My soon to be husband and I would like to go to Ireland, London, Paris, Rome, and Italy. How would we do this, where to stay, in which order do we visit the places, how to we Travel while there, and what sights do we see. Oh and for how long.Update:Italy, meaning other cities.. Created by Jodi W. travel-en - europe-continental-en - other-europe-en

How to travel Europe?

t_maia2000

Verified answer

As a rule you should plan to spent 5-7 days in big cities like Rome, Paris, London and 2-3 weeks in every country you intend to visit.

Ireland, London, Paris and Italy would thus need a timeframe of about 7 weeks or 50 days.

Travelling in Europe is expensive (especially the big cities), so where you'll stay or how you travel will depend upon your budget and your level of comfort.

There are quite a number of travellers who rough it, they either stay in hostels or take a small tent and stay on camping sites. They get around using public transport or rented car or a campervan. They also buy their food in supermarkets and cook their own meals in hostel kitchens or on a camping stove. Going like this they typically budget around 60 EUR per day and person (more in big cities) plus the cost of the flight tickets.

A couple from the US travelling for 50 days like this will need around 11,000 USD at the current exchange rate. (Told you it was expensive.)

Others decide to go for shorter periods of time but instead stay in 3-star hotels and eat out in restaurants. These people need roughly 150-200 EUR per day if they are travelling as a couple. They usually focus on one country, travelling for 10-14 days. A trip like this will cost around 5000-7000 USD.

This is all for travelling independently, you of course got the option of going with a tour company. I personally prefer going independently as it allows you to see exactly the things you want at your own pace.

Your best bet is going to a bookstore and buying some travel books like Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Let's Go, Footprint or Rick Steves.

Many people use "Europe on a shoestring" from Lonely Planet or the Rick Steves' books.

Check out the following websites:

http://www.ricksteves.com/ (read all the tips at http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/tips_menu.htm )

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

http://www.travelblogs.com/ (for giving you ideas, I especially liked the entries of one young Dutch-American couple who cycled from the Netherlands to China for their honeymoon)

I did Europe entirely on my own when I was twenty. I look back as an older adult, now, and I think MY God! What was my mother thinking that whole time!? I wrote to my parents frecuently, but never called, that would have taken too much time, and this was WAY before internet, so, I wonder how much my mom worried about me. I think of all the things I did where I might have gotten into real danger, had certain situations occured slightly differently, and yet, I was lucky, and a bit savvy, and managed not to get into any trouble (no stranger-danger too much to handle, etc.) and I had the time of my life! I think travelling with a good friend or your cousin sounds terrific!!! How old are you? Are you both mature enough to handle things if they DO get a little rough? can you avoid sticky situations, or get out of them if you get into them? I would say, if you are under twenty, you should be extremely mature to go alone, or wait a couple of years for that. Whatever you do, don't do the one night in every city thing. Concentrate on a couple of cities if your time is too short to do everything well. It is important to really get a feel for each city/country you are in, and not to just be able to say you were in each major city. Be sure to build in some down time, nature and such. And be flexible. I found my down time was planned just a week too late, and I wound up blowing one major city, because I was already burnt out. After spending a few days in the mountains, I was much refreshed, and started with a new spirit. (for me, it was about two and a half, maybe three weeks of really intense city/museum stuff that ruined the fourth week). What you should watch out for is, first, be aware of any terrorist activity, and try to avoid places that look iffy...I was in Belfast the day one of the hunger strikers had died, and there were riots. I managed to get out pretty quickly, but had I stayed in the Youth Hostel, would have been pretty sticky. Watch out for pickpockets, they can ruin your trip. Keep more than one source of money, two or more credit cards are a good idea, just try to get the kind that don't charge too much for the exchange. They run from 1 - 3%. The actual exchange rate is the best using a card. ATM cards should have 4-digit PINs. 5-digit ones don't work in a lot of European machines. They, too, are a great way to avoid carrying too much cash, and traveller's checques aren't accepted much anymore. Men. be aware of strange men. Don't go anywhere you're not sure about with some strange native. you just never know. Stay in public places. and use taxis at night. Just, generally use good common sense. get your youth hostel card, and if you are a student, an international student ID card, and a train pass (research the options, there are several, so you can decide which is best for you), before you leave the US. And have fun! if you decide to do it the backpack way.

Answers & Comments

ndarkangel

Fist go to london then fly to Paris then rent car and go to italy then go to ROme after that came back to France then fly to Ireland

£Øve.¦§.Ð€ªd 愛♠

Im 13 and I went with a tour group in winter. I seriously recommend you go in winter though. Stuff is cheaper when its cold. Tour groups are pretty resticted though. If you go to france, go to Champagne. Bring a jacket. xD Or you could backpack it, but thats sorta difficlult. Plan in advance and good luck with your trip~