Current Events > Has any Canadian/American here done a Europe trip?

(+) Yeah! (+)

How much did it cost and what was the experience like? My grandparents are in their early 70s and want to go, and Im willing to take them. I have no idea where to start with planning, budgeting, etc.

Bump. Is it even a good idea to go with whats going on in the world right now?

Like all around Europe at once? No. But I've been to England, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Spain. Cost really depends on method of accommodation. For me, it's always hostels so I keep that nice and cheap. But with grandparents you're probably looking at hotels which naturally skew higher.

I don't think there's any issue with planning a trip while the war is ongoing. It's not going to spill out beyond Ukraine, and if it did we'd have bigger problems even at home and you can always cancel the trip in such an extreme event.

Bump thinking of

Italy
Austria
Hungary

2-4 days each, not necessarily in that order. Is that a decent schedule/selection? Still gotta get an idea of what I can expect the price to look like, for 1 young adult and 2 elderly. Maybe my sister would come along, so 2 young adults.

I did a partial one. Back in like 2007, I went with my dad and sister to France, Italy,Germany and Czech Republic

We took a night train from Paris to Nuremberg. That was interesting

discodancer77 posted...

Italy
Austria
Hungary
Rome

Just FYI, Rome is in Italy.

Thompson posted...

Just FYI, Rome is in Italy.

hahaha Im dumb

For a 2 week trip for 2 people, it used to cost me around 3K total per person. Sleeping in cheap rbnb, rent a compact car and eat at a few restaurants.

polopili posted...

For a 2 week trip for 2 people, it used to cost me around 3K total per person. Sleeping in cheap rbnb, rent a compact car and eat at a few restaurants.

that sounds ridiculously expensive, even for 2 whole weeks. You mustve pulled out all the stops

discodancer77 posted...

that sounds ridiculously expensive, even for 2 whole weeks. You mustve pulled out all the stops

That is not expensive for two whole weeks. I mean, you're on vacay so you splurge a bit, but also you gotta remember those exchange rates.

Anyway, the rail pass is the way to go. You can hop on/hop off whereever if you get the unlimited one, or you can choose the countries you're gonna see, a time frame and then get a package of like 5 or 7 or 10 rides.

Italy to Austria is a good choice. Never been to Rome, but it's in the south, so unless you're planning on stopping in Venice or somewhere north, you'll be on the train/driving for a bit. Austia is wicked, and I recommend Innsbruck. It's nestled inbetween some mountains and is absolutely gorgeous. Good food, and super nice people too!

But yeah, it's gonna be expensive. I travelled in Western Europe in 2006 and it was mad expensive. I dunno how much it costs now.

good time to go right now because the euro and usd (if you're from the states) are at parity.

idk it just depends on where you want to go, where you plan on staying, and what you want to do. my wife and i just went to france for 9 days for about 3k lodging and flight (nice hotel) and then probably another 1k on museum passes and meals.

discodancer77 posted...

2-4 days each, not necessarily in that order. Is that a decent schedule/selection?

Really depends how many cities you want to see in each and how far apart they are.

Eat_More_Beef posted...

That is not expensive for two whole weeks.

Yes, it is lol. Granted he said they stayed at airbnbs and stuff and not hostels, but 1.5k per week isn't cheap. I've got no problem keeping daily expenses under 100/day including accommodations and I still eat out and stuff.

If your travel destiantion(s) is in the area of north Italy and Austria, you might consider visiting Slovenia and Croatia as well.

Nerevar791 posted...

Yes, it is lol. Granted he said they stayed at airbnbs and stuff and not hostels, but 1.5k per week isn't cheap. I've got no problem keeping daily expenses under 100/day including accommodations and I still eat out and stuff.

maybe it's counting airfare

anyway I personally feel like 2 days each would be super short and would feel like rushing around everywhere

Yeah 2 days is enough for some small cities if that's the *only* place in a country you're going to. eg two full days in Amsterdam would be fine. But in general you want at least 4, and often at least 4 in one city if it's big enough with enough to do.

Bunp

Once in thr late 90s once in mid 00s and once 5 years ago. Pro tip: staying at a hostel will save you buttloads.

Was planning on like right now July or August before Uni starts back up, but probably going to take them during next Spring. Gives me more time to plan and budget.

Doing Lisbon this year and next year I'm planning Croatia