Planning to go to Europe to visit family and research our roots; My sister and I have 21 days (19 if you take out travel to/from S.F.). Plan to arrive CDG mid morning and take TVG straight to Lille from the airport. Spend night in Lille to adjust to jetlag and savor the joy of being back 'home'. Spend next 2 days in Roubaix area visiting various family. Then on to Brussels for 2 days with a side trip to our family's hometown. From there plan on Amsterdam for 3 days with a side trip to visit Leiden. Fly to Edinburgh for 3 days (more family)then fly to Belfast for 2 and drive down to Ireland visiting even more family for 3 nights with finally taking an overnight boat from Rosslare to Cherbourg than taking the train for 2 nights in Paris before flying home on an afternoon flight...Is this doable or are we crazy? I should note that my sister and I have been to Europe many times (mainly France, Belgium, and the UK). We travel light and good with budgets and have almost the same interests (history).
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Given how tight this schedule is I think you should at minimum start in Paris and fly home from Belfast.
I do question how satisfying all this rushing about will be, but tweaking it as I suggest will save you at least 24 hours of transit time (more I think). You will be glad of that whatever else you decide.
Also, since you are flying, you could explore flying Ams > Belfast > Edinburgh > home to see if the connection home is better that way.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
I'm with Adam. Seems like a lot of rushing around for not much time in each place. Frankly, I'd lop off that last Cherbourg/Paris leg and add that time to the family sections in Roubaix/Edinburgh/Belfast.
Posted by
2081 posts
@ Craftswithadam,
If all you want do is to visit relatives and not much sight seeing then youre Good To Go (GTG).
But as mentioned, i would try to not do alot of crossing your path.
Happy trails.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2367 posts
Agree with above but also noticed you are going to Belfast and then drive to Ireland. Are you aware that it will cost a lot of money to rent car in one country and drop off in another. If you are set on going to Belfast and then Ireland, you should at least train from Belfast to Dublin and then rent car.
Posted by
FL USA
1528 posts
Slow down and make some memories by giving yourselves the opportunity to interact w some family. Seems like you want to visit all of the clan, perhaps you can prioritize which clan members offer the best opportunity to help define your ancestry. You have an advantage most of us do not, family to visit and hang out with at their favorite restaurant/pub.
To understand how much travel stress you are proposing to endure please create a 21 day calendar depicting every hour of the day. Then write down the time spent actually traveling each day. Be sure and include the time needed to travel to the train/plane station and time spent at the station checking in, going through security and waiting at the station to depart. Then add the time actually traveling and the time needed to get from the station to your place to stay. Add sleep time. Also consider every time you travel your increasing the "glitch potential" for a train/plane delay. Nothing worse than waiting around a station spending precious time waiting on a glitch to be resolved.
Please examine the total amount of time traveled in contrast to the amount of time you will have to actually enjoy being with family. Is this hectic of a journey one you really want to invest in?
Finally, when was the last time you spent 24/7 for 21 days with your sister? Uh huh. Have a discussion recognizing there will be times when you will need a break from each other.
Safe travels