European Vacation - Any help :)?

[CampbellzSoup]

I went with https://www.contiki.com/eu/en which are a tour company specifically for the 18 to 35 age group. There are a huge amount of tour companies in Europe which do similar tours, just Google.

I'd rather go with a trusted brand that someone went to already thanks so much I truly truly appreciate it

 

[firecracker725]

I'd rather go with a trusted brand that someone went to already thanks so much I truly truly appreciate it

I've not done them, but I know people who have done Rick Steves' tours and have been very happy with it.

 

[cedricandsophie]

As others have said you won't have much time in any city but often you can just take a bus from the ship, without s tour, just to get you into city. The bus will drop you off st a central spot. Then I suggest a hop on hop off bus which will give you a great overview of the city you are in. For Rome if you want to actually get into the coliseum or the Vatican you should probably get a tour from the ship or a private tour in advance. The popular spots book up quite fast.

While I love London, I would recommend Paris for a few days ahead. It's incredible and you can leave the folks at a central spot while you get in the highlights. They would love a cruise on the Seine I'm sure and there is nothing like a private tour of Paris at night with all the lights on. Then you could take the Chunnel to London or just get to Dover where the ship probably leaves from. Then when you get to the port that is closest to Paris you could opt for something else like Normandy, z tour of the Castles etc.

As for st tropez it is a cute little village. Great galleries and shopping. You could opt for a tour of the grand corniche to drive to Ez for incredible views. Or a trip up the coast to Nice for topless beaches, great museums and incredible markets.

 

[hj0519]

I'd rather go with a trusted brand that someone went to already thanks so much I truly truly appreciate it

My family has traveled to Europe with both Insight Vacations and Go Ahead Tours, and we had great experiences with both companies.

 

[Realfoodfans]

Can anyone point me in a better direction to see the cities then if I had to drag them along .

I wanna see those amazing landmarks once in my life it's honestly so exciting to see such history.

Also when I'm not afraid of getting blown up the pyramids are on my list lol

We have been 3 times to Rome for days at a time and still not seen it all! My advice there would be (if your tour doesn't include it) get on an open top bus - be great for your in laws too. You can get on at numerous spots and you can get on and off and back on as you please. If time allowed you could get off to see perhaps the Trevi fountain and leave the in laws to sit and enjoy another round of the tour or sit them at a street cafe for a real Italian cappuccino. Just make sure you tell them which stop to get off the bus! On one of our visits when I wasn't too well we went round once, got off for lunch, did another circuit, got off for gelato! You see such a lot and can also do this in London & Paris. I haven't been to Pisa. In London you can get a card (like a bank card) which you top up and you can go anywhere on a normal bus for just £1. We did that last time we went and found a bus that did a great circuit before we returned to Trafalgar Square and got off there for Covent Garden, British Museum etc.
Don't try to plan too much - I'm sure your tour operator will give you ideas.

 

[Realfoodfans]

By the way you're no more at risk of pickpockets than anywhere else - just do your normal common sense being aware and nothing on view like a wallet sticking out of your back pocket!

 

[CarolAnn856]

By the way you're no more at risk of pickpockets than anywhere else - just do your normal common sense being aware and nothing on view like a wallet sticking out of your back pocket!

And my husband's advice...never ask someone to take your picture with your own camera/phone if you can't outrun them!

 

[DisneyPhans]

12 days is not enough, considering most of it will be spent sitting on a boat/bus. That being said, this looks really fun. I would just enjoy what I can, work within the limitations of the trip, don't overstretch by attemping too much. You will find people/locations that you WANT to return to, and this is probably the best aspect of the trip - kind of like an appetizer tray.

I would also suggest that you pick up some of the languages - at the very least for reading non-english signs and directions. This will increase your likability as an American, and you might even make some friends/connections for next time.

Regarding the wallet issue, this strikes a chord from childhood. I distinctly remember when I was a kid, a little girl of no more than 10-12 came up to me in a crowded area in France and grabbed my arm, asking for money. She would keep walking with me, staying as close as possible and constantly grabbing my left arm. She had to have been an experienced pickpocket: I usually keep my wallet in my back left pocket and she wanted to control my left arm and distract me. My uncle, who lives in Switzerland, was with me at the time. He forcefully pried her from me, lifted her up... and THREW her as though she was a piece of trash. I was completely traumatized by that, but now understand the potential danger I was in.

 

[anniemae]

I might stay a couple of days in London before we go to the their ports I know it's typically not the best way to do it ...you guys offer lovely suggestions but my parents in law are sadly coming lol and they can't move around like we can so we need a not condenced trip.

Again as long as I get my leaning tower photo I'm set

You guys are honestly the best thank you

We did a couple of pre-cruise nights in Athens (where our ship left from) it was amazing. I also loved the cruise because I felt safer for some reason. We absolutely loved cruising in Europe. Rome was so beautiful and be flew past all lines with our tour guide. The guides hired by the ship were so knowledgeable and they kept us safe (the Vatican is known for pick-pocketers). I would not have felt safe doing Europe on my own, but I am a chicken! I also liked coming back to the ship, only unpacking once was great.

 

[angelinaxox]

I am going to offer you a different view than others have posted based on my experiences. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Europe six times and number seven will be this summer. First trip was an 18 day Globus tour, across Europe, second trip was a Princess Baltic cruise, third trip was for a wedding in France, fourth trip was a Princess British Isles cruise, fifth trip was a Princess Mediterranean cruise, sixth trip was a Europe trip of three capitals -- Rome, Paris and London, sixth trip was a Disney Mediterranean cruise and number seven will be the Disney Norway, Scotland and Iceland cruise.

I love cruising Europe and prefer it to land based trips. I saw a lot of countries on the land tour, but I also found it to be tiring and I got homesick. I didn't like getting up early to leave and the packing and unpacking. It was not relaxing. I always tell people I slept through Holland. By the end of the tour, when we stopped in a little town in France for lunch, most of the people on the tour ended up at a McDonalds.

Second trip was the Baltic cruise with Princess. Each day I woke up in a new country. Saw enough for me during the day and at night back on the ship to relax and eat. I was never homesick. The itinerary was fabulous. I knew then that I prefer cruises in Europe.

Third trip was just Paris on our own for three days and then flew to the western part of France for a friend's wedding. It was the wedding that made it a great cultural experience and the trip was just a week so I didn't get homesick. Also, I was traveling with family and they were in charge of everything.

Since I learned from the Baltic cruise, that cruising was my favorite way of visiting lots of different countries in Europe, my next two trips I chose cruises. On the Princess British Isles cruise, we stopped in Le Havre with options to go to Paris or Normandy. I agree with the other poster that Paris was far although they did offer excursions to Paris. If this is a stop for you, I highly recommend a tour to Normandy to see the beaches and the cemetery. Definitely one of my favorite places to visit. It was very touching. On my Princess Mediterranean, I enjoyed Florence, Monaco and Rome as much as I did on my land tour. I skipped Pisa as I had seen it before.

The next trip I was invited to go with my parents and my brother's family to Rome, Paris and London. I was hoping that they would pick a cruise, but they didn't. In the middle leg of the trip, my dad was pickpocketed at the Metro. I was homesick and kept wishing I were on a cruise.

So when I chose my honeymoon, I chose a cruise in the Mediterranean but this time with Disney. It was fabulous. There were plenty of days at sea for relaxation and plenty of ports including Pisa which I know you said you want to see. And yes we took the requisite picture of us holding up the tower! I had the right balance of long and short tours for me with built in days at sea to relax. I had more days at sea than on my previous cruises, and at first I didn't think I would like that. However, I think it helped me be refreshed for the long port days.

On Monday, I am heading to Europe again on another cruise. So I thought I would give you a different perspective as you decide what is best for you. Have fun whatever you decide! If you do go with Princess, I can say I really enjoyed the cruises in Europe I did with them.

 

[GaryDis]

One alternative that hasn't been mentioned is going by train. We did this starting in Amsterdam and then seeing Scandinavia on a self-designed tour plan and had a great time. I haven't compared itineraries or prices, but train travel through Europe just feels so much more authentic and historic to me. I'd want to see the land, not the ocean

I'm so lame

So if you know it's lame, why is it still on your list? From what I've read, it's hardly worth the trip to Pisa when there are so many more significant sights and sites in Italy.

Seriously, while of course I'd take pictures on any tour, I'd focus on the things I want to experience, not the photo ops. It may not be possible to get Memory Maker there, but that's also not what I'd want.

 

[Dancind]

We went to Europe for the first time this year, a 12 day cruise on the new Viking Sea. Cruise was Venice to Barcelona, but we arrived early and had three full days in Florence before. That was our favorite part of the trip. The cruise was pretty hectic with only one sea day which we managed to be sick for. Other nights we ate (food was good) and hit the sack, we were so tired. We have decided that a more leisurely on our own visit to France next year will be more our style. I'm trying to learn some French.

That said, I vote for Florence over Pisa. It's further but Florence is wondrous. Pisa is crowded and smaller than you would think.

But for suggestions, do not miss the the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Then maybe a stroll down Las Ramblas. Watch your wallet, and head a couple blocks off the main drag to eat.

 

[Minnesota!]

Just started our "Europe" savings account last week My bucket list includes Germany for Oktoberfest

It will be a few years, but we want to make ONE trip and "get it all done". Neither of us has any interest in Italy/France/Greece, etc. We are hoping to see Norway, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Luxembourg, UK, Denmark, and Liechtenstein. It's a lot, I know. We are hoping to get 21 - 25 days to do it, and just enjoy what we can get done.

Anyway, being that our points of interest are all over the map, literally, are there any tour companies that do such a wide ranging tour to cover them all?

 

[cedricandsophie]

Just started our "Europe" savings account last week My bucket list includes Germany for Oktoberfest

It will be a few years, but we want to make ONE trip and "get it all done". Neither of us has any interest in Italy/France/Greece, etc. We are hoping to see Norway, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Luxembourg, UK, Denmark, and Liechtenstein. It's a lot, I know. We are hoping to get 21 - 25 days to do it, and just enjoy what we can get done.

Anyway, being that our points of interest are all over the map, literally, are there any tour companies that do such a wide ranging tour to cover them all?

You would be better off just designing your own trip. Since you have so much time you can do lots of research. I'd suggest you take no less than 30 days if you truly want to cover it all. Also you should consider a good travel agent and tell her or him what you want to do. You might need to pay a small fee for the advice and design of an itinerary but it is well worth it.

Starting in the UK you could do a good driving trip around the country in 4 to 5 days, then head to Ireland for 3 or 4 days. Then maybe fly to Germany and from there get a car for a couple weeks exploring most of the other countries. Not sure about best way to get to Poland. We flew to Warsaw and caught a tour that went to Kraków and then into Hungary.
As for Norway the best way to really see it is probably s cruise but that is a minimum of a week. Otherwise you mite just hit Oslo and Bergen.

If you do want tours I recommend gate1 travel. Reasonably priced and they go almost everywhere. We have used them for Poland, Egypt, Vietnam and have been very pleased.

 

[Realfoodfans]

Just started our "Europe" savings account last week My bucket list includes Germany for Oktoberfest

It will be a few years, but we want to make ONE trip and "get it all done". Neither of us has any interest in Italy/France/Greece, etc. We are hoping to see Norway, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Luxembourg, UK, Denmark, and Liechtenstein. It's a lot, I know. We are hoping to get 21 - 25 days to do it, and just enjoy what we can get done.

Anyway, being that our points of interest are all over the map, literally, are there any tour companies that do such a wide ranging tour to cover them all?

Trains around Europe are a great way to see things and we've found them to be punctual and reasonable price. In Germany a cruise on the Rhine is an opportunity to see some cities, smaller historical towns and the beautiful vineyards all in one. Obviously I love the UK but don't just focus on London. Try to include York, Chester, Oxford and if time allowed the Devon coast around Lyme Regis, Sidmouth - the Jurassic Coast area is our favourite and so much to see.

 

[Unas]

Unless you can get a couple weeks or more time off, it seems to me you are looking at two trips. There are many companies that offer escorted trips in Europe, both of which are readily available. One trip would get you to London and Paris and the other to Italy.

Two big things we discovered in shopping for an escorted tour. Some companies get you to a sight, others get you into a sight. Some companies include a number of meals, others breakfasts only.

I would not self drive in Ireland again. Half your brain is concentrating on how to get where you want to be, the other two thirds on staying on the proper side of the road, and about a fifth on working the transmission left handed. It's tiring. Then there are the walls and hedgerows; they are at or above the roof of the car, so much for sightseeing.

 

[GaryDis]

We are hoping to see Norway, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Luxembourg, UK, Denmark, and Liechtenstein.

Norway, Denmark, but not Sweden? Is there a specific reason? I found Stockholm more interesting than Oslo, though perhaps that's influenced by spending more time there for other reasons.

about a fifth on working the transmission left handed.

When we rented in the UK, driving from Brighton to Wales and then back to London, we splurged and got an automatic even though both of us were driving standards back home at the time.

 

[Minnesota!]

Norway, Denmark, but not Sweden? Is there a specific reason? I found Stockholm more interesting than Oslo, though perhaps that's influenced by spending more time there for other reasons.


When we rented in the UK, driving from Brighton to Wales and then back to London, we splurged and got an automatic even though both of us were driving standards back home at the time.

Hoping to see all the places my ancestors are from...Swedish I am not. Not the
least bit opposed to it, though. Just not a priority

 

[teller80]

I might stay a couple of days in London before we go to the their ports I know it's typically not the best way to do it ...you guys offer lovely suggestions but my parents in law are sadly coming lol and they can't move around like we can so we need a not condenced trip.

I don't understand why you're traveling with your in laws if you don't want to?

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I don't understand why you're traveling with your in laws if you don't want to?

What's the problem you have understanding?