Europe travel package deals

[frosty]

Okay, I'm really going to Europe this year! I originally planned on going to Sweden alone but after talking to someone at a get-together last night she suggested that I try one of those tour package things, which I've considered before but never gace it much thought. Since this will be my first Europe trip and I'm going alone, I figure it's best to go in a group and with a guide. The thing is I don't know where to start or which online companies offer the best deals. Can some of you guys point me in the right direction?

For this sort of trip, is it best to do a 1-week or 2-week tour? Is the price difference significant? I'd love to see England, Germany, Holland, Sweden, and pretty much everything in between. Ah, I'm already overwhelmed! It would be nice to have a travel buddy to help out.

[rs899]

It is an overwhelming task to try to figure out where to go and how to get there. I have never booked a tour to Europe (preferring to go independently), so I can't offer any recommendations, other than to do some research on websites like fodors, frommers, lonely planet, eurotrip.

Don't try to do too much on the first trip. Might be best to try countries where English is widely spoken (Scan countries).

It's a good time to go, pricewise. We're heading to Athens, Prague, Venice, Florence and Ireland in June.

Rick

[lutzTD]

Rick Steve's advice is to see as much as you possibly can the first trip, then make your next trips to concentrate on the places you like. He recommends tour groups the first time also. I would try to find one that offers Europass with sleep options so you can sleep on the train at night and wake up in a new city or country. You have to buy those passes in the US before you go.

[Jim B.]

My wife and I went to Scandanavia in 2001 and used Globus Tours, they were wonderful !!


This was our first tour and it was a WONDERFUL sampler. Globus tours were great, and very reasonable.

http://www.affordabletours.com/search/tours/17754/


I had thought about taking Euro delivery of a new Volvo C70 HPT turbo coupe over there, (this was pre Sat Nav days!!) but the idea of taking a wrong turn and driving all day lost through Sweden (and knowing her temper) made me think about a tour.


I am really glad I did. We had a great time, it was wonderful.


It was jazzed up by hooking up with some Scandanavian W126 SEC owners, that I met on another forum, who gave us personal tours too.


Trip of a lifetime.


Week after I got back, 9/11 happened, Inever knew how easy I had had it at airports.....


I adored Sweden, it was 84* in Stockholm, a heat wave....Norway is hands down the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Dont miss the Gamla Stan (old town) and the Vasa (ship) museum.

It is very safe and most people speak good English!


I also got to meet my oldest friend, a fellow from Helsinki, Finland who was my penpal from 1961!!!

They took vacation when we were there, and even gifted us with a trip to Estonia, which was beyond incredible!!!


Were were gone about a month, and were there when they days were really long, in August.

Memories of a lifetime!! DO IT!!



The dreadful discriminatory expensive "single supplement" aside, don't be afraid to go alone!

When you are by yourself, you will meet more people, that will help and befriend you, as they are hesitant to approach "couples" - this is true everywhere...

[t walgamuth]

We are thinking of Doing the UK in August for a couple of weeks, the air fare is slowing us down.

I've been over three times always had my own car and made my own way. I speak only eighth grade spanish but had four years of latin.

Always had a great time, never been to the UK....yet.

[kip Foss]

Airfares to Oz are now down to about $550 R/T.