My wife and I want to do a trip to Europe in the near future. We would like to see some of the typical tourist attractions all over Europe. I think most of what I would want to see would be in Italy to start with. I have on my list the Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pompeii, the Vatican Museums and many other places.
I'm looking for advice on what time of year to go and how long to stay. I don't want to fly across the ocean for a 3 day trip but don't want to be exhausted trying to stay 3 months either. Is it best to visit Europe in pieces and see Italy one trip, France and Germany another trip and England another trip? Or, is it possible to see much of the highlights of Europe in a few weeks? We enjoy a good cruise and I know there are several that do Italy, Greece, etc. So, I've thought of going for several weeks with a week cruise somewhere while we are there.
If you have been to Europe, do you have suggestions or tips? Are some sites overrated? Are there some sites, that you saw, that are under the radar but must see in your opinion? Any suggestions on transportation once we get there? Any suggestions will be woven into my planning and decision making and are greatly appreciated.
Yes I’ve been to these countries, and I recommend late September and early May for all those countries for the most pleasant weather. I personally prefer to stay one week in Air Bnbs in two or three cities in different parts of a country, exploring and doing day trips to other spots I’d like to see on their excellent trains and having time to relax and try local foods. In Italy, we stayed one week in the Lake District, one in Florence and one on the Amalfi coast for example. I wouldn’t do a highlight tour myself- culture overload and too much time on the road. I’m not a cruise person - don’t like a day in each port and back on board for dinner routine, but it helps with packing I guess. Have fun planning.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the helpful info. My son loves to do Air BNB so I may look into that.
DeleteNoelle is correct on the best times to visit. Avoiding the big summer crowds should be a goal, and prices tend to be better during the shoulder seasons.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I wouldn't try to accomplish all those countries in one trip. You'd have no time or energy to enjoy it. You could combine Germany and Italy in one 3-4 week visit, then France and England in another. Up to a month is plenty of time to hit all the must-see spots but not running your self ragged in the process.
I like your idea of hitting two countries for 3-4 weeks. It is a vacation after all, so I'm all about not running ourselves ragged.
DeleteI haven't been to Europe in quite a while but I agree, better to focus on one area for a couple of weeks rather than try an extended "If It's Tuesday It Must Be Belgium" tour. My daughter just got back from Italy -- six days in Rome with a side trip to the rural mountains and a jaunt to the beach on the Adriatic (it's not that far). She loved it. Anyways ... look luck, good planning, good trip!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. I'm leaning towards a focused trip like your daughter took.
DeleteAir travel in Europe is so much less expensive once you get there. Have you thought about booking additional trips once you get to Europe for the cost savings? Short flights are in order. For example, less than 2 hrs gets you from England to Portugal.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about the low cost of air travel. I will check it out during my planning. Thanks!
DeleteI’ve traveled a lot, alone and as the leader of student trips when I was teaching. My favorite times to travel are right after all the children are back in school in September when the weather is still lovely but the hordes are gone, and late March, April, or May (but avoiding the weeks around Easter/spring break) for the same reasons.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of traveling when the schools are back in session and the parents are back to work. Dealing with crowds is not my idea of fun.
DeleteI've been lurking for a while but thought I should comment this time (if you're still taking comments). I live in France, right on the Swiss and Italian borders. If you want to visit Pisa you can stay in La Spezia and Pisa is about 30 minutes away by car, as is Cinque Terre (beautiful - the Five Hamlets), which you take a boat from La Spezia and can hop on, hop off. In about five hours you can drive north to the French border, through the Mont Blanc tunnel and end up in Chamonix (I live about 45 minutes from there). There is so much to see around Chamonix and it is just 45 minutes from Geneva, Switzerland (expensive). I agree with others about not trying to "do Europe in a week". There is so much to see just around my area that you could spend a month and not get bored!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the info. You know the area better than anyone and your comments are appreciated. That area would be a great place to visit!
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