburg and, especially, vienna are great fun! |
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Post by Kim on Sept 3, 2002 22:56:14 GMT -5
I was just thinking as it's so far to take the train back from Austria to London for a 2 week trip. But maybe you could get a flight back?
Don't have anything against Austria, honest! ;D
As you can probably tell, pretty much any route appeals to me! There are so many places I love in Europe.
I have to double reinforce Brugges as a must, though!
Kim
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Post by Civ on Sept 4, 2002 0:41:39 GMT -5
I’m really hoping to hit Prague, I’ve done some research on the web that all indicates the situation is fairly under control and that the majority of attractions/ hotels are open to travelers. What if it storms again tho?…. It’s a shame because it’s pretty high on my wish list…<br>
There is this Prague excursion pass I’ve been looking into that will take me from any Czech border to Prague and back for $35. So, if I am able to go, the question is how to start heading back to London from there. I’ve read that it’s best to wind the trip down in the cheaper cities so I’m trying to find a nice capper city. How’s Vienna pricewise?
And yes! The train ride has been a factor, the trip from Prague to Paris sounds daunting. I’d like to buy the select pass (three bordering countries) too.
Kim: could you tell me what you like about Brugges so much? My cousin suggested that too and now I’m curious. I think I’ll go look into it now.
Like anyone, I’m on a pretty tight budget, and I’d like to get the most bang for my buck as possible. To be honest, I’m only going into London because the fare was cheaper! I could be happy with just a day or so there… It’s an expensive stop.
Well, I continue to mull it over. There are so many options!!! Thanks for suggestions!
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Post by Civ on Sept 4, 2002 0:45:06 GMT -5
One more thing:
How has everyone's success been with changing plans while abroad? Has anyone ever changed their itinerary when your already there? Has it been a pain? Do you try an make reservations for everything before you leave?
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Post by Kim on Sept 4, 2002 8:40:27 GMT -5
Brugges is incredibly beautiful-it's hard to explain, it's just gorgeous. I remember when the bus turned the corner and I saw the main square, I was in awe! These aren't great pictures as they are small and shrunk for size but just to give you an idea: Cafes in the main square: members.shaw.ca/guideforeurope/brugges.jpgView from the top of the Belfry: members.shaw.ca/guideforeurope/brugges2.jpgIt's only a couple hours from Amsterdam, even if you only do it as a day trip. Make sure to try the chocolates! Kim |
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Post by Patrick on Sept 4, 2002 11:36:31 GMT -5
>> I have to double reinforce Brugges as a must, though! <<
<shakes head> ;D Kim, have you ever thought of opening guideforbrugge.com?? j/k.
And for Civ: Brugge does look very nice from what I've seen in photos and on television.
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Post by LHR02 on Sept 4, 2002 12:07:18 GMT -5
Allow me to chime in on Brugge as well. Loved it! And you really can't explain it, or it's charm I don't think, it's just one of those places you have to see.
Vienna price wise.......believe I addressed this in my from the road report, but I'll say here that for food and accomodations I found it to be very affordable. Probably the best of any similar size city I visited. BUT.....and it's a big one.....the prices to see anything are very high, and it is such a 'for each' situation that is can be prohibitive. EG.....Schornburg (sp) the Hapsburgs summer palace just on the outskirts of town. To see the 'residence' area consisting of a dozen or so rooms is 8 euros. To see the gardens, another 8 euros, the maze, 5 euros, the orangerie, 6 euros, the carriage house, 4 euros.....you get my drift. Plus, you MUST check your coat and backpacks, 1 euro each to do so. To really see that one palace will cost minimum 30 euros. The Hofburg...town palace is even more, as there are more areas to see. I enjoyed Vienna, but be aware it is no bargain.
I liked Salzburg much better BTW.....have on the road for that one too I believe.
ging
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Post by Kim on Sept 4, 2002 12:16:31 GMT -5
All I have to say to you Patrick is that you better be making it a stop on your intinary! ;D ;D
Kim
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Post by nitsansh on Sept 4, 2002 16:34:40 GMT -5
Don't bother to buy the "Prague excursion". Travel in Czech Republic is cheap. From a German border station to Prague won't cost you more than 10$. Check out all the low-cost airlines. There are flights from London to virtually everywhere. www.flybudget.com/Changing plans is no problem when you're not committed to flights and accomodation reservations... that's where a train pass is a big plus... |
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Post by Civ on Sept 4, 2002 19:18:20 GMT -5
nitsansh:
What transport to Prague is that cheap? Is that bus or something? I checked the fares again and it's $29 each way from a couple German borders...
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Post by nitsansh on Sept 4, 2002 20:19:56 GMT -5
29$?? No way!!! Where do you get these prices??
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Post by Civ on Sept 5, 2002 12:39:02 GMT -5
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Ahhhh!
