#europe itinerary

[gemsofgreece]

Hello,

Is it reasonable to visit Greece and plan to rely on public transportation and taxis? Would we still be able to reach hiking destinations easily? I have a free place to stay in Athens but would really love to be able to explore more of the country and would be very grateful to hear suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello! The short answer is that you can rely on them to some decent degree, however I would suggest that you remained a little cautious or alert for whatever situation could need preparation or adjustments. Obviously most places have a large public transportation system and taxis are available in most of them, however Greece culturally relies far less to public transportation compared to privately owned vehicles than states in western and northern Europe, so don't go entirely concern-free thinking it will all definitely run 100% smoothly even in remote places, because there is a chance it might not. Of course I don't want to scare you, I only want to ensure that you go about your plan well prepared for potential adjustments and not with the mentality "surely everything will be perfectly taken care off without a single hiccup" because then you could be caught off guard.

I can suggest a few plans based on the information you gave me:

Attica Love

You told me you will have a free base in Athens, so this can be a great and affordable way to explore a lot of of Attica. Attica is the prefecture / region of which Athens is the metropolis of. Even though Athens is huge, Attica is a quite big region and has more to offer. It has an extended coastline, two lakes (Marathon and Vouliagmeni) and other less known ones, three mountains over 1,000 m - 3,280ft (Parnitha, Penteli and Hymettus) and many more hills that are close to the city and offer nice views, such as Lycabettus and Philopappos hill. The mountains and the hills are great for hiking and have several trails. Needless to say, in this way you combine hiking, nature and city vibes at the lowest possible cost and with the exclusive use of public transportation or taxis or the subway, which is great. Within Athens, there's nothing to worry about. This screenshot gives some info about some basic trails in Attica.

These are just some examples. According to this page, greeka.com, Parnitha has more than 50 trails. Parnitha also is a national park and has wildlife, if you are fortunate enough to spot it. Again, Lycabettus is a hill, not a mountain, that's why the trail is shorter, but it's still great to accompany it with a city break within the same day.

Hiking view of Parnitha from the website xtremegreece. Check the link for more info and also remember you can get in touch with hiking / trekking / mountaineering clubs in Athens to go there in an organized group.

Travel & tour offices

Perhaps you want bigger mountains or the feel of exploring rural Greece far from Athens. I hear that. Based on your mail, I get the impression you don't have a fixed itinerary yet. In Greece this can be a problem because you can very easily get "lost" and don't know what to choose and what the smartest plan to make would be. That is because Greece has many things to see, its landscape is diverse and irregular, navigating it is harder and a little chaotic due to all this, so it has a real-life feel of being complicated and big in ways tourists never imagine by looking the map. Nothing tragic of course, but tourists definitely oversimplify and underprepare when it comes to Greece. So here's an idea. If indeed you have not a fixed plan and you are unsure where to go, you can make a search on the internet with all the travel offices or hiking clubs in Athens and pick up the ones that seem to go to places that interest you. So as soon as you land in Athens, you call or go to those offices and say this: "Hello, I am gonna be in Greece for the so and so amount of time, I want to see such & such landscapes, are you making any such trips during the time of my stay and if so are there available seats for me / my group?". And then you choose the best trip based on the info they give you. Of course the cost rises a bit, but if you get to go in farther places, you would have to pay a lot a taxi or spend more for overnight stays either way so basically sometimes these tour offices offer good packages, that might even end up being cheaper. And if not, they still curate your experience so you have nothing to worry about. They get you where you have to go, they schedule the stays, the drives, the hours, all that stuff, so... I think it's great if you want to go somewhere but don't know where, because they know better. Tip: if you find a trip you are interested in, always make sure to ask how many people are already in, because sometimes if not many people gather, the tour might get cancelled and you don't want to be left hanging. If they have more than 25 people, they make the trips. Of course this is about regular travel groups, we are not talking about super curated, exclusive services only for you or your group, because that's obviously a totally different cost.

2-day tour group in Meteora from Meteora.com

Tips if you are going on your own

The truth is that most travellers navigating Greece on their own prefer to do it with a rented vehicle. It is the optimal way. If that's not an option, I am gonna give you some tips in order to avoid problems. Within cities and towns, you will not have a problem with either taxis or buses (you might get suffocated in a crowded bus in Thessaloniki but other than that you'll go where you want). The city buses also get you to the immediate suburbs. Outside that, you will be needing the intercity buses where you have to figure out their routes well. You start from Athens, you get an intercity bus to the largest city closest to your destination. And then you get a regional bus towards the closest town or village to your destination. Times must be figured out. After that you're on your own. If your destination is a trail or a national park or some other remote landscape or an uninhabited mountain and all that, you will have to either go on foot or fix an arrangement with a local driver and also agree very clearly on the terms of the time and location for the meeting for the return. Find a taxi driver who can communicate well in English and listen to them. If they say "no you shouldn't go from this side, you won't make it till sunset, that trail is too hard for your equipment / outfit, I can't bring the car from that road etc" listen to them. They know the place. Greek rescuing teams have to save annually at least like a dozen tourists being lost or injured in gorges and mountains so keep that in mind, if you are going alone. Listen to the locals. Now such a taxi driver can be found if your last stop is a town but it is not at all certain you'll find one if your last stop is a remote or small village. In such cases, the plan must be changed unless it's safe and doable to go on on foot. Several trails start from the villages, such as the ones in Zagorohoria which are stunning, so there's that. Furthermore, you have to always keep in mind that a taxi driver can't be stand-by for whenever you need to go to the hike place or whatever, so there's always the chance that you'll need to wait a few hours or something.

You can try and find taxi drivers from Athens to get you wherever you want. However, you might need two drivers for going and returning but in any case the cost is going to be A LOT and the communication and arrangement between you must be perfect and crystal clear.

Now, knock wood, something goes wrong and you find yourself in a place you don't know and even the maps can't help you navigate it. Here are some tips for safety:

Stay calm. Greece is a generally safe place. Even if you are inside a national woodland or something, big animals avoid the contact with humans. Poisonous animals are too few and you will 99% not stumble onto one. In the province you are also very safe regarding people. You're gonna be good.

As soon as you are convinced you can't find your way, call 112. It's the free EU emergency number. It will bring you to contact with police, hospitals, firefighters, rescuers etc

If the region seems pretty safe, the ground is steady, you are well equipped, the sun is still up, you are calm but just have trouble finding your way, and you know you are close to the sea, here's the trick: always head to the sea. It will certainly lead you to coastal towns or villages that are usually more cosmopolitan.

About the steady ground thing: if you can't find your way and you are on rocky ground, do not take risks. Stay put and call 112. Greek mountains may not be the Himalayas but they are usually very rocky, with sudden drops and steep paths that cause landslides all the time. Be very careful, don't make experiments. Call 112 and wait calmly.

Obviously have water, hat, glasses, sunscreen, healthy snacks and full battery on the phone. Also a warm jacket and an umbrella if you intend to be on a high altitude.

Avoid hitch-hiking. We do not have a hitch-hiking culture, people will likely not pick you up. A lonely truck driver might XD

ALWAYS have cash on you. Provincial areas still operate largely on cash. If you are gonna be out of town for more than a night, have a minimum of 100 euros cash for whatever may occur.

If you want your excursion to be one day and not stay overnight, I think that's the range you can travel to, starting early in the morning:

Anything beyond that range would be too exhausting or impossible within one day or you would't have the time to get a decent experience of what is available there before you'd have to go back to Athens.

Anyway that's all I guess. I am sure if you get an organized tour or do it on your own and take some basic precautions and are prepared, everything is gonna run smoothly and you're gonna have a great time! I had to scare you a little so that you won't underprepare, because A LOT of tourists do that and it is often what causes mishaps in their experience. They kinda have in mind that Greece is one city with a couple of islands next door and everything is connected with a wide clear super comprehensible straight highway and none of this applies in truth lol.

Hope that helped! Cheers!

Vikos-Aoos gorge. This one needs good planning and at least two days out of Athens.

[geschmack-von-freiheit]

Italy 2023

[30-before-30-but-im-27]

Prague Itinerary

Day 1: 

Old Town Square - FREE

St Nicholas Church - FREE

Astronomical Clock - FREE

Church of Our Lady - FREE

The house at the black Madonna - FREE

Prajna Brama - FREE

Basilica of St James (mummified hand) - FREE

Day 2:

Man Hanging Out statue - FREE

Charles Bridge - FREE

Lennon’s Wall - FREE

Kafka Museum - £10

Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague - £8

Klementinum Library and Astronomical Tower Tour - £10

Absintherie Jilská Bar

Vegan’s Prague - Dinner

Day 3:

Prague Castle - £9

St. Vitus Cathedral - FREE

St George’s Basilica - FREE

Zlota Uliczka - FREE 

Strahov Monastery - £5

Kafka’s Head - FREE

Mucha Museum - £12

Dancing House - FREE

[cross-border-communications]

A walk along the Via Francigena from Europe to Italy.

The Via Francigena is an excellent opportunity to develop and enhance sustainable tourism in Europe and Italy. The union and communication between various cultures. A route that crosses Europe from the north to the south of Italy. It is about 3200 km long!

The time has come to focus on slow tourism. The kind of tourism that enhances rural areas and people, villages, and landscapes and combines the beauty of places with culture, art, and gastronomy—not neglecting an important aspect, namely the personal search, and spirituality.

In recent years, the system of hiking trails and cultural itineraries has grown considerably, redeveloping the territory from an environmental and socio-cultural point of view, revitalizing marginal or inland areas, and enhancing those places off the beaten track of mass tourism. Along its 3,200 km of the Via Francigena (United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Italy), thousands of small companies, hiking, environmental guides, and associations are active and committed to the area to serve the needs of the walkers.

Today it is estimated that thanks to the thousands of pilgrims, the economic fallout of this Council of Europe cultural routes, which crosses Italy (10 regions, 400 municipalities) for more than 2,000 km, exceeds 20 million Euros. The Via Francigena can be considered our "Way of Santiago": the way that leads to Rome and the ports of Apulia is the flagship of the international pilgrimage. Every year, pilgrims from over 40 countries walk this route on foot or by bicycle. Eight out of ten of them come back as tourists after their journey.

It is crucial, however, not to divide Italy into hundreds of walks because this would risk weakening the tourism infrastructure with no central itinerary around which to create an alternative model of slow cultural tourism, as has been happening (for the last 30 years) in Spain with the path that leads to Santiago de Compostela.

The Via Francigena is and remains a great opportunity around which it will be possible to strengthen the Italian tourist brand worldwide and develop an incredible network of regional, national, and international itineraries.

This is an ambitious project, claims Luca Bruschi - Director of the Via Francigena European Association. "We want to give value to all the work that has been done up to now by recognizing that the Via Francigena is representative of the factors of growth, exchange, and comparison between people coming from different countries."

The Via Francigena and Santiago di Compostela are among Europe's most prestigious cultural routes. It is also a model for sustainable development, stretching over 3.200km from Kent to Apulia, and is one of the world's best-known pilgrimage routes.

It is a tourist offer with an unprecedented response to the demand of people for a new way of enjoying the territory in their leisure time. A journey that affects individual growth and emphasizes meeting people and local communities along the route.

Initially posted by Luca Bruschi in ⏩  La #ViaFrancigena rappresenta una grande opportunità per lo sviluppo territoriale e turistico in Eurupa e in Italia.

⏩ The Board Behind

[cute-moosey]

Complete itinerary for 48 hours in London with a toddler (+ packing list and hotels)

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[cruiseandtravel]

Costa Cruises Unveils Exclusive 'All Inclusive Free Drinks' Promotion for 2025

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[satgurutravelae]

Europe is a treasure trove of romance, offering everything from idyllic beaches to fairy-tale cities and luxurious resorts. Whether you dream of wandering cobblestone streets hand-in-hand, soaking in breathtaking sunsets, or indulging in fine dining, Europe provides the perfect backdrop for your honeymoon. Here’s your ultimate guide to the most enchanting honeymoon destinations in Europe.

Click or Refer here to Avail:

https://www.satgurutravel.ae/holiday-packages-from-dubai-uae/europe-holiday-packages

https://www.satgurutravel.ae/holiday-packages-from-dubai-uae/italy

[laurentrvls]

Virgin Voyages : Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems Part 1

Sailing Date: May 26th, 2024

Ship : Resilient Lady

Itinerary:

May 26th : Piraeus (Athens, Greece Port)

May 27th : At Sea

May 28th : Dubrovnik, Croatia

May 29th : Split, Croatia

May 30th : Kotor, Montenegro

May 31st : Corfu, Greece

June 1st : At Sea

June 2nd : Piraeus (Athens, Greece Port)

While I wait for my next Vacation in less than a week I am going to start moving some of my journal entries from the journals I have handwritten in to this blog to catch up on my adventures.

In May 2024 my family went on a Greek Cruise I had been on one cruise before when i was 19 to Bermuda with my dad and brother.

This was my first Virgin Voyages Cruise. All I knew about the the cruise line was that is was adults only and a bit more risqué than other cruise line. My sister had been on a handful of Virgin Voyages and said we had to go on one for my Mother's upcoming milestone birthday.

One thing about planning vacations with my family is we get very serious about our itinerary. I'm not saying we never get to relax but we plan rest days into our Itineraries. We typically schedule a time to meet up and my sister will put together a power point of our vacation to make choices on what we do based on a vote. As we are all adults with our own lives we find these meetings really bring us together and hype up our future trip.

This vacation was no different as soon as we paid for our cruise it seemed like we were sitting in my sisters dining room looking at all the excursions that interested us. For my then Fiancé now husband this was a big trip for him. first time out of the country, farthest he had been from home, going somewhere he did not speak the language nor could he even try to read it, his first time travelling with my family, and his first cruise.

[nexgenimmi]

Essential Guide to Tourist Visas UK, Finland, Australia & Europe Planning a trip to the UK, Finland, Australia, or Europe? In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about obtaining tourist visas for these exciting destinations. Learn about the required documents, application processes, and essential tips from immigration agents to ensure a smooth experience. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, we've got you covered!

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share for more travel tips!

Visit our website or contact us for more detailed information 📞 +91 98888 44210 🌐 https://nexgenimmigration.in/tourist/ 📧 hello@nexgenimmigration.in

[lionheartlr]

Travel Guide to Czechia: Your Ultimate Travel Companion

Brief History of CzechiaCzechia, or the Czech Republic, has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. Once a part of the Great Moravian Empire in the 9th century, it became the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1198. Throughout history, the region has seen periods of prosperity and turbulence, particularly under Habsburg rule during the Holy Roman Empire. Czechia was part of Czechoslovakia from…

[peterlorres21stcentury]

scenes that refuse to leave my head

Baroness Lena: You've been very kind, Doctor, but we can't stay here for long. We have a full itinerary and we've already missed our first engagement. I couldn't bear to miss anything more.

Dr. Conrad: But it takes time to recover, Baroness. You have sustained rather serious injury, and in your condition it would not be wise to travel. Do not worry. With sufficient rest, and perhaps minor adjustments in diet...

[the Baron overhears this, straightens up indignantly]: 😳 DIET?!

[Conrad looks up, surprised. For an instant his keen gaze flicks downward, rather pointedly, at the Baron's ample belly. He smiles cattily to himself] I beg your pardon?

[the Baron sees that look and refuses to be embarrassed; if anything he puffs up and attempts to look even fatter]: Hmph! Diet, indeed. Never speak that word again in my presence, sir.

[mysticwizardglitter]

Exploring Manchester: Top Attractions and Hidden Gems

Manchester is a city that seamlessly blends the old with the new, offering visitors a rich tapestry of history, culture, and modern attractions. One of the first places to visit in Manchester is the iconic Manchester Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture that has stood the test of time since the medieval period. Just a short walk away, you'll find the vibrant Northern Quarter, known for its eclectic mix of street art, independent boutiques, and quirky cafes. This area is a haven for creatives and a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the city's contemporary vibe.

[savvytravelers]

European Wine Culture

Experience the rich European wine culture with Savvy Travelers, exploring the traditions and regions that produce the world’s best wines!

[30-before-30-but-im-27]

Luxembourg Itinerary

Day 1

Grund Old Town with views

Neumünster Abbey 

Bock Casemates

Rocher du Bock

Stierchen Bridge

Chemin de la Corniche

Day 2

Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art

Palais Grand-Ducal

Musée national d'histoire et d'art Luxembourg

Panoramic Elevator of the Pfaffenthal

Luxembourg City History Museum

Day 3

Monument of Remembrance

Pont Adolphe

Cathédrale Notre-Dame

Constitution Square

[immersetravel]

Returning to Europe: Planning Itineraries and the Adventure of International Travel

While I have dozens of countries across the world on my bucket list, a number of European destinations have been sitting in the back of my mind for years now. During my year abroad, I was booking trips nearly every weekend. I managed to visit 9 countries outside of Spain using this technique, but I was forced to cancel trips I had booke din the spring of 2020 to 8 other European nations due to…

[taolsluxurytravel]

From the historic streets of Rome to the enchanting canals of Venice, Plan 7-day Italian adventure filled with culture, cuisine, and captivating landscapes with us! 🇮🇹✨   ✅ DM us to start planning your Italy tour ✨