We have made 3 trips to Europe from US. Our trips are limited to 10 days in the third week of April. We usually stay just 1-3 nights and move on by train but will rent a car for a day if necessary. We have done 1) Rome, Sorrento, Pompei, Florence, Lake Como, 2) Strasbourg, Reims, Paris, Versailles, London, and 3) Lyon, Carrieres de Lumieres and Pont du Gard (by car 1 day), Cannes, Nice, Lake Como. Looking for suggestions. Considering Prague, Venice, Salzburg and Munich or Seville, Cordoba, Toledo, Madrid and Barcelona. Worried that the weather might be too cold and damp for Prague. I know there's no guarantee on temps and rain but its part of the equation. Just interested in sightseeing. Any thoughts out there?
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
As far as weather and sightseeing you might consider Spain in late April. Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona. Another thought is the RS 11 day My Way route. This includes Sevilla.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6292 posts
I think Spain would be wonderful that time of year. I would want more time to see all 5 cities you note. And speaking of not enough time, Granada is well worth a couple of days, too.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thank you both. And I will look at adding Granada if we head to Spain.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
I highly recommend Slovenia and Croatia. I have been there at the very end of April/early May. It can by rainy, but I think you will run into that all over Europe in April. Croatia's coastal attractions may be less appealing in the rain. I've explored plenty of towns in the rain, though, and it can be OK especially if you can duck into places like museums and restaurants to dry off. And it may not be raining constantly or every day.
Prague is great. But expect it to be very touristy even in April, now I hear. It's not the kind of place I would worry much about having sunny, warm weather. Just dress appropriately and bring an umbrella in case it rains.
Ditto Venice. Very very touristy but amazing too.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
Spain is a great idea, but I'd skip Barcelona on a 10-day trip. Sevilla, Cordoba, Toledo, Granada, Madrid . . . Or skip Madrid. Madrid is the least interesting city of the lot, but it has 3 of the world's best art museums. If you love European painting, you'll want 2 full days just for those museums. If you aren't much into it, skip it and you won't miss much.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4320 posts
Madrid's Royal Palace is georgeous-I preferred it to the interiors of Versailles.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Andrew, would I need a car to travel in Slovenia and Croatia? I never considered those countries because I didn't think it would be easy to get there and then get around.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Chani and Cala, thank you for the input. Much appreciated. My research so far makes me believe that travel to the cities mentioned in Spain is easy by train. Would you agree?
Posted by
7667 posts
Spain and Portugal that time of the year is great.
Madrid, see the Prado and National Palace as well as side trips to Toledo and Segovia. Seville is wonderful. Granada and the Alhambra are special.
Lisbon and surrounding cities like Evora, Sintra, and Cascas, Obidos on the way to Porto. Then from Porto do the Douro River Valley
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thank you geova.
Are the places you mentioned in Portugal explorable by train or would I need to rent a car?