Finally booked our trip, Europe here we come!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I've been to London and Italy. So much history. buildings that are older than this country. They preserve old buildings, unlike here where they tear them down to put up Plazas.

I know it's amazing to think how all those buildings were constructed! I just love history. I wish we preserved buildings here!

And when you think that they were built before machines, it's amazing.

Originally Posted by Ute White

The Rhine area in Germany is beautiful and I love the North of Germany. Never been to the South but Bavaria is something to see for sure.

We only have one night in Rhineland. I would love to see more of Germany!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

Bavaria with all it's castles, Munich of course with the Frauenkirche and the New and Old Pinakothek (art museums,) the biergarten and the English Garden, but don't go there before the 4th of October b/c as long as the Oktoberfest lasts you'll get no room anywhere. I love Florence and Sienna (Tuscany) with the great art museums, Seville in Spain and Figueras with the Salvador Dali Museum, Vienna with the Schloss Schoenbrunn and the 'Heurigen', Lake Garda in Italy, Zermatt in Switzerland with the Matterhorn... how long did you say you'll go... LOL? If you need a good tour guide I'm at your service!

I would love to explore Bavaria more! We are in Rhineland for a night, but it's after the 4th.
We stay in Lucerne & Innsbruck. We are gone 16 days. It's a lot in a short time, so I know it's more of an overview! Not nearly enough time!
I'm excited to stay in Nice because there is an excursion to Monte Carlo, which I've always wanted to see!

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan. If you have time, a side trip to Sicily. So much to see, so little time. For the best food, stay away from the Tourist places. Eat out of the way...small restaurants. Get used to the OLD WORLD SMELL of Rome, and especially Naples (Pompeii) if you go there. Florence is our favorite. Mola De Bari is also nice, and it is in Southern Italy.

Lol, "old world smell" guess you've been around here before. I live in Naples, it's more of a burning trash bag filled with dirty baby diapers smell. There are some great sites around Naples though, Sorrento/Almafi Coast is worth the drive, as well as Pompeii and Vesuvius.
You have to go see Florence while you are in Italy, I spent 3 days there and didn't even make a dent in the sites to see. It was one of the most amazing cities I've see so far.
Avoid buying anything in high tourist areas everything is marked up 400%. If you see something you like, tell them what you will pay, if they won't take it then just walk away, many times they will "cut you a deal" if you are firm in what you will pay because if they wont go down in price the next vendor will.
Good luck, there is so much in Europe to see.

[Rachael x]

Congratulations! it sounds like a fantastic trip hope you have a fabulous time!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Lol, "old world smell" guess you've been around here before. I live in Naples, it's more of a burning trash bag filled with dirty baby diapers smell. There are some great sites around Naples though, Sorrento/Almafi Coast is worth the drive, as well as Pompeii and Vesuvius.
You have to go see Florence while you are in Italy, I spent 3 days there and didn't even make a dent in the sites to see. It was one of the most amazing cities I've see so far.
Avoid buying anything in high tourist areas everything is marked up 400%. If you see something you like, tell them what you will pay, if they won't take it then just walk away, many times they will "cut you a deal" if you are firm in what you will pay because if they wont go down in price the next vendor will.
Good luck, there is so much in Europe to see.

We don't spend nights in Florence. We have 2 in Rome, 1 in Venice & 1 in Tuscany!
Thanks for the tip on buying though, good to know!

Originally Posted by Rachael x

Congratulations! it sounds like a fantastic trip hope you have a fabulous time!

Thank You!

[Mitzis Mom]

Originally Posted by Reese1

I would love to explore Bavaria more! We are in Rhineland for a night, but it's after the 4th.
We stay in Lucerne & Innsbruck. We are gone 16 days. It's a lot in a short time, so I know it's more of an overview! Not nearly enough time!
I'm excited to stay in Nice because there is an excursion to Monte Carlo, which I've always wanted to see!

That's great! Then you can find out where you like to spend more time if you go a second, third, fourth.... time! Be careful in Nice, last time I was there and had to use the bathroom a friendly rat greeted me out of the bowl...

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

That's great! Then you can find out where you like to spend more time if you go a second, third, fourth.... time! Be careful in Nice, last time I was there and had to use the bathroom a friendly rat greeted me out of the bowl...

Ugh, that would be horrifying!
Have you traveled on the TGV train? We take that from Nice up to Paris.

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Lol, "old world smell" guess you've been around here before. I live in Naples, it's more of a burning trash bag filled with dirty baby diapers smell. There are some great sites around Naples though, Sorrento/Almafi Coast is worth the drive, as well as Pompeii and Vesuvius.
You have to go see Florence while you are in Italy, I spent 3 days there and didn't even make a dent in the sites to see. It was one of the most amazing cities I've see so far.
Avoid buying anything in high tourist areas everything is marked up 400%. If you see something you like, tell them what you will pay, if they won't take it then just walk away, many times they will "cut you a deal" if you are firm in what you will pay because if they wont go down in price the next vendor will.
Good luck, there is so much in Europe to see.

Usually go every other year for a week. We lucked out as the last time we were in naples was about 1 week before the massive garbage strike that took place. saw it on the news. Looked like the garbage was stacked up 15 feet. Are you originally from there, or just there for work/military?

Keep your eye toward that Volcano. It is due to blow in the next 1000 years!

[chattiesmom]

Sounds like an incredible trip! If you are going to Switzerland, Interlachen is a must see -- more specifically don't miss the Jungfrau railroad trip. It is incredible. You can hop off the train and visit Alpine villages along the way.

_ Jungfrau region Switzerland guide and _ Jungfraujoch Jungfrau railway train rail trip Switzerland guide trip.

I spent 3 weeks in Switzerland while my husband was working there. On weekends we would hop a train and just "go" - no specific destination in mind, it was a remarkable adventure!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Sounds like an incredible trip! If you are going to Switzerland, Interlachen is a must see -- more specifically don't miss the Jungfrau railroad trip. It is incredible. You can hop off the train and visit Alpine villages along the way.

_ Jungfrau region Switzerland guide and _ Jungfraujoch Jungfrau railway train rail trip Switzerland guide trip.

I spent 3 weeks in Switzerland while my husband was working there. On weekends we would hop a train and just "go" - no specific destination in mind, it was a remarkable adventure!

Jungfrau is one of the mountains my brother climbed in Switzerland! He said the area is just gorgeous!
I think it's ideal to have the time like you did to just explore one area, that is really my hope for the future! What a great adventure for you!
Our trip stays in Lucerne. Did you go there?

[Janie616]

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

That's great! Then you can find out where you like to spend more time if you go a second, third, fourth.... time! Be careful in Nice, last time I was there and had to use the bathroom a friendly rat greeted me out of the bowl...

When was the last time you were there? It has changed so much. I have been there 4 times in the last 8 years and have seen quite a difference in the other times I had been there in the 5 years previous. Europe is fantastic.

Nice is delightful and Monte Carlo is a must for anyone. Be sure to go to the casino and the Princess Grace's final resting place. Quite a tribute.

No rats on my trip.

We covered Spain to the Netherlands each time we went ... (a month each time). Loved it all, and do it every other year!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Janie616

When was the last time you were there? It has changed so much. I have been there 4 times in the last 8 years and have seen quite a difference in the other times I had been there in the 5 years previous. Europe is fantastic.

Nice is delightful and Monte Carlo is a must for anyone. Be sure to go to the casino and the Princess Grace's final resting place. Quite a tribute.

No rats on my trip.

We covered Spain to the Netherlands each time we went ... (a month each time). Loved it all, and do it every other year!

Wow, I would love to be able to travel that much! It would be a dream come true! The option to go to Monte Carlo is really what did it for us. We do get to go to the casino!

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Usually go every other year for a week. We lucked out as the last time we were in naples was about 1 week before the massive garbage strike that took place. saw it on the news. Looked like the garbage was stacked up 15 feet. Are you originally from there, or just there for work/military?

Keep your eye toward that Volcano. It is due to blow in the next 1000 years!

I'm in the AF, and lucky for me I got here just after the trash strike ended, so I got to see the towers of garbage when I first arrived. But since then it's kind of leveled off and the trash isn't too bad, it could be better but this is a super crowded city and garbage tends to pile up.

Yep, keeping an eye on that thing, I thought it was funny when they did a "what to do if the volcano blows" during the in-processing. Lots of people say it's "overdue" for a blow, but keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't happen while I'm here. Just one more year and I'm on to my next Euro-destination!

[viviansnickers]

Wow I am so excited for you!! I just got back from Spain last week!!! It was TREMENDOUS!!! One tip....IT'S EXPENSIVE!!! And if you ask people for advise there on what to see and some locals say that certain things that are tourist hotspots are not good--don't listen to them! You're there prob once in your life...see it all! And EAT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!! Europe does not believe in diets and sugarfree junk. They eat whole, from scratch foods and maintain their health by walking everywhere!!! It's so amazing! You're going to have the time of your life!!

Hugs-
Viv

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Wow I am so excited for you!! I just got back from Spain last week!!! It was TREMENDOUS!!! One tip....IT'S EXPENSIVE!!! And if you ask people for advise there on what to see and some locals say that certain things that are tourist hotspots are not good--don't listen to them! You're there prob once in your life...see it all! And EAT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!! Europe does not believe in diets and sugarfree junk. They eat whole, from scratch foods and maintain their health by walking everywhere!!! It's so amazing! You're going to have the time of your life!!

Hugs-
Viv

I bet Spain was fabulous! It's one of my travel agents two favorite countries!
My Mom keeps talking about trying to not eat a lot so she doesn't put on some of the weight she lost! I said I'm eating whatever I want! I will worry about it later!
Thanks for the tips!