US family of 3 living in Asia for the past year. At the end of our stay here in July, we would like to spend 5 months in Europe before settling down again in the US. Only 3 months in Schengen area obviously and 2 in Ireland or Britain, possibly Eastern Europe? We do not want to "tour" Europe but rather pick 5-6 hubs to stay for 3-4 wks at a time. We are looking to stay out of big cities. Trying to keep budget at around $7k per month staying in VRBO homes. My husband will be leaving every other month to work. He works a 4 wk rotation so it will just be my 11 yr. old son and I half the time. Son loves everything medieval, wars, history etc. Concerns are budget, safety, rent or rail. thanks much!
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
Have you been to Europe before? Regardless, get a copy of Rick Steves'
"Europe thru the Back Door" book (you can order it elsewhere on this web site just click on "Books". It has lots of good information for everyone from first timers to old times. I go to Europe every summer and while there take a RS tour (#11 this summer). Last year we took his Village Italy Tour which spent most of the time in small cities in North Italy. This was a pleasant change for my wife and I after so many years of spending so much time in cities. As soon as my wife retires, we would like to do exactly what you are proposing to do. Good luck and happy travels.
Posted by
OP
Penang, Pinang, Malaysia
11 posts
Yes,just read RS Back Door, thanks. In the late 80's I lived in Europe for 2 yrs as an Au Pair on continent and England. My preference tends to be the same regardless of Europe, Asia or SA. I prefer Salzburg over Vienna, Volterra over Florence any village on the Rhine to Munich etc. looking for help with a few good bases to land in Germany, France, maybe N.Italy or Spain and Britain, Ireland? We are older and our travel style is slower and more relaxed ;) these days.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20038 posts
Budapest Plovdiv
Sibu
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
What a wonderful plan! In Ireland, the area around Kenmare is lovely, with lots of rentals in small towns and countryside. Lots of opportunities for day trips, as well as varied scenery. And you can cover much of the country if you take a long weekend. Lots of history, very safe. However, it's best suited for auto travel (although I've known people who did it by train). If you don't want a car the whole time, maybe stay in Dublin area and just rent a car for specific trips. In Italy, the towns in Umbria are pretty accessible by public transport but generally quieter than their counterparts in Tuscany
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
If you are considering a stay in the Netherlands as part of your trip, you could pick a village around the Veluwe National Park for a stay. They have many rental homes there and April is still "shoulder season". It is easy to cycle within the park and very pleasant during that time, when it is not raining. You could also consider renting a house somewhere near the dunes between Zandvoort and Katwijk, at the heart of the flower fields, which will be blossoming around that time. Alpine areas are a bit complicated and not recommended that time of the year because it is melting and thaw season, so most trails are closed and many lifts and gondolas closed for transitioning to summer mode. If Southern Italy is in your plans, you should consider Modica or Ragusa as a nice town to stay. It is hilly, but a very interesting region to stay. It is also still time to spend some days on the Portuguese Mediterranean coast before the summer crowds arrive. If you can afford it, a good plan could be to lease a car from Renault Drive or other similar plans for your whole stay. That would increase your "range" for possible accommodations, make it easier for you to drop off/pick up your spouse when he is travelling for work at the nearest airport.