European Vacation ideas

[dmclone]

Wanting to get thoughts on a European vacation.

No kids
Willing and able to drive while I'm there. Of course I prefer rail travel. We pack light with one backpack each.
10-12 days
Prefer a mix of 50/50 large cities/small towns
Like to incorporate good food into most trips.
Usually do open jaw flights if needed
This isn't the type of vacation where we just relax and sit by the water, we want to see things
Wife can speak a little Italian and French.
September or October

We've been to Italy north and south, France north and south, Southern Germany/Northern Austria, England(London), Belgium, Netherlands, and all over Ireland.

Would love to visit Switzerland but just too much $$$. I've heard the same thing about the Scandinavian countries.

Some places we're considering are Spain, Scotland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Austria, Montenegro, etc.

Recommendations?

 

[BCClone]

how about Ukraine? Know a lady who can show you around and help you out. If you could pay her flight back it would save me, eerrr.... I mean her a lot of postage.

 

[mramseyISU]

I was just in Finland for a couple days on a work trip. Didn't seem like there was a lot of summer activities there, more of a winter sports destination.

I also spent some time in North West Italy on that same trip, Asti for a few days and Turin, I really like that and flights to Milan are pretty reasonable.

 

[Gunnerclone]

I’ve been mapping out a tour of the former Austro-Hungarian empire at its collapse for awhile. Prague, Vienna, Budapest, zagreb, Dalmatian coast, Sarajevo. Probably will stay away from the eastern side (what is now Poland and Romania) although I would like to go to Lemberg (L’vov).

That will have to wait though I’m going to London and Amderstam this year.

 

[jcyclonee]

If there's one thing I learned from the movie Hostel it's to not hit on hot girls in Bratislava.

 

[dfwcy]

Liked Vienna(need to go back) LOVED Prague. Heard great things about Budapest. Heard good things about Poland as well (cheap place to visit) I will definitely go back to Prague someday soon. I wanted to to Istanbul but will wait on that one for a while.

 

[CycloneJoe6]

Was just in Europe for 12 days in December. 3 of our stops I would highly recommend: Prague, Budapest, and Krakow.

 

[dfwcy]

Was just in Europe for 12 days in December. 3 of our stops I would highly recommend: Prague, Budapest, and Krakow.

Can you share some thoughts on Budapest and Krakow and how they compared to Prague? How was the weather there in Dec?

 

[CycloneJoe6]

Can you share some thoughts on Budapest and Krakow and how they compared to Prague? How was the weather there in Dec?

Weather was consistently in the 30's when I was over there so it wasn't too bad. Budapest was my favorite, very beautiful place where a river splits the Buda side and the Pest side. There are a lot of things to do there (thermal baths, Castle, Parliament) that come with amazing views of the city.

The locals called Krakow a "mini prague" and that was pretty spot on. A lot smaller place but had an awesome main square like Prague does. It is very historical with a lot of WW2 museums, schindlers factory, as well as Auschwitz close by. Food was also really great.

 

[Knownothing]

I know it's not popular because of the name but Iceland is incredible. The scenary is awesome and as a single guy I have never seen so many 6 foot tall super model looking women. Not even joking. However, Google it and check out some of the stuff. It's awesome.

 

[dmclone]

I know it's not popular because of the name but Iceland is incredible. The scenary is awesome and as a single guy I have never seen so many 6 foot tall super model looking women. Not even joking. However, Google it and check out some of the stuff. It's awesome.

Iceland has really become popular over the last few years.

 

[NickTheGreat]

We did Southern Spain and Portugal a few years back. I really enjoyed Portugal. Lisbon, in particular is a fun city. Lots of day trips type of adventures within driving distance. Not sure on the rail aspect, though.

Spain was okay, but I think a person should do Northern Spain from a food aspect. Southern Spain food was okay, but nothing special.

They are very close countries geographically, but intentionally are very different culturally. Language barrier was much worse in Portugal than Spain.

 

[capitalcityguy]

 

[TXCyclones]

Wanting to get thoughts on a European vacation.

No kids
Willing and able to drive while I'm there. Of course I prefer rail travel. We pack light with one backpack each.
10-12 days
Prefer a mix of 50/50 large cities/small towns
Like to incorporate good food into most trips.
Usually do open jaw flights if needed
This isn't the type of vacation where we just relax and sit by the water, we want to see things
Wife can speak a little Italian and French.
September or October

We've been to Italy north and south, France north and south, Southern Germany/Northern Austria, England(London), Belgium, Netherlands, and all over Ireland.

Would love to visit Switzerland but just too much $$$. I've heard the same thing about the Scandinavian countries.

Some places we're considering are Spain, Scotland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Austria, Montenegro, etc.

Recommendations?

The two most beautiful cities in the world: Barcelona and Lucca, Italy. Throw in the rest of the Tuscan valley, Positano, the Spanish coast, etc, and you've got a great European vacation.

 

[dmclone]

Spain was okay, but I think a person should do Northern Spain from a food aspect. .

On the final season of Anthony Bordain, one of his episodes was from Northern Spain and it looked very interesting.

 

[cyclone13]

Liked Vienna(need to go back) LOVED Prague. Heard great things about Budapest. Heard good things about Poland as well (cheap place to visit) I will definitely go back to Prague someday soon. I wanted to to Istanbul but will wait on that one for a while.

Budapest is awesome. I loved Vienna - Prague was somewhat a letdown (it's magical at night, though), probably because I had such a high expecation. But Budapest exceeded the expectations and I'd love to go back. We spent 2.5 days (plus the following morning to fly) and could easily spend another day there.

 

[cyclone13]

I know it's not popular because of the name but Iceland is incredible. The scenary is awesome and as a single guy I have never seen so many 6 foot tall super model looking women. Not even joking. However, Google it and check out some of the stuff. It's awesome.

I heard good things about Iceland too but on the other side, it's really expensive as their infrastructure (incl. accomodations) can't keep up with the tourists.

 

[cyclone13]

You can start with Budapest then Vienna (daytrip to Bratislava) - then to Prague or the other way. That will be a good trip and the timeframe is reasonable. Train is reasonable and since you're packing light, you can try flying on Ryanair. adding Poland in the trip might make it too cramped and rushed.

 

[HappyJoe]

We loved Iceland. Flights and lodging are cheap. Food and beer is not. We are doing Croatia (Split or Dubrovnik) next fall. Let us know if you go there and your thoughts.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I heard good things about Iceland too but on the other side, it's really expensive as their infrastructure (incl. accomodations) can't keep up with the tourists.

My sister's pictures from Iceland are gorgeous.