[jimmy330xi]

I only have two weeks to get some stuff done at home and go on vacation with my wife. She wants to go to Athens and visit all the historical sites and museums, she is into all that stuff, sounds boring to me. Me in the other hand, want to drive from Germany, go to Zurich in Switzerland for 1 night, Milano and Monza in Italy for 1 night, the French Riviera for 4 nights, and Barcalona in Spain for 3 nights. then drive back making stops at random spots. Which one do you think will be the best vacation?
I know the Athens trip will make her very happy, and the road trip will make me happy. Here are some things to take in consideration. She prefers to not spend extended periods of time in a car, that's why we stop aften and spend a night. That way I brake it off and does not seem like a lot of driving. I love driving nice roads. She likes art, but that seems boring to me. If you had to choose... where would you go?

[NYCGarbagePrince]

Happy Wife... Happy Life....

[jimmy330xi]

She says that she don't mind either one, just stated that she prefers Athens. My other options is attend the MotoGP in Germany for 3 days and then go to athens. I still win either way.

[double_j]

Isn't Greece melting down right now because of their economy? I thought there were riots in the street and various bad stuff like that going on? That said, you'll probably get some really nice prices and you can't beat Greek grilled seafood.

Keep the wife happy and split the time between history and the beach. I'm sure you'll forget about missing the drive after a day or two in the sun.

[fatjoez]

Originally Posted by jimmy330xi

I only have two weeks to get some stuff done at home and go on vacation with my wife. She wants to go to Athens and visit all the historical sites and museums, she is into all that stuff, sounds boring to me. Me in the other hand, want to drive from Germany, go to Zurich in Switzerland for 1 night, Milano and Monza in Italy for 1 night, the French Riviera for 4 nights, and Barcalona in Spain for 3 nights. then drive back making stops at random spots. Which one do you think will be the best vacation?
I know the Athens trip will make her very happy, and the road trip will make me happy. Here are some things to take in consideration. She prefers to not spend extended periods of time in a car, that's why we stop aften and spend a night. That way I brake it off and does not seem like a lot of driving. I love driving nice roads. She likes art, but that seems boring to me. If you had to choose... where would you go?

driving long periods does suck
but your plan kills her plan
do yours

[kaykay]

Greece - no question.

Driving is not a vacation.

[Digital.James]

Europe and take the train. Sleep on train, wake up in different city.

Athens is garbage. smog, crime and filthy

[Tondtar]

Well, you know, "Traveling to Greece" can have some other meaning besides the obvious one ....You may be a lucky man and not yet quite know it

[Dan in PA]

Greece. BTW this thread needs a poll!

[Comet]

hey dude
I did a road trip starting from Hamburg all the way to Athens last year
took us 2 1/2 weeks

went Germany (Hamburg) -> Netherlands (Amsterdam) -> Belgium (Antwerp, Brussels & Brugges) -> Luxembourg -> Germany (Koln, Stuttgart) -> Switzerland (Geneva) -> France (Chamonix) -> Italy (Milano, Florence, Piza, Roma, Barri) -> Greece (Patras, Athens)

in pretty much that order if I recall right

you can ferry it from Barri (Italy) to Patras (Greece)

we never spent more than 3hrs on the road at a time. Tons of places to stretch your legs (Auto Grill) and tons of fun

we had our own car though. I don't know how much it'll set you back renting one
we booked hotels from one day to the next and spent 1 day in each city except for rome (3 days)
we did all the sights mostly

you can skip cities you don't want
but you both get what you want

road trip through most of Europe and Athens
hell, from Patras, you could take a detour and go to Sparta too lol
we would have done it but we got a flat tire so we had to get to a tire changing place fast

[Javi335]

Forget about Barcelona and save three days, maybe more without the trip.

On monuments or pure tourist stuff there's nothing special there. For beachs stay in Greece, go to any of his islands.

[Rochdale Pioneers]

Originally Posted by double_j

Isn't Greece melting down right now because of their economy? I thought there were riots in the street and various bad stuff like that going on? That said, you'll probably get some really nice prices and you can't beat Greek grilled seafood

It's a mess in Greece but I'm sure they are desperate for Tourist Euros! There may well be strikes because of the cutbacks, but there was a lot of soul-searching after the riots left a few dead. You'll be safe.

[MrRoboto]

I did a similar Germany, Switzerland, etc road trip a few years ago. Lots of fun, but too much driving. Next time I will spend more time at each place.

[angrybaker]

greece sucks

[1speedbike]

I remember years ago taking one vacation in europe with my parents. We'd drive for hours every day and spend the night in a different place. Maybe 2 nights if we were lucky. Then we spent about 5 days straight in Monaco. We got bored of Monaco pretty fast (it's a small place), but the 5 days WITHOUT any driving were EVERYONE's favorite.

I know you wanna drive, but keep her happy :P Maybe book a Greek cruise? You go to a lot of places, stop over on different islands to see historical things (which are pretty awesome in themselves), plus booze and partying on the boat

[jimmy330xi]

Well, now that I told her my plan with all the details, she is really starting to like it. I will be home tomorrow and we can throw a coin in the air, JK. I will do whatever one she wants. I put the cards on the table and presented the options. She will choose.

[jimmy330xi]

Originally Posted by Comet

hey dude
I did a road trip starting from Hamburg all the way to Athens last year
took us 2 1/2 weeks

went Germany (Hamburg) -> Netherlands (Amsterdam) -> Belgium (Antwerp, Brussels & Brugges) -> Luxembourg -> Germany (Koln, Stuttgart) -> Switzerland (Geneva) -> France (Chamonix) -> Italy (Milano, Florence, Piza, Roma, Barri) -> Greece (Patras, Athens)

in pretty much that order if I recall right

you can ferry it from Barri (Italy) to Patras (Greece)

we never spent more than 3hrs on the road at a time. Tons of places to stretch your legs (Auto Grill) and tons of fun

we had our own car though. I don't know how much it'll set you back renting one
we booked hotels from one day to the next and spent 1 day in each city except for rome (3 days)
we did all the sights mostly

you can skip cities you don't want
but you both get what you want

road trip through most of Europe and Athens
hell, from Patras, you could take a detour and go to Sparta too lol
we would have done it but we got a flat tire so we had to get to a tire changing place fast

I will be taking my own car, so no problems there. And as an added bonus, once I get back from the road trip or whatever I end up doing my S1000RR will be ready for pick up. Mandatory bike trip for at leadt 3 days. Can't wait to get my bike.

[jimmy330xi]

Originally Posted by Javi335

Forget about Barcelona and save three days, maybe more without the trip.

On monuments or pure tourist stuff there's nothing special there. For beachs stay in Greece, go to any of his islands.

Salvador Dali's museum is in Barcelona, that's all I want to go there for. The highlight of the trip is the French Riviera. That's where we will spend most of the time. If we end up doing the road trip. Decision will be made tomorrow.

[jimmy330xi]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

I remember years ago taking one vacation in europe with my parents. We'd drive for hours every day and spend the night in a different place. Maybe 2 nights if we were lucky. Then we spent about 5 days straight in Monaco. We got bored of Monaco pretty fast (it's a small place), but the 5 days WITHOUT any driving were EVERYONE's favorite.

I know you wanna drive, but keep her happy :P Maybe book a Greek cruise? You go to a lot of places, stop over on different islands to see historical things (which are pretty awesome in themselves), plus booze and partying on the boat

The Greek Cruise sounds good, thank you for the idea. I will definately mention that to her. I think the best compromise so far.

[kaykay]

Wanted to add, Europe by train is amazing.

Switzerland has some of the best train trips you could ever take, Glacier Express through Zermatt, Matterhorn, gorgeous scenery, great food, little cart in trains without dining cars with fresh sandwiches, snacks, beer. Truly awesome traveling in Switzerland by train.

German trains are very nice too - Italian trains are cool, sometimes dirty and usually over crowed. Travel in 1st class on the train no question.

Enjoy!

[Comet]

Originally Posted by jimmy330xi

The Greek Cruise sounds good, thank you for the idea. I will definately mention that to her. I think the best compromise so far.

I've done the greek cruise privately before

most of the islands can be skipped.. it is a lot of the same...

Rhodes, Mykonos and Korfu are the ones that are worth it... skip Lesbos.. we had a pretty shit time there.. mostly because we were treated like criminals because their customs people were bored...

Kastelorizo is a nice quaint island that I liked...

I might be mispelling a lot of them.
Also depending on when you go, it might not be a good idea.. Aegean can get pretty rough

if a boat cruise is what you want, I'd recommend the Turkish coast.. much nicer.. but don't skip on Rhodes.. you can go to Rhodes from Marmaris (back forth)

[jimmy330xi]

Update, Poll added.