Europe group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Help with Itinerary Please. Ireland, Amsterdam...

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bergen Joined: Apr 11 Points: 87 Posts: 7 Posted: 2011-04-01 16:49:00    I could use a little help if I could. I'm about to plan my first trip to Europe but I'm not sure which country would be best to arrive/depart from how to travel while there... Really, I know nothing. I do know that I will have 14 days and I will arrive via Dubai. I would like to see Ireland and Amsterdam. I would also like to fit in either Germany, Paris, or Scotland. But, in the end I know 14 days isn't that long. Here is a little background on me and what I'm in search for if that would help someone help me. I am very excited to see Ireland and Amsterdam for the landscape and history. That's why they are the two certains for me. I want to explore Scotland if possible. My wife's family is from there and we have a great relationship, somehow that makes it interesting to me. (Unfortunately, by the time I arrive I will no longer be with my Wife. But I still love her family) I've heard a lot about Paris and Berlin, and would like to visit one of those if possible. Interest: I'm not a big drinker. I enjoy scotch and good beer, but on a very rare basis. In other words, drinking isn't a big plus on the trip, but I would like to enjoy one or two. I love natural landscapes and history, MUSIC, and entertaining people. That's the gist of what I am looking for. In the end, I want to find a way to go see a small portion of the world and put my marriage in the back of my head for a bit. Meet new people, learn new things, and get a sense of what it's like to be somewhere other then home or war. Can one or all of you help me out? Thank you all very much! [edited by bergen at 2011-04-01 16:49] --- "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle Reply    Reply with quote    Contact bergen   bergen Joined: Apr 11 Points: 87 Posts: 7 Posted: 2011-04-02 06:18:00    I forgot to add the timing of the trip. I plan on being there on the last week of June through the first week of July. Also, money: I have enough to do what I want to do, but I don't want to blow my entire savings on the trip. I'd really like to keep it as inexpensive as possible, but don't mind putting the money down when necessary. --- "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle Reply    Reply with quote    Contact bergen   bergen Joined: Apr 11 Points: 87 Posts: 7 Posted: 2011-04-03 09:52:00    Alright, I have received a lot of help so far and I believe I may have a decent outline of the major travel issues. I've essentually split the trip into 2 seven day halves. The first half will be in U.K./Ireland. The second half will be in Europe. Arrive in London London-Ireland-London-Scotland. A britrail pass will take me throughout the area Flight from edinburgh to Amsterdam (For time managemant) Amsterdam-Berlin-Paris A Europass will be used for travel Flight from Paris to London. Depart to Point of origin from London. How does that look to everyone? Does it seem feasable? I have looked at the available train passes, but am still a little lost on which passes to purchase to travel when and how often I will need to. Example: I would prefer to travel at night and also be free to travel within the countries without much extra cost. Of course I still need ideas on what are "must sees" in each country, and I'm sure I will find more once I arrive. Any further help is greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much! --- "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle Reply    Reply with quote    Contact bergen   porto Premium account Joined: Jan 09 Points: 13045 Posts: 14 Posted: 2011-04-03 12:52:00    Hi Chris London is an excellent starting point for your journey and also lots to see and do there as well. Donegal in Ireland is a personal favourite of mine and the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland is great also. Glasgow & Edinburgh are good bases to connect with the Highlands and Islands, Citylink buses have some good fares if you book a week or more in advance and Scotrail also. The train journeys to the Highlands are excellent esp Fort William to Mallaig. Amsterdam has a great camp site (Zeeburg) just a few tram stops outside the centre, Paris another fav of mine (and possibly everyone else's ;-) you will also enjoy and Berlin again you will have plenty to do and see and Bremen in Germany is another place where I have good memories. Hope this gives you some more ideas. All the best Fred. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact porto   bergen Joined: Apr 11 Points: 87 Posts: 7 Posted: 2011-04-04 17:12:00    Thank you for the feedback. I'll be sure to check into the Citylink buses before I head out. --- "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle Reply    Reply with quote    Contact bergen   eirekay Premium account Joined: Aug 03 Points: 19539 Posts: 214 Posted: 2011-04-04 23:19:00    The sites I most enjoy seeing frequently are not the ones I expected to. In no particular order: DiVinci drawings at the British National - seeing the drawing of man in person is surreal Westminster Abbey - kings and queens walked there Holyrod (Edinbrough) Pub hopping in Dublin Montmarte in Paris - Monet, Picasso, Dali, Van Gogh all had studios there Latin Quarter in Paris - great street food Anne Frank's house Rembrandt's house Van Gogh Museum Les Invalides - Napoleon is buried there - interesting battle related stuff, very near the Tower La Conciergerie where Marie Antoniette was held Have a great trip! --- Life is not measured by the breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away. Profile Pic: Tikal, Guatemala Reply    Reply with quote    Contact eirekay   bergen Joined: Apr 11 Points: 87 Posts: 7 Posted: 2011-04-05 08:39:00    Eire, Thank you so much for the feedback. You just named off a lot of the things I'm interested in, and a couple new ones to research. It appears as though we have some of the same interests. BTW, your suggestion to fly into London saved me enough money on my flight to pay for a train pass. Thank you, I was orgionally going to fly into Amsterdam. I still have a lot of research to do. But at this point, it's very motivating. Does anyone have some good suggestions on luggage? Backpack, bag, etc... --- "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle Reply    Reply with quote    Contact bergen   porto Premium account Joined: Jan 09 Points: 13045 Posts: 14 Posted: 2011-04-05 22:08:00    Chris Personally I like to travel as light as possible so I use a backpack when possible. To add to Eire's suggestions here are some things that I enjoyed. London, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Sq, Notting Hill, London Eye, Regents Park, Covent Garden. Ireland, Bottled Guinness, the hills of Donegal, Antrim and The Giants Causeway although a bit further north than you may have time for. Edinburgh, the castle and Royal Mile, bus tour combining boat under the Forth bridges, Princes St Gardens and don't miss Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat. Tourist info at Waverley train station are great for ideas also. Amsterdam, Yellow bike tour, bus tour to cheese farm and windmills and Zeeburg campsite where you will find a good mix of people from Europe. Paris, Eiffel Tower take the stairs for the first 2 flights then the lift to the top, this gives you a better look at the structure in my opinion. Parc Monceau, Jardin du Luxembourg, city bus tour 5 lines which takes you to a lot of the main sights. Berlin, city bus tour and a walking tour which I enjoyed a lot and the best way to see any city. Also take a look at flying from Stansted airport to Ireland as it is much quieter than Heathrow and only an hour or so away from central London. Hope this gives you a few more ideas. Fred. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact porto   bergen Joined: Apr 11 Points: 87 Posts: 7 Posted: 2011-04-06 10:17:00    Again, much appreciate the help. I found the site onebag.com and plan to do just that. I'm accustomed to carrying all of my belongings on my back already, so it shouldn't be much of a stretch for me. I plan on ordering a good travel bag within the next couple of days and using the info I found to pack as light as possible. Thank you very much for the idea about the bike and bus tours. I love biking, and a bus tour would be a great way to see a lot. You also listed a few sights that I didn't know about. I'll begin checking into them. --- "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle Reply    Reply with quote    Contact bergen   bergen Joined: Apr 11 Points: 87 Posts: 7 Posted: 2011-05-13 09:21:00    Alright! I'm just about set up. I have purchased my airfare, train passes for Britian, Ireland, and Europe, and what looks to be a very nice travel bag (MEI Voyager). I still need to look into Hostel arangements, but may wait until I am in country as I don't have any definite itinerary and wouldn't want to make reservations to places I may not make it to. I am overly excited for all of this! Just 40 days from now I will be enjoying new worlds and learning new things!!! --- "No Pressure, No Diamonds." Thomas Carlyle Reply    Reply with quote    Contact bergen   Page: 1 2