Europe - Tours, Costco Travel or Do it on your own?

[Anonymous]

Is Europe easy to navigate on our own if we are not driving and taking public transport? Or is it better to spend the extra and go with a tour company and give up things we might want to visit? Or go through Costco travel which deals with all the bookings and allows flexibility with how many days in a place?

What have you done and any sugestions or tips for a first time traveler to Europe?

Places I am interested in and want to choose one or two from this list:
Switzerland - Berner Oberland, Lucerne, Zurich
Italy - Rome, Venice, Florence, Lake Como
Greece - Athens, Santorini
Paris
Amsterdam
Seville

If doing on our own, in terms of combining cities, which would make more sense?

[Anonymous]

Unless you have very specific needs or wants (elderly grandparents in tow, child with physical limitations, desire to tour an impossible-to-access place, extremely limited time), I think it's simpler and a lot more fun to DIY your itinerary.

If you're going for a week, choose one city (maybe two, or do some day trips from your chosen city). An open-jaw airline ticket would keep you from having to spend time backtracking for your homebound flight.

Choose a place to stay that's centrally located. Buy a weekly transport pass. (It's not on your list, but Germany has one that covers all local and regional rail, plus municipal public transport. So you could visit a bunch of close-together cities that way.) Plan out about 2 things to do each day, then fill in gaps with other adventures or just more eating and people-watching.

[Anonymous]

In general, I think it's better to do it yourself. One caveat could be if you are going at a busy time (like summer) and want to go to the most popular places. Several years ago (2017) my husband and I went to Florence in the summer, and tickets for things like the Duomo sold out in advance. There were basically local "scalpers" that scooped up all the availability and then resold the tickets. I don't know if it's still like that, and if it's only like that in the summer?

When do you plan to go, and how long will you have?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Ideally we want to go before school starts in September, for 14 days maximum. 2 adults and 2 kids under 14. But if it will be too crowded we don't mind the kids taking a week off from school.

[Anonymous]

I mean it's a matter of preference. Do you usually hate planning? Then work with someone. You named 15 places in Europe - WTF? Are you traveling for like 6 months?

Of course you aren't going to easily navigate Venice to Santorini too easily - geographically it's not logistically easy. So if you work a direction then hit those places moving one way and you can circle back - read a map.

Sorry but your question is kinda dumb. Do you prefer Italy or Switzerland or Greece? If you have 10 days maybe don't go all 3? If you have weeks, sure? You really need to figure out upfront researching where you'd interest lies before you figure out destinations. Even a shortlist is better than random cities you've heard of which is what your current list is.

[Anonymous]

I've traveled around on trains and it's extremely easy. Google maps will even give you train and bus schedules, even down to the minute arrivals and delays.

[Anonymous]

A good middle ground is working with a travel agent. They're usually free and you can have as much involvement/flexibility as you want

[Anonymous]

Have never used a travel agent because DH, DS (now that's he's older) and I really enjoy looking things up on our own and we much prefer kind of wandering vs having a schedule mapped out.

My sister gets overwhelmed trying to look everything up and figure out how to incorporate everything they want to do and loves using a travel agent.

I think it just depends on your style of travel and planning.

[Anonymous]

Depends if you like doing it or not. Some of us do, some of us don't. I think if you don't know, I'd guess you'd rather not.

[Anonymous]

pp, I think that you're asking here for us to help you ... that is telling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean it's a matter of preference. Do you usually hate planning? Then work with someone. You named 15 places in Europe - WTF? Are you traveling for like 6 months?

Of course you aren't going to easily navigate Venice to Santorini too easily - geographically it's not logistically easy. So if you work a direction then hit those places moving one way and you can circle back - read a map.

Sorry but your question is kinda dumb. Do you prefer Italy or Switzerland or Greece? If you have 10 days maybe don't go all 3? If you have weeks, sure? You really need to figure out upfront researching where you'd interest lies before you figure out destinations. Even a shortlist is better than random cities you've heard of which is what your current list is.

OP here. Reading is fundamental. Read my post again. I said 2 or 3 from that list of places I want to see.
I understand geographically some places are not possible to club. But with high speed trains, it may not matter much.

As an FYI - I've researched enough to know these are all places on my must see list sometime.
Switzerland - I was debating between Wengen and Interlaken and Grindelwald as a base to see the Jungfraujoch. I wanted to do the hike from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, see the Trummelbach falls. I want to do the Brienzy-Rothorn train ride. Kids want to see First for the adventure activities. I want to do the Lake Thun and Lake Brienz cruises and have read about which pass is better - the BO pass or STP.

I am wondering if it is possible for a first timer to do it on their own and which cities would be easiest to navigate if I was doing it on my own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: A good middle ground is working with a travel agent. They're usually free and you can have as much involvement/flexibility as you want

Anyone you have used?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you have very specific needs or wants (elderly grandparents in tow, child with physical limitations, desire to tour an impossible-to-access place, extremely limited time), I think it's simpler and a lot more fun to DIY your itinerary.

If you're going for a week, choose one city (maybe two, or do some day trips from your chosen city). An open-jaw airline ticket would keep you from having to spend time backtracking for your homebound flight.

Choose a place to stay that's centrally located. Buy a weekly transport pass. (It's not on your list, but Germany has one that covers all local and regional rail, plus municipal public transport. So you could visit a bunch of close-together cities that way.) Plan out about 2 things to do each day, then fill in gaps with other adventures or just more eating and people-watching.

Thank You! Good advice!

[Anonymous]

You can do this on your own. No need for tours use Viator or Get your Guide for day tours.
Italy is now security level 2. For some people that might be a reason not to go. Flooding also has been great accomodations where you are going may not be better by then and or nor will many other things. And it's still very hot at that time.
Book everything refundable chances are by September Americans will not be leaving the country easily. Or welcome anywhere except Russia.

[Anonymous]

It is doable on your own. Pick one of the countries you listed and a few of the spots. Advice is ok here but tends to be really helpful on rockstars.com’s forums page so long as you give detail on what you’re thinking of as a starting point.