The final countdown - Europe 2012

This is it! We're leaving for Europe!

As our departure date gets closer, I am getting more and more excited about our trip. Four days, just four days before our do-it-yourself European adventure. What makes it more exciting is that we will be travelling from west to east to central all the way to the south of Europe. 

Soon after I finished writing my blog on our Europe tour package last year, I told myself that I'll be going back again, but never I expect it too soon. I dream, make a plan, write it, share it with my husband and now it becomes a reality. It took us nine long months of planning for this fifteen days trip. We set up our budget  and think some of the best  practical ways on how to save our finances for this trip. Of course, there are those unforseen circumstances that comes along the way during our planning but it never stops us from pursuing our dream. 

We have spend long hours of reading and researching for this trip. A lot of things to consider before we finally come up with the best itinerary that has been agreed. I gave all the places I wish to visit and the date/season we will be going. Jonathan took charge of everything from air and train tickets, train arrivals/departures, hotel accommodations and of course the most important of all...payments hahaha (oopps I made a share also in buying his stuff). I took charge of what to see and do, what's unique and special about the city/region, where and what to eat/drink/buy and  areas worth exploring.  It is a combined effort, not an easy task for us. Now, who says that an adventure did not require lots of planning?

I have been very open about this trip eversince. I even shared it to some online portals and always update my status on facebook on the countdown. So what is in store for us in 15days? Where are we going? 

> Excited to walk across the Tower Bridge, watch the changing of guards at Buckingham Palace, a photo at the Red telephone boxes, alighting at Paltform 9and3/4, strolling at Trafalgar Square, a trip to Stonehenge, Windsore Castle, Bath and hop on/off around the city (London).

> Ascend the Atomium, experience Mini Europe, discover Old Town of the Grand Palace, see the Manneken Pis and a taste of firts class beers, chocolates and waffles (Brussels).

> The Heinneken Experience, a sneak peek of the Red Ligth District, experience the Canal cruise, watch people dresseed in costumes at Dam Square, a trip to Zaanse Schans Windmills, Marken, Volendam and find out The Nine Little Streets (Amsterdam).

> Stroll along the route of Bohemian Kings from Mihulka Powder Tower to the north side of St. Vitus' Cathedral, cross Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, discover the sprawling castles and gothic churches and pints on the world's most famous beer (Prague).

> Get lost in a maze of alleyways and little streets, visit Mozart's birthplace, an experience to delight all the senses at Mirabell Gardens with the Pegasus Fountain and the Dwarf Garden on the site, visit the location of Maria and Captain Von Trapps's wedding, a photgraph in front of the gazebo and fall in love in Lame Wolfgang (Salzburg).

> A glance a of the Schonbrunn Palace and Hofburg, sit in front of the State Opera House and see the performances on the giant screen for free (Vienna).

> Whole day tour at the Royal Castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof around the bavarian alps, roam around Englischer Garten, a walk in Schloss Nymphenburg Gardens and an afternoon at Marienplatz (Munich).

> Experience the colorful streets of Las Ramblas, get up close to Sagrada Familia, discover the unique architectures of Antonio Gaudi, climb up Montserrat, hanging out at Parc Guell and a taste of famous Tapas (Barcelona).

> Sip a cortado and take pictures at Plaza Mayor, visit Palacio Real and Puerta del Sol and a walk in the park of El Retiro (Madrid).

Our schedule is not tight, right hahaha. They say you need at least 3days to stay and spend in a city in order to  explore and enjoy the place. They say that we will be spending most of our time travelling from one city to another. They say that we should have not planned everything and do things one at a time. They say a lot of things but who cares, we have enjoyed every details of our planning and we want to create our unique own style. 

Below are some of our preparations....our nine longggggggggg months of planning. 

We booked our flight last April. One of the best way to save time in our trip is to look for an open-jaw ticket. Luckily, we have found one that suits our schedule, arriving in London and departing in Madrid.

Another way to travel Europe in budget is to book as early as possible, which includes the train and the accommodation. Train operators usually gives 40% discount if you book 90-120days prior departure. It is also important to know which season you are going to travel because hotel rates drops during off peak season. It is best to book your train tickets directly to the train operators. We have used thalys (Amsterdam), bahn (Germany), eurostar (UK), obb (Austria) and renfe (Spain).

Based on my research, Autum or fall is considered a not-so-peak season in Europe, one reason why we chose to fly in October. Hotels are not fully booked and offers discounted prices. We will be staying in Tune Hotel (London), easyHotel (Amsterdam), Three Crowns Hotel (Prague), Adlerhof Hotel (Salzburg), Hotel Mercure (Vienna), Hotel Deutsches Theater (Munich), Hotel Sagrada Familia (Barcelona) and Hostal Las Fuentes (Madrid). Their rates are resonably ok, considered as 2-star hotel.

Jonathan printed all the train stations of the places we're going to visit. Of course, it is better to get ready, getting familiarise with the stations near our hotel and the airport.

Plotting it in excel will let you see how realistic your dream trip is! Since we will be covering eight cities, it is important to list down every details of our activities. We will also be using local flights like Air Berlin and easy jet so we have to consider also the timing of our flight.

While I am busy  on my research on  different places of interests, I also find time to collect different scarves. Yes, I love scarves and I manage to add more up to this writing.

I wanted to pack light, but even how hard I try to squeezed all our stuff to be use in 15days in 2 backpacks, it ended up in two luggage....and still not enough.

 I'm down to my last four days at work, jumping from afternoon shift to morning shift.  I'm thinking of what life will be like in a few days when I step off in Heathrow airport. So much of a worry-wart yet so excited and happy.

I'll post our stories and pictures soon....