Need Advice: 12 Days in Europe
Oct 20th, 2014, 07:57 AM
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Need Advice: 12 Days in Europe
I'm 26 and got a sweet deal on a flight to Milan and from there I have 12 days till I have to be back in Prague. I'm leaving in 2 weeks and looking for some suggestions as to what places I should visit.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Oct 20th, 2014, 08:58 AM
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Since you've got a long ride back and already packing warm clothes, you might want to stay north. Seeing Verona, Venice and Ravenna, in addition to something of Milan can be an extremely rewarding experience of Italy whether your interests are art, history, food, wine, music, motorcycles, fast cars, or shopping. At this time of year, it can be tough to find hotel rooms in some to the cities that have trade fairs (Bologna, Verona, Milan) but you very often find that the next town over (Modena, Ferrara, Vicenza. Padova) has great bargains and is a beauty in its own right.
Oct 20th, 2014, 02:19 PM
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Oct 22nd, 2014, 12:12 PM
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For trains in Italy www.trenitalia.com is the official site of the State Railway but a new competitor www.trenoitalia.com (hope I got that correct) offers low fares on some key routes - you can save money by booking trentialia.com tickets far in advance over just showing up but folks say trenoitalia tickets have a much lower base or walk up fare - so either pre-book on trenitalia.com or if trenoitalia.com serves it may be cheaper.
For lots of great info on Italian trains check these IMO superb sites: www.seat61.com - great info on discounted trenitalia.com fares; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You can take the train in from Milan's Malpensa Airport if landing there - some cheap flights may use other Milan area airports) - take it to Milano Centrale station and then head off to Florence, Rome, Venice, etc from there. There are sporadic direct trains I think from Malpensa Airport to some long-distance destinations.
For lots of great info on Italian trains check these IMO superb sites: www.seat61.com - great info on discounted trenitalia.com fares; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You can take the train in from Milan's Malpensa Airport if landing there - some cheap flights may use other Milan area airports) - take it to Milano Centrale station and then head off to Florence, Rome, Venice, etc from there. There are sporadic direct trains I think from Malpensa Airport to some long-distance destinations.
Oct 22nd, 2014, 12:52 PM
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On my way from Milan to Prague that is, by train>
12 days - I would spend as much time in warmer Italy as possible - then you could take an overnight train from Rome, Florence, Venice, etc to Vienna or Munich - (or a longish day train) and then from Munich an easy bus back to Prague or from Vienna train or bus.
Milan - go to Rome same day
Rome 3-4 days
Florence 2-3 days
Venice 2-3 days
Munich or Vienna a couple of days or longer. For Munich to Prague buses/trains check www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways official site - for Vienna to Prague www.oebb.at for trains.
12 days - I would spend as much time in warmer Italy as possible - then you could take an overnight train from Rome, Florence, Venice, etc to Vienna or Munich - (or a longish day train) and then from Munich an easy bus back to Prague or from Vienna train or bus.
Milan - go to Rome same day
Rome 3-4 days
Florence 2-3 days
Venice 2-3 days
Munich or Vienna a couple of days or longer. For Munich to Prague buses/trains check www.bahn.de/en - the German Railways official site - for Vienna to Prague www.oebb.at for trains.
Oct 22nd, 2014, 01:01 PM
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based on your age and your "sweet deal" comment, i'm think budget is a concern. we love the very basic Hotel Rio in Milan which comes in at about 100E and is right by the duomo... i mean right by it. perfect location... and the duomo metro stop is also just steps away.
Oct 22nd, 2014, 01:41 PM
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Milan is neat - underrated here it seems by many but with that few days I think the other biggies are better places to spend your precious time. What most folks love about Italy is ,much more found in other cities. That's just my opinion of course but seems to be of many who've posted on Milan before - has a neat old city center but IOWs is a big not so old-looking city as are the other three through and through.
At your age I would consider staying in youth hostels or youth hotels and meeting other folk your age from around the world - maybe for about $30 or so per night - in fact in the off-season I always get B&Bs - private rooms in Florence and Rome for about 40 euros - right near the train stations so not prime parts of town but safe and OK and with a huge unlimited buffet breakfast.
At your age I would consider staying in youth hostels or youth hotels and meeting other folk your age from around the world - maybe for about $30 or so per night - in fact in the off-season I always get B&Bs - private rooms in Florence and Rome for about 40 euros - right near the train stations so not prime parts of town but safe and OK and with a huge unlimited buffet breakfast.
Oct 23rd, 2014, 11:25 AM
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hope someone else will weigh in on this, as my opinion is in the minority, i'm sure. maybe you should post this separately to get more specific feedback. i feel like zermatt is a LONG schlep for a crowded town with tiny electic vehicles buzzing all around. (please don't attack me... i know it's just me.) once you get there-- and i have been there twice-- you may not have the fab view because of frequent clouds. (two visits.. no matterhorn sighting yet... perhaps this has colored my attitude.) maybe pick someplace with an amazing view that is a little quicker to get to. but yes, switzerland! it's amazing!
Oct 29th, 2014, 09:34 AM
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Instead of Zermatt I would suggest the Interlaken-Grindelwald area of the Jungfrau Region - easier to get to as it is on a main rail route (or a tad off) Italy to Germany/Austria and IMO offers much more even than does Zermatt - more varied things and many more glacier-girdled mountains.
It doesn't have the Matterhorn but if you go to Zermatt for one day only or two or three that famous visage may well be shrouded in fog or clouds - plus getting to Zermatt is a major detour - well over an hour each way to the end of the valley and Zermatt.
Inerlaken is close to Zurich from where you can get trains to Munich/Prague or of course fly.
It doesn't have the Matterhorn but if you go to Zermatt for one day only or two or three that famous visage may well be shrouded in fog or clouds - plus getting to Zermatt is a major detour - well over an hour each way to the end of the valley and Zermatt.
Inerlaken is close to Zurich from where you can get trains to Munich/Prague or of course fly.
Oct 29th, 2014, 11:57 AM
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Book tickets to see the Last Supper in Milan NOW!! And, don't book for the last day you are in Milan as strikes happen and the church may be closed. The Duomo is spectacular, LaScala Opera tour is wonderful, shopping....and see the Ferrari store if for no reason other than to walk in the door, hear the noise and walk out!
Oct 31st, 2014, 09:06 AM
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What is the best place to book hotels/hostels?>
where - Italy, Switzerland or where? Makes a difference.
If you can get a copy of Let's Go Europe it lists zillions of hostels - both private and government owned and gives a great rundown on them - critically with email addresses with which to book them.
where - Italy, Switzerland or where? Makes a difference.
If you can get a copy of Let's Go Europe it lists zillions of hostels - both private and government owned and gives a great rundown on them - critically with email addresses with which to book them.
Oct 31st, 2014, 09:43 AM
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