Overseas Destination

[Pam]

As I mentioned in a post a while ago, we have booked an overseas holiday. We intend on changing the dates - and after talking to a few seasoned travellers, we are now considering changing the destinations.

We didn't have much choice, as only a certain amount of Frequent Flyer seats are allocated, so at the time had to just take anything to at least secure a booking.

Just to refresh you we booked: Hong Kong - London - LA We are only allowed 3 stop overs.

We are considering ditching Hong Kong as that's not so far away and a good possibility that we could do that trip another time.

We also have a time limit - 3 weeks - because of business commitments.

We are now considering skipping USA and doing Europe instead. We have been told Paris is fantastic and should really try to go there... I'd love to see Rome too... We could still pop over to the UK. It has been suggested that 2 days in London, (stay right in the heart of London, so we can walk everywhere, as although its cheaper to stay in the outskirts, the transport is over the top expensive) is all that's really needed, plus 2 days in the countryside.

Have any of you been to Europe? Can share any tips etc. or even suggest a good itinerary? Of course there is no guarantee I can get exactly what we want - being at the mercy of the Frequent Flyer availability.

I'll have to book something in the next day or so. We have decided to try and go in May 06. Off Peak :D

Where would you like to go? ..maybe that would give us some idea's too.



And no, Terrorism doesn't put us off. Quite frankly, I think Austraila will be the next target anyway :( .

[Tora]

Pam, I am so envious!! :-D

I would LOVE to tour Europe and UK, but my "trip-of-a-lifetime" destination has got to be Egypt! I have always wanted to go there. :)

As for Europe, I think I would like to see Rome, for sure! I guess it depends on what you most want to see? I love history, so the older, the better for me!!! lol

Belgium and Austria also appeal to me. :)

When we visited London, we took a tour of London, which I would highly recommend! It is very fast-paced, but you see so much all in one day! Perfect when time is limited! We went on a cruise of the River Thames, saw changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, visited Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, had a meal in a typical English pub all in the one day!! Brilliant! It was on the redwing buses. Another "Must-do" in London is the London Eye! You need to book, but it is well worth it!

Ohh Pam, keep us informed on where you finally decide on. :-)

Anne (Tora)

[Pam]

When we visited London, we took a tour of London, which I would highly recommend! It is very fast-paced, but you see so much all in one day! Perfect when time is limited! We went on a cruise of the River Thames, saw changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, visited Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, had a meal in a typical English pub all in the one day!! Brilliant! It was on the redwing buses. Another "Must-do" in London is the London Eye! You need to book, but it is well worth it!


Hi Anne,

Thanks for your input :) Yes, these are all on our list of "Must-do's" in London.

I also want to go stand on the soil where my ancestors came from ..our village, Stuchbery (also my maiden name) is still there today, I think the population is almost non existant tho. It is situated in the Buckingham Shire, just near Brackley :)

[Naomi]

I haven't 'been to Europe' but we spent a week in Paris a few years ago and I loved it - I would definitely go back there again (if I can get up the courage to do the 20 hour flight with a baby again). Would help if you have some French (I was totally dependent on DH as my only French phrase was "coffee please").

I like London but would prefer to go back in Summer, we seem to plan our trips in November/December and it's so cold and the days are so short. We were lucky, having friends fairly close to the City to stay with and travelled by Underground which wasn't too expensive (if memory serves ...) but the trains are quite expensive compared to Aust.

I'm glad you'll be seeing some of the English countryside - my best bits of our trips there have been jumping in the car and driving. There are lots of cute little pubs and cottages, and those English stone walls (am I making sense?)

We're thinking about going again (to the UK) next August as it's DH's grandfather's 80th, and we'd like them to see Hugo again (he was so tiny the first time we took him).

HK is fun for a few days but you're right - it is relatively close and you could do it as a destination holiday at another time.

Never been to the US, every time we have planned a trip the $ plummets or something else comes up, but tbh, I have never really had a desire to go there. Would much rather see more of Europe. JMO.

I haven't helped at all, sorry, but I love to read about peoples travel plans - almost makes me want to go again!

[Patricia]

I am sorry to be picky Pam but are you sure that is the right spelling of the word ITINERARY??? lol LOL ROFLMAO!!! sorry couldnt resist it! :P:P

[Jewly]

Wow Patricia...I really envy you planning such a great trip.

I spent a month in Europe back in '03, but I spent most of that time in The Netherlands, as I was planning on moving there, so I wanted to check it all out. Holland was lovely and I'm glad I saw it, but I probably wouldn't go back. We did a day trip into Germany, to Dusseldorf but can't say that I liked that city too much but I've heard parts of Germany are beautiful.

We then drove to Paris and spent two days there, but I definately want to go back and spend a lot of time there. It is hard to get yourself around Paris though if you can't speak French, because they don't like speaking English and can be a bit arrogant about it. Both Ed and I knew a little French, and found that if you attempted to speak in French to them first, they seemed more willing to switch to English.

[Pam]

No Jewly, Naughty Patricia doesn't get to go :P she has to stay home with the goats LMAO

Thanks for your replies girls, I've enjoyed reading your travels.

Oh dear, I better start learning some French then, this'll be good, I can't roll my r's so I'll be sounding somewhat flat.

Au revoir :Hehe:

[Jewly]

Opps sorry Pam...Must have been having a blonde day!!! LMAO

[Patricia]

awww buggar the bloody goats....I'm coming too...what's your itinerary again ?:P:P LMAO

[semele]

I would definately say Europe. I absolutely love it and can't wait to go back. I did a 3 months tour with my family. My relatives are from the Netherlands so we did spend alot of time there.

[Colby]

Wow... how exciting 3 weeks in Europe :)

I've travelled Europe twice and loved it both times... here are my recommendations...

Definitely, definitely got to Rome and hop down to Venice (I LOVE Venice), then go onto Paris, it's a beautiful city and if you like Champagne there is a great town close by that you can do in a day... we did lots of champagne drinking and the whole experience is fantastic :) Then hop over to London because it is an exciting city to see.

I would be spending a week in each place... you don't want to go to any more places because you'll just miss out on seeing so much :)

Early May would be a fantastic time to go, our last trip we did in March and I would do it again in March/April... my first trip I did in November/December and January and that was way too cold for me (but they did have the coldest winter in Europe in 20 or so years).

Oooohhhh how exciting :) Let us know more and if you want any more info, pm me :)