Trying to plan trip

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are in the very preliminary stages of planning another trip to the UK/Europe, looking for input. We always stay in the UK when we go overseas (due to lodging on American military bases) and spend the bulk of our trip in the UK. We also have been to France a couple times. Our last trip, which we just got back from a few weeks ago, we spent NY Eve and NY's in Paris and our flight from Heathrow to CDG in Paris was pretty inexpensive, flew BA.

My husband, Mike, has lived in the UK and been all over Europe --while in the military. I am now ready to branch out further into Europe and see more than France. Have others here found that flights to various places "over there"  are just as inexpensive as our RT flight to Paris? Any recommendations on airlines to stay away from? I have never had any neg. issues with BA (flown with them more than once) but I saw ads all over the place for these flights (with airlines that I am not familiar with) that seemed so inexpensive that it was almost a little worrisome    There is a cheap local airline here and in its case, you get what you pay for and every flight with them (3) has not been very good for one reason or another.

BTW, I am interested in going to Spain, Italy, and see more of France. My husband is interested in returning to Germany and Belgium; he has been to both places quite a bit. When he lived in the UK and was married to his first wife, she didn't like flying -- so they always took a boat and then rented cars, when he was on leave and they wanted to travel within Europe. She would only fly going from the UK to the US and vice versa. I don't mind flying but will take a boat if I can pin down a better deal, went to northern France (Dover to Calais) this way. Mike prefers to fly in most circumstances.

Any input/recommendations from those who live in the UK and take weekend trips, etc. throughout Europe would be most appreciated. I am looking for trips on a moderate budget, nothing too cheap but nothing too expensive. We usually go to and stay in bigger cities where car rental isn't always necessary. For instance, when going to Paris we stay in the city and take the Metro, never rent a car.

Thanks in advance..........Heather

You might want to try Ryan Air.  They are a budget airline that flies out of quite a few places in the UK, but by far their biggest hub with the largest destinations departs from London Stansted.

I've flown with them a few times.  Never had major problems except a two hour delay and re-route due to fog in Brussels (but that wasn't their fault). 

If you book at certain times, you can get one-way flights for as little as 1p (you'll still get smacked with airport tax/VAT tho).

The one down side to Ryan Air is that they quite often go into municipal or smaller airports on the outside of major towns.  This means you may find it takes more time and costs extra money to take some form of transport into city centres.

www.easyjet.com is another option 

I've been looking at flights for DH's birthday and I've found some to the continent as low as £2.99!  The one thing with EasyJet is that they don't allocate seats, so you're forced to run in a mad dash to get a good seat/sit with your partner on the plane!

Go to Florence, Italy...and if you can do a side trip...to Sienna.  I loved the trip.  The cost of the British Air flight wasn't very much and very comfy. 

I'm heading to Prague, which comes highly recommended...and also not very expensive to get to via several airlines.

www.easyjet.com is another option 

I've been looking at flights for DH's birthday and I've found some to the continent as low as £2.99!  The one thing with EasyJet is that they don't allocate seats, so you're forced to run in a mad dash to get a good seat/sit with your partner on the plane!

LOL.....there is an airline in the states like this, no assigned seats, and I have flown with them and it is a mad dash!! You can feel the tension build before even boarding the airplane. DH and I, so far, have always been able to sit together when flying this airline. If it wasn't a long trip we wouldn't mind not sitting together if need be. I met an English (bilingual) speaking couple from France when we flew to Paris on 12/31 from Heathrow. The flight wasn't terribly long but it was nice being able to talk to them for the duration. So sometimes it works out OK.

The prices you found on the flight..........that's very inexpensive!!

Go to Florence, Italy...and if you can do a side trip...to Sienna.  I loved the trip.  The cost of the British Air flight wasn't very much and very comfy. 

I'm heading to Prague, which comes highly recommended...and also not very expensive to get to via several airlines.

See, I was thinking Venice and Rome.......so Florence was quite enjoyable? What kinds of things did you do there, and in Sienna? I'm game for anything, within reason. I never would have thought of Prague though.....what are your plans to do there? Thanks for the recommendations!!

The one down side to Ryan Air is that they quite often go into municipal or smaller airports on the outside of major towns.  This means you may find it takes more time and costs extra money to take some form of transport into city centres.

I wouldn't mind going to a smaller airport if I knew what to expect in the form of on-the-ground travel to the city once we were there. But you're right, that alone could increase the costs. I guess to save money it would mean doing "my homework" beforehand and not trying to figure out things on the spot. Thanks for your input!

I wouldn't mind going to a smaller airport if I knew what to expect in the form of on-the-ground travel to the city once we were there. But you're right, that alone could increase the costs. I guess to save money it would mean doing "my homework" beforehand and not trying to figure out things on the spot. Thanks for your input!

Ryan Air has destination guides on their website with links to the destination airport and other destination details.  I've often been able to glean enough info from this to find information to get into City Centres.  But yes, you are right, you do need to do your homework ahead of time unless you are familiar with the area.

Florence has amazing museums...you can see the original "David" plus so many other artworks you might have studied in your past.  The bridges are so cool, scenary is wonderful.  You can also get into amazing country-side nearby.  The food is soooo good.  Definitely drink some wine from the area!  Sienna has amazing places to walk around, good food, great shopping.  Both have some wonderful chapels...I just loved them.  I had a great time & I was spending it as a chaperone with 19 teenagers, so I can imagine it would be even better with a SO.

I'm very much looking forward to Prague - I've been told by so many people that it's their favorite city they've ever seen.  There are castles, museums, funky city centers and walks...and we've gotten a great deal on a hotel (5 star) that has a free spa (jacuzzi, steam room, workout room) and free minibar that's just outside city center.  I have just heard that it's utterly beautiful.

Prague is absolutely amazing and I can't wait to go back and also explore the environs. It is inexpensive.   I loved Florence as well... there are so many lovely places in Europe. Barcelona and places like San Sebastian are lovely.  EasyJet flys to all sorts of interesting cities like Talin.  Explore their website, sign up for their emails and punce when you see cheap tickets.  We are going to Valencia in Feb/March for £25 rountrip... not too shabby!

"I'm very much looking forward to Prague - I've been told by so many people that it's their favorite city they've ever seen.  There are castles, museums, funky city centers and walks...and we've gotten a great deal on a hotel (5 star) that has a free spa (jacuzzi, steam room, workout room) and free minibar that's just outside city center.  I have just heard that it's utterly beautiful."

OK, this does sound intriguing! Since we want to incorporate certain cities into our trip, this one may make the list since it comes so highly recommended, and by vnicepeeps too. I think my husband is a little worried my list of places to see may be never ending!! 

there are so many lovely places in Europe. Barcelona and places like San Sebastian are lovely.  EasyJet flys to all sorts of interesting cities like Talin. 

I am interested in going to Spain, and I have heard recommendations for both Barcelona and Madrid. I have also heard that Madrid is sort of a party place? While we enjoy going out for dinner and drinks, neither of us are into clubbing or partying all night......would you recommend Barcelona over Madrid in this regard? Thanks!

Ryan Air has destination guides on their website with links to the destination airport and other destination details.  I've often been able to glean enough info from this to find information to get into City Centres.  But yes, you are right, you do need to do your homework ahead of time unless you are familiar with the area.

Thanks, I am going to check out both Ryan Air and  the Easyjet websites!

Heather

Madrid has plenty to offer the non partier... El Prado, El Rastro flea market on Sundays, plenty of good food and good wine. Though they do have quite a night life.  You should do a tapas crawl from place to place though at night.  I personally would recommend that you do Madrid along with Toledo and El Escorial.  You can choose to stay in Toledo which will be much quieter.  All towns are easily reached by train and bus in Spain.  Also Granada and the White towns like Ronda are a great trip as well.  Granada is very laid back and the Alhambra is well.. amazing...
San Sebastian/Donostia is also a very beautiful city though I have not been there in years.  You can then head over by train to Bilbao and check out the Guggenheim.  If  you want a taste of Spain and really friendly people and flamenco and all that you normally associate with Spain head to Madrid or Granada or any place south avoiding Brit colonies on the coast.  If you want a more European flair and like modern artsy people like Miro, Picasso, Dali and Gaudi head to Barcelona.  Barcelona is in Spain, but is part of an autonomous region called Catalonia.  It has its own language and culture and you will find them not quite as outgoing as those from the South.  There is basically a lot of night life anywhere in Spain, but the Catalans are again a bit more laid back about it all though you will still find tons of people up all night and eating churros at 6am.  You usually do not eat dinner until 9 to 11 and lunch is the largest meal at 2 or 3.  If you take the time to learn a bit of Catalan they will love you for it though most are bilingual.  The food in both places is lovely.  Barcelona is also blessed with beaches and mountains.  Though head further up the coast if you can for the nicer beaches.  The county and city of Girona is about an hour away and it is wonderful and full of history as well.  You can get a train to little towns like Ripoll (home of a museum and Wilifred the Hairy).  If you get a chance these places will give you the true flavor of Catalonia.  Figueres for Dali and also towns like Olot.

The food all over Spain is great.  In Catalonia they tend to serve pan amb tomaquet with everything and on your sandwhiches.  (Bread smeared with tomato and olive oil) and in the South it is more common to get a small tapa for free served to you with your tinto or cerveza.  The Catalans have a fame for being stingy so they ussually don't serve anything for free.  Though you might find a bar or two run by Southern folks that still do it that way.

I could go on forever, but basically if you have any questions on Spain let me know.

and yes Prague is so worth it.