Things are quiet on the Europe board....

[hibbeln]

....so where is everyone going? Or researching going?
I know you all have amazing trips in the works!

 

[Conan]

Scotland in June (Hilton Craigendarroch)

Greece in September, and I'm starting to worry we may find general strikes or worse when we get there (Candia Park Village Crete, Anezina Village Paros, then Nafplion and Athens on our own)

 

[WinniWoman]

....so where is everyone going? Or researching going?
I know you all have amazing trips in the works!

Scotland in June as well. Have a lot to do in preparation! Will start working on that next month.

 

[Passepartout]

We are giving it a rest. We were in Europe 3 times last year so we'll go somewhere else for a while. I'm thinking S. America. The Greece- and to a lesser degree Italian and Spanish/Portuguese- economic situation is a concern, but not enough to change already-made plans.

Even the Europeans are lying low. The deep freeze- even snow in Rome and Naples last week has everyone cocooning and not posting on TUG.

Jim

 

[PStreet1]

Spain in April/May.

 

[jlwquilter]

Doing summer in Europe this year:

June - Dublin Ireland at Fitzpatrick Castle, London (have request in with SFX but have hotel back up rezzies), Barnsdale near Oakham at Barnsdale Country Club, Newcastle with friends.

July - no timeshares but going to Barcelona and Mardid for a week each and then 2 weeks in Paris.

All with my DD who will be just 13. DH will be around for work for 2 of the England weeks. I may not make it out alive! Or she might not.

I have a little planning done but ALOT more to do. I need to get on it soon.

 

[KevJan]

We are going to Scotland as well, but in September. Never been there so need reports when you get back. We are staying at the Moness Country Club. Just returned from a Southern Caribbean Cruise which was wonderful to get out of the cold. Next month we are heading to Australia for the first time. During the summer months we will be in the Rocky Mountains.

 

[x3 skier]

Annual visit to The Allen House in Oct.

Also hoping for the typical Cheap Business Class fares to Europe around Thanksgiving time. For the past three years I have made a trip the Friday after Thanksgiving for a short week.

Cheers

 

[moonstone]

I wish we were going somewhere in Europe this year but nooo - sending DS & future daughter-in law to Italy for their honeymoon in August. We cashed in some airmiles for their airfare + 3 nights in Rome (came as a package) as their wedding gift. I gave up looking for a timeshare ages ago (the kids didnt want to be 'out in the boondocks') and I'm now researching hotels for the rest of their first week in Rome (also our treat). Their only requirements are a private bathroom, double or queen bed not singles , air conditioning and easy walk to public transit. They are on their own for the following 9 days and are trying to decide on Florence or Venice or a few days in each (no timeshares available in those cities either!).
DH keeps telling them to pack a tent!
~Diane

 

[beejaybee]

There for a month

2012: We start with 3 nites in Rome, then board the Celebrity Silhouette for a 12 day cruise, followed by a week at Chateau du Maulmont in France, an overnite in Versailles, then taking the Thalys train to Brussels for 3 nites there before flying home.

2013- I'd like to visit South Africa using 3 weeks of timeshares, but DH not too excited- tells me to visit the zoo if I want to see the big 5

 

[Laurie]

I wish!

If anyone's going to England at end of July, here are some headliners so far for the Cambridge Folk Festival, July 26-29:

Joan Armatrading
Loreena McKennitt
June Tabor & Oyster Band
Clannad (original members)
Nic Jones
Billy Bragg, celebrating Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday

 

[PStreet1]

Our last trip to Rome, we rented an apartment and were very pleased with the experience. We were one block from the Roman wall and about two blocks from the bus stop, maybe three blocks from the subway. We had a delightful landlady who invited us to her (absolutely beautiful) home for tea and then took us on a night-time tour of Rome. We were in a "regular" neighborhood, safe at all hours, great view-----and cheap. You might have a look at rentals on VRBO or other sites.

 

[Bwolf]

Got a request in for 2013 for Devon and Cornwall. Not sure if we'll get an exchange.

 

[abbekit]

Our last trip to Rome, we rented an apartment and were very pleased with the experience. We were one block from the Roman wall and about two blocks from the bus stop, maybe three blocks from the subway. We had a delightful landlady who invited us to her (absolutely beautiful) home for tea and then took us on a night-time tour of Rome. We were in a "regular" neighborhood, safe at all hours, great view-----and cheap. You might have a look at rentals on VRBO or other sites.

I also recommend renting in Rome. We had a small loft apartment just steps away from the Piazza Navona. Top floor with no lift but we didn,t mind that. There are lots of nice apartments to rent in Rome. Check out the Slow Travel website for recommendations.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Another heading to Ireland this year . . . two weeks in late April/early May.

We were only able to get a timeshare for the second week in the Connemara/Galway area. We'll be using a mix of self-catering, castle and B&B for the rest of the nights.

P.S. I have to say I was surprised how how affordable self-catering cottages are there. We paid $400 for five nights for a 2BR cottage, which worked out to be less expensive had we been able to exchange in via RCI (MF+ExcFee).

 

[Timeshare Von]

2013- I'd like to visit South Africa using 3 weeks of timeshares, but DH not too excited- tells me to visit the zoo if I want to see the big 5

Having done a safari this past year, I can say you'll have a great time if you make it. SA is on my "wish list" too but my DH has little to no interest in Africa and all that traveling there entails.

 

[JudyH]

Baltic cruise in August, ending with a few days in Paris. I am so excited.

 

[beejaybee]

Our last trip to Rome, we rented an apartment and were very pleased with the experience. We were one block from the Roman wall and about two blocks from the bus stop, maybe three blocks from the subway. We had a delightful landlady who invited us to her (absolutely beautiful) home for tea and then took us on a night-time tour of Rome. We were in a "regular" neighborhood, safe at all hours, great view-----and cheap. You might have a look at rentals on VRBO or other sites.

I also recommend renting in Rome. We had a small loft apartment just steps away from the Piazza Navona. Top floor with no lift but we didn,t mind that. There are lots of nice apartments to rent in Rome. Check out the Slow Travel website for recommendations.

We have reserved a huge penthouse apt. thru VRBO (also listed on HomeAway)- two terraces, 3 bedroom, 3 bath on Via Giulia near Ponte Sisto and Campo di Fiore for 280 euro per nite which will be divided by 6! Cancelled our booking at Residenza Canali, where we had stayed before and loved our terrace room, but that room was priced at 195 E/nite - cash discount rate. It will be very nice to have a spacious apartment and it's located in the area we prefer.

A caveat about VRBO listings- My first inquiry about a different apt. was answered instantly and the 3 nites we needed were available. Although the VRBO listing said PayPal was accepted, I was informed by the respondent that I needed to send a wire transfer of 100E to secure the booking. Before I did, I received an email from the actual owner saying the apt. was not available one of the nites I needed. This was followed shortly by an email from VRBO that indicated the listing has been compromised.

The apt we have booked utilized PayPal for the deposit and I have communicated with the owner who has provided her phone #. However, even her listing was hacked because several months after making our reservation, an email from VRBO informed me that her listing had been compromised as well!!

Just be cautious before you make any payment to a VRBO listing, but particularly those in Italy, as there are definitely some sophisiticated hackers at work!

 

[kiyotaka]

London (5 nites), Brussels (2), Nuremberg (2), western Austria (7, t/s stay in Schloss Grubhof), Munich (3, during Okt Fest). We'll be renting a car during 7 days in Austria and intend to do many day trips. Any ideas?

 

[beejaybee]

London (5 nites), Brussels (2), Nuremberg (2), western Austria (7, t/s stay in Schloss Grubhof), Munich (3, during Okt Fest). We'll be renting a car during 7 days in Austria and intend to do many day trips. Any ideas?

Austria Ideas- Grossglockner highway, Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens, Salzburg, Innsbruck and the Konigsee which is just over the German border.
We like hiking and enjoyed going up the gondola from Maria Alm and walking to Cafe Jufen for a meal accompanied by music and our grandsons loved their petting farm. I'm sure there are similar walks from Schloss Grubhof.

 

[abdibile]

January Ski: Mondi Bellevue, Bad Gastein, Austria had great snow!

April: La Quinta at La Manga, South/East Spain

July: Marriott VIllage Ile de France near Disneyland Paris

 

[kiyotaka]

Thinking of doing Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau, Wieskirche, Oberamergau & Linderhof Castle, total of 300 miles in 1 day, , , wondering it is doable. Estimated time spent at each location N/H (2 hrs), W (30 mins), O (1 hr), L (1 hr) + total driving (7 hrs), total of 11.5 hrs. Leave Schloss Grubhof @ 8 am after b/f, pack lunch & eat dinner after the day trip. If this is too ambitious, how could we break up the itinerary?

 

[PStreet1]

We have reserved a huge penthouse apt. thru VRBO (also listed on HomeAway)- two terraces, 3 bedroom, 3 bath on Via Giulia near Ponte Sisto and Campo di Fiore for 280 euro per nite which will be divided by 6! Cancelled our booking at Residenza Canali, where we had stayed before and loved our terrace room, but that room was priced at 195 E/nite - cash discount rate. It will be very nice to have a spacious apartment and it's located in the area we prefer.

A caveat about VRBO listings- My first inquiry about a different apt. was answered instantly and the 3 nites we needed were available. Although the VRBO listing said PayPal was accepted, I was informed by the respondent that I needed to send a wire transfer of 100E to secure the booking. Before I did, I received an email from the actual owner saying the apt. was not available one of the nites I needed. This was followed shortly by an email from VRBO that indicated the listing has been compromised.

The apt we have booked utilized PayPal for the deposit and I have communicated with the owner who has provided her phone #. However, even her listing was hacked because several months after making our reservation, an email from VRBO informed me that her listing had been compromised as well!!

Just be cautious before you make any payment to a VRBO listing, but particularly those in Italy, as there are definitely some sophisiticated hackers at work!

Sounds like you found a good one! We've never been displeased with renting an apartment. Many of them have only a two night minimum.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Thinking of doing Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau, Wieskirche, Oberamergau & Linderhof Castle, total of 300 miles in 1 day, , , wondering it is doable. Estimated time spent at each location N/H (2 hrs), W (30 mins), O (1 hr), L (1 hr) + total driving (7 hrs), total of 11.5 hrs. Leave Schloss Grubhof @ 8 am after b/f, pack lunch & eat dinner after the day trip. If this is too ambitious, how could we break up the itinerary?

Not really especially given the amount of time you may spend in cue to get into any of these very popular locations.

As I recall when I vacationed in this area, we took a couple of escorted tours from our TS resort and N/H was it's own tour day. We did Oberamergau as part of another tour day.

Not sure how many local experts may be here on TUG, so you may want to venture over to Trip Advisor and the Germany Forum for some input. There will be local destination experts who will be able to give you some very practical real-life experience assistance.

 

[PClapham]

We have a week scheduled for southern Portugal followed by a week in Southern Spain- May 10-28.

Anitak