Am planning a 2 week trip this fall for myself and husband. Budget is limited, so carry-ons & plain lodgings is the plan (like most of our travel). Honeymooned in Europe 18 yrs ago, drove Romantic Road to Munich, night train to Paris, then England-but it was a long time ago. I'm a archeology buff & would like to see Rome and Florence and Herculaneum, he likes architecture, beaches & bars & would like to see this outdoor building museum in Switzerland. Not sure what is the best plan for this and would appreciate suggestions on itinerary and inexpensive places to stay. Would a railpass be a good idea?
Gloria
Posted by
Shoreline, WA
216 posts
Looks like you have to come to a meeting of the minds. Fortunately, you'll get it all done in one geographic area.
The outdoor museum your husband wants to visit is called Ballenberg. It's located up the train route from Interlaken in the mid of the beautiful Berner Oberland. It's worth a trip, estimate at least 4 hours on site. (Incidentally, similar outdoor museums are located in Tirol, Carinthia (Austria), in Slovakia, and elsewhere).
Posted by
Newburyport, MA
683 posts
Your first mistake would be to buy a railpass. Tickets are generally much cheaper when bought there, especially several days in advance. As you are likely over 26, you would be forced to buy a first-class Eurail, which is far more expensive than 2d class tix.
Your itinerary is doable. We'd suggest doing Switzerland then Florence then Rome and Ercolano last. This way you would be going in same direction
Posted by
Milwaukee, WI, USA
45 posts
If you plan on heading to Switzerland, I recommend doing some sight seeing in Northern Italy. Lake Como. Milan has some beautiful architecture and night life. For beaches my suggestion is to go to the Cinque Terre. It is very much rest and relaxation, and if you like to hike and climb through small mountain villages, this is the place. My suggestions for first-timers is go to Florence, Cinque Terre, and then another destination that sound interesting. If you are flying in and out of Rome then definately take a few days at the beginning of the trip to sight see...you want architecture...WOW! Also, they have some great ruins, take a half day and go to Ostia antiga. The audio guide is very complete. Your husband will like the night life in Rome.
Posted by
OH, OH, USA
1158 posts
I checked the railpass prices and find them quiet high. You can buy individual tickets or rent a car.It will be the same price for the car and gas for both of you. With passes/tickets will cost you double.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Gloria, if you're looking for inepensive hotels, try hotwire.com. I've booked 3 stars and have been pleased with the hotel they've given me.
The down part of hotwire is the hotel is a secret until you pay. However the up side is, you prepay the hotel (one less thing to worry) and if you view the icons you can get an idea what services they provide.
3 star hotels I've received have included: Sheraton, Hilton, Doubletree, Crowne Plaza. I will be in London for 1 day this June and got the Sheraton Heathrow for $89.
Posted by
Slidell, LA
553 posts
Gloria
First things first. If you like the old stuff, Rome is it, but your husband would also like the architecture, both old and new in Rome. Much the same with Florence. Take him to the Cinque Terre for the beach and bars, and here again he'll like the buildings that haven't changed in hundreds of years.
We got a 1st class rail pass from Rick and loved it because of the flexibility, but 2nd class rail passes are available. You can buy tickets at the train station, but sometime you will need a reservation (extra cost) and a little advance purchase will be required. This can be done online at a cyber cafe. You'll just need to calculate how many times you need the train to determine which is best for you. Go to the railpass tab on this site for a comparision of your options.
Get Rick's Italy 2008 guide book and you'll find lots of information including inexpensive places to stay. Lot's of B&B's, families renting rooms, etc, that are substantially less than the hotels there