I am starting to plan our May 2010 Europe trip. Would like any and all recommendations. Particularly regarding time and itinerary. Looking at 26 days and most travel will be by train Will rent a car for day trips if necessary. Not sure where I will fly into but considering London, Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt. Using London here it is London (3) Brugge(2) Amsterdam (2), Nurmberg (2) Munich (3), Salsberg (2), Dijon (2),South of France (want to visit champagne region, lavendar etc) Avignon Chalon-en-Champagne (5) Paris (3). then chunnel back to London. i have spent a week in Paris so don't need too much more time there. Your ideas, places to stay, things to see, and mostly is this too much. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
The Champagne region is not in the south, and Chalon is not near Avignon.
You have picked some great destinations (and a few which are not obviously so, like Dijon, but that may be great for you), but all cities. For 26 days in spring, I suggest some small towns or countryside. Maybe for those regions where you rent a car (Provence, perhaps, or Burgundy) you'd take the importunity to stay in a small town.
This is a lot, but not necessarily too much if you are nimble and enjoy a fast pace. The 5 days in Provence will be a needed breather and change of pace, I think.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
If you balance it out correctly, you may be able to fit everything comforably in 26 days. You can see most of Brugge and Dijon with two days in each. You can see most of Nuremberg in a day.
To save yourself some time and money, unless you have to fly out of London, have you considered flying open jaw? That way, you wouldn't have to back-track in a large circle through western Europe.
Posted by
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
191 posts
Agree with Tom on flying open jaw. Especially since I didn't book it that way last Sept but the fire in the Chunnel prevented me from getting back to London and we had to scramble to change our flights to fly out of Paris instead.
Posted by
OP
Danville, California, USA
139 posts
thanks for your quick answers. Probably should have explained a little better. I put some of the places like Avignon as a point of reference. I will probably pick up a car there to drive through the south of France. As well I may not actually stay in Nurmberg but if anyone has a small town nearby I would appreciate that. Mainly I am going to Nurmberg to find my father's grave. I think Chalon-en-champagne is in the champagne region and has been recommended. Thanks again. The more I looked at my plans the more concerned I got that maybe it would be too much. And I am not a big museum person. Mostly I enjoy the country side, history etc. And a few museums.
Posted by
OP
Danville, California, USA
139 posts
And as far as flying open, I won't do that because I will be using mileage to upgrade to business class. I am open as far as where I start the circle. I could fly. And maybe I could get a flight home from another city. I will have to check that when I book. thanks again. Everyone on this site has so much knowledge. I used it when planning my Italy trip last summer and France two years before.