Itinerary - May 2007

[tiffany]

Great site. I've been doing some research planning a trip in May 2007 and I always seem to end up back here. So I'm hoping I can get some suggestions regarding my tentative itinerary.
Fly into London – April 30th
Cheap flight to Paris (night of 30th ) May 1st – May 5th
Train to Nice/Monaco/Marseille/Saint Rapheal? not sure? (travel by train night of 5th) May 6th – May 8th
Train to Cinq Terre/La Spezia area – May 8th – 10th
Rome – May 11th – 15th (day trip to Pompeii/Naples)
Florence/Venice – May 15th – May 18th
Interlaken/Gimmelwald (travel night of 18th) – May 19th – May 22nd
Gimmelwald to Berlin (night train 21st) – May 22nd – May 25th
Berlin to Amsterdam (night train 25th) – May 26th – May 29th
Flight to London from Amsterdam – May 29th (night)
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND – MAY 30th!!!
Return to St. John’s - June 4th
This is a rough schedule. I know it seems odd that I am flying into London and then heading on to Paris right away, but it is the cheapest way I can to it considering the flights I have available to me when departing from Newfoundland. I will spend time in London at the end of my trip. I am planning to take night trains when possible and will have a Eurail pass for these countries.
I am open to any suggestions/comments anyone may have.
Happy New Year,
Tiffany

[pointofnoreturn]

I'll basically be in the same city as you at the same time for Paris, Rome, Florence and London LOL!

I think the amount of time you set aside for Paris, Rome and London are great. I'm spending 3 nights in Florence and opted out of Venice because of $$$$ reasons and decided to spend my time in Greece instead.

Noticed you were a Newfie! Yay, a fellow Canadian although I'm not a Newfie. Not a fan of Dave Matthews but it's great you scored tickets!

I'll leave it up to the other members of the forum to post comments re: other cities since I'm not really too familiar with them.

[herrbert]

Hi Tiffany, your itinerary looks great.

You could change it a little bit around, by taking the plane (easyjet), and fly London - Nice (Easyjet 32 pounds) to my knowledge, the only cheap flight into Nice, at the moment), and put Paris on the end of your route. But it would mean a really long day, when you also cross the Atlantic, but it will only take 45 minutes more)

Flying Berlin - Amsterdam, would be an option (transavia), but you have to see what is best economical. train or plane). I know you will be on a pass, but if cheap flights, can make it possible to get a cheaper pass (less countries/less days), it can be profitable to book some flights.

Happy New Year,
and Happy planning.

[tiffany]

Thanks for the replies.
pointofnoreturn: Who knows maybe we will bump into each other somewhere along the way. It is a small world!
herrbert: Thanks for the info. I will look into your suggestions. I already have my Eurail pass purchased for 7 days of travel so I will want to use that up for sure - considering the cost. If I can get some cheap flights rather than train I will. Maybe then that will allow a day trip with my pass?
I was wondering if I should look into booking hostels now/before I leave? I don't want to be too restricted by having reservations but at the same time I don't want to end up in a city without somewhere decent to stay. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[herrbert]

Even when you are traveling in May/June I would advise you to book the hostel before leaving. If you are going to take some flights, you will lose some of the flexibility already. As you want to visit a lot of places, in a short amount of time, it is wiser to make a tight shedule, and stick to this. (a lot of people claim they want flexibility, but that will only work, if you go without a plan, and lots of time).

I always book ahead, to be sure of a good hostel, and in this way I never have to worry (and spend time) to find somewhere to stay.

If you already have a trainpass, be sure to use it, it would be a waste of money not to.

[pointofnoreturn]

tiffany said:

Thanks for the replies.
pointofnoreturn: Who knows maybe we will bump into each other somewhere along the way. It is a small world!

Who knows? If you feel like hanging out with me and my travel buddy (another female as well), give me a PM or whatever!