re: Planning a my first Europe trip next year

We've disagreed on travel styles. I prefer to get as much in as possible.
I think it's a waste to just go to one country.
Especially when you can take dirt cheap flights between cities in Europe.

I would do a few days in a couple of different countries rather than weeks in one country.
.I knocked out Paris- Amsterdam and Brugges in one trip. In six days.

Then did Madrid- barcelona in five days.
Then Rome, Positano, Pompeii, venice, lugano and como in 8 days.

But to each their own.
I did ask these trips within a calender year. With also taking 5 trips to Mexico and one to South America.
I prefer multiple short vacations rather than a few long ones.

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prefer to get as much in as possible.

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I’m like this. I’d rather see more because I’m never going to see much of the world as it is.

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You can easily do 16 days in Ireland and not get bored. I'd say 16 isn't enough for Ireland imo. I could spend a month there easily but I also like ancient history, nature, pubs, music etc.

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I would get bored with spending all 16 days of my first European trip in Ireland, knowing how much other cool stuff I could do in other countries only a quick, cheap, 1-hour, flight away.

Because things like ancient history, nature, and music can be found in other countries in Europe besides Ireland.


Back to the OP, I think that trying to do more than four hotels in a 16-day trip is ridiculous. You'll waste lots of time just moving around, checking in and out, and getting your bearings.

Personally, I'd advise picking two countries and staying in two cities in each.

Some random examples:
Barcelona and Madrid, Venice and Florence
Vienna and Salzburg, Athens and Corfu
Brussels and Bruge, Paris and Normandy

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Age?

I ask because you will get “do it yourself” from younger people and those with lots of international travel experience.

We are going to Italy in 2025 with Roads Scholars. I am a huge trip planner but at this point in life I’m ok with someone else planning that one.

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I sort of agree with this, but don't think it depends on age. I think whether you plan yourself or not depends on how much you enjoy travel research. I am 62, have traveled a good bit, but not as much international, but I am too obsessive and controlling about planning to allow someone else to do it. I love reading travel blogs and books. You need to be able to devote time to planning and like details or you won't get the trip you want. If you aren't willing to do that, let someone else plan.

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I think the big question is - Do you think you will come back in the near future?

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Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh

This is the reason why every person does these stupid 4 country trips "I'll never make it back"

its the exact wrong attitude to have.

Always assume you will enjoy yourself, and that you will.

Focus. Focus on making an ENJOYABLE TRIP. That is the point of a vacation, after all.

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prefer to get as much in as possible.


I’m like this. I’d rather see more because I’m never going to see much of the world as it is.

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Totally agree. I plan my vacation to go, go, go and usually plan 1-2 days at the end that are more relaxing for recovery. If I'm going somewhere, I want to see it all.

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Always assume you will enjoy yourself, and that you will.

Focus. Focus on making an ENJOYABLE TRIP. That is the point of a vacation, after all.

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I'm joking for the most part, but have you ever considered you are just lazy? People travel different.

There's so many places to visit in the world, this idea people should only visit one country on a continent during a long trip is just ignorant unless that person knows FOR A FACT that's their own preference.

I disagree with spending hours and hours and taking multiple flights on a single euro trip, but I know multiple people that did it and loved it.

But Europe is very easy to see multiple cultures on very short 2-3 hour train rides in a single trip. That can be tons of fun.

Its very exciting to me to wake up and get on a train and head to a new country or city. I live for that, for about 2 weeks. Then I'm ready to be home again. Only to want to do it again in a couple of months.

I personally never understood the people who choose to race across Europe like they are collecting items for a scavenger hunt or badges for a vest. I’d prefer more immersion and see less. There’s something to be said for the quality of the experience.

Stay clear. Russia is going to be at war with every European country next year.

It's all pretty amazing, so I'd focus on one or two areas you've always wanted to go, and get to know them very well. That will lessen the complication. Pick a good central location and take day trips by train. If you pick a base with a good airport, you can fly in direct, and save a ton on the rental car. If you like autonomy, get the car and hit the road. Beware of zones in cities which are off limits to non-local cars. The cities all have arrangements with the rental car companies and you'll get nailed when you turn in the car. If you go to Prague, DO NOT take the train to Austria -- what looks like a 2-hour trip takes 8+ hours, IF everything is working right (which it never does). Never travel around All-Saints Day at the end of October. Everyone is on holiday and the transportation and lodging is all booked.

Florence is a must-see, as is the Tuscan countryside. Lucca and Cinque Terre are also amazing and highly recommended, as are the hill towns. Stay a little off the beaten path and you'll eat like a king for less than you will in the cities. Find a weekend festival or flea market and get a roasted pork sandwich. It'll change your life (maybe not, but I'd liken it to eating your first muffaletta or oyster po-boy). Go to Vernazza and have anything with pesto on it. Incredible.

Splurge and get a good camera. Buy extra memory cards so you don't have to download anything and risk losing the images if the laptop hard drive dies.

TRAVEL LIGHT..! Don't dress overtly American, keep a low profile, and act like you've been there before. Study where you are going before you get there. To be sure, the paper is the paper and the ground is the ground, but knowing something about what to expect is important.

If you have someone in your group who is an anal-retentive OCD detail freak or artist, they may be overstimulated by their surroundings, so if you have a walking destination or a particular time you need to be somewhere, you may want to turn them loose to stroll around for a while to take the edge off, otherwise they will take 20 minutes to go one block and everyone else in the party will be frustrated.

Go to the churches. They are incredible, and even if you are not a religious person, you will feel the presence of God. Take it from a not religious person...

Treat the cities like NOLA -- don't venture off alone, and watch your purses and wallets. No expensive jewelry, watches, etc. You know the drill.

Above all, just be nice to people. You're on holiday, not a death march, so chill out and just be a native for a couple of weeks.

Have fun..!