My wife and I are thinking about doing a trip in late July/early August. Not the best time, but it is the time we have. We're in our early 30s and very fit with a preference for cultural experiences over museums. We're also very happy to walk down the hall to the WC or picnic if we can save a few bucks. We've traveled to Ireland, Germany, Italy, Salzburg, and Paris together. I have additionally been to Spain, Lisbon, Belgium, England, and Switzerland.
Very fortunate on the travel front. I was thinking about some kind of a trip involving London, Amsterdam, and the Alps over a 10 day period. She wants to go to Spain, but we understand that comes with some very special heat at that time of year. I also don't want to run smack into all the European vacationers. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3287 posts
Fly into London,,3 nights. Mtrain to Amsterdam, 2-3 nights. Mtrain down to the Alps, 3 nights. Moly out of Zurich or Geneva if you can. Your Alps could be Chamonix if you don't want to return to Switzerland.
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello John. Does the ten days include all the days between the time you leave from Illinois to the time you return to Illinois ?
Posted by
OP
Kewanee, IL
27 posts
Yes. But one more day could be had if critical.
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hello John. I think you will arrive at an airport at Britain or Europe on the second day of your trip. And the last day you will travel from an airport in Europe to Illinois. If you are away from your home a total of ten days, you will be at Europe and Britain a total of seven whole days. In seven days, I recommend that a traveler go to a total of two countries. And, I recommend that after a traveler returns to his home from Europe, he will be at his home a total of three whole days before going to work. After being at Europe, getting adjusted to a time zone in the United States of America takes time. I think it really takes seven days. Typically, a person returning to his home in the United States will awaken from his sleep at a very early time, like 2:30 A.M., and not be able to sleep again. Later in the day, he will feel very tired.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Given the time it takes to travel between your three destinations, in a 10 (or even 11) day trip, I'd choose two of them. And definitely fly open jaws ("multi city") into your first city and out of your last, rather than round trip, since you don't have time to backtrack. Parts of Spain will not have such hot weather (the areas in the north and on the Atlantic, like Basque Country). I'm not sure about crowds, though Since you are going in high summer, consider turning this to your advantage, and focus on places that aren't as nice in other seasons. I'm particularly thinking of Scandinavia, where the summer weather is nice rather than oppressive, and where hotels are actually cheaper, since the business travelers are gone. Following the tips in Rick Steves Scandinavia, I was able to see this area in July for not much more money than "cheaper" countries. I don't know about Scotland or Ireland, but similarly, I'd guess this would be the best time, weather-wise, to see them.