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Post by jtippmann on Apr 10, 2007 2:22:33 GMT -5
Hi all,
This is my second trip to Europe. I went to London about 1 month ago for a week, so London is taken care of. Here is my trip plan for my 4 week trip.
Fly into LHR (sleep in airport for early bus and trian, yay.....jk)
Day 2/3: Bath (Visit friend at University)
Day 3/4: Cardiff (Visit cousin)
Day 4/5: Train to Holyhead, ferry to Dublin
Day 5-8: Dublin (Dave Matthews Concert!!), Fly to Paris
Day 8-11: Paris
Day 11-13: Bayeux (D-day stuff)
Day 13/14: Over night Train to Rome (Rest!!)
Day 14 - 17: Rome
Day 17 - 19: Venice
Day 19 - 21: Interlaken, Switzerland (Alp Hiking)
Day 21- 24: Munich
Day 24 - 26: Heidelberg (family history)
Day 26 - 28: Netherlands (meet visiting brother)
Day 28 - 29: Belgium
Day 29: Chunnel to London to Heathrow
Route: As long as my train to Rome doesn't go through Switzerland, I can get away with a 5 country 8 day select pass rail card, with somehow getting to Brussels on Day 29 (maybe my bro will have a rental car).
Cities: I tried to put in parentheses anything of importance happening at the location. Is there anything that is probably worth taking out and adding days to another?
Any suggestions on alternatives? I wanted to run it by some of you guys who have helped me out a lot so far. I read the previous thread about a trip strangely almost the same dates as me, and got the advice on Rome.
Has anybody done D-day beaches cheap? I saw one hostel in Bayeux, but it seemed to get rather bad reviews. I am tempted to pay a little more for a B&B, as it's only two nights. I figure I would arrive later evening for the first day, have full day to do a tour, and then go to to Rome the next day/night.
What's about the price of hidden transportation costs in Paris, Rome, Venice, and Munich (i.e. buses, cabs, etc.)? Also, what about the general touristy stuff in the same places. Should I expect to pay $20-30 in museum tickets each day?
Thanks!
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 10, 2007 3:06:47 GMT -5
jtippmann, welcome to the boards...officially! A quick glance at your itinerary looks fine, but you may need to juggle some days in cities. I have just a few musings for your consideration: What time do you arrive at LHR? The Heathrow Express ( www.heathrowexpress.com to Paddington Station) runs from 5am-ish to 11.45pm and the Tube starts at around 5.30/6am during the week (until 11.30/midnight. Depending on where you're staying, you might be able to time it without sleeping in the airport - up to you. You could fly from Cardiff to Dublin to save time (and seasickness  ) on the ferry if you prefer. Have a look at Aer Arann as they have flights for around GBP45 that might suit. Otherwise Ryanair fly from Bristol airport to Dublin. You only have 2 full days alotted to Rome, so I assume you're not trying to fit a day trip to Pompeii in? I'd suggest 4 full days (that o'night train arrives variously from 9am to 11am so don't factor in a full day as delays happen frequently on that route). Same for Paris - see if you can find another 2 full days so you can fit as much as possible in (incl Versailles). In fact, would you consider flying from Paris to Rome instead? Might mean a different rail pass, but worth looking at Vueling, EasyJet (and Ryanair, but they fly from Beauvais which is miles away from Paris and not in the direction you'll be travelling, ie Bayeux) for flights. Ditto for Switzerland - you've really only allowed for one full day of hiking as the train from Venice is an all day affair. In fact, on some travel days you'll find that you can't do much in terms of sightseeing as you'll arrive too late for some sights. There's always the evening strolls I guess. Transportation in each city varies - always look at day passes however as they are a better choice price-wise. Also, Paris has a Museums & Monuments card (look for recent Posts on this) that will save you money (and time) depending on how many museums/sights you want to visit. Do a little research on the places you'd like to visit in each city and that will help budget your spending on sights. Eagle may have some suggestions for the D-Day beaches as far as accommodation goes. Good luck with the planning, keep us updated so we can assist you more.
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Post by jtippmann on Apr 15, 2007 3:30:57 GMT -5
Yes, flying from Cardiff. Great idea. I didn't think of that. I think that will be easiest.
I went ahead and axed normandy from my itinerary. Spending more time in Paris and Rome. Also, I am going to miss out on Venice and add another day of hiking in Switzerland. Instead of going to Munich, I am just going to go straight to Fussen.
I think I will keep the overnight train.
I think this is a better itinerary. Any comments?
Day 2/3: Bath (Visit friend at University)
Day 3/5: Cardiff (Visit cousin) Fly to Dublin
Day 5-8: Dublin (Dave Matthews Concert!!), Fly to Paris
Day 8-12: Paris
Day 12/13: Over night Train to Rome (Rest!!)
Day 13 - 17: Rome
Day 17 - 20: Interlaken, Switzerland (Alp Hiking)
Day 20 - 23: Fussen, Southern Germany
Day 23 - 26: Heidelberg
Day 26 - 28: Netherlands? (meet visiting brother)
Day 28 - 29: Brussels
Day 29: Fly to Heathrow connect to return flight
And just a side note, I am finding it tough to plan out my days. How much should I decide on what to do each day before I leave?
Thanks!
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 15, 2007 21:30:19 GMT -5
It's a shame that Bayeux had to go in order to gain more time, but I understand. If you still want to include a day trip, then by all means, but understand that this will mean a day less in Paris (I think you already do, though). As for "resting" on the night train Paris-Rome - probably not as much as you think. Yes you can reserve a sleeper, and yes you can wear earplugs, but I'm more of the mind that if you don't have to take the train on that route then don't - there are plenty of flights. Plus this will give you more time rather than sitting on a train for 14+ hours (trust me, that ride isn't anything special really). Munich is a great city, but if you're more interested in the moutains and castles, then look at perhaps spending a day in Innsbruck then go north to Fuessen (it's v close) for the castles, etc). Also, could you look at perhaps travelling Rome-Fuessen-Switzerland-Heidelberg? Might flow a little better, but check the train times and links ( www.db.de/site/bahn/en/start.html ) as it may be six of one and half a dozen of the other ;D |
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Post by jtippmann on Apr 16, 2007 0:46:07 GMT -5
It is a shame. Maybe I'll be able to squeeze the day trip after I decide what I want to do in Paris. If not, always leave a little appetite for a trip later in life. The flight from Paris to Rome is tempting. I am going to be buying a rail pass. All I will need to do is buy a $40 place to sleep. Plus I won't have to worry about the trip to and from the airport. Because I am poor college graduate, I am trying to save money where I can, and I think this is one. Maybe the rest thing was just an excuse to convince myself to save the cash. I don't know. Day 1 - Chicago -> London, arrive 11 pm, wait until first train at 6 am. Day 2 - Train to bath Bath Day 3 - Bath Day 4 - Cardiff Day 5 - Cardiff - > Bristol -> Dublin via Ryanair Day 6 - Dublin Day 7 - Dublin Day 8 - Dublin -> Paris via Aer Lingus Day 9 - Paris Day 10 - Paris (one of these days possibly day trip to Normandy, that and/or Versailles. ) Day 11 - Paris Day 12 - Paris -> Board train to Rome Day 13 - Arrive in Rome midday Day 14 - Rome Day 15- Rome Day 16 - Rome (Day trip to Pompeii?) Day 17 - Rome -> Interlaken via train Day 18 - Interlaken/Gimmelwald Day 19 - Interlaken/Gimmelwald Day 20 - Interlaken -> Fussen via train Day 21 - Fussen Day 22 - Fussen Day 23 - Fussen -> Heidelberg via Romantic Road buss route or train Day 24 - Heidelberg Day 25- Heidelberg Day 26 - Heidelberg -> Some place in the Netherlands via train Day 27 - Some place in the Netherlands Day 28 - Some place in the Netherlands -> Brussels via train Day 29 - Brussels -> London via Brussels Airlines -> Chicago wooh... The "Some place in the Netherlands" will be where my brother is or close to when he is on a work trip there, which I do not know yet. With this route, I can buy a 5 country 6 day select pass. Obviously, adding Austria, and subtracting the Paris-Rome trip would also work. But don't know if I can fit in Innsbruck. Either way, I am an laid back person who doesn't let too many things bother me. I am sure I am going to have a great time either way.  . Anything else? Thanks for all the suggestions. |
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Post by Eagle on Apr 16, 2007 1:00:14 GMT -5
jtippmann, a few additional comments.....
Rather than take the train to Bath, you might consider using National Express Bus service, as it's much less expensive (and doesn't really take that much longer). It's unfortunate that your flight arrives at 23:00, as that's an "awkward time".
As MTH mentioned, this is a LONG journey and one where you might want to consider a flight instead. Depending on which train you select, it could be very tiring if there are several changes during the night. You won't get much sleep, so will definitely need a rest!
Your route is not the most "efficient" for travel (ie: starting in the northern part of Europe, going to the south, then back to the north and finally back to London). However I understand you have reasons for wanting to do things in that order.
It's great to see that you have such a positive attitude towards the uncertainties of travel! You will probably face a few minor problems (as most of us do), however your attitude will get you past those.
Happy travels!!!
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Post by jtippmann on Apr 16, 2007 15:16:16 GMT -5
The route from Heathrow was already half bus anyway. Good point. I'll use the bus instead.
"awkward time" = great price... way the world works
I am on to booking hostels. I am going to book travel from Paris to Rome and Brussels to London. Do I need do anything about the train trips Rome-Interlaken, Interlaken-Fussen, Fussen-Heidelberg, Heidelberg - Amsterdam, or Amsterdam-Brussels?
Thanks SO Much for all the help!
Jeff
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 16, 2007 18:29:41 GMT -5
Do I need do anything about the train trips Rome-Interlaken, Interlaken-Fussen, Fussen-Heidelberg, Heidelberg - Amsterdam, or Amsterdam-Brussels? Just that if you're plugging destinations into a search for train routes, it's Interlaken Ost that you're looking at, not just Interlaken. And for Fuessen (note the "e", unless you have "ü" on your keyboard) will come up as Füssen Bahnhof I think. That journey from Interlaken to Füseen is quite long, so try to get a train with the least number of connections - best bet might be through Zurich. |
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Post by me on Apr 16, 2007 20:51:20 GMT -5
shouldn't that be Zürich? ;D best bet might be through Zurich. |
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 16, 2007 22:19:51 GMT -5
shouldn't that be Zürich? ;D Mann, bist du lüüüüüüüstig!  |
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) on the ferry if you prefer. Have a look at Aer Arann as they have flights for around GBP45 that might suit. Otherwise Ryanair fly from Bristol airport to Dublin.
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