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Advice needed: First leisure trip in Europe - 3 weeks to 4 weeks

Hi all, I am planning a trip to europe with my mother, with a period of about 1 month. Our tentative travel period is end June to July. Currently, the itinerary is to land in Rome from Singapore, and to depart London for Singapore. From Rome>Cinque Terre>Venice>Interlaken>?>?>?>London.

I am looking into passing by Austria or Germany to get to London, but however me and my mother have already been to London, Paris, Scotland, while I have been to Munich (4-5 times) and Salzburg on top of that. The reason why we will be stopping in London again is because we have not been there in almost 10 years, and I will be interested to visit the new Harry Potter exhibition. The key now is to figure out the itinerary after switzerland as I am tied between heading into france and thereafter taking the eurostar into london, or to cut through Germany, or through Austria instead. Personally I prefer Germany as it is a very lovely place with many things to do, while my mother has yet to see how beautiful Austria is and she is keen on that. We will be travelling by trains and I have also noted the difficulty in cross-border trains and how some cities don't offer direct services.

Our schedule is flexible, we are able to extend it to 1 week more than 1 month if need be.

If you could offer me some advice into my itinerary or costs for example, your help is very much appreciated!

Posted by
10603 posts

This isn't exactly what you asked, and I do want others to correct me if I am wrong, but you will be paying a lot more money arriving in Rome and leaving from London, than if you did the opposite--arrive in London and leave from Rome. The reason being very high departure taxes from Great Britain. Price the trip both ways to see if there is a difference. This is my understanding, not my personal experience, so perhaps others can correct me if I am wrong.

Posted by
693 posts

Bets you are right. On long distance flights there is a significant difference.

Posted by
8312 posts

Why don't you work your way north into Austria and east toward Vienna. That's a fabulous location

If time allows, you could also take in another great city on a 3 hr. train ride--Budapest. You can fly to London from either city on EasyJet or other budget air carriers.

Posted by
1717 posts

I agree with the reply from David. If you will fly from Singapore to Rome, I recommend : travel in trains from Rome to Venice
to Austria
Fly from Vienna to London.
You can see the Alps mountains in Austria.
If you wish to ride on a big boat on a river, ride on a big boat on the Danube river from Melk in Austria to Krems in Austria. Be at Vienna four nights.

Posted by
2 posts

Yes, i've just checked, the air tickets are cheaper by 600+ when I fly into London instead.. will do so! Hopefully to make up for the accomodation expenses in switzerland, they are kind of expensive.. thank you!