Plan to visit Europe.... help needed?

Question

My husband has a conference in Berlin, Germany in October and we thought it'll be a nice chance for us to see Europe... we're planning to visit few countries like France, Italy and Germany.... maybe Austria... we've decided to go to London, UK first as one of his friends live there and from there go further by Eurail... I need help on how to plan my trip... where can I get the cheapest flights... and the most economical accommodation and travel facilities... recommendations for good websites and personal experiences are most welcome... plus do I need to get visa for each country separately or one Schengen visa for one of the countries will do for all???

Answer 1

I don't know for how long you plan your trip, but don't put too much on your plate: Berlin has lots to see, and so does London; Both deserve a MINIMUM of 4-5 days. This leaves you very little time, unless this is one of those 1-2 month tours.

I would suggest, given the weather in London and Berlin in October, to add a sunnier city like Barcelona, Florence, Venice, Athens or Rome. There are cheap flights from Berlin and London to all of these places, as you can see at:

http://www.whichbudget.com

If you don't mind the weather, I must say that Copenhagen is fantastic (but expensive), Paris also deserves a minimum of 5 days and there is also Amsterdam or Munich.

Cheap hotels and holiday rentals in Europe could be found at:

http://www.hotel.de/Search.aspx?han=2204...

http://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=31...

You can also read reviews and get ideas at TripAdvisor.

Regarding the visa, you didn't say where you're from and how long you're planning to stay. Basically you need only one, but it depends on these factors.

Answer 2

Hi from Germany. I lived and worked in Berlin for seven years, and it's a great city. I recommend you discover that first (take a cruise on the river Spree if the weather is fine, and see "Checkpoint Charlie", the "museum island" and the beautifully renovated "Hackesche Höfe" in "Mitte" district, the former East Berlin).

Looking at the map you'll see that Berlin is in the far east of Germany. But don't worry. You can get cheap flights from there to the destinations you like. Try Lufthansa's "last minute" tickets, or the Irish RyanAir. I also had a good experience with the Dutch KLM who took me to Amsterdam, Netherlands, from Berlin Tegel airport in 40 minutes. If you want to go to Rome, Italy: Try Al Italia, and ask for a window seat. Seeing the Alps from above is like Google Maps, but closer. VERY MUCH closer! I felt like the mountain peaks would scratch the plane's belly, but the pilot told us not to worry. Well, I tried...

If you have enough money to spend, I'd recommend you fly from Berlin to Paris and then to Italy. If you don't, you should consider renting a car or taking trains and simply travel Germany. It's beautiful in its landscapes, and there's a lot to discover. Go see Bavaria and its castles and lakes, or the Rhineland.

The most economical stay in Germany is a "Pension", which is similar to a "bed and breakfast": Small, mostly family-run hotels that provide accomodation from something like 24 euros onwards. Count 35 in for a night, and you'll have a room with a shower and satellite TV. Some have WiFi internet access, too.

The Schengen visa will apply for all EU countries, but I assume you're a US citizen, so you're participating in the visa waiver programme, so you don't have to apply for a visa to Germany when you come as a tourist. If your husband has a business visa, the better.

You mentioned Eurail: I checked that out on their site many a time, as people keep asking me if Eurail is good to travel Europe. Yes and no. Eurail is quite a convenient way of traveling Europe if you don't like to have any worries. One ticket fits all. But there are cheaper ways of traveling once you're here and find out about the local railway transportation schemes. Like, the weekend ticket by Deutsche Bahn will get you from A to B for as little as 30-something euros on Saturdays and Sundays if you don't mind taking slow trains and getting in touch with the locals, and it's valid for up to 5 people traveling. Other countries have similar schemes. They're little known by tourists, and to use them, a basic knowledge of the local language is required.

Lengthy post, I know.

Proposing a schedule now:

You start at Berlin; go see the city. Take trains down to Munich, Bavaria. Compare the capital to the German south. Then try to get a flight out of Munich to somewhere in Italy. See Rome; it's great. If you have the chance, see Venice (and don't die), and then fly back home.

Skip Paris this time. It's a great city, but you can't see it in two days. It took me three weeks to grab that special feeling, and I must say, I do speak some French. If you don't, it'll take you longer.

Hope I could help.

btw, did you ever consider going to eastern Europe? Prague, in the Czech Republic, is wonderful. And young people there mostly speak English. There are trains out of Berlin going there which are quite affordable. And there's an international airport in Prague, too.

Answer 3

France, Austria?? BORING !!!

Try something trendy. Something new!

New Europe!

Tallinn, Krakow, Dubrovnik, Prague - those are the places to visit.

Cheap, beautiful and I recommend  trips with trabant (bono favourite DDR car) in Krakow. Absolutely extraordinary experience...

Answer 4

Hey,

You can get fairly reasonable plane tickets from an air carrier called Air Berlin.  Another airline to look at is Germanwings (they are actually having a sale right now.) Last but not least is TUI. All of these websites can be viewed in English. As far as the Eurail pass go to the German train website (Deutsche Bahn).  For hotels, go to hotels.com or travelocity.  Believe it or not, you will get good rates.  Stay at the Holiday Inn Express chain, they are all fairly new and decent in most of Europe and the price is good.  If you need a visa (like entering the UK, it will be issued at the border.) Most of the other countries (unless you are flying in) do not have passport control as they are all members of the EU. I am also assuming you are American citizens.

Answer 5

Where are you coming from and what passport do you and your husband have ?

Give us a clue.

Reading other answers I assume that both you and your husband have USA passports. You can come as a tourist for 90 days using the waiver system.

Your husband's case is more complicated, does he intend to do business in Germany. If he does then he is on business and needs a suitable visa. not a great problem but you need To apply in good time

Ian M

Answer 6

Hey,

  Check out noambit.com for some practical info on traveling to Europe.