help..alittle bit overwhelmed by vacation plans

[vash]

ok, i want to start planning a vacation. goal is short stay in france, then hit spain, italy. looking and reading, i think i am out of my element, trying to plan this thing. i, like toby, am entering my 40's and i dont want to look back and not have done a thing. i would prefer not to travel with a group, and am seeking the adventure of seeing cool things, and eating new taste. just looking at a map makes my head hurt. i hope NOT to be in the U.S for the new year's celebration.

any starter tips?

[RickM]

Cliff, Look into renting or buying the Rick Steves DVDs for info on the countries you'd like to visit. Here are other sources of excellent info: Who was this guy/series on PBS?

[pbs911]

Make it an adventure.

If it were me, I would get a Visa for every country you want to visit, and purchase an opened ended airline ticket arriving where you want to start and departing from where you want to leave. Then just get off the plane and see where it takes you! My most memorable trips started this way.

[krichard]

www.ricksteves.com. Also go to the book store and get a couple Rick Steve's books that are specific to the cities you want to visit. My wife's brother used to work for Rick as a tour guide all around Europe and we find his guides to be the best when traveling there.

We did two weeks in Germany, Austria and Cech Rep last October and had a blast. What worked best for us was to book airfare for our trip there and back and a hotel for the first couple nights in the first city. From there we made travel plans once we arrived based on what we felt like. Trains go everywhere and are ususally easy to get tickets for. You can book hotels at a local internet cafe. Europe really is easy to travel around so it makes it very easy to plan as you go.

Have fun and don't stress the up front planning.

[ZOA NOM]

Originally posted by pbs911
[B Then just get off the plane and see where it takes you![/B]

Yeah, imagine the possibilities! Cliff, if you haven't been abroad, be very careful. We are very sheltered here, and the world outside can be a very dangerous place. Plan your trip with some knowledge about political situations in these countries. Americans are vulnerable abroad these days.

[jhc]

How long are you going for? By yourself or with family? It is kind of like a foreign visitor to the USA saying they want to visit Times Square, Disney World, Grand Canyon etc. When I was just out of college I did Ostend, Brugge, Belgium, Luxemborg, Trier, Mosel Valley, Heidelberg, Germany, drive through (not under) the Alps, Bergamo, Venice Italy Monte Carlo, Cannes, Aix, Paris France in several weeks with a buddy in a rental car.

Since then I have been back to Spain, France and Italy separately. Never in a group. If you go on your own you will see a lot more, have flexibility, and arrive and leave before the tour buses arrive. Make sure you have your accomodations lined up in the major tourist areas before you go or at least an idea of where you need to be.

You could easily spend a couple of weeks in Spain. Check out the paradors there, these are former castles, monasteries etc that have been converted to state run hotels. In Italy it is a lot cheaper to rent an apartment, even for short stays. Between Rome, Florence, and Venice there is another week or two, don't miss Siena. France is expensive no matter what. For a short stay just stay in Paris, plenty to do, with maybe a day trips to Versailles or Giverney.

[JeffO]

Hey, do a fly and drive. All inclusive, so you don't need too much planning,you get to drive a porsche thru bavaria,austria and swissland. It could be great.Not France, Spain, and Italy but you get your feet wet.

[singpilot]

Visa?

Not needed for Europe. Do a fly/drive/ride? Or even better, a Eurailpass. Buy the first class ticket, and buy it here, is almost half off when bought before you go. Time it right, and you can skip a night's hotel bill, especially of you want to do Italy, France AND Spain. Lotta miles there.

[bigchillcar]

hell, were it me, i'd do a 'bigbigride' a la roninlb..and drive all over this friggin' country, especially out west. after working as an international pilot, i gotta tell ya, i'm i know big damn hurry to leave the states any time soon. there's so much to see in our backyard. i've likewise flown into every state in the union, but have never driven the country..that's what i'd love to do. do it in the p-car.
ryan

[cantdrv55]

I vote going for the Rick Steeves way also.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by vash
ok, i want to start planning a vacation. goal is short stay in france, then hit spain, italy. looking and reading, i think i am out of my element, trying to plan this thing. i, like toby, am entering my 40's and i dont want to look back and not have done a thing. i would prefer not to travel with a group, and am seeking the adventure of seeing cool things, and eating new taste. just looking at a map makes my head hurt. i hope NOT to be in the U.S for the new year's celebration.

any starter tips?

Oh, hell, you're only getting to 40. On my 40th birthday I was in Advanced NCO course, yes active duty, at Fort Eustis, Virginia. running three miles a day and calisthenics, and then classroom on aircraft maintenance for 5 hours. Oooh, fun.

I started my third career at 42, so your life isn't near over, but don't let that ruin your day.

If it were me, I'd concentrate on either one or two countries. In addition to the dvd's recommended, I'd consider studying at least one new language for the trip, say Italian; to make it a real learning experience.

[Paco Anton]

Vash,

I do not know of any good internet sies but I can help you with your schedule, travel times, places to stay and such. Both in Spain and some of France and Italy since I have visited all three.

I'd suggest you rent a car (use the major rent-a-car companies, Avis, Hetz or Europcar) and a GPS navigation device and then go on your own. The area is safe and friendly. If you prefer to stick to the big cities you can use the low cost airlines and hop from city to city.

If you are planning a "cheap" trip you can try the Ibis hotels from French company Accor hoteles (they are the owners of Motel 6 too). they also have some more upscale brands (Mercure, Novotel, ...). Their network is quite extensive in France and is beginnng to grow in Spain and Italy, ant they have a nice reservations website.

For a more expensive stay you can try Relais & Chateaux, mostly in France. I have good experience in Italy with Jolly hotels. In Spain the Paradores are located in historic sites (castles and such) and are reasonably priced (if not in high season).

Feel free to send me an email and we can chat about your trip. And if you plan to visit Madrid I can show you around.

[Joeaksa]

If you are interested in seeing France in a non tourist venue, an old friend owns a bed and breakfast you might try out. Run by John and his wife Jayne for many years after they bailed out of life in England.

He is a 911 fan and we met working on the PCA/GR club years ago. Is a rabid biker as well and rides all over the world on several bikes.

PM if you want some contact info...

[Rikao4]

good for you, you could easily spend weeks in each country and still need more time.What do want to see..Louvre,Rome, Stuttgart (P holy grail) narrow it down a bit.There are a few Pelicans abroad who would surely step up. like K9, maybe could run you up to the 'Ring'.
K9, I use you as example only.
Rika

[juanbenae]

my folks will be going to spain and france this spring for a car and motorcycle race weekends sandwiched at either end of a 2+ week trip. they are ready as far as i can tell, in that they have already sewed canadian flags to all their luggage...

[EdT82SC]

I second Pat's suggestion of one country. I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Italy, and still felt like I missed a lot.

[vash]

wow, i got maybe 6 weeks to burn. i would call it a "medium" budget. looking at the eurorail website was kinda exciting. but i admit, that is were i first got overwhelmed. i cannot wait. at this point i am planning the trip for TWO. if that goes to hell in a handbasket, i will hold a lotto amonst my friends. or give it to my brother. thanks. you guys gave me lots to consider. PACO your email is SAVED!