Critique My Tentative Itinerary to Europe

[LaurenThePartier]

Hi all -

Well, we've done a load of planning, and it now seems as if we have tickets to Europe. Yay!

We fly into Frankfurt on March 14th, and fly out of Rome on March 27th. This is the tentative plan for now.

March 14th 5:00 am - arrive in Frankfurt =probably meet a friend who lives there and we will hang out with him for the day. If not, we'll just find a hotel near the airport/rail station.

March 15th - take a train to Zurich. Stay over night.

March 16th - travel to Genoa - Stay two nights.

March 18th - travel to Bologna/Florence (this part is undecided)

March 19th - Lucca/Pisa - Stay 2/3 nights

March 22nd - Travel to Positano/Sorrento, stay at Le Sirenuse (http://www.sirenuse.it/) for 2 nights, maybe 3 nights.

March 25th - Travel to Rome to prepare for our trip home

March 27th - Come home!

What do you guys think? Any hotel recommendations for any of the cities beyond Positano?

 

[LitigatorChick]

I have no comments, except that when I first read your post, I thought you said that your friend lives at the airport. Oh my!!!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 5:09:00 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
I have no comments, except that when I first read your post, I thought you said that your friend lives at the airport. Oh my!!!

Hahahaha! Thanks, caught that and edited it! I meant to type something else but someone walked into my office so I hit submit quickly . . . eesh!

Multi-tasking is not my forte!

 

[bee*]

I would maybe take one night off Genoa and spend a night in somewhere like Berlin or Munich seeing as you''re in Germany. Munich would probably be better as it would be on your way down as such. It''s a fabulous city with great food and drink and tons of things to see and do. Otherwise it looks great.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Okay, now I do have comments. My DH and I spent a couple days in Munich and we really did not like it at all. Just my 2 cents.

 

[indecisive]

Date: 2/26/2008 5:26:29 PM
Author: bee*
I would maybe take one night off Genoa and spend a night in somewhere like Berlin or Munich seeing as you''re in Germany. Munich would probably be better as it would be on your way down as such. It''s a fabulous city with great food and drink and tons of things to see and do. Otherwise it looks great.

I thought Munich was great too! The clock tower was so gorgeous!

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/26/2008 5:59:19 PM
Author: indecisive

Date: 2/26/2008 5:26:29 PM

Author: bee*

I would maybe take one night off Genoa and spend a night in somewhere like Berlin or Munich seeing as you''re in Germany. Munich would probably be better as it would be on your way down as such. It''s a fabulous city with great food and drink and tons of things to see and do. Otherwise it looks great.

I thought Munich was great too! The clock tower was so gorgeous!

It really is beautiful. We went during the Oktoberfest also-it was one of the best weekends of my life. It was brilliant! Munich is just fab.

 

[Independent Gal]

Personally, I''d take hip-hop-happenin Berlin over stodgy old Munich ANY day, except that Berlin is kind of in the wrong direction.

The itinerary looks great to me. Just be flexible about timing since that''s a LOT of ground to cover.

Lucca is one of my fave places in all of Italy. So jealous! And Rome, well, that''s like my soul''s second home.

Have fun!

 

[surfgirl]

I would urge you to consider shortening the number of places you're going, and spend more time in a few places. I'm not sure what you're going to even see the first few days as it appears you're always on your way to the next place, yes? Maybe it's just how I travel but I much prefer to spend a longer amount of time in a few places and really get to know them. If it was my trip, I'd fly directly into Italy (because really, you aren't actually going to be able to really "see"Frankfurt or Zurich on your schedule)and narrow it down to: Florence, Lucca/Pisa, Positano, Rome. That gives you about 3 days per place to sightsee, shop, wander the non-tourist areas and outer lying areas, etc. Actually, if it was me, I'd narrow it down to 3 places so I could spend more time in each but that's just me...

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 5:26:29 PM
Author: bee*
I would maybe take one night off Genoa and spend a night in somewhere like Berlin or Munich seeing as you''re in Germany. Munich would probably be better as it would be on your way down as such. It''s a fabulous city with great food and drink and tons of things to see and do. Otherwise it looks great.

I think if we were to hit another city in Germany it would be Stuttgart - simply for the Porsche factory.

Do they give away free cars there?

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 6:18:13 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Personally, I''d take hip-hop-happenin Berlin over stodgy old Munich ANY day, except that Berlin is kind of in the wrong direction.

The itinerary looks great to me. Just be flexible about timing since that''s a LOT of ground to cover.

Lucca is one of my fave places in all of Italy. So jealous! And Rome, well, that''s like my soul''s second home.

Have fun!

Alot of your posts in the last thread helped me narrow it down to Italy, and also Lucca.

Thank you for so many wonderful suggestions, both this time and last!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 6:24:00 PM
Author: surfgirl
I would urge you to consider shortening the number of places you're going, and spend more time in a few places. I'm not sure what you're going to even see the first few days as it appears you're always on your way to the next place, yes? Maybe it's just how I travel but I much prefer to spend a longer amount of time in a few places and really get to know them. If it was my trip, I'd fly directly into Italy (because really, you aren't actually going to be able to really 'see'Frankfurt or Zurich on your schedule)and narrow it down to: Florence, Lucca/Pisa, Positano, Rome. That gives you about 3 days per place to sightsee, shop, wander the non-tourist areas and outer lying areas, etc. Actually, if it was me, I'd narrow it down to 3 places so I could spend more time in each but that's just me...

Right - we tried to fly in and out of Naples, but the best we could find in the way of airfare was $1,100 per person, so we had a huge sigh of relief when we found flights into Frankfurt and out of Rome for half that.

So, really - in a prefect world, I'd fly straight from Frankfurt to Naples for 60 EU pp, but SkyEurope doesn't fly out of Frankfurt.

I'm thinking of skipping Genoa, and heading to Florence instead, unless there's something compelling to see in Genoa.

Thanks for your input! This helps.

 

[TravelingGal]

Lauren, have you checked train schedules between all of these destinations?

I love Lucca...but I am not sure you''d want to spend 2 or 3 nights there. Depends on what you are looking for. Can''t remember, but have you been to Italy before? Lucca is quiet at night. Coincidently, I was there around the same time of year that you are going. I''d prefer Sienna over Lucca for longer stays. Either way, stay inside the city walls if you can.

How are you gettin from Lucca to Positano? Will you have a car to pick you up in Sorrento? Are you taking the Circumvesiuviana? As of 5 years ago, there is no train from Sorrento to Positano...only a bus...which is an experience altogether. Splurge for the car/taxi.

Personally, I think you are moving too much for this duration of a trip, but I''m a slow traveler. Between March 15 and 19, I''d slow it down a bit. Why do you want to go to Zurich? Can you cut that part out?

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 2/26/2008 6:28:20 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 2/26/2008 6:24:00 PM
Author: surfgirl
I would urge you to consider shortening the number of places you''re going, and spend more time in a few places. I''m not sure what you''re going to even see the first few days as it appears you''re always on your way to the next place, yes? Maybe it''s just how I travel but I much prefer to spend a longer amount of time in a few places and really get to know them. If it was my trip, I''d fly directly into Italy (because really, you aren''t actually going to be able to really ''see''Frankfurt or Zurich on your schedule)and narrow it down to: Florence, Lucca/Pisa, Positano, Rome. That gives you about 3 days per place to sightsee, shop, wander the non-tourist areas and outer lying areas, etc. Actually, if it was me, I''d narrow it down to 3 places so I could spend more time in each but that''s just me...

Right - we tried to fly in and out of Naples, but the best we could find in the way of airfare was $1,100 per person, so we had a huge sigh of relief when we found flights into Frankfurt and out of Rome for half that.

So, really - in a prefect world, I''d fly straight from Frankfurt to Naples for 60 EU pp, but SkyEurope doesn''t fly out of Frankfurt.

I''m thinking of skipping Genoa, and heading to Florence instead, unless there''s something compelling to see in Genoa.

Thanks for your input! This helps.

I haven''t been to Genoa, so I can''t comment. But I think there is a ton to see in Florence. And if you get bored over there, hop over to Siena.

 

[surfgirl]

Lauren, why cant you fly in/out of Rome? That''s a huge hub and there''s gotta be good flights in/out of there, no?

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 6:32:15 PM
Author: surfgirl
Lauren, why cant you fly in/out of Rome? That''s a huge hub and there''s gotta be good flights in/out of there, no?

We already have tickets, so unfortunately, it''s a moot point.

When we were checking today, flights from DFW to Rome with one stop were running upwards of $800 pp. - and we bought our tickets for close to that for the both of us.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 2/26/2008 7:07:09 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 2/26/2008 6:32:15 PM
Author: surfgirl
Lauren, why cant you fly in/out of Rome? That''s a huge hub and there''s gotta be good flights in/out of there, no?

We already have tickets, so unfortunately, it''s a moot point.

When we were checking today, flights from DFW to Rome with one stop were running upwards of $800 pp. - and we bought our tickets for close to that for the both of us.

I prefer open jaw tickets anyway. And normally they are more expensive. You''ve booked the hotel in Positano, yes? Do the hike up the stairs, if you''re feeling fit and build up an appetite to have lunch or dinner at Dona Rosa....

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 6:30:04 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Lauren, have you checked train schedules between all of these destinations?

I love Lucca...but I am not sure you''d want to spend 2 or 3 nights there. Depends on what you are looking for. Can''t remember, but have you been to Italy before? Lucca is quiet at night. Coincidently, I was there around the same time of year that you are going. I''d prefer Sienna over Lucca for longer stays. Either way, stay inside the city walls if you can.

How are you gettin from Lucca to Positano? Will you have a car to pick you up in Sorrento? Are you taking the Circumvesiuviana? As of 5 years ago, there is no train from Sorrento to Positano...only a bus...which is an experience altogether. Splurge for the car/taxi.

Personally, I think you are moving too much for this duration of a trip, but I''m a slow traveler. Between March 15 and 19, I''d slow it down a bit. Why do you want to go to Zurich? Can you cut that part out?

I haven''t even made it that far, frankly. This is the least planned trip we''ve ever been on, but I think that''ll be the fun of it. At least, I hope it is.

So, is Pisa relatively close to Lucca? Also, I never thought of Sienna, but I''ll look into it.

W and I are fairly quiet (not the Partiers my screenname proclaims me to be

), and don''t need a load of nightlife but we LOVE to eat, which is why I''m considering Bologna.

And, I have no idea of transfers yet, but there was talk of renting a car. Do you think that would be wise? We do love road trips . . . but I''m not sure if Italy''s the place to "road trip" it.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 7:10:28 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 2/26/2008 7:07:09 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 2/26/2008 6:32:15 PM
Author: surfgirl
Lauren, why cant you fly in/out of Rome? That''s a huge hub and there''s gotta be good flights in/out of there, no?

We already have tickets, so unfortunately, it''s a moot point.

When we were checking today, flights from DFW to Rome with one stop were running upwards of $800 pp. - and we bought our tickets for close to that for the both of us.

I prefer open jaw tickets anyway. And normally they are more expensive. You''ve booked the hotel in Positano, yes? Do the hike up the stairs, if you''re feeling fit and build up an appetite to have lunch or dinner at Dona Rosa....

I''ve heard about those stairs . . . and Dona Rosa.

We haven''t booked the hotel yet, but before we made the itinerary, we made sure they were available for any of 3 different sets of dates.

So, if they sell out of one date tomorrow, we might have to move some things around.

Thank you again for all of your comments - this helps so much!

 

[surfgirl]

You know, I''d swap some of your itin and go to Venice...so romantic...and I have to be honest Lauren, I''m VERY DISAPPOINTED to learn that you''re not a "partier" in real life. I demand a user name change!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 2/26/2008 7:12:42 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 2/26/2008 6:30:04 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Lauren, have you checked train schedules between all of these destinations?

I love Lucca...but I am not sure you''d want to spend 2 or 3 nights there. Depends on what you are looking for. Can''t remember, but have you been to Italy before? Lucca is quiet at night. Coincidently, I was there around the same time of year that you are going. I''d prefer Sienna over Lucca for longer stays. Either way, stay inside the city walls if you can.

How are you gettin from Lucca to Positano? Will you have a car to pick you up in Sorrento? Are you taking the Circumvesiuviana? As of 5 years ago, there is no train from Sorrento to Positano...only a bus...which is an experience altogether. Splurge for the car/taxi.

Personally, I think you are moving too much for this duration of a trip, but I''m a slow traveler. Between March 15 and 19, I''d slow it down a bit. Why do you want to go to Zurich? Can you cut that part out?

I haven''t even made it that far, frankly. This is the least planned trip we''ve ever been on, but I think that''ll be the fun of it. At least, I hope it is.

So, is Pisa relatively close to Lucca? Also, I never thought of Sienna, but I''ll look into it.

W and I are fairly quiet (not the Partiers my screenname proclaims me to be

), and don''t need a load of nightlife but we LOVE to eat, which is why I''m considering Bologna.

And, I have no idea of transfers yet, but there was talk of renting a car. Do you think that would be wise? We do love road trips . . . but I''m not sure if Italy''s the place to ''road trip'' it.

Driving in Italy. Well let''s put that in context. TravelingGal, Korean woman bad driver in a country with pretty aggressive drivers. Definitely bad idea.

Lauren and Hub roadtripping...can''t say I can make that call for ya.

There are two countries which most deluxe credit card companies insurance will NOT cover. Those two countries are Italy and Ireland. Make a guess why. I actually drove in Ireland...loved it. But I lost a mirror on my car. Bad Korean woman driver. Bad.

Lauren, I would strongly encourage you to check out timetables and trains before you go further. Some lines don''t run every day. Others may be booked by the time you get there. And others still are a logistical nightmare. Not as much a problem if you want to wing it, but it IS a problem if you make hotel reservations.

Siena is lovely. Lucca is a great place to daytrip to Pisa. Here''s my report on it from a few years ago...double check the facts. But I really think this is a great way to enjoy Pisa because a lot of people who go there hate it.

------

I agree, Pisa, the city, is not awe inspiring, and if you made a gigantic effort to go (driving far, etc.) you could be underwhelmed. So here is my suggestion...

If you haven''t hit a lot of the Tuscan hilltowns yet, go to Lucca, and see Pisa from there. Lucca is a cute town (but not hopping) with some good shopping and plenty of outdoor cafes to hang out in.

If you had a night or two in Lucca, a nice day could be...

-Wake up, have a nice cup of coffee, and walk the streets. Visit some of the foodstores, and gather yourself a nice picnic with a good bottle of wine.

-Around lunchtime, go to the station and catch the train to Pisa. Purchase your return as well. (4 euros total...validate the ticket in the yellow machine).

-Get off at Pisa S. Rossore station, NOT Pisa Centrale. This is the station before the Centrale station. The Campo is 5 minute walk from this station...from the Centrale station, it would be a busride or hike. What''s great from the Rossore station is within minutes, you will have your first impression of Pisa...the tower! (I have written directions on how to get there from the station below for those who are interested).

-Enjoy your fantastic picnic lunch on the lawn, and take the "mandatory" pictures. Get some ice-cream. People watch.

-Take the train back to Lucca. Rent a bike in the afternoon and ride around the wall. Stop by on one of the many park benches and enjoy a snack, or just bike around and work off lunch (or work up an appetite for dinner).

-Have yourself a nice dinner, and either leave that night, or in the morning.

I hope that helps. This is pretty much what I did today, and I really enjoyed both Lucca and Pisa. Nothing mind-blowing about either, but a pleasant day with no hassles.

Here are the walking directions from the Pisa. S. Rossore station:

When you exit the train, turn right. Follow the group out the gate. At that point, there will be three streets, walk down the one on the far left. (It is not called Giunta Pisaro, nor Diotsalvi. It turns into Andrea street...sorry I couldn''t catch the name). You should pass by Hotel Europa on the right within a couple of minutes, then voila! The tower should come into view. Walk straight, cross the street, then you are there!

I hope more people enjoy Pisa...it is a pretty tower, as is the entire campo.

 

[iheartscience]

I was just going to second what surf said-I''d cut down the number of places and stay longer in the places you really want to see. Just personal preference, though-I like to have at least 3 days anywhere I go, preferably longer.

You could also think about taking day trips to certain nearby smaller cities if there are a few bigger cities you''d prefer to spend most of your time in. Just my 2 cents!

Also, you didn''t say if any of the trains are overnight, but I took 2 overnight trains on my last trip to Spain and I absolutely HATED it. The first time I went to Europe I did a few overnight trains but I was 17 and we just stayed awake the entire time drinking.

So yeah, I really couldn''t sleep on the overnight trains this time around.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Thank you all - you ladies are awesome, and TGal, your write up is invaluable!

So, since this morning, I''ve updated this a bit.

March 14th 5:00 am - arrive in Frankfurt - probably meet a friend who lives there and we will hang out with him for the day. If not, we''ll just find a hotel near the airport/rail station.

My husband still wants to go to Stuttgart, so we may borrow a day from Lucca or Siena.

March 15th - travel to Florence - Stay 3 nights

March 18th - Lucca/Pisa/Sienna (one of the 3) - Stay 3 nights

March 21st - Travel to Positano/Sorrento, stay at Le Sirenuse (http://www.sirenuse.it/) for 2 nights, maybe 3 nights.

March 24th - Travel to Rome - stay 3 nights

March 27th - Come home!

I can''t do anything else because it looks like www.raileurope.com isn''t working right now.

Are there any other sites that show the rail schedules?

 

[Sparkster]

Jealous jealous jealous jealous. Never been to Europe so can''t really make comment except to once again say jealous jealous jealous jealous!

Whatever you choose to do, have lots of fun.

 

[TravelingGal]

http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

Borrow a day from Lucca to go to Stutgart. Siena can be done from Florence if you want to. Stay in Positano for three nights (just cause it''s a pain to get there and there''s lots to explore on the Amalfi Coast).

I think this itin looks a lot better!!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 8:19:21 PM
Author: TravelingGal
http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

Borrow a day from Lucca to go to Stutgart. Siena can be done from Florence if you want to. Stay in Positano for three nights (just cause it's a pain to get there and there's lots to explore on the Amalfi Coast).

I think this itin looks a lot better!!

Oh, you would say that

. . . I ran into a problem in Positano . . . so it looks like I may be realigning everything, where we land in Frankfurt, spend another day in Stuttgart, then fly directly to Naples and stay in Positano the 3 days.

Then, everything else is up in the air. I think I'll just flip the whole thing upside-down with the exception of Rome.

Eesh - I wish I had done this my way - which would have had us planning and scheduling months ago.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 2/26/2008 8:27:59 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 2/26/2008 8:19:21 PM
Author: TravelingGal
http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

Borrow a day from Lucca to go to Stutgart. Siena can be done from Florence if you want to. Stay in Positano for three nights (just cause it''s a pain to get there and there''s lots to explore on the Amalfi Coast).

I think this itin looks a lot better!!

Oh, you would say that

. . . I ran into a problem in Positano . . . so it looks like I may be realigning everything, where we land in Frankfurt, spend another day in Stuttgart, then fly directly to Naples and stay in Positano the 3 days.

Then, everything else is up in the air. I think I''ll just flip the whole thing upside-down with the exception of Rome.

Eesh - I wish I had done this my way - which would have had us planning and scheduling months ago.

That could work too.

 

[Elmorton]

Lauren - I stayed at ACasa di Dante B&B - it's close to the train station (so you can pop over to Siena for the afternoon - it's about 40 mins) and also not far from the duomo. The rooms are lovely - certainly not the poshest place in florence, but very nice (especially for the price), and it's a very small hotel, but the service is wonderful (breakfast in bed, heated towels). When DH and I fiiiiiiinally save enough to go on our euro trip, that's where we'll be staying

Shoot, I forgot the link! http://www.bedandbreakfast-firenze.it/

 

[lovewhitediamonds]

Lauren-- what a wonderful trip you have planned!!!
We stayed at Le Sirenuse for our honeymoon and it was the most beautiful place ... the restaurant there is TO DIE FOR.
Some of the hotel is shown in the movie "Only You" with Marissa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr.

If you can fit in an afternoon to Capri, I would highly recommend it. There is also a restaurant in Positano that is set in cave.. very cool, although I can''t remember the name of it (sorry).

Have fun!!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 2/26/2008 10:11:55 PM
Author: Elmorton
Lauren - I stayed at ACasa di Dante B&B - it''s close to the train station (so you can pop over to Siena for the afternoon - it''s about 40 mins) and also not far from the duomo. The rooms are lovely - certainly not the poshest place in florence, but very nice (especially for the price), and it''s a very small hotel, but the service is wonderful (breakfast in bed, heated towels). When DH and I fiiiiiiinally save enough to go on our euro trip, that''s where we''ll be staying

Shoot, I forgot the link! http://www.bedandbreakfast-firenze.it/

This is great stuff - keep it coming!