Help Jill & Jillybean Plan our Europe Adventure

[jillybean307]

The point about not being able to see the Greek Isles in 2 or 3 days is a really good point. I'd really like to do Greece for a week or two to see all of the isles. I think that may sway me a little more towards #1...

[RowanOak]

No. 1 sounds the best then. (really...anyway to me) And oh would I love to be a fly on the wall watching you two. :~)

[annanas]

choice 2! i really want to see eastern europe so that does bias me a bit, i've been to all the ones in choice 1 lots of times and i guess i don't really "get" ireland so that wouldn't sway me personally.

[Sophie-Rose]

I vote for #1!!!

[jillybean307]

Originally Posted by RowanOak

No. 1 sounds the best then. (really...anyway to me) And oh would I love to be a fly on the wall watching you two. :~)

LOL, there will be video, whether Jill wants it or not! She had absolutely no say in this matter as I am younger & faster-so I can outrun her! LOL!!

We're counting on you all to bail us out of the clink when my name twin gets us in trouble with customs!

If we do #1, this is the time frame I came up with:
August 4th-Jill leaves for Germany
August 5th- Jillybean leaves from Moscow-The Jills arrive in Germany
August 5-Germany, Frankfurt
August 6-Germany, Frankfurt
August 7- Germany (get on train at night for Italy)
August 8 Italy, Rome
August 9 Italy, Rome
August 10 Italy, Rome (get on train overnight for France)
August 11 France, Nice
August 12 France Nice
August 13 France Nice(get on train for Spain)
August 14 Spain, Barcelona
August 15 Spain, Barcelona/Valencia
August 16 Spain, Barcelona (go from Spain to France to Ireland-BIG TRAVEL Night/Day)
August 17 Ireland, Dublin
August 18 Ireland, Dublin
August 19 Ireland, Dublin (Ferry or plane from Ireland to UK)
August 20 England, London
August 21 England, London
August 22 England, London
August 23-Europe bids good-bye to the Jills

I may add one day on at the beginning to give us an extra day to play with (probably for travel from Spain---Ireland since that'll take so long--eeeeek!). I'm not sure how much extra time I want to give myself in Moscow. My classes finish on the 2nd. I was giving myself 3 extra days to pack & finishing anything that needs to be finished, but after 10 weeks in Russia, I might be ready to vamoose!

[jillybean307]

Originally Posted by annanas

choice 2! i really want to see eastern europe so that does bias me a bit, i've been to all the ones in choice 1 lots of times and i guess i don't really "get" ireland so that wouldn't sway me personally.

It's an absolute killer for me that Russia will only issue us (the students) one time entry/exit visas for Russia. This means we can't travel outside of the country at all during our 10 weeks there. I really really want to see Estonia & Ukraine (my family is Ukrainian & I wrote my MA thesis on Ukrainian literature so I'm dying to go there), and it's just not possible with the lovely Russian red tape.


Ireland=boys with cute accents I told my mom that I'm bringing home an Irish guitar player to remember the trip by! LOL

[Roo]

I would not spend more than one day in Frankfurt (IMO). Use that day to see something else... I'd also try to make it through Austria if you can.

Also be VERY VERY careful on the overnight trains. I have heard stories of people being robbed while they are sleeping. The bandits have master keys to the compartments and they come inside undetected. If you can brace the door from the inside make sure you do. There have also been reports of the bandits opening the compartments and spraying some type of chemical in there that is a temporary sedative to the sleeping people. (I am not kidding)

Also, if you have never slept on trains before, it can be very noisy and uncomfortable so be sure to bring earplugs.

ed: read this about overnight train trips:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...de_France.html

[jillybean307]

Originally Posted by Roo

I would not spend more than one day in Frankfurt (IMO). Use that day to see something else... I'd also try to make it through Austria if you can. Also be VERY VERY careful on the overnight trains. I have heard stories of people being robbed while they are sleeping. The bandits have master keys to the compartments and they come inside undetected. If you can brace the door from the inside make sure you do. There have also been reports of the bandits opening the compartments and spraying some type of chemical in there that is a temporary sedative to the sleeping people. (I am not kidding) Also, if you have never slept on trains before, it can be very noisy and uncomfortable so be sure to bring earplugs.

, yes I have heard that about the trains unfortunately. I figured we'd use our suitcases as braces up against the doors. But thousands of people do this every year and come out okay, so it's a chance I'm going to take. I hear that's a problem in Eastern Europe & Western Europe is getting better about it.

I'll have earplugs & a nightmask with me because St. Petersburg was loud as hell when I was there & the White Nights made it difficult to sleep.

LOL, I'll be spending all of May mentally preparing myself for life in Russia. I still can't believe I'm going. I was suppose to spend my summer in Vermont & planning this trip has been a whirlwind!

[Roo]

Jillybean, you can buy door alarms for the train, it's worth the money...

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/h...ard-alarm.html

[jillybean307]

Originally Posted by Roo

Jillybean, you can buy door alarms for the train, it's worth the money... http://www.improvementscatalog.com/h...ard-alarm.html

I may do that. I have to take the skank-@$$ train from St. Petersburg to Moscow overnight, and it was a nightmare the last time I rode it. It smelled like death and feet. That portion of my travels alone, would make an alarm worth it. I'm going to hang it around my freakin' neck and set it off each time a drunk guy comes up to me-LOL!

[Roo]

Originally Posted by jillybean307

I may do that. I have to take the skank-@$$ train from St. Petersburg to Moscow overnight, and it was a nightmare the last time I rode it. It smelled like death and feet. That portion of my travels alone, would make an alarm worth it. I'm going to hang it around my freakin' neck and set it off each time a drunk guy comes up to me-LOL!

I shouldn't laugh but I understand...

Have a great trip!

[eponine03]

Originally Posted by jillybean307

If we do #1, this is the time frame I came up with: August 4th-Jill leaves for Germany August 5th- Jillybean leaves from Moscow-The Jills arrive in Germany August 5-Germany, Frankfurt August 6-Germany, Frankfurt August 7- Germany (get on train at night for Italy)

If at all possible, I would suggest one day in Frankfurt, then take the train down to Munich and do two days there. Bavaria is such an amazing part of Germany! You really shouldn't miss it! And personally, I think it has more cultural things to see and do. From there, you could still grab a train to Rome.

Ooooh! I am so excited for you both

[Beach Bum]

Jill.....
I agree with plan one.

[Leelee]

I guess I'd choose the option with the most shopping available.

[ahertz]

I know everyone is going to say this about their "favorite" European city...

but don't miss Florence!!!

Maybe you can add the extra day in Italy and spend two days in Rome and two in Florence.