https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 17:03:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations/page/2#post-2259682 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 09:56:44 +0000 travellingbee 2259682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: we did Malaga and Seville and Malaga was beautiful and we liked how untouristy it was but there was a lot more to do in Seville. That's a fun city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations/page/2#post-2259550 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:07:21 +0000 Charm54 2259550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did 7 countries in 2 weeks and it was a whirlwind but a blast. It gave me a good taste of where I would like to go back.l to. I would probably do Switzerland and Italy if I had to pick 2 neighbouring countries . Switzerland was absolutely stunning and Italy had so much going on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations/page/2#post-2259544 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 07:57:53 +0000 ms.line 2259544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Cordoba and Grenada were my favorite, mostly because I found the mosque at Cordoba and the Alhambra (in Grenada) so fascinating and beautiful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations/page/2#post-2259539 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 07:52:36 +0000 daniellemybelle 2259539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: That's reassuring to know :) And we will skip Malaga! I think there is definitely more to see in other cities.</p> <p>@ms.line: Thanks for the suggestion! Is Cordoba your favorite city in Andalucia? We are having a hard time picking just three cities there!</p> <p>@Nutella: Thanks for the recommendations! I am a little nervous about that. We are trying to balance our sense of adventure with wanting to enjoy ourselves. Do you think 4-5 cities in 2 weeks (2-3 days per city) is doable? Travel within Andalucia will be short bus rides but we will have to take a few long trains as well.</p> <p>@Maysprout: Thanks for the recommendations! We are pretty in love with the idea of Cassis &amp; Aix en Provence at this point but we will consider it :)</p> <p>@lamariniere: We'd have to do another week entirely to do more of France! We are kind of tacking on France as it is. Though I think when we sit down and figure out the itinerary and where we have to fly out of, we may end up seeing more of France that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations/page/2#post-2258904 Sun, 09 Aug 2015 03:39:24 +0000 Nutella 2258904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely check out Granada, most beautiful sunsets there if you like that sort of thing! </p> <p>Another thing to keep in mind is travel days are exhausting &amp; can really test friendships (as can travel in general :wink: ) so I would try minimise them if you only have two weeks. Maybe pick fewer cities so you can explore &amp; find the local eccentricities in each town?</p> <p>Sounds like an amazing trip - Spain is one of my fave countries! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations/page/2#post-2258596 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 08:52:56 +0000 Maysprout 2258596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd fly to Nice from Barcelona. If you book early flights would be $50. It's an expensive area though to stay, not sure if there's any tricks to doing it on the cheap</p> <p>If you get tired of the beach you can take a train for a day trip into the mountains. <a href="http://www.loumessugo.com/en/blog/entry/wonderous-mountain-train-a-day-trip-from-nice" rel="nofollow">http://www.loumessugo.com/en/blog/entry/wonderous-mountain-train-a-day-trip-from-nice</a><br /> I haven't done this but been to a couple towns a bit north and the scenery is fantastic </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations/page/2#post-2258586 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 08:36:43 +0000 lamariniere 2258586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: you need more time in France! I've always wanted to go to Cassis. I would definitely try to stop in more towns along the coast, Cannes, St. Tropez, St. Raphael, at least 2 days in Nice. Nice or Marseilles will likely connect you through Paris or another major city for the flight home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2258548 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 07:21:43 +0000 ms.line 2258548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Don't miss the mosque at Córdoba! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2258470 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 01:28:26 +0000 travelgirl1 2258470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: When we did Europe, we did between one and three days in each place. It was busy but totally doable. Overnight trains were a great way of saving on time. I would skip Malaga, from what I remember, it was just beach and booze culture. Or maybe that is just what we wanted out of it so we didn't explore it further... Madrid is gorgeous if you are still taking recommendations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2258466 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 01:07:36 +0000 daniellemybelle 2258466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Up late dreaming of Europe! I think we may expand the trip to more like a solid 2 weeks. After some research, I don't know that Tangier and/or Lisbon are really what we are looking for. I'd rather see a quintessential Provencal town in the South of France. </p> <p>So, what do you think of this itinerary? Too packed?</p> <p>- Fly into Andalucia<br /> - 6-7 days &amp; 3 cities in Andalucia. Seville, Ronda, Granada, Cadiz, Cordoba, and Malaga are all contenders - definitely taking recommendations!<br /> - Train to Barcelona (overnight or high speed)<br /> - 3 days in Barcelona<br /> - High speed train to Marseille, which is just a stop on the way to Aix de Provence - 1 day there<br /> - 1 day in Cassis which is right by Aix en Provence<br /> - Go home from France (hopefully Marseille but possibly Nice or another airport depending on the flight)</p> <p>We could of course flip the whole thing too depending on what is cheapest.</p> <p>Thoughts??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257932 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 12:55:45 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2257932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Its a cute city but yes, around a beach and even in late April/May it was cold. </p> <p>The only other two smaller cities in Spain I would highly recommend you look up is Santiago de Compostella and Valencia. Valencia is actually a beach town too but the 3rd largest in the country so you still have lots to explore like big museums, outdoor markets etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257927 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 12:54:05 +0000 travellingbee 2257927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Actually I think it'd be better in the spring than any other season. We went in the summer and it was unbearably hot. Looks like the weather would be in the 60s and 70s in the spring. Perfect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257925 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 12:51:32 +0000 daniellemybelle 2257925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms.line: I think Andalucia is definitely a frontrunner. Right now we are all over the place trying to decide if we want to just do Andalucia, Andalucia &amp; Barcelona, or those two cities plus another country like France.</p> <p>@lamariniere: Thanks for those tips! I know my friend is really wanting to go to the beach and voting for May-June. I just don't want to wait too long because I want to TTC for #2!</p> <p>@Nutella: Thanks for the suggestion! I think Spain is winning though... I know what you mean about wanderlust. I have not traveled much and the travel bug just bit me hard!</p> <p>@lady grey: Thanks for your suggestion! My friend and I are seriously considering adding Lisbon and/or Tangier onto Andalucia now!</p> <p>@Beehive: @ms.line: Glad to have your votes of confidence for that plan! :)</p> <p>@littlebug: Good to know!</p> <p>@Maysprout: That's good to know - we are flexible at this point! Just want is most cost effective honestly (while reasonable - we don't want to spend the whole trip on a train/bus).</p> <p>@looch: "Flashpacker" is a made-up term, haha. Here's an explanation: <a href="http://flashpackerfamily.com/about-us/what-is-a-flashpacker/" rel="nofollow">http://flashpackerfamily.com/about-us/what-is-a-flashpacker/</a> It basically means backpacking but not totally bare bones. Most backpackers also go for longer and it will be a relatively short trip for us.</p> <p>@looch: @travellingbee: I think for the time of year Eastern Europe is probably out? We are hoping for nice weather.</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: @lady grey: San Sebastian looks gorgeous! It is mostly a beach destination though? I think we will be too early for beach season and don't want to be bummed out by that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257898 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 12:27:04 +0000 lady grey 2257898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: me too, I love it there! DH and I are dying to go back. We didn't rent a car last time so I really want to go back and explore the area around the city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257791 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:57:31 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2257791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady grey: San Sebastian is one of my favorite places from Spain! A bit harder to get to, but so pretty! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257779 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:44:43 +0000 travellingbee 2257779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: oh yeah Switzerland is expensive too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257769 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:38:02 +0000 looch 2257769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: I lived in Switzerland, so I am used to Europe being expensive.</p> <p>I was shocked when we travelled to Eastern Europe. We could get lunch for 5 Euros. That same lunch at home in Switzerland would cost us 5 times that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257767 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:34:55 +0000 travellingbee 2257767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Sweden and Norway are awesome but sooooo expensive. We go to sweden every few years because we have family and friends there and it is crazy expensive. Food alone is outrageous. and Norway is worse! :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257765 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:33:34 +0000 travellingbee 2257765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I recommend Budapest, Hungary and a train hop to either Vienna or Prague. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257759 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:16:47 +0000 Beehive 2257759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady grey: I love this idea! Andalucia, Lisbon, Tangier. That way you get a boat ride in as well. I haven't been to Andalucia, but Lisbon is a gorgeous city with incredible seafood, and Tangier is fantastic - such a cool mixture of European influences and Moroccan culture. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257740 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:57:18 +0000 looch 2257740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What's flashpacker style? I am intrigued!</p> <p>Eastern Europe is really affordable, I am surprised it hasn't been mentioned.</p> <p>I'd probably do Sweden/Norway. I am dying to get there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257658 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 08:55:57 +0000 Maysprout 2257658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you want to fly in and out of diff airports or were you hoping to do round trip? A lot of flights are pretty cheap so if you want to see two or three different countries it might be worth flying. We've done Ryan air super cheap and it was a fine flight but they have airports in weird spots so sometimes it's hard to get to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257576 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:47:15 +0000 littlebug 2257576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Trains take longer than you'd think. I remember being shocked how long it took to get from one place to the next when we went. I did London, Dublin, Paris, Rome, Florence, Barcelona, and Madrid in 3 weeks. So what you're thinking is definitely doable, just know that your time will be limited in each location. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257551 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:14:06 +0000 ms.line 2257551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady grey: Another vote for Tangier! North Africa is amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257540 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 06:58:27 +0000 lady grey 2257540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: another idea: if you want to do Andalucia, why not stay down there and then go to Lisbon? You could do a day trip to Tangier, Morocco too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257533 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 06:49:01 +0000 lady grey 2257533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: yes I do think that will be too much, with travel time between locations you will only get a few days in each spot which really isn't enough. If you want to cover that much ground I would just pick one country or the other. But it also depends on how you like travel! Some people like doing things more quickly. I enjoy staying in one place a bit longer (5 days or so) to really get to know it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257521 Fri, 07 Aug 2015 06:31:50 +0000 Nutella 2257521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reading this post is giving me serious wanderlust! I know you have said that Italy is off the table, but I feel like I need to vote for Sicily - beautiful part of Italy &amp; is often ignored. Great cultural sights, food, people and will be warmer than other parts of Europe at that time of year! Have an amazing time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257465 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 23:14:09 +0000 lamariniere 2257465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>April-May will likely still be fairly cool in much of Europe. Spain and France or just Italy sound like good options for a 2 week trip. Keep in mind that travel by train can take awhile and eat into your time, depending on the route, so you may look into overnight trains or fly with low cost carriers like Easyjet, Ryanair or Vueling. But you will probably be able to find deals on national carriers too since it will still be the off season. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257432 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 22:04:23 +0000 ms.line 2257432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: It's possible, but you'd be going at a pretty breakneck pace. I think I'd either pick Andalusia or the Riviera, not both (and personally, I'd pick Andalusia). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpacking-europe-recommendations#post-2257422 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 21:57:06 +0000 daniellemybelle 2257422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lady grey: We are thinking of doing Andalucia, Barcelona and then Provence/the French Riviera...? Is that too much for 10-12 days? Andalucia is southern but there are trains from Barcelona to the South of France. </p>