Help with Must-Sees or Tips, Winter Europe Trip

[pinkpixie1588]

Hi!

I'm going to be studying at l'Université d'Angers for the fall semester this year and at the end my bf will be coming over to do a little mini-tour of europe (he's never been). I have a rough itinerary planned out but wanted to run it by some people who may have been so I can get suggestions or knock things off my list that aren't worth seeing or substitute them with cheaper/more interesting options. Remember that this will be late Dec-early Jan. I know the weather will not be ideal by any stretch but there's no flexibility with that so we'll have to make do. (BTW i think we'll be getting the Saver Eurail pass for three countries (Spain, France, Italy) but flying from Paris to Barcelona.

Thanks in advance for your help! If you only know about one particular city or place, by all means, still tell me about it!


Itinerary: Steve & Ashley’s Europe Trip 08-09

Beginning Dec. 20
Ending Jan. 2

Day 1 (12/20)

Steve arrives in Paris (10AM).
Pick up Steve and bring to Angers
Explore Angers

Sleeping in dorm (FREE)

DAY 2 (12/21)

Meals:

Breakfast: $10
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30

Explore Angers

Sleeping in dorm (FREE)

DAY 3 (12/22)

Breakfast: $10

Take flight from Paris to Barcelona ($140)

Arrive in Barcelona

Meals:
Lunch from Supermarket ($15)
Dinner at local restaurant ($30)

Excursions:

Manchester Bar: A nice bar in the Raval that pays homage to English indie music of the 90s

La Rambla (FREE): The Rambla is, of course, the best known landmark of Barcelona, and deservedly so. Meandering down from the Pl. de Catalunya to the Columbus statue, filled with newspaper kiosks, flower and animal stalls, and all sorts of artists, it is undoubtedly the place where everyone comes together, both tourists and locals, from the most inconspicuous to the most exaggerated representative of all sorts of urban tribes.
Sagrada Familia Catedral ($15)
Sleep at Gothic Points Hostel ($60)

DAY 4 (12/23)
Meals
Breakfast: $10
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30
Excursions:
Paulo de la Musica Catalano ($19)
Explore Barcelona
Sleep on train on Barcelona to Nice

DAY 5 (12/24)
Arrive in Nice
Meals
Breakfast: $10
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30
Excursions:
Trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco to see:
Exotic Gardens ($12)
Oceanographic Museum/Aquarium ($18 )
Monte Carlo Casino
Castle Hill in Nice
Sleeping: Villa Saint Exupery ($52.42, group dorm (4 beds))

DAY 6 (12/25):
Meals:
Breakfast: FREE with Hostel
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30

Excursions:
Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain ($15)
Promenade des Anglais
Sleeping on train to Rome, Italy

DAY 7 (12/26):
Arrive in Rome, Italy
Meals
Breakfast: $10
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30
Excursions:
Colloseum
Pantheon
Spanish Steps (FREE)
Trevi Fountain (FREE)
Sleeping:
Best Case scenario: Monastery to right of basilica: $20 (something I heard about from a person who lived in Rome for a few years)
Worst Case scenario: Papa Germano: $66

DAY 8 (12/27):
Meals:
Breakfast: FREE at Hostel
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30
Excursions:
Vatican City & Museums (Sistine Chapel) ($40)
Leave for Bologna, Italy on train (3 hrs)
Sleeping:
BC scenario: w/Buono (friend who lives in Bologna) (FREE)
WC scenario: Hotel Fiera ($53)

DAY 9 (12/28 ):
Meals:
Breakfast: $10
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30
Excursions:
Guided by Buono
Overnight train to Paris

DAY 10 (12/29):
Meals:
Breakfast: $10
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30
Excursions:
Le Louvre (museum pass covers ($92)
L’arc de Triomphe (MP)
Père Lachaise (FREE)
La Tour Eiffel ($10)
Sleeping: Aloha Hostel $87

DAY 11 (12/30):
Meals:
Breakfast: FREE
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30
Excursions:
Notre Dame/Quartier Latin, Walk Along Seine (FREE)
Musée d’Orsay (MP)
Panthéon (MP)
Catacombs ($10)

Sleeping at Aloha Hostel ($87)

DAY 12 (12/31)
Meals:
Breakfast: FREE with hostel
Lunch: $15
Dinner: $30
Excursions:
Versailles ($40)
Sacré Coeur ($10)
Explore Montmartre/Artist’s Quarters (FREE)
Portraits(?)
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Paris!
Sleeping Aloha Hostel ($87)

DAY 13 (1/1):
Meals:
Breakfast: FREE with hostel
Go to CDG Airport to fly back to U.S.!

TOTAL COSTS:
EURAIL SAVER PASSES FOR ALL TRAIN TRAVEL: $559
OTHER TRANSPORT $140(flight to Barc.)+$50(Carte Orange)
ALL HOSTELS/ACCOMODATIONS: $493
ALL EXCURSIONS: $271
ALL FOOD: $565

TOTAL COST: 2078 ($1039 each)---for pricing I used all the WC scenario prices.

[wilson49332]

I think that looks fine to be honest. Seems to be a bit cramped, but if you guys are ready- your like me- do as much as you can with as little time as possible. Should be ok since its the winter. Dont forget the ruins next to the coloseeum in rome.

[Kathleen]

Ashley,

I had a great 5-day trip in Rome -- I know you don't have that long, but I recommend staying at the Hotel Alessandro if the monastery doesn't work out (there are two Alessandro Hotels in Rome; they're run by the same people, but be sure to get the one near Termini). It's still relatively cheap, and has a substantial free breakfast in the morning, and free dinner one or two nights a week. Additionally, it's just blocks away from Termini Station, and within easy walking distance of the Forum.

When you buy your ticket to the Colosseum, I recommend buying the slightly more expensive ticket that also gets you into Palantino Hill, the hill rising above the Forum where a lot of the senators lived. It's very pretty and really worth the extra money.

Also, give yourself plenty of time in the Vatican Museums; I recommend packing a lunch that you can eat in the garden area if it's not too cold (I went in March). That saves some time. I spent over 7 hours in the museum and still didn't see everything. Additionally, be sure to be in line early -- at least 30 minutes before the museums open. I walked everywhere in Rome (you see a lot more that way), except on the morning that I went to the Vatican Museums; then I took the subway. Remember that both you and Steve need to dress up for the museums; for example, no jeans or graphic tees. I recommend wearing a skirt.

My last piece of advice for your whole trip is to find places off the beaten track to eat. Watch where the locals go -- you'll find the best food, and it will be cheaper. And remember that poor Steve will probably be jet-lagged when he arrives -- he may need some time to recover before he can hit the sights at full speed.

Have fun on your trip!!