Caroline First Timer
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Post by Caroline First Timer on Apr 17, 2003 1:52:42 GMT -5
Hi all,
After seeing all the great advice that has been given out on this board, I was hoping someone could help me out with my plans. (Possible itineraries?)
I have never been to Europe before, but am planning to go from May to June. Although Italy and Spain are so far apart I really want to hit both countries (might fly from Italy to Spain to save time)
Current expected itinerary:
Fly to Gemany : Berlin, Munich
Germany to Italy (Pass through Vienna)
Italy: Cinque Terre, Venice, Rome,
Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian
Considering my time constraint, I have a feeling I am being overly ambitious. Do you have an alternate suggestions: Substitutes or extras?
I am also considering the same tradeoff faced by many (train vs busabout) seeing as I have so little time, I'm starting to lean towards the train idea.
Thanks for all your help, I need all the advice I can get
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Post by Kim on Apr 17, 2003 9:35:23 GMT -5
So do you have a total of 4 weeks? Or do you know how many days you will have? That will help us.
If you want to see both Spain and Italy, flying is the way to go, considering they are in opposite directions of the other. Althought I highly don't suggest spending any time in Milan, you can get a very reasonable one way flight from Milan to Barcelona with Ryanair for 20 Euros. (Taxes are 10 Euros, for a total of 30 Euros, an excellent deal)
Have you looked into an open jaw ticket? That's where you fly into one city and out of another-this will save you backtracking to fly out.
As far as the cities you've chosen, I don't have a bad thing to say about any of them, they are all great. It really depends on how many actual days you have though.
Also, where are you from? There might be cheaper places to fly into, rather than Germany.
Kim
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Post by nitsansh on Apr 17, 2003 10:49:16 GMT -5
Com'on... Italy and Spain are not soooo far apart... Barcelona to Milan is an overnight train trip, just like Barcelona to Paris... but if you can fly for 30E, that's surely a better deal!
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Post by Kim on Apr 17, 2003 13:10:32 GMT -5
It's not really cost effective either to take the overnight train as you will have to pay a supplement for a couchette to sleep on, even if you have a rail pass.
And frankly, a 12.5 hour train ride, no matter if it's overnight or not, is something you want to avoid if you can fly for 30 Euros!
Personally, if I only had 2 weeks I would do Spain or Italy and the surrounding countries, not both. If I had 4 weeks, I would go for it. Obviously, it's better to spend your time exploring than on the train.
Kim
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Caroline First Timer
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Post by Caroline First Timer on Apr 18, 2003 3:25:11 GMT -5
Wow 30E for the plan ride? That's amazing considering the train ride was approx $230 CDN. I'd drop that in a second if I could save that much travelling time.
Sorry I can't be a bit clearer about the exact length of my trip. Its because I don't have my plane booked but I still have to be back for my convocation in June.
I will definitely look into that open jaw ticket deal, perhaps I can also fly into Amsterdam instead. It is so close to Germany, and I also wanted to visit it.
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Post by nitsansh on Apr 18, 2003 10:13:14 GMT -5
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Caroline First Timer
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Post by Caroline First Timer on Apr 19, 2003 2:36:55 GMT -5
Hi guys,
Sorry I forgot to mention that I'm from Toronto. I think I will have about 28 days. Give or take one day since I have yet to book my flight tickets!!!
Here is our latest itinerary, since I have looked at some of the advice given on past postings:
Fly from Toronto to Amsterdam
Amsterdam to Berlin
Berlin to Prague
Prague to Vienna
Veinna to Florence
Florence to Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre to Rome
Rome to Milan (only to catch the flight to Barcelona)
Barcelona to Madrid
Madrid to San Sebastian
I'm thinking I might not have enough time to go to all those places, but I can't stand to take something out. (Maybe we could skip Florence? Can you suggest what to skip or add?
Also, Big Ray suggested visiting the island of Bilbao from San Sebastian for the day, so I might drop by there too.
Kim, I'm also interested in staying at the B&B you went to in Cinque Terre, since the hostel gets booked up quickly. Which type of room do you suggest? I will be travelling with my bf.
Thanks for all your help. I'd be lost without you guys.
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Post by BigRay on Apr 19, 2003 6:25:02 GMT -5
Bilbao is an easy day trip from San Sebastian, also easily done in half a day. It's not an island, though. The bus takes about 45 minutes. I am not a big fan of Bilbao in general, but the Guggenheim museum is a worth a visit if you are in town. I saw a Discovery Channel show recently that named it as one of the 10 Modern Architectural Wonders of the World.
Enjoy!
Ray
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Post by nitsansh on Apr 19, 2003 6:43:03 GMT -5
It would make sense to visit Cinque Terre AFTER Rome. It's closer to Milano.
BTW: Ryanair flies from Bergamo to Girona.
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Post by me on Apr 19, 2003 22:09:52 GMT -5
my us$.02: Vienna is much more interesting than Berlin, imho. Spend some time in Vienna, it's a better use of your vacation than Berlin.
Berlin was a *very* fun town before reunification. as it was leagally still under occupation law, men who lived there were exempt from universal military service. so, lots of 18 year old guys moved there to avoid Bundeswehr. Lots of guys there drew lots of girls.
Berlin was, therefore, a youth oriented town. bars stayed open later, because German laws about when they had to close didn't apply there. in short, Berlin was a party town!
Also, the (west) German governmnt gave lots of perks for corperations to locate there (cheaper phones, cheaper mail, lower taxes, etc.)
After reunification, the army exemption went away. all the German laws came into force. Berlin became a big, business oriented city.
In the 3 times i've been there: 1 before the wall came down, 2 for reunification, 3 about five years later, the 1st 2 were amazing fun, the 3rd was a relative yawner. <but, that 3rd trip was 7 or 8 years ago. it may have changed again>
Now, Vienna is different. it's a medium sized city (less than a million) that was once among the most powerful in the world, capitol of Hapsberg empire. The history and culture in Vienna is unique.
Well, almost. Barcelona is also a city that was once a bigger, more important place than it is today. the history & culture there is also very special.
as you can guess, Vienna & Barcelona are two of my favorites. but, i haven't seen much of Italy yet. or Greece. Other places just oozing with history & culture.
- d
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Caroline First Timer
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Post by Caroline First Timer on Apr 27, 2003 2:02:35 GMT -5
I guess things always change:
I finally booked my flight to Amsterdam, but we realized that my bf passport expire in August, so we can't get visas to go to Prague. As a result, we've shortened our trip a bit, but I think we can increase the quality of our stops. Well, Hopefully...
Here is the new one:
Land in Amsterdam (3 nights)
Train to Brussels (3 nights)
Fly from Brussels to Venice (2 nights)
Train to Bolzano (Dolmites Mountains) (1 night)
Train to Florence (2 nights)
Night Train to Rome (3 nights)
Train to Cinque Terre (3 nights)
Train to Bergamo (1 night with day trip to Milan)
Fly from Milan-Bergamo airport to Barcelona (3 nights)
Train to San Sebastian (3 nights)
Night Train to Madrid (2 nights)
Fly to Toronto out of Madrid
The only things set now, are our accomodations in Amsterdam and Cinque Terre. I'm thinking I should also book Barcelona and San Sebastion. We also booked all of the flights, domestic and international.
Has anyone been to those Dolmites Mtns? Is it worth the trip? Am I giving myself enough time b/c I don't even know how to get there. I'm afraid it might be too cold. We might consider staying one night in Siena instead, but I thought it would be awesome to see the mountains.
Thanks so much, you guys are great.
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Caroline First Timer
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Post by Caroline First Timer on Apr 27, 2003 2:04:59 GMT -5
One last thing. Where is the Milano-Bergamo airport?
Is it actually better for us to stay in Bergamo? Accomodations are not very good, but yet very expensive in Milan. I hope this can be a good alternative. Our flight is at 10 am.
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Post by nitsansh on Apr 27, 2003 15:08:54 GMT -5
Which airlines are you flying?
Normally, airlines websites have info of the airports, in particular details about transportation.
If you are flying on Ryanair to Barcelona, be aware that the airport is near Girona, about 2 hours from Barcelona.
The airport Ryanair call Brussels is actually Charlroi, at least one hour from Brussels.
The airport for Milano-Bergamo is Orio el Serio. It's closer to Bergamo than Milano. Allow about an hour to get there from Milano.
If you want to see the Dolomites, I doubt one night in Bolzano is sufficient. Bolzano itself is not very interesting, and you better spend your time in the surrounding valleys, where you should get by bus.
I presume the night train in Italy you mention is from Bolzano to Firenze or Rome. There is definitely no need to travel by night Firenze-Rome...
You can also travel by night Barcelona-San Sebastian.
About the passport issue... isn't there enough time to get an extention? According to regulations, passport must have 6 months validity to enter any country in Europe I know of... he might get away with it on landing in Amsterdam, but if they "throw the book at him", it would be a problem...
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Post by lyane on Apr 28, 2003 16:03:38 GMT -5
Caroline First Timer!!!
When are you leaving and when are you coming back?? I am going to Italy, South of France and Spain from May 5th to May 28th. I leave from Ottawa on May 5th via Toronto, to go to Rome and I also come back from Madrid via Toronto on the 28th?? Are you on my return flight at 1:00pm. Maybe we'll end up in the same cities at the same time (or close anyways...)
I'm going with my bf as well.
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