help with itenerary and does it make sense in relation to transportation (trains and buses)
It will be our first time to trave to Europe. My wife wanted to see Greece although I felt like it is far from the other countries we wanted to visit. This is our tentative itenerary
Athens
Rome
Milan
Lyon
Paris
Brussels
Brugge
and back to Brussels for flight back home
What is the cheapest way to travel from Athens to Rome or whatever part of Italy?
Are there trains or buses that ply the route of the cities we intent to travel ?
Please all comments are welcome, feel free to change our itenerary as you guys see fit.
We have limited time schedule, 2 weeks max, since we have a baby and a toddler we have to go back home to, we're just dying to see Europe.
How much do you think our travel expenses will cost, excluding RT flight from our country of origin (Japan).
We intent to travel by bus and stay in cheap hotels but not hostel, again this part is open to suggestion.
thanks guys!
Reply to this Hello Lucea 😊
A lot of people take a boat from Greece to Brindisi in Italy. Train is certainly a pleasant way to get around Europe because the views from the train are generally nicer than those from the buses and you can get up and walk around on the train.
You could also check the bargain airlines websites to bargain hunt. If you find bargains you can get around Euorpe very cheaply by flying.
Mel
Reply to this thanks!
Is August a good time to visit the countries Ive mentioned?
Brindisi, hmmmm, ill check that out, is that Southern part of Italy? How far is that from Rome?
I'll try to do more research on the boat to Italy and Brindisi.
Thanks a lot
Reply to this Is August a good time to visit the countries Ive mentioned?
If you dont mind the crowds and the heat it is. August is high tourist season.
Brindisi, hmmmm, ill check that out, is that Southern part of Italy? How far is that from Rome?
Yeah, it is at the heal of Italy. I suppose it would be half a days train ride from Rome.
Reply to this thanks you,ve been very helpful.
Actually, I found out that it was hot in August.
So we decided to come in April next year, beacuse this year we already plan our tour of South East Asia for April.
I read in your other forum reply that you need 60 USD, is that correct for your daily expenses in Europe? does it includes acommodation costs?
and we're also scarpping Athens and instead go further up Netherlands.
Thank Mell your better than a Lonely Planet guide book, not having to read the small prints .
Reply to this I read in your other forum reply that you need 60 USD, is that correct for your daily expenses in Europe? does it includes acommodation costs?
30 to 60 Euros per day is what I generally spend in European destinations as a backpacker alone. It does not include intercity transport. It does include hostel beds, food from supermarkets, entry to the occasional tourist attraction, city transport, and a few coffees at a cafe.
Reply to this Thank Mell your better than a Lonely Planet guide book, not having to read the small prints .
I take a copy of the Lonely Planet almost everywhere I go. I find it good for getting general ideas and information about places. 😊
Reply to this Seven cities and four countries in two weeks! And there is a lot of travelling in between... And the time difference...
I would pick up just one country and have a little bit more relaxed schedule. It is difficult to explain, but density of things to see is so high in Europe that it is difficult to cover many countries with a single (2-week) trip. Travelling inside European union is easy, but still.
Greece is indeed isolated from the rest of those places. I am keen on history, and, to me, Rome and Athens are similar to each other. I like them both, but, at the same time, I feel frustrated because there is so much to see...
August is pretty hectic, because that is the tourist season in Europe. Cities like Prag (Czech Republic), Athens, Rome, Paris are crowded. And it is hot in Rome and Athens.
You might find youself exhausted with the schedule you've panned. And I'm afraid it will be rather expensive as well thanks to all the travelling and the high season. The hotels, restaurants do cost more at that time of the year.
In August I would take a flight to Paris, study Paris for some five days, hire a car and visit Brussels, Brugge and Lyon. It is not too hot up there and not so crowded as in Athens and Rome. Or what about combined holiday in Paris (big city) and in Champagne (countryside close to the city of Reims) close by?
Reply to this Thanks Roy really great input. After thinking our IT over, it really is kindda exhausting. Ia lready convinced my wife to ditched Greece.
We really love your suggestion of going to Paris and driving to Brussels and Brugge. Brugge is the city, I just have to see, at the same time for a first timer in Europe, Paris should never be left out I suppose. So what is the best time of the year to visit france and belgium?
However, I am still conflicted, coz every Filipino catholic visiting Europe should have at least seen at least one landmark Church in Italy, heheheh!
thanks a lot
Reply to this You may be able to get what is called an "Open Jaw" ticket. That is, you fly into one part of Europe, and fly out of another part - and the airfare is still the same.
In this way, you could fly into Rome and fly out of Brussels, or whatever destination you choose. You can then decide on a budget airline, train or car between the two. However, with the cost of one-way car hire in Europe, flying and the train may be the cheaper options.
This method might give you an opportunity to see that one church/cathedral in Italy and then move onto Paris and into Brussels and Brugge.
Reply to this France and Belgium. I would travel in late May or in September. July is a bit hot, and August is the holiday season with crowded atractions and higher prices.
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