European Trip Help

[Ladylethal 12]

I'm thinking of dropping Tusseau in favor of the British Museum, but these are little plans that can easily be changed. My biggest concern right now is getting the itinerary, hotels and transportation methods right.

Here's what I've come up with, if anyone have tips for B&Bs or hotels (U$100 in double room) in these areas, please let me know.

Day 01 - London

Arrival and check in (dunno what time of day or night we landing down yet)

Day 02,03 and 04 - London (and taking a bus or train to Windsor)

Day 05 - Paris

EasyJet flight from London to Paris.

Arrival and check in.

Can try some touring in the PM if we get an early flight and arrive in the AM.

Day 06,07 and 08 - Paris

Day 09 - Activate our Benelux-France Pass and take the train to Tours.

Rent a car in Tours and drive to castles of our choice (still need to see what castles we really want to see and how far they are.

Spend the night in one of the towns that are closer to the last castle we get to see this day (to be determined). Maybe Blois or Amboise, dunno.

Day 10 - More castles in the Loire.

Return car and take train to Brussels.

Check in.

Day 11 - Take a day trip to Bruges by train from Brussels.

Return to Brussels for some touring.

Day 12 - Brussels

Tour during the day and in the PM take a train to Amsterdam

Check in

Day 13 - Amsterdam

Day 14 - Check out and flight home.

I think that sounds doable and the least expensive if I change the order we do the trip. Any tips?

Edited March 5, 2010 by Ladylethal

[Peikko 1,575]

Can you pack me in your suitcase? That sounds fun

[Ladylethal 12]

Now I need my mother to arrive home so we can start the nightmare that is booking flights, hotels, and buying the cheapest possible train pass.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Cool!

I still recommend the Eurostar to get from London to Paris because (1) it's fun, and (2) you'll likely save time over flying. EasyJet does often have good deals, but you have to factor in the time and $ to get to and from the airports, dealing with airport security, etc. I know a lot of the EasyJet London flights leave from Luton, which is a 25-minute train ride from central London (come to think of it, all the London airports are some distance outside the city). I think Charles de Gaulle is about 15 miles from central Paris. The glorious Eurostar leaves from St. Pancras station in London and arrives at Gare du Nord station in Paris--much more convenient!

I admit bias, tho. I love the Eurostar. My husband used to work with a guy from New Zealand who was a big fan of the Eurostar. Every other weekend, he'd ride it from London to Paris and back, and not get off. He really enjoyed the ride. I think he was a little weird.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I think he was a little weird.

Did he have model train collections in his basement?

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Did he have model train collections in his basement?

I would assume. With "Eurostar" hand-painted on each.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

choo choo!

[Empress of Groovy 373]

choo choo!

chugga-chugga-chugga

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

chugga-chugga-chugga

ooooh, i wish i knew you when i was 4!

[Peikko 1,575]

ooooh, i wish i knew you when i was 4!

I wish I had known you when I was four

[Empress of Groovy 373]

ooooh, i wish i knew you when i was 4!

I think my train imitation reached its apex when I was about 26. It has since declined, but I do a good mourning dove.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I think my train imitation reached its apex when I was about 26.

[Ladylethal 12]

Cool!

I still recommend the Eurostar to get from London to Paris because (1) it's fun, and (2) you'll likely save time over flying. EasyJet does often have good deals, but you have to factor in the time and $ to get to and from the airports, dealing with airport security, etc. I know a lot of the EasyJet London flights leave from Luton, which is a 25-minute train ride from central London (come to think of it, all the London airports are some distance outside the city). I think Charles de Gaulle is about 15 miles from central Paris. The glorious Eurostar leaves from St. Pancras station in London and arrives at Gare du Nord station in Paris--much more convenient!

I admit bias, tho. I love the Eurostar. My husband used to work with a guy from New Zealand who was a big fan of the Eurostar. Every other weekend, he'd ride it from London to Paris and back, and not get off. He really enjoyed the ride. I think he was a little weird.

That would be ideal, but even with the costs to and from the airport we'll be saving at least 200 bucks by flying, and that's a lot of money on a budget trip. Also I might not even use EasyJet and use milleage from our credit card, since we have TONS of points and it's how our tickets are gonna be free to get to London and get back from Amsterdam anyway. I believe it's only 1.000 points (40.000 each for our round trips from Brasil and PR to Europe) from London to Paris so that might even better than EasyJet. We'll see.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

That would be ideal, but even with the costs to and from the airport we'll be saving at least 200 bucks by flying, and that's a lot of money on a budget trip. Also I might not even use EasyJet and use milleage from our credit card, since we have TONS of points and it's how our tickets are gonna be free to get to London and get back from Amsterdam anyway. I believe it's only 1.000 points (40.000 each for our round trips from Brasil and PR to Europe) from London to Paris so that might even better than EasyJet. We'll see.

Oh, I see. I don't remember the Eurostar being all that expensive, but we got a package deal w/ a hotel that was very reasonable.

The husband & I went to Bruges in 2007 and had a great time. All that delicious beer...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Yeah, Visiting Bruges is mom's priority, she visited once and says she must take me at any cost. Since Brussels is really close we're definitely going there too, either on our way up to Amsterdam or on our way back to France.

Bruge is great. Check out Rick Steves info on Bruge. There's a GREAT mom and pop chocolate shop he recommends.

http://www.ricksteves.com/tvr/belgiumrse307_scr.htm