Finally booked our trip, Europe here we come!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Sharly4

Oooooooooo, have FUN I'm getting excited for you just reading! I would love to go! Please post pictures and do tell all! I can't wait to get the scoop!

Thank You! Will do!

[Janie616]

Originally Posted by Reese1

I'm so glad to hear this! I haven't talked with anyone that has been there and it wasn't a big reason for the tour we picked. Have you been to Volendam?
There is an option to go there and have a dinner. We also get to do a canal cruise, which I am excited about.
I like art, I'm not sure if we will get to see the museum, but I will note it. Thanks!

I have been to Volendam and it was nice. We went in the evening for dinner and did see a windmill. It is a small fishing village with much history. Remember now, you are below sea level when you are in Holland.

The canal cruise was nice and you must go to the ANNE FRANK HOUSE ... chilling, when you realize the real history that took place there.

Have a blast! Oh, and do not even think about taking pictures in the red light district. Your camera may get broken.

Take all the options if you want to really enjoy everything.

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Janie616

I have been to Volendam and it was nice. We went in the evening for dinner and did see a windmill. It is a small fishing village with much history. Remember now, you are below sea level when you are in Holland.

The canal cruise was nice and you must go to the ANNE FRANK HOUSE ... chilling, when you realize the real history that took place there.

Have a blast! Oh, and do not even think about taking pictures in the red light district. Your camera may get broken.

Take all the options if you want to really enjoy everything.

Did you do a tour?
I'm hoping we can make a trip to see the Anne Frank house, I would really like to see that.
Voldendam, we are going to do for sure!

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by Reese1

Did you do a tour?
I'm hoping we can make a trip to see the Anne Frank house, I would really like to see that.
Voldendam, we are going to do for sure!

I just read the other day that the house where she took refuge had a huge tree that she loved very much. The tree just blew down in a storm.

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I just read the other day that the house where she took refuge had a huge tree that she loved very much. The tree just blew down in a storm.

I read that too, how sad!

[noisinka]

Austria is one of my favourite countries. DH and I go there to ski every year. They've a very beautiful nature! I love Vienna! I've been there twice but I could never have enough. There are so many places to explore. You'll have lots of fun here in Europe.

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by noisinka

Austria is one of my favourite countries. DH and I go there to ski every year. They've a very beautiful nature! I love Vienna! I've been there twice but I could never have enough. There are so many places to explore. You'll have lots of fun here in Europe.

We go to Innsbruck. My brother loved Austria too when he was mountain climbing.
I spent some time putting up weather widgets on all the cities we are going to so I can see how the temps, I'm so excited! 66 in Innsbruck right now!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Reese1

We go to Innsbruck. My brother loved Austria too when he was mountain climbing.
I spent some time putting up weather widgets on all the cities we are going to so I can see how the temps, I'm so excited! 66 in Innsbruck right now!

I think I might be more excited about your dang trip than YOU ! You are giving me the *worst* case of wanderlust right now!!! I can't wait to hear what you think of your travels, your fave places etcetera.

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I think I might be more excited about your dang trip than YOU ! You are giving me the *worst* case of wanderlust right now!!! I can't wait to hear what you think of your travels, your fave places etcetera.

I'm always living through my brother because he goes everywhere! So it feels so great to finally realize this dream! I've had it for so long and my Mom has too. It's worth everything to us!
I will share, don't worry!!

[linz06]

I am loving this thread! My boyfriend and I are planning a trip next year around September. I've been saving up for a year already He has been there before - he worked in Ireland for 4 months and travelled around a few countries during that time. We're taking 3 weeks (I'm trying to push for 4!) and we'll just be backpacking and staying in hostels. Our basic plan is to fly into Spain and fly out of London to come home. We'll go wherever we feel like going! But I have a few places I'd like to see for sure... Paris, Venice, Vatican City, and I really want to go to Hungary (my grandma is from there).

I'll be following this thread for tips, and I hope you have a great trip!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by linz06

I am loving this thread! My boyfriend and I are planning a trip next year around September. I've been saving up for a year already He has been there before - he worked in Ireland for 4 months and travelled around a few countries during that time. We're taking 3 weeks (I'm trying to push for 4!) and we'll just be backpacking and staying in hostels. Our basic plan is to fly into Spain and fly out of London to come home. We'll go wherever we feel like going! But I have a few places I'd like to see for sure... Paris, Venice, Vatican City, and I really want to go to Hungary (my grandma is from there).

I'll be following this thread for tips, and I hope you have a great trip!

Once again, I'm drooling ! Push for the 4 weeks, if you can. The more time you can spend in your favorite places, the better - you get such a deeper understanding of the city's personality - and of the people.

In Spain, I've only been to Madrid - spent a week there. Madrid is incredible - very cosmopolitan, def a big city. The architecture is a real treat - old, gothic, rich, opulent - there is SO much to see, it's tough to even know what to say . Plaza de Mayor is a must see (plaza in middle of the city), there are lots of tours you could take, the Prado Museum is fantastic.

The shopping is a blast (and I generally *hate* shopping) - so many different little and big shops. Just walking around Madrid is sumptuous in itself - little winding streets, just what you would picture in an older EU city, super charming. "Old Town" is very cool to see, and very hip/fun.

You can get lost sooooooo easy in Madrid (and I did, several times) and it's often best to step into a hotel and ask for help, rather than ask strangers. Even tho it's a big city, I didn't find Madrid to be as fluent in English (by far) as most other EU cities - but most hotel desks are fluent and can help. I felt quite safe in Madrid, though not quite as safe/easy as I did in Amsterdam - it has a much different feel.

If you can get to the countryside or seaside...then you have all sorts of other things to see!

[linz06]

Thanks! That is awesome, I really don't know much about Spain so it's interesting to talk to someone else who has been there Scott has tons of friends in Europe who all worked together in Ireland. They still keep in touch so he'd like to visit with them when possible and have them tour us around... although I feel like it would be more fun to explore on our own! Maybe I'll be relieved for a tour guide when we're there though lol!

I definitely want to spend a few days in London. I know the castle tours and whatever have such huge lines, but come on, when will I get another chance? Scott and I are obsessed with the show The Tudors, and I've been huge on European history my whole life... the royalty, the violence... I would love to see where it all really happened! I had one history professor in college say "You have not lived until you have stood on the spot where Napoleon was born" and I decided that day, I wanted to do that too! Lol. I am all about learning the history of places on any vacation I take, where Scott is more about seeing sights, nature, doing fun things... I think we can find a nice balance in Europe!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by linz06

Thanks! That is awesome, I really don't know much about Spain so it's interesting to talk to someone else who has been there Scott has tons of friends in Europe who all worked together in Ireland. They still keep in touch so he'd like to visit with them when possible and have them tour us around... although I feel like it would be more fun to explore on our own! Maybe I'll be relieved for a tour guide when we're there though lol!

I definitely want to spend a few days in London. I know the castle tours and whatever have such huge lines, but come on, when will I get another chance? Scott and I are obsessed with the show The Tudors, and I've been huge on European history my whole life... the royalty, the violence... I would love to see where it all really happened! I had one history professor in college say "You have not lived until you have stood on the spot where Napoleon was born" and I decided that day, I wanted to do that too! Lol. I am all about learning the history of places on any vacation I take, where Scott is more about seeing sights, nature, doing fun things... I think we can find a nice balance in Europe!

Oh girl - I *LOVE* The Tudors so much! I'm a complete Anglophile, so I was just addicted to that series and so sad when it was coming to an end. I've got to buy the DVDs bc I could watch it 100 times. I adore English history and have all sorts of books about it - I love reading about "life" in the 1600-1800s.

Anyway, one of my dream-trips is to wander through England and tour some of the old estates (some of which are still in the family). Just in case , here are some that I have bookmarked...just in case you can go!

http://www.blenheimpalace.com/ (O.M.G. - just slays me!)
Castle Howard :: It?s a beautiful day :: Home (ring a bell? )
Burghley : The House (incredible; a mansion of Tudor times)
Chatsworth house official website (this is where Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire lived)
Powderham Castle | History | History of Castle (still in the family)

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by linz06

I am loving this thread! My boyfriend and I are planning a trip next year around September. I've been saving up for a year already He has been there before - he worked in Ireland for 4 months and travelled around a few countries during that time. We're taking 3 weeks (I'm trying to push for 4!) and we'll just be backpacking and staying in hostels. Our basic plan is to fly into Spain and fly out of London to come home. We'll go wherever we feel like going! But I have a few places I'd like to see for sure... Paris, Venice, Vatican City, and I really want to go to Hungary (my grandma is from there).

I'll be following this thread for tips, and I hope you have a great trip!

I would love to see Europe this way! Well not backpacking or staying in hostels ( a little too old now ), but just on my own, but I think for the first time and with my Mom this way will be best!
We are hoping next year or the year after to do a trip with my brother who has been to quite a few places in Europe and we will see it that way then!
I would love to do 3-4 weeks, I'm sure you will have a blast!
My travel agent said Spain & Switzerland are her two favorite countries and she has been everywhere.
We fly into London and home from Paris!

[Maximo]

There is still time to adopt me as your sister and take me along. I am so excited for you, and I look forward to seeing pictures and reading your travel log. Enjoy.