16/17 days Europe Tour

blue_haddock

poet123 wrote: »

If it suited you fine, but sleeping on trains and having a very finite time in each place is not my idea of fun. Akin to reading the synopsis of the book on the back cover rather than reading the book imo, but each to their own.

I agree whole heartidly with this. Way too much travelling with not enough time actually enjoying the places your visiting.

You can quite easily spend 2 or 3 hours having a good meal somewhere which would be half your alloted time for a whole country.

n6600

slinga wrote: »

I've just started a similar thread about the cost of plane v train.

We are happy with the fact we may only spend 3 or 4 days in each place although we may cut down the number of stops, not yet decided but I'm looking for a good site to find and book, if necessary, train journeys.

slinga, can you please gimme the link to your thread re cost of plane v train?

hollydays

I wouldnt bother with Pisa at all,but Florence is a must.

FamilySands

We did Hastings; Longwy, France; Zurich, Switzerland, then a week in Rauris, Austria & on the way back Munich, Germany; Frankfurt, Germany; Mechelen, Belgium.

The travel part was a nightmare. You don't really get to 'see' much due to mostly travelling. Too busy concentrating on roads & whether the satnav was taking us the right way! We did this with our kids 9yrs, 5yrs & 9mths! Madness, I know!

The weeks stop was the lifesaver. I would do it again, but much better paced allowing much longer at each destination.

The route you are thinking of sounds fantastic, but it is such a long way. Our route was 2000 miles & always looks so much closer when your planning it on a map. We did use online route planners too & printed them all off in case our satnav had a funny, which they do seem to on occasions.

Definitely do one, but maybe a shorter version. It's a great experience! Good luck with your planning.

thumperrabbit

I have done Edinburgh, London, Paris, Cote D'azur, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Venice, Lake Como, Lucerne all driving in 2 weeks. It was a superb way for the kids to see Europe.

The 2nd trip we went Edinburgh, London, Champagne region of France, Lucerne, Tuscany and Rome. We spent 4 days travelling and the rest of the time touring Italy whcih was amazing. I then drove home from Rome in a day! (wouldn't do that again).

I would say if you were driving then you could achieve your itinerary but if you are flying or using public transport then you will spend too much time in airports.