Things to do and advice

[arkid67]

Hello all and a thank you to anyone who repsonds with help. OK well a little info to hopefully get some good answers. I plan on traveling alone and I’m thinking about 4-6 weeks of travel time maybe more, not including the flight to Europe and back. The thing is I’ve bought a book “Let’s go, Europe” and I’m still not sure what to do or try to see. Places I’d like to visit are: England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Iceland and Netherlands. Other places I’d like to go but if not enough time I can live without include: Austria, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, and Norway. I don’t care where I fly into or out of, if anyone has any idea where flights from America to Europe are the cheapest that would be a great start. I don’t have to go to all the “places I’d like to visit” I just don’t know what there will be to do when I get there, even though I’ve read the book. I figure I’ll have to cut places out. I like architecture and site see, mountains and nature mostly, maybe a museum here or there. I’d probably stick to the major cities unless someone gives me a reason to go to a different city. What’s the easiest way to get around while in these cities? Just walking around? How exactly do you go about getting from England to the rest of Europe? And I know this might be a thought a lot of people might have but don’t want to ask. I’m not afraid to travel alone for my first time but is there anything that makes it a little easier? Because I know if something bad happens and you’re with someone you can laugh it off or make the best of it or what ever, but when you’re by yourself it is different. Again, thanks for any help. I’m sure I’ll be asking more questions later.

[herrbert]

First of all welcome to this little corner of the net.

What is the best airline to get tickets, I will leave that one to the Americans to answers, but from an European view, you might want to check on LTU, they give pretty good prices, on some days. They fly between a couple of US cities, and Amsterdam, Vienna and some of the big German Airports in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich (and some other places from NY-JFK). I mention this company, because it is a lot of time overlooked by search engines, while it often has good offers)

If you can get an open-jaw tickets, you can fly into one Airport, and out of another. (if it is more expensive, than check if you can get a cheap flight back from you last city on your trip, to the first).

Traveling alone has advantages in making contact with people. When traveling with 2 or more, you are more likely to stay within your little group. Traveling alone for me never turned as lonely. You could always tell people where you are going, and ask people to join you for a couple of days.

As major cities are filled with sites, and other things to do, it doesn't mean that you have seen a country. Ofcourse every town is unique, but in most cases it doesn't reflect the way of living in the whole country. So if you have a chance, do out and see some smaller towns. As a daytrip, or for a longer stay. If you want to see nature and mountains, at least you have to.

There are loads of websites that can tell you what the is to do in a city. (e.g. for England, check www.visitbritain.com), you just need to search. Getting around in the major cities usualy is easy, you can use public transport. (most places offer a tourist card, which includes 48 or 72 hours of public transport, but be aware that there normaly are also 24-48-72 hours public transport cards (or cards for a day), with don't included reductions on attractions, but are a lot cheaper. If you don't intend to go see these attractions, I recommend getting the second option. Walking around is usualy better for orientation. (I know there are people who only know pieces of their own city, that are linked by Metro, who couldn't find their way home, without it.)

The best way to get around in Europe, is usualy a combination between trains, and cheap budgetflights

Scotland, Norway, Austria, Switzerland are great for nature and being in the mountains. Austria will be the cheapest country. Iceland looks a very interesting place, but I've never been.

Sweden and Finland are beautiful but also expensive countries (same for Norway and Switzerland btw).

If you want to see more of Greece, than Athens, than you should reserve about a week to visit some islands. (Pointofnoreturn,has done the research for her trip, so she can give you a better advice). Note, that getting to Greece is pretty easy, by taking a plane in Germany. (I know it looks a little weird Geographicly, but a lot of Germans go to visit the South of Europe, and a lot of the budget-airlines have flights to some of the Islands, check Germanwings, LTU, AirBerlin, Condor)

From England to the mainland, there are plenty of flights from one the airports to almost anywhere in Europe, but you can also opt for the Eurostar (you must make reservations), to get to Brussels or Paris from where you can resume your trip.

For both the flights and the Eurostar: Make reservations when you know the dates you want to travel, waiting longer will make the prices go up.

[madamtrashheap]

Just a point to add to Herrbert's v sound advice:

Not sure where you're located, but if you're in north America, you could look at flying to Europe through Iceland. There are quite a few flights available on this route as it's a popular one when coming from north America.

Based on what you've written in terms of countries you'd like to visit, put together a list of cities you want to see and post a rough itinerary in the "Itinerary" section of these boards. You'll find plenty of suggestions once you've come up with a skeleton plan of places you'd like to visit.

Happy planning!

[Eagle]

arkid67, Welcome! I have a few comments to add.....

In reading your Post, I wasn't sure whether you intended to visit ALL of the 13 countries you listed on your 4-6 week trip??? If that's the case, I believe it would be just about impossible (not to mention expensive!). Adding visits to the other five countries is not possible IMHO. In order to develop a workable Itinerary, you need to pick the 4-5 countries you are most interested in (keeping geographical proximity in mind) and plan your Itinerary around that. Regarding those countries that you don't get to visit, "assume you will return" and plan one or more additional trips.

All of the countries you listed offer architecture, sight seeing, mountains, nature and Museums. Can you offer any more specific information on what might interest you (ie: famous works of art, famous buildings, etc.). Also, were you planning on staying in Hostels, budget Hotels or a combination of the two?

Travelling "solo" has both benefits and disadvantages, but that's the way I usually prefer to travel. It allows one to operate on their own schedule, visit the sights that most interest them and it also "forces" one to interact more with the locals. One minor disadvantage that I've found is that once the trip is over, there is no one to share and relive the experiences with. Still, I believe the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

Since this is your first trip to Europe, I would highly recommend reading the Rick Steves book Europe Through The Back Door. This is an essential "pre-read" for North Americans heading to Europe! The book will give you a good "overview" of some of the things you asked about, such as things to see, places to stay, ways of getting around AND Itinerary planning.

The easiest method in getting from England to the mainland is either via the EuroStar (under the Channel) or by using one of the budget airlines. Which method you choose will depend on where you're going in Europe. If you plan to go from London to Paris, the EuroStar is probably the easiest as it leaves from downtown London (St. Pancras station, I believe). It is a bit "pricey", but if you're travelling with a Railpass, a discounted price is offered. In contrast, many of the budget airlines use airports which are some distance from the city centre, so one has to factor in the time and expense of getting to the airport.

I'm not too familiar with U.S. flights, but generally speaking look for a major hub airport (JFK?) as there will usually be more frequent and cheaper flights available (charters?). I heartily agree with herrbert in that "open-jaw" flights would be your best option (even if they do cost a bit more). Your trip of 4-6 weeks is not a long time in terms of travelling in Europe, so it's important to travel as efficiently as possible (having to return to your first European airport is NOT efficient IMHO!). You might want to speak with a local travel agent to find out what the flight options might be from your area.

When you've worked out a tentative Itinerary, I'm sure the wonderful group here will be able to help you "smooth out the wrinkles".

Good luck with your planning. Cheers!!!

[herrbert]

Just to follow up on Eagle:

The cheapest Eurostar tickets (London - Paris) are sold at 45 euros, which I think is a good deal, compared with budgetflight. But you need to reserve these tickets, and show up on time (don't to St. Pancrass, but to Waterloo )

If you can't find a ticket for that price, than you can try BMIbaby for a flight London Heathrow - Paris Charles de Gaulle, or Easyjet London - Luton (further away than Heathrow) to Paris Charles de Gaulle.

At what time of the year would you be traveling? This could have some impact on the choices for the countries.

[Eagle]

Some further clarification on the EuroStar station in London....

I guess I was a bit early in specifying the St. Pancras station as the terminal in London. A quote from the Rail Europe website:

> In 2007 the second section of the new UK high-speed rail line will open.
> St Pancras International will become Eurostar’s new London home and create a high-speed link to the Continent from the heart of the city.
> The completion of the UK high-speed line will further reduce journey times and open up international rail services to anyone living north of London.
> Fastest London-Paris journey time will be 2 hours 15 minutes and London-Brussels 1 hour 53 minutes

I'm not sure exactly when the change is going to occur? Perhaps someone else has further information.

Happy travels!!!

[herrbert]

Found it !!!

We are moving our Eurostar services from Waterloo International to St Pancras International.

We’re doing all the hard work. All you have to do is remember this date:

Wednesday, 14 November 2007

It’s when we will be launching our services from St Pancras International.

The last services to arrive at and depart from Waterloo International will be on 13 November 2007. Then, overnight, we will move to St Pancras International, our new home in the centre of London.

Wednesday 14 November 2007 marks the beginning of a new era in high-speed rail – and a revolution in travel between the UK and Continental Europe. St Pancras International, in the heart of London, offers better connections throughout the UK and will be home to a faster Eurostar.

For the complete article on eurostar.com: www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/about_eurostar/on_the_move.jsp

Until the 13th of November go to Waterloo, after that to St. Pancras.

[madamtrashheap]

herrbert said:

Until the 13th of November go to Waterloo, after that to St. Pancras.

The original date was June 2007.....gotta love progress!

Nice find Herrbert! And I still maintain that London-Paris is best done on the Eurostar