Hello, We are US family of 4 (2 teenagers) flying in and out of Zurich late May into June for 2 weeks. I had planned for us to train everywhere, but some of the travel time looks like it would be greatly shortened if we rented a car - for all or part of the journey. (picking one up from interlaken and the remaining trip seems like a good idea, but... Read More

Hello – we are looking to celebrate my wife's 30th birthday in Paris, Italy (Amalfi coast) and Barcelona in late June 2024. Paris 3 nights, Amalfi coast 4 nights, Barcelona 3 nights. Have only booked the flights and everything really is a blank slate. Would love to fill in the blanks with recommendations for accommodation, good/non touristy f... Read More

I could really use some help with my itinerary. This is our first trip to Europe and I'm sure it will be our last also., since we are in our 70 and 80s(my husband and I are married 55 years) We plan to take trains as much as possible. Don't want to waste time in airports but we could fly if needed, but hoping to make our way by trains or a bus if n... Read More

Hello, Our family (2a,2c) is planning our first trip to Europe from mid September to early October. After some research I think this will be best for us: London - 4 nights paris - 5 nights agvinon - 2 nights nice - 2 nights Vienna -2 nights grindelwald - 3 nights lucern or Zurich - 2 nights (then fly out late back to Australia) I initially planned... Read More

Was wondering because I am planning to visit and someone bought this up and figured I'd check. I'm not overly concerned about this but I will be traveling with some electronics (mainly a laptop and a spare camera with a few lenses that I may lave in the room in some cases). Obviously when I leave for the day, I will keep everything zipped up in m... Read More

Hi Everyone - I've spent a lot of time on the forums reading everyone's helpful content, and have put together a rough honeymoon plan: 1. Paris - Arrive and Stay for 2 nights 2. Saint-Remy (via TGV Paris>Avignon + pick-up rental car) - 3 nights to explore Saint-Remy, Les Beaux, Alpilles 3. Gordes (self-drive) - 3 nights to explore Gordes, Rous... Read More

Hello my friends - we are planning a two week trip in September for two couples to do level 2 hiking in Switzerland. All of us are in our late 50’s/early 60’s and though my wife and I are physically fit our friends have faced some recent health challenges that will limit them to no more than level 2 yet they are capable of walking for 5-6 hours pe... Read More

Live from Madrid....it's Sunday morning live!! (sorry about that!!) I'm a very short time into my stay and am already SO happy! Yes, American Airlines has misplaced my suitcase, so was withering with cold in a long-sleeved t-shirt but all is great now that I am seated in the nearly empty Car One of the splashy new Scarlet IRYO train, bound for C... Read More

We are considering taking a northern lights cruise by P & o next year 2025. They have one in October and another in December. Has any one taken these cruises and kindly let us know their experience? We would prefer October but would that be good from the point of view of chances of seeing northern lights? Thanks for any help! Read More

I have another thread in the Europe forum about accommodations in Rome from June 29 through July 2. https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/rome-hotels-or-apartment-1722281/ Here's the dilemma: I found a place on Airbnb that is in a 2000 year ol... Read More

Hello, My husband and I (very active, mid-50s) are traveling from Newark NJ to Malaga arriving at 7:30am, Friday Sept 13th. We fly out of Malaga first thing Sunday Sept 22nd.This is our first trip to Spain, so we're hoping to see a lot, while leaving a little time to relax as well. Here's a preliminary itinerary. Would be very appreciative of you... Read More

Hello! My husband and I are planning a trip to France in late September, early October of this year. We will have a total of 15 nights /16 days. We are flying into Paris (arriving early morning, jet-lagged!) and planning to take the train directly to Strasbourg. The plan is to stay there for four nights and then travel to Colmar by train for... Read More

Hi, I am doing a road trip. On 10th July we will stay the night in Moritz. And on 19th July we have to be in Zermatt. So I have 8 nights for this part of the trip. My main reason was to visit Lavender fields as we never travel to Europe in busy season of July- August. This time is an exception. I was thinking 11th July - See Moritz and drive to Mi... Read More

Hello all. My sister and I will be docking on June 26 in Marseilles We would like to see the lavender fields but the ship excursion is booked. Does anyone know a guide or driver who would take us? I've thought of renting a car but I can't get very excited about that. Thanks. Read More

Hello all, Excited to have the opportunity of a last minute work trip that will have me staying in Reims and Paris for a few nights (Paris longer than Reims—lodging all set with these two bases). I’ve just tagged a 4 night leisure get away onto the end of this trip so I can visit Aix en Provence. Have long wanted to v... Read More

As some of you who already helped me know, in less than a month I will be taking a bike/barge tour. Prior to the cycling trip I will be spending three nights in Amsterdam to recover from jet lag and to see some of the sights. This is going to be leisurely, and I don’t intend to run myself ragged trying to sightsee. I like to just wander in scenic a... Read More

This may not be helpful to a lot of people, but in case anyone is thinking about doing one of the Camino routes that start in Portugal, I thought I would share it anyway. In April I cycled the Camino Portugues from Porto to Santiago de Compostela with five friends. Some day by day observations and pictures will follow. I'll start with generaliti... Read More

I'm new to the Fodor's forums and I have found some great info on both Turkey and Greece. We are seasoned travelers in our 60s who are planning to visit Turkey & Greece in Sept/Oct 2024 for about a month. We have never been to either country, and I find I'm struggling with this trip's planning more than any other place we've been. (Even more than P... Read More

Hi there. I've been reading through some posts and not finding exactly what I'm looking for, so hopefully some of you who travel to France frequently can offer some recommendations for us. We will be in France for 2 weeks in early June: ~3/4 days each in Normandy (Bayeux, Honfleur); Loire (Amboise); Dordogne (Sarlat au Canada); and Provence (Avi... Read More

Hi All, Have heard the Pyrenees and the villages around them are charming and relaxing. We are planning a trip in September to Madrid/Bilbao,a bit along the coast and want to include a route through (perhaps) both French & Spanish Pyrenees and most importantly a visit through Basque country-not so keen on mountain hiking, but some easy walks with... Read More

I am interested in reading comments by people here who have tried to lean a language from the sites such Babel, Rosetta, and the others. I know zero about any of these. I enjoy leaning new languages but tend to be bored by strict grammar. My goal is to improve my ability to chat, or ask questions, when I travel in Italy. I can get along prett... Read More

I'd had my heart set on a few weeks in Dordogne in September or October in a rental house with friends. Looking for a relaxing not super-charged vacation - a bit of hiking, canoeing, walking, and not-too-distance sights to visit. We are planning to go carless, but it seems to be quite difficult just to get to the Dordogne without a car from CDG.... Read More

Torrey Island (Torray)…..14 km off the northern Irish coast, probably dating back to 5500 BC, and I really wanted to try it. We set off early so we could get to the ferry at Magheraroarty on time and have plenty of time on the island. It's wonderful weather, windy but beautiful. However, the ferry rocks violently... Once they arrive on the island,... Read More

What are the most interesting neighborhoods in Madrid and Bilbao for accommodations? We want safe, but non-touristy hotels or bed/breakfast that would be walking distance to cultural sites (art museums, galleries, local music performances, flamenco clubs) also charming streets. Like everyone else we want comfortable, clean rooms and soundproof room... Read More

We will be in Sicily for 8 nights in late May. It will be a fast paced trip, which is generally how we like to travel. We are not renting a car, but have booked a car and driver for transfers between cities and for a full day excursion of the baroque villages like Ragusa, Noto and Scicli. CATANIA, 2 nights Arrive late morning from London. Check... Read More