Hello Everyone!
As the title suggests, I'm heading to EU (Rome/Italy/France/London/Netherlands/Switzerland) next year and would appreciate some advice (preferably from locals -- if any stumble across this! Or even those who have gone there before).
I am still finalising destinations with my friend who i'm travelling with, so as I go i'll update this thread so as not to waste peoples time with somewhere I haven't gone. At this stage, we're expecting 4-4.5 weeks.
SO here we go:
General questions:
1. Of the countries listed above, how connected are they? I.e. I can see that there are train-lines (Eurostar?) and services but how reliable are they? Personally, I don't like flying .period. and inter-country transfer, i'd prefer buses and trains occasionally.
2. London: Never been there and I don't really have expectations, however as our entry to EU is London (ex Dubai) we figured, lets stay there 2 days to get used to timezone (you guys are on almost an exact opposite timezone) and English is the primary language. Due to currency conversion, I'd probably not hang around in London too long as the exchange rate from AUD-GBP is quite unforgiving, whereas the Euro is a bit kinder.
Italy/Rome
This is where the bulk of our time will be, i've dreamed for years about going here... spent all night planning and currently feel a bit overwhelmed.
It is a fairly ambitious schedule, however, the time in Florence should be enough to hire a car to visit Siena and Monteriggioni/San Gimignano. I'd appreciate some thoughts on order as well.
Rome: 3 nights
Venice: 2 nights
Florence: 3 nights
Also, looking to do this tour: fairly cheap for the number of days, and will be slightly more relaxing. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/italy/rome-amalfi-70527
Happy for these to be 12hour, jam packed days in Rome, as we will be doing the 8 day bus tour thing which we'll have some down-time on the coach, etc.
Appreciate any and all thoughts on the above -- that's all I have for now, France to follow shortly!
Peace, out.
Mike
As the title suggests, I'm heading to EU (Rome/Italy/France/London/Netherlands/Switzerland) next year and would appreciate some advice (preferably from locals -- if any stumble across this! Or even those who have gone there before).
I am still finalising destinations with my friend who i'm travelling with, so as I go i'll update this thread so as not to waste peoples time with somewhere I haven't gone. At this stage, we're expecting 4-4.5 weeks.
SO here we go:
General questions:
1. Of the countries listed above, how connected are they? I.e. I can see that there are train-lines (Eurostar?) and services but how reliable are they? Personally, I don't like flying .period. and inter-country transfer, i'd prefer buses and trains occasionally.
2. London: Never been there and I don't really have expectations, however as our entry to EU is London (ex Dubai) we figured, lets stay there 2 days to get used to timezone (you guys are on almost an exact opposite timezone) and English is the primary language. Due to currency conversion, I'd probably not hang around in London too long as the exchange rate from AUD-GBP is quite unforgiving, whereas the Euro is a bit kinder.
Italy/Rome
This is where the bulk of our time will be, i've dreamed for years about going here... spent all night planning and currently feel a bit overwhelmed.
It is a fairly ambitious schedule, however, the time in Florence should be enough to hire a car to visit Siena and Monteriggioni/San Gimignano. I'd appreciate some thoughts on order as well.
Rome: 3 nights
Venice: 2 nights
Florence: 3 nights
Also, looking to do this tour: fairly cheap for the number of days, and will be slightly more relaxing. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/italy/rome-amalfi-70527
Happy for these to be 12hour, jam packed days in Rome, as we will be doing the 8 day bus tour thing which we'll have some down-time on the coach, etc.
Appreciate any and all thoughts on the above -- that's all I have for now, France to follow shortly!
Peace, out.
Mike
Last edited: