|
|
Post by twochutesout on Nov 21, 2003 14:48:36 GMT -5
Hello: was invited by Kim to introduce myself over here and here I am. I have never been to Europe and have been recently given a sudden and unexpected offer to do some work in Italy and France. So some time in mid January I will ship off to upgrade a ton of computers and a few large computer networks, the days will be LONG, the weekends non-existent, and this will carry on for 3-4 weeks. I guess I’d rather be busy in Italy then in Houston, oh yeah I’m from Houston TX. So the good news is I am negotiating (hopefully successfully) a week’s vacation time effectively giving me 9-10 days of personal time in Europe. If all goes well I hope to visit Rome, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. I’m sure Ill have a bunch of questions between now and January so thanks in advance for any advice.
Neil
|
|
|
|
Post by LHR02 on Nov 21, 2003 19:19:31 GMT -5
Hi Neil,
Sounds like you and my son are in the same line of work! He just found out he is being sent to London in early December also related to computers! So, having heard him talk I know what you mean about the hours. He was totally bummed when he got sent to the Cayman's and saw little more than the inside of a data center for 14 hours a day. ;D He was in a first class hotel with an obscene per diem....and slept and worked for 12 days.
Hope you can get them to allow for some personal time while you are there. If nothing else, it's basically free airfare and that's a huge part of your travel budget.
Rome, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 9-10 days is quite a bit.....I'd offer no more than 3 and even at that you'll be a bit rushed, but hey, it's your first trip and will give you at least a flavor of what there is to see.
There are so many knowledgeable folks here, of all ages and travel styles. Unlike some sites, we are not all pure budget/backpackers here so there is a wider range of travel advice. Take me....you couldn't get me to stay in a hostel! I like my creature comforts and privacy. But a nice budget/1 star hotel will fill the bill nicely and at not too many more bucks. No matter where you are going or how you want to travel there is likely someone around here who can offer some help. So please, ask away! Travel is addictive and we all love to talk about it and our trips!
Welcome!
ginger aka dustoffmom
|
|
|
|
Post by LHR02 on Nov 21, 2003 19:44:25 GMT -5
and I have to ask.....are you ex-military (or current) and airborne or a sport skydiver? Or neither.  |
|
|
|
Post by twochutesout on Nov 22, 2003 0:46:47 GMT -5
Haa definitely not ex-military, but yes I have done a bit of sport skydiver, though my rig has just been setting in my closet for the last four months. Honestly the thought of wandering around Europe is much more exciting at the moment.
Thanks for the nice welcome and I agree my agenda might be quite a bit full for the 9-10 allotted days. We should be working close to Rome so hopefully I will be able to visit a few times before my “personal time” takes effect. I am dead set on spending a few nights in Amsterdam (child hood dream type stuff) and hope to fly out of Amsterdam. I don’t know maybe you (or anyone else) could offer a reasonable exciting and short mock itinerary. The trip starts in Rome and ends in Amsterdam, 9 nights and like I said I will hopefully have seen allot of Rome so I will probably only spend one night there and I hope to spend 3 nights in Amsterdam.
Anyhow again in advance for all the great info, will definitely be around.
Neil
|
|
|
|
Post by Kim on Nov 22, 2003 19:17:15 GMT -5
In my opinion, you probably don't want more than 3 stops with only 9 days. With allowing for travel time, you won't have time to do anything with any less.
I think your best bet is probably to fly to Paris, next go to Brugges, Belgium and finally to Amsterdam. That's a perfect amount - maybe 3 nights in Paris, 2 in Brugges, and 4 in Amsterdam since you are really looking forward to it. Or decrease the days in Amsterdam to 2.5 or 3 if you haven't had time to explore Rome.
Trust us, it's not worth it to do any more.
Kim
|
|
|
|
Post by LHR02 on Nov 22, 2003 19:57:04 GMT -5
Couldn't agree more! 3 cities in 9 days is rushing it as it is, to try and do 4 is insane! Really, it is. You are not allowing for travel time I fear and it will eat up your time in amazing ways. If you are not counting on any time in Rome (assuming you have previously gotten times to visit) then I like Kims thoughts. Fly to Paris, 3/4 days there, train to Brugges....oh my goodness you simply MUST TRUST US on this........forget Brussells!!!! 1 night/2 days there will suffice, although stay 2 nights if you've the time, it really is a magical place especially in the evening/early morning before or after the day trippers have come and gone. That will leave you with 3/4 days in A'dam, which you specifically said you want to stay a bit visiting. Any other 'would like to see' spots you want to throw into the mix? I suggest again, do not even think about training it, even o'night trains, north from Rome. Your next stop is a loooong way away and you don't have the time in your schedule to spend 12-18 hours on a train.....not with the cheap flights that can be had nowadays in Europe.
|
|
|
|
Post by LHR02 on Nov 22, 2003 20:16:13 GMT -5
One other thought...considering your somewhat tight schedule I really suggest you do your homework for the cities you ultimately decide upon. Get a good handle on what you want to see/visit, how to get there, what the hours are, etc so you are not overwhelmed and spend most of your time just wandering around trying to decide what to do next.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's my fav way to travel, but you aren't going to have that time luxury this particular trip. Paris especially can just be mind numbing...it is so beautiful and easy to find yourself just standing on a street corner gazing around when you really need to be on the move to your next visit.  Tight iteneraries demand good planning. And, sorry Kim, hate to mention a competitor, but Rick Steves really does a fabulous job of mapping out 1/2/3/ day visits and gets you to all the high points in a realistic route. You might want to check out his web site......but then come right back here!!!  |
|
|
|
Post by twochutesout on Nov 22, 2003 21:25:26 GMT -5
WOW, thanks for all the great info. Yeas I headed advice and have decided to drop Brussels; talked with a good friend who has been and he had much the same views as you guys. I am also definitely planning on flying from Rome north (Paris) as to keep the travel time down. Wow so much to do in the next month or so. Again thanks for the info, great place you guys have here.
two
|
|
Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's my fav way to travel, but you aren't going to have that time luxury this particular trip. Paris especially can just be mind numbing...it is so beautiful and easy to find yourself just standing on a street corner gazing around when you really need to be on the move to your next visit. 
Tight iteneraries demand good planning. And, sorry Kim, hate to mention a competitor, but Rick Steves really does a fabulous job of mapping out 1/2/3/ day visits and gets you to all the high points in a realistic route. You might want to check out his web site......but then come right back here!!! 