Help with itinerary
Jun 24th, 2015, 04:15 PM
#1
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Help with itinerary
My son and I are going to Europe in the fall. I am 62 and this may be the only time I ever go. Want to fly into London (see the sites), see some of Scotland or Ireland, go to Paris, while there see the Loire Valley, go on to Italy - Florence, maybe Cinque Terre, Tuscany? and maybe short trip to Greece - Santorini and fly home. Can stay 4-5 weeks. We prefer to stay in a rental apt in London and Paris so expect one week in each city. I have been looking everywhere and reading everything I can but feel a bit overwhelmed. Could use some good suggestions for a travel itinerary.Both my son and I want to explore a little, see some of the tourist attractions, enjoy the surroundings so it's not necessary to see everything. Thanks
Jun 24th, 2015, 04:35 PM
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OK - so if you do one week each in London and Paris then you have 2 to 3 weeks to see Scotland, Ireland, the Loire Valley, Italy and Greece.
Sorry but this simply isn;t doable.
In a week you could spend a few days each in Ireland and Scotland - but will be seeing only a few things in each.
If you have one more week you could do Florence and some smaller towns in Tuscany. Or you could go to Greece. This is one or the other.
Frankly Greece is the outlier and I would drop it. Also you really don;t have time for the Loire unless you are going to cut Italy.
You really need to make some hard decisions - and remember that everytime you move from one place to another you lose from 1/2 to a full day - depending on your specific connections.
The most common mistake made by first-time travelers to europe is to try to see way too much in too little time - and ending up coming home with everything a blur. This is really one time when less is more.
If you're going this fall you're rapidly coming up on the need to make reservations - so I would sit down together and rank you must sees - so that you can sensibly reduce the total number of destinations.
Caveat: If you want you can cut London and Paris back to4 or 5 days each to squeeze something else in - but it will only make the whole trip even more of a forced march.
Sorry but this simply isn;t doable.
In a week you could spend a few days each in Ireland and Scotland - but will be seeing only a few things in each.
If you have one more week you could do Florence and some smaller towns in Tuscany. Or you could go to Greece. This is one or the other.
Frankly Greece is the outlier and I would drop it. Also you really don;t have time for the Loire unless you are going to cut Italy.
You really need to make some hard decisions - and remember that everytime you move from one place to another you lose from 1/2 to a full day - depending on your specific connections.
The most common mistake made by first-time travelers to europe is to try to see way too much in too little time - and ending up coming home with everything a blur. This is really one time when less is more.
If you're going this fall you're rapidly coming up on the need to make reservations - so I would sit down together and rank you must sees - so that you can sensibly reduce the total number of destinations.
Caveat: If you want you can cut London and Paris back to4 or 5 days each to squeeze something else in - but it will only make the whole trip even more of a forced march.
Jun 24th, 2015, 05:38 PM
#3
A very nice trip could be something like a week in London, a week in Scotland (or in Ireland), a week in Paris, and 2 weeks in Italy. This would be simple and not too rushed except for the Scotland or Ireland segment. You'd have to very selective where you go/what you see in Scotland or Ireland.
But a week in London w/ maybe one day trip somewhere, same for Paris and in Italy some variation of Venice, Florence/Tuscany, Rome and maybe the AC or Naples/Capri.
This is just one option - but is a way to see a lot in 5 weeks w/o running yourselves ragged.
But a week in London w/ maybe one day trip somewhere, same for Paris and in Italy some variation of Venice, Florence/Tuscany, Rome and maybe the AC or Naples/Capri.
This is just one option - but is a way to see a lot in 5 weeks w/o running yourselves ragged.
Jun 24th, 2015, 05:47 PM
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Totally agree, tho I'm an avid Graecophile, it just doesn't fit in -- and especially one of those "only see Santorini" wish-lists; save it for another trip.
Try to cut back, so you can enjoy yourself. In your place, I'd choose to do 8 days in England (5 in London, 3 for Stratford & Bath), then 1 day travel on "chunnel" to Paris. Then 10 days in France maybe 5 days in Paris, a 3-day tour to Loire, and a day trip to Versailles or Fontainebleau... include a day of "down time" too. Then the rest of your time (2 weeks?) in Italy.... maybe fly to Venice, then a train to Florence & some time in Tuscany (a car rental will be great there)-- skip Cinque TErre, that's been so over-promoted by Rick Steves, it's just a line-up of US people with his book in hand. then Train to rome & fly home from rome.
And don't say at 62 "may be the only time I ever go." At that age, I thought I'd make 1 trip to Greece. Just came back from trip #12 (and I am NOT affluent -- I just have my priorities!). Have a great time, but as NY Traveler says, you'd better focus fast, because reservations are being made NOW for popular destinations like London/Paris in the Fall -- in Sept & Oct these cities are VERY busy with meetings conventions and events for Brits & french, so tourists have to compete with these for bookings.
Try to cut back, so you can enjoy yourself. In your place, I'd choose to do 8 days in England (5 in London, 3 for Stratford & Bath), then 1 day travel on "chunnel" to Paris. Then 10 days in France maybe 5 days in Paris, a 3-day tour to Loire, and a day trip to Versailles or Fontainebleau... include a day of "down time" too. Then the rest of your time (2 weeks?) in Italy.... maybe fly to Venice, then a train to Florence & some time in Tuscany (a car rental will be great there)-- skip Cinque TErre, that's been so over-promoted by Rick Steves, it's just a line-up of US people with his book in hand. then Train to rome & fly home from rome.
And don't say at 62 "may be the only time I ever go." At that age, I thought I'd make 1 trip to Greece. Just came back from trip #12 (and I am NOT affluent -- I just have my priorities!). Have a great time, but as NY Traveler says, you'd better focus fast, because reservations are being made NOW for popular destinations like London/Paris in the Fall -- in Sept & Oct these cities are VERY busy with meetings conventions and events for Brits & french, so tourists have to compete with these for bookings.
Jun 24th, 2015, 06:21 PM
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You can always plan to go back! I imagine after a great trip this fall, you'll be itching to go back as soon as you can. 
If you are active, you can probably maintain a decent-moving itinerary. If you aren't very active, I would plan a little slower itinerary because moving around a lot can get fatiguing in a hurry. Where are you flying from?
If you have 5 weeks, that's 35 days. Minus 2 for travel there and back, you've got 33. I'm giving you 1 day for moving in between countries. My quick math:
5 days Ireland or Scotland (NOT both)
1 day travel
5 days London
1 day travel
5 days Paris
3 days Loire Valley
1 day travel
3 days Cinque Terre
5 days Florence
That's 29 days. Leaving you left with 4. You could either give an extra day to any of your stops, or possibly add Rome. We loved Rome and I wouldn't miss it, but that's personal preference.
I too would agree that you can't make Greece with the other stops that you have. You could cut Ireland/Scotland and add Greece instead, if you were so inclined.
I would also agree with travelerjan is very touristy. VERY touristy. But also very pretty and unique. There is a reason it is popular, but it comes with its a caveat.
From my experience, each area of each country is vastly different. You will have a great time visiting just a part of it, but remember, all you are getting is a taste of an area. If you do decide to eliminate a country on your list, you could add another region of a country you are already visiting. For example, France has Normandy, Burgundy, Dordogne, etc...
Hope this helps!
If you are active, you can probably maintain a decent-moving itinerary. If you aren't very active, I would plan a little slower itinerary because moving around a lot can get fatiguing in a hurry. Where are you flying from?
If you have 5 weeks, that's 35 days. Minus 2 for travel there and back, you've got 33. I'm giving you 1 day for moving in between countries. My quick math:
5 days Ireland or Scotland (NOT both)
1 day travel
5 days London
1 day travel
5 days Paris
3 days Loire Valley
1 day travel
3 days Cinque Terre
5 days Florence
That's 29 days. Leaving you left with 4. You could either give an extra day to any of your stops, or possibly add Rome. We loved Rome and I wouldn't miss it, but that's personal preference.
I too would agree that you can't make Greece with the other stops that you have. You could cut Ireland/Scotland and add Greece instead, if you were so inclined.
I would also agree with travelerjan is very touristy. VERY touristy. But also very pretty and unique. There is a reason it is popular, but it comes with its a caveat.
From my experience, each area of each country is vastly different. You will have a great time visiting just a part of it, but remember, all you are getting is a taste of an area. If you do decide to eliminate a country on your list, you could add another region of a country you are already visiting. For example, France has Normandy, Burgundy, Dordogne, etc...
Hope this helps!
Jun 24th, 2015, 10:58 PM
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Good grief, 62 is young! You have plenty of time for more trips. Now that I am 72 I am slowing down a bit, but travelled to South Africa for Christmas, and just returned from a visit to the US (I am an American living in England). I am not affluent either.
Lots of good advice above about not cramming too much into the trip. No reason you can't come back for more, and travel is the best fountain of youth I know of.
Lots of good advice above about not cramming too much into the trip. No reason you can't come back for more, and travel is the best fountain of youth I know of.
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Jun 25th, 2015, 01:11 PM
#8
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Oh thank you all so much! I will run this all by my son. He is in California and I am in Denver so doing a lot of this by phone and internet. I am open to all the ideas you have out there!
Jun 25th, 2015, 03:26 PM
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No Europe expert here, but if I were you I would spend:
8 days in England. This gives you time to see all the major stuff in London and possibly a couple day trips to castles and whatnot. If you need help deciding what to do in England I am happy to help on that front.
8 days in Paris.
5 days in Rome
5 days in Florence
After that you have about a week. You could go to Greece or spend that time in Ireland or Scotland. Personally I would go to Ireland. Never been, but my dad took my grandma a while ago and it remains one of her best memories. Lots of cute little B&B's you could stay in... Plus the fall looks lovely there.
Also, IMO 62 is young and a great time in life to travel. And that's coming from a 16 year old.
8 days in England. This gives you time to see all the major stuff in London and possibly a couple day trips to castles and whatnot. If you need help deciding what to do in England I am happy to help on that front.
8 days in Paris.
5 days in Rome
5 days in Florence
After that you have about a week. You could go to Greece or spend that time in Ireland or Scotland. Personally I would go to Ireland. Never been, but my dad took my grandma a while ago and it remains one of her best memories. Lots of cute little B&B's you could stay in... Plus the fall looks lovely there.
Also, IMO 62 is young and a great time in life to travel. And that's coming from a 16 year old.
Jun 25th, 2015, 03:34 PM
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I agree that 62 is young and you may have many trips in front of you.
I also agree not to bite off more than you can chew.
But...I find that you get a lot out of a city in 4-5 days. And if you wanted to see Scotland, for instance, a few days in a car driving around can give you a great sense of the place.
This all works *as long* as you don't intend to try to *see and do* everything. Just get a taste.
I also agree not to bite off more than you can chew.
But...I find that you get a lot out of a city in 4-5 days. And if you wanted to see Scotland, for instance, a few days in a car driving around can give you a great sense of the place.
This all works *as long* as you don't intend to try to *see and do* everything. Just get a taste.
Jun 25th, 2015, 03:51 PM
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Have fun with your planning and come back for more feedback if you need it. It can be a little overwhelming to plan as there is so much to see and do. Get a good guidebook to help you along, perhaps a comprehensive one of Europe that will give you the basics for each country.
I really like the Rough Guides website. It's a comprehensive way to research and get the highlights (with pictures) of the entire country that you plan to visit. That way, in a nutshell, you know more of what it offers besides the major city that you will stay in.
I personally love visiting the countryside and smaller towns. I'm not sure of your personal travel style but you may find a few nights in a smaller town or city a nice break from the big cities.
An apartment may still be more cost-effective than a hotel, even if you only stay 5 or 6 nights instead of a full 7 nights. Also, I am by no means an expert on this subject since I've only read bits and pieces on the topic, but do pay attention to the apartment that you plan to rent in Paris. I guess some are not "legal" and are getting shut-down by the local government.
I really like the Rough Guides website. It's a comprehensive way to research and get the highlights (with pictures) of the entire country that you plan to visit. That way, in a nutshell, you know more of what it offers besides the major city that you will stay in.
I personally love visiting the countryside and smaller towns. I'm not sure of your personal travel style but you may find a few nights in a smaller town or city a nice break from the big cities.
An apartment may still be more cost-effective than a hotel, even if you only stay 5 or 6 nights instead of a full 7 nights. Also, I am by no means an expert on this subject since I've only read bits and pieces on the topic, but do pay attention to the apartment that you plan to rent in Paris. I guess some are not "legal" and are getting shut-down by the local government.
Jun 25th, 2015, 08:04 PM
#12
>><i>No Europe expert here, but if I were you I would spend:
8 days in England. This gives you time to see all the major stuff in London and possibly a couple day trips to castles and whatnot. If you need help deciding what to do in England I am happy to help on that front. </i><<
in 8 days one can see <i>some</i> of the major sites in London but not even close to all of them. And if two days are spent outside London - one could see even fewer of the biggies.
Not saying a week in London is too short -- at all. Just that one should not think they can see all of London in a week.
8 days in England. This gives you time to see all the major stuff in London and possibly a couple day trips to castles and whatnot. If you need help deciding what to do in England I am happy to help on that front. </i><<
in 8 days one can see <i>some</i> of the major sites in London but not even close to all of them. And if two days are spent outside London - one could see even fewer of the biggies.
Not saying a week in London is too short -- at all. Just that one should not think they can see all of London in a week.
Jun 26th, 2015, 01:27 AM
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"Not saying a week in London is too short -- at all. Just that one should not think they can see all of London in a week."
Very true - you could spend a year in London and still not see it all... Surely the secret is to work out what you major 'must sees' are in the time you have available. The longer you spend in London, the less time there will be to do other things. Which is the most important to YOU?
By the way Janis - how do you put something into italics?
Very true - you could spend a year in London and still not see it all... Surely the secret is to work out what you major 'must sees' are in the time you have available. The longer you spend in London, the less time there will be to do other things. Which is the most important to YOU?
By the way Janis - how do you put something into italics?
Jun 26th, 2015, 01:45 AM
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<i>how do you put something into italics?</i>
Just put < i > (without the spaces) before the text you want to italicise and < /i > (again without spaces) afterwards.
You can do other text effects by substituting the i for b (<b>bold</b
, r (<red>red</red, u (<u>underline</u etc etc, or <i><red><b><u>combinations thereof</i></red></b></u>...
Just put < i > (without the spaces) before the text you want to italicise and < /i > (again without spaces) afterwards.
You can do other text effects by substituting the i for b (<b>bold</b
, r (<red>red</red, u (<u>underline</u etc etc, or <i><red><b><u>combinations thereof</i></red></b></u>...
Jun 26th, 2015, 04:26 AM
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You have gotten very good advice above. Along with the others, I would cut back, assume you will return and start seriously planning/reserving NOW.
No one can choose for you but to make the trip more manageable, I would cut either Scotland/Ireland or Greece (or both) and Cinque Terre. I would add Rome for sure and Venice if you cut enough else. We just returned from Greece, including Santorini, and loved it but I would not short-change London, Paris or Italy to visit Greece. Ireland and Scotland are great but, havaing visited, I am not itching to return.
Keep doing research and narrow your itinerary to the places you absolutely don't want to miss. Then we can help you with details. Happy planning - it is a big part of the fun of travel.
No one can choose for you but to make the trip more manageable, I would cut either Scotland/Ireland or Greece (or both) and Cinque Terre. I would add Rome for sure and Venice if you cut enough else. We just returned from Greece, including Santorini, and loved it but I would not short-change London, Paris or Italy to visit Greece. Ireland and Scotland are great but, havaing visited, I am not itching to return.
Keep doing research and narrow your itinerary to the places you absolutely don't want to miss. Then we can help you with details. Happy planning - it is a big part of the fun of travel.
