Too late?
Jun 7th 2005 | 8:14 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Too late?
Hi All,
My wife & I are contemplating a 2 week trip to South-west Europe (
Greece, Italy, France & Spain) from India during the first 2 weeks of
September. My questions.
1. Is it too late now to get good flight rates?
2. What is the best way to get to Italy from Greece? I was wondering if
we could take a ferry or something.
3. We plan to travel by train through Italy => France => Spain. I have
been to Germany and liked the online rail ticket booking system. Do we
have something similar for these countries? I am trying to find out how
early I need to make train reservations.
Thanks,
Shiv
My wife & I are contemplating a 2 week trip to South-west Europe (
Greece, Italy, France & Spain) from India during the first 2 weeks of
September. My questions.
1. Is it too late now to get good flight rates?
2. What is the best way to get to Italy from Greece? I was wondering if
we could take a ferry or something.
3. We plan to travel by train through Italy => France => Spain. I have
been to Germany and liked the online rail ticket booking system. Do we
have something similar for these countries? I am trying to find out how
early I need to make train reservations.
Thanks,
Shiv
Jun 7th 2005 | 9:45 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too late?
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...
> Hi All,
> My wife & I are contemplating a 2 week trip to South-west Europe (
> Greece, Italy, France & Spain) from India during the first 2 weeks of
> September. My questions.
> 1. Is it too late now to get good flight rates?
Who knows! Airlines will give out incentive fares when the planes are not
full. Sometimes it is best to wait for so called "last minute" fares. But
you could miss out completely because there is no guarantee that a last
minute fare will be offered.
> 2. What is the best way to get to Italy from Greece? I was wondering if
> we could take a ferry or something.
Ferry to Bari. If you buy a Eurail Pass then the ferry is free!
> 3. We plan to travel by train through Italy => France => Spain. I have
> been to Germany and liked the online rail ticket booking system. Do we
> have something similar for these countries? I am trying to find out how
> early I need to make train reservations.
Suggest you look into the Eurail Pass it may save you some money. There are
various passes depending on your needs. Do a bit of Googling!
My children have travelled the European rail systems with a Eurail Pass and
have rarely booked early. Only once did they have to wait till the next rain
because the one they wanted was full.
Have a wonderful trip.
Gerrit - Oz
news:[email protected] oups.com...
> Hi All,
> My wife & I are contemplating a 2 week trip to South-west Europe (
> Greece, Italy, France & Spain) from India during the first 2 weeks of
> September. My questions.
> 1. Is it too late now to get good flight rates?
Who knows! Airlines will give out incentive fares when the planes are not
full. Sometimes it is best to wait for so called "last minute" fares. But
you could miss out completely because there is no guarantee that a last
minute fare will be offered.
> 2. What is the best way to get to Italy from Greece? I was wondering if
> we could take a ferry or something.
Ferry to Bari. If you buy a Eurail Pass then the ferry is free!
> 3. We plan to travel by train through Italy => France => Spain. I have
> been to Germany and liked the online rail ticket booking system. Do we
> have something similar for these countries? I am trying to find out how
> early I need to make train reservations.
Suggest you look into the Eurail Pass it may save you some money. There are
various passes depending on your needs. Do a bit of Googling!
My children have travelled the European rail systems with a Eurail Pass and
have rarely booked early. Only once did they have to wait till the next rain
because the one they wanted was full.
Have a wonderful trip.
Gerrit - Oz
Jun 8th 2005 | 12:57 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too late?
[email protected] wrote:
> My wife & I are contemplating a 2 week trip to South-west Europe (
> Greece, Italy, France & Spain) from India during the first 2 weeks of
> September. My questions.
> 1. Is it too late now to get good flight rates?
Never say never--but there do not seem to be a lot of bargains out there.
> 2. What is the best way to get to Italy from Greece? I was wondering if
> we could take a ferry or something.
There is a ferry. It's a long trip. If you have more time than money, it's
the way to go.
But two weeks is not a whole lot of time. Instead of cramming in as much as
you can, and spending lots of time in transit from place to place, why not
scale back? You could have a pretty good France- Italy or France-Spain trip
in two weeks. (Or just one country, even. There's lots to do.)
Greece is not really in SW Europe and is geographically separate from your
other destinations.
Have a great trip!
> My wife & I are contemplating a 2 week trip to South-west Europe (
> Greece, Italy, France & Spain) from India during the first 2 weeks of
> September. My questions.
> 1. Is it too late now to get good flight rates?
Never say never--but there do not seem to be a lot of bargains out there.
> 2. What is the best way to get to Italy from Greece? I was wondering if
> we could take a ferry or something.
There is a ferry. It's a long trip. If you have more time than money, it's
the way to go.
But two weeks is not a whole lot of time. Instead of cramming in as much as
you can, and spending lots of time in transit from place to place, why not
scale back? You could have a pretty good France- Italy or France-Spain trip
in two weeks. (Or just one country, even. There's lots to do.)
Greece is not really in SW Europe and is geographically separate from your
other destinations.
Have a great trip!
Jun 8th 2005 | 3:24 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too late?
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...
> Hi All,
> My wife & I are contemplating a 2 week trip to South-west Europe (
> Greece, Italy, France & Spain) from India during the first 2 weeks of
> September. My questions.
> 1. Is it too late now to get good flight rates?
> 2. What is the best way to get to Italy from Greece? I was wondering if
> we could take a ferry or something.
> 3. We plan to travel by train through Italy => France => Spain. I have
> been to Germany and liked the online rail ticket booking system. Do we
> have something similar for these countries? I am trying to find out how
> early I need to make train reservations.
Are you Indian nationals? Do you have multiple-entry Schengen visa? If not,
it can take some time to get the necessary visa and you should look into it
now before you book your flights.
Alec
news:[email protected] oups.com...
> Hi All,
> My wife & I are contemplating a 2 week trip to South-west Europe (
> Greece, Italy, France & Spain) from India during the first 2 weeks of
> September. My questions.
> 1. Is it too late now to get good flight rates?
> 2. What is the best way to get to Italy from Greece? I was wondering if
> we could take a ferry or something.
> 3. We plan to travel by train through Italy => France => Spain. I have
> been to Germany and liked the online rail ticket booking system. Do we
> have something similar for these countries? I am trying to find out how
> early I need to make train reservations.
Are you Indian nationals? Do you have multiple-entry Schengen visa? If not,
it can take some time to get the necessary visa and you should look into it
now before you book your flights.
Alec
Jun 8th 2005 | 4:20 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too late?
One thing to consider is that if you are coming from
India you may discover rather different prices compared to those of us
from North America.
BV
India you may discover rather different prices compared to those of us
from North America.
BV
Jun 8th 2005 | 8:46 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too late?
Thanks All. I have the visa part covered.
I am taking Oughtfour's tip and kocking Greece off the list ( Some
other time to try authentic Kebobs and Baklava). I am keeping Spain as
optional depending on availibility of time. Neither my wife nor I are
into museums, so I expect we will take lesser time than normal to cover
Italy & France. We are more interested in exploring the countryside
with little old towns and I would definitely like to look at some
castles.
Once I determine air-fares and book tickets,I will plan out the details
of exactly what we will do.
Regards,
Shiv
I am taking Oughtfour's tip and kocking Greece off the list ( Some
other time to try authentic Kebobs and Baklava). I am keeping Spain as
optional depending on availibility of time. Neither my wife nor I are
into museums, so I expect we will take lesser time than normal to cover
Italy & France. We are more interested in exploring the countryside
with little old towns and I would definitely like to look at some
castles.
Once I determine air-fares and book tickets,I will plan out the details
of exactly what we will do.
Regards,
Shiv
Jun 9th 2005 | 1:47 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too late?
Shivakumar wrote:
> I am taking Oughtfour's tip and kocking Greece off the list ( Some
> other time to try authentic Kebobs and Baklava). I am keeping Spain as
> optional depending on availibility of time. Neither my wife nor I are
> into museums, so I expect we will take lesser time than normal to cover
> Italy & France. We are more interested in exploring the countryside
> with little old towns and I would definitely like to look at some
> castles.
> Once I determine air-fares and book tickets,I will plan out the details
> of exactly what we will do.
Since you have not yet bought your tickets, I will chime in with the
suggestion to fly "open jaws" rather than round trip in and out of the same
city.
In other words, if you will be traveling from Rome to Barcelona, don't buy a
ticket that will require you to return to Rome to fly home. Fly home from
Barcelona.
This will save you time on the ground--effectively adding at least a day to
the sightseeing part of your trip. Likely it will save you money too, if you
factor in the cost of returning to Rome.
Have a great time!
> I am taking Oughtfour's tip and kocking Greece off the list ( Some
> other time to try authentic Kebobs and Baklava). I am keeping Spain as
> optional depending on availibility of time. Neither my wife nor I are
> into museums, so I expect we will take lesser time than normal to cover
> Italy & France. We are more interested in exploring the countryside
> with little old towns and I would definitely like to look at some
> castles.
> Once I determine air-fares and book tickets,I will plan out the details
> of exactly what we will do.
Since you have not yet bought your tickets, I will chime in with the
suggestion to fly "open jaws" rather than round trip in and out of the same
city.
In other words, if you will be traveling from Rome to Barcelona, don't buy a
ticket that will require you to return to Rome to fly home. Fly home from
Barcelona.
This will save you time on the ground--effectively adding at least a day to
the sightseeing part of your trip. Likely it will save you money too, if you
factor in the cost of returning to Rome.
Have a great time!
Jun 9th 2005 | 6:04 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too late?
Shivakumar wrote:
> Thanks All. I have the visa part covered.
>
> I am taking Oughtfour's tip and kocking Greece off the list ( Some
> other time to try authentic Kebobs and Baklava). I am keeping Spain as
> optional depending on availibility of time. Neither my wife nor I are
> into museums, so I expect we will take lesser time than normal to cover
> Italy & France. We are more interested in exploring the countryside
> with little old towns and I would definitely like to look at some
> castles.
>
Instead of less time in Italy, if you are interested in little old towns
you may never get out of Tuscany. Or, if you start there, you may
remain in Umbria or Marche. While I like to spend time in museums I
spent a hurried 10 days in Tuscany & Umbria (well 1 each in
Emelia-Roamgna & in Marche). I doubt if I would have seen much of what
was available in 30 days. However 10 days is what I had.
> Once I determine air-fares and book tickets,I will plan out the details
> of exactly what we will do.
>
> Regards,
> Shiv
>
> Thanks All. I have the visa part covered.
>
> I am taking Oughtfour's tip and kocking Greece off the list ( Some
> other time to try authentic Kebobs and Baklava). I am keeping Spain as
> optional depending on availibility of time. Neither my wife nor I are
> into museums, so I expect we will take lesser time than normal to cover
> Italy & France. We are more interested in exploring the countryside
> with little old towns and I would definitely like to look at some
> castles.
>
Instead of less time in Italy, if you are interested in little old towns
you may never get out of Tuscany. Or, if you start there, you may
remain in Umbria or Marche. While I like to spend time in museums I
spent a hurried 10 days in Tuscany & Umbria (well 1 each in
Emelia-Roamgna & in Marche). I doubt if I would have seen much of what
was available in 30 days. However 10 days is what I had.
> Once I determine air-fares and book tickets,I will plan out the details
> of exactly what we will do.
>
> Regards,
> Shiv
>
Jun 9th 2005 | 6:06 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Too late?
OughtFour wrote:
> Shivakumar wrote:
>
>>I am taking Oughtfour's tip and kocking Greece off the list ( Some
>>other time to try authentic Kebobs and Baklava). I am keeping Spain as
>>optional depending on availibility of time. Neither my wife nor I are
>>into museums, so I expect we will take lesser time than normal to cover
>>Italy & France. We are more interested in exploring the countryside
>>with little old towns and I would definitely like to look at some
>>castles.
>>Once I determine air-fares and book tickets,I will plan out the details
>>of exactly what we will do.
>
>
> Since you have not yet bought your tickets, I will chime in with the
> suggestion to fly "open jaws" rather than round trip in and out of the same
> city.
>
> In other words, if you will be traveling from Rome to Barcelona, don't buy a
> ticket that will require you to return to Rome to fly home. Fly home from
> Barcelona.
>
> This will save you time on the ground--effectively adding at least a day to
> the sightseeing part of your trip. Likely it will save you money too, if you
> factor in the cost of returning to Rome.
>
> Have a great time!
>
>
Unless he is intending to use a car. In that case a round trip to
wherever rental is reasonable might be best. Drop off charges can kill you.
> Shivakumar wrote:
>
>>I am taking Oughtfour's tip and kocking Greece off the list ( Some
>>other time to try authentic Kebobs and Baklava). I am keeping Spain as
>>optional depending on availibility of time. Neither my wife nor I are
>>into museums, so I expect we will take lesser time than normal to cover
>>Italy & France. We are more interested in exploring the countryside
>>with little old towns and I would definitely like to look at some
>>castles.
>>Once I determine air-fares and book tickets,I will plan out the details
>>of exactly what we will do.
>
>
> Since you have not yet bought your tickets, I will chime in with the
> suggestion to fly "open jaws" rather than round trip in and out of the same
> city.
>
> In other words, if you will be traveling from Rome to Barcelona, don't buy a
> ticket that will require you to return to Rome to fly home. Fly home from
> Barcelona.
>
> This will save you time on the ground--effectively adding at least a day to
> the sightseeing part of your trip. Likely it will save you money too, if you
> factor in the cost of returning to Rome.
>
> Have a great time!
>
>
Unless he is intending to use a car. In that case a round trip to
wherever rental is reasonable might be best. Drop off charges can kill you.
