Short trip??? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

ChevolDavis · 02-06-2006, 12:11 PM

OK, I am a computer programmer in the U.S. I have a decesion I can buy a new car or go on a trip, since I have a 2001 VW Jetta I was thinking about a trip to Europe with my Fiancé. My work is very demanding I work in a University and a couple design companies on the east coast. So I think I can only go for about 2 weeks, if that. Would it be worth it? I am an ex- New Yorker whose family is from Jamaica, so being outside of the country doesn't bother me. Money is not a problem just time. I would like to go to London, Germany and Prague and a possible stop in Amsterdam, you know why. Do you guys think this would be a good trip? I don't know when I can get more time off, possibly never. I wish I could spend a couple of months but time is too short for me. This trip is short planned as well as luck would have it my schedule aligned with the stars and gave me an oppurtunity in March, which would leave me with less than a month to try and do some planning, but I am rather sparatic so maby this is a good thing. Anyways any insight would be appreciated, and thoughts are welcome.

P.S. anyone going to be in Europe around March???

**omisan** · 02-06-2006, 12:38 PM

It's definitely worth doing, man... And once you do, you may find yourself addicted and wind up making more time to travel in the future. I work full-time in cubicle world, but ever since my first trip to the UK a few years ago, I haven't been able to stop planning (and actually going on!) trips - you WILL find a way.

ChevolDavis · 02-06-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Feb 6 2006, 03:38 PM
It's definitely worth doing, man... And once you do, you may find yourself addicted and wind up making more time to travel in the future.* I work full-time in cubicle world, but ever since my first trip to the UK a few years ago, I haven't been able to stop planning (and actually going on!) trips - you WILL find a way.

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Cool, that's nice to know. Sucks about the cube life I ,just last year made it out of the cubes and into my own office. I still can see the cubes, but it is not the same. I just hope a week or two will be enough to have a nice trip. I know I will go on more, but as time permits.

nemesis331 · 02-06-2006, 01:22 PM

go for it man...
if not now then when? i think you sold yourself on the trip! haha..good luck and keep us posted with any questions you might have

**LostFarmboy** · 02-06-2006, 06:13 PM

I live the cube life too. I went for my first trip last year and it was probably the best thing i have ever done. A car is just a car, and you already have a decent enough one to get around, but the memories and experiences you will have on your two weeks abroad will be priceless, so i say definately go for it dude!!!

Also, a 2 week stint in EU wont knock very much out of a new car fund, so you will still be able to get your car, but maybe just a few months later.

**tumblezweedz** · 02-08-2006, 07:32 AM

Should easily be able to do it, but you might want to drop one of the cities from your list, so you don't feel too rushed ("if this is Tuesday" syndrome). It may seem like "now or never", but I'm sure you'll have a week or two to travel at some time in the future, and you can even make a worthwhile trip in a week, if you just focus on one destination. I'd probably opt for Germany/Prague OR London/Amsterdam, just to cut down on travel time, and to give yourself more time to enjoy the places you are. Personally I wasn't enthralled by Amsterdam, and only needed a couple of days there, but I'm not interested in A'dam's recreational attractions, so that might be a factor. Prague is definitely worth a week, and March isn't a bad time to go, as you'll miss many (though not all) of the tourist hordes. I'd probably take the continental option if I were you - NY/London flights are plentiful and cheap, you could probably get away for a long weekend more easily than a two week trip.

**Esterina** · 02-08-2006, 07:44 AM

Hehehe, we are all travel punks here... I don't think anyone will advice you to buy a new car !

I second Tumblezweedz, your itinerary is too heavy. You'll come back home wondering what has happened. Only two weeks in Europe with a 2 day jet lag slowing you down a bit... If you insist in seeing more than one country, then something like Berlin-Dresden-Munich-Vienna-Prague (if you're lucky you'll have a transit in London long enough to get out of the airport) or London-Netherland will keep you all happy, and not exhausted !

ChevolDavis · 02-08-2006, 08:49 AM

I will keep that in mind, jet lag and travel times. I am only trying to spend a day in amsterdam. can I get from London to the Netherlands without having to take the Eurorail into France?

**freakypete** · 02-08-2006, 10:44 AM

yeah there are plenty of low cost airlines that fly between london and amsterdam

ChevolDavis · 02-08-2006, 10:17 PM

Oh yeah? How can I find them, that seems as if it would save me time. Thanks for the suggestion, I will try and find one.

**freakypete** · 02-09-2006, 12:54 AM

I find expedia useful, as they give you the prices/details for nearly every airline (type london as the departure airport and it will give you the results for all 4 (or 5?) london airports, or type the airport name if you have a preference). but im not sure it includes all airlines in the search - i think easyjet for one can only be booked through their own website (see below)

but only find the details on their website, its probably much cheaper to book directly through the airline

BMI are pretty cheap and im pretty sure they fly direct to amsterdam from london

easyjet another low cost airline that does the route.

hope that helps

Pete

ChevolDavis · 02-09-2006, 07:11 AM

Thanks for the help, not too bad $61 one-way to Amsterdam from London. Why does this seem cheaper than the Eurail? The Eurail said it would coust like $300 +. Am I looking at this wrong?

**ajb3000** · 02-09-2006, 10:38 AM

That sounds plausible for the train as the channel tunnel can be pretty expensive, while the likes of easyjet have some incredible fares.

**tumblezweedz** · 02-13-2006, 04:19 AM

www.attitudetravel.com also has info about all the low-cost airlines in Europe - there are also some cheap transatlantic fares listed.

ChevolDavis · 02-13-2006, 07:09 AM

Thank you all so much, I am delaying my trip another month to try to plan it better. You guys here have been more than helpful.

aaa32 · 02-13-2006, 09:24 AM

i think you will have plenty of time to go and see some places. i was in europe for only seven days this past august, most time spent in italy, and i went to rome, pisa, florence, milan, paris, and venice.... of course, i'm young, only spent like a day in each city just to see them and i will be going back one day when i am older to spend more time in each city, but i had a blast, slept very little, traveled by myself, and saw many amazing sights

ChevolDavis · 03-12-2006, 09:08 AM

OK, I bought the tickets!!! I leave March 25 get in London the 26. I leave from there on the 27 for the Netherlands, and my return flight isn't until Apr 1, then I fly back home on Apr 7. I figure I can travel to Germany from Amsterdam if I want. Thanks you all for the help and wealth of valuable information!!!

**LostFarmboy** · 03-12-2006, 02:56 PM

Good on ya!!! You'll have a blast!!

**bluepea** · 03-12-2006, 03:25 PM

Congrats! Enjoy your first overseas trip.

My first trip overseas was pretty whirlwind, but I really loved it like that. Then when I went back, I spent more time in places I didn't get to see enough of and was able to skip the places where a day or two was plenty in exchange for something more exciting.