H said casually a few months ago that his work would be sending him to Europe this summer and I should come over and we could vacation before or after. Today he texts me trip scheduled for June 2. I am a planner, a workaholic and have no real desire to visit Europe. Any tips for where to go if I can scramble and arrange time of work? Airlines that are good? General tips? I do love stained glass (it’s a hobby of mine, so that would appeal to me).
Is it worth going for just one week? We’re so busy at work, my boss will have a conniption fit if I ask for 2weeks off (I think I have 3 weeks accumulated). H will be moving around various hospitals (biomed engr) so I’d just pick a country to travel to and meet up with him somewhere. He thinks he’ll likely fly into Germany, but at the end of the two weeks he could be anywhere.
Have to check my passport. If I’m lucky it will be too close to expiring to travel and I can avoid the issue. Did I mention I’m a planner ;-).
One of my kids just got a new passport (not a renewal but a new issue due to transitioning from minor to adult) and it arrived in 2 weeks without expediting so even if your passport needs renewal, no excuses!
Have you been to certain places in Europe already? Do you prefer cities or more bucolic sightseeing and nature?
Yes, definitely worth it. In my world it’s neither short notice nor short duration. (I booked a week in Paris with my d. one summer on 2 weeks notice; and she’s taken several weekend trips to European cities.)
Main advice: pick one city or region and settle in, maybe with some day trips to nearby attractions, and then arrange the rendezvous with your husband wherever appropriate. You aren’t going to do a grand tour in a week, but that’s plenty of time to take in the main attractions at wherever you decide will be your primary destination.
Obviously it will help a lot if your h. can narrow down the city where he’ll be able to connect with you somewhat.
Find a cuisine that you’d like to explore and enjoy. Do you prefer city or countryside? Beer or wine? Beach or mountain? Art or nature? For stained glass, though I haven’t been there, Chartre is not far from Paris and Paris itself has many examples of old stained glass.
June is short notice? I thought you meant this weekend or something!
If you’re worried about not having time to plan and that there would be a hassle, there are easy ways to do it. You could find a Rick Steves tour that is open (they plan everything for you, and you don’t have to do a thing), or you could find a cruise and decide what to do onboard.
This should not be a burden, it’s an opportunity. Of course Europe for a week is awesome! As far as what airline, most carriers that go to Europe are fine, but I’d choose the one where I can get a business class ticket (either because of frequent flier miles or good fares). Going business class (but not paying an arm and a leg for it) makes a painful experience quite enjoyable.
I agree with the one city idea, particularly if there are places nearby you can take a train to. We spent about a week in Sorrento, and there was plenty to do nearby (Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Isle of Capri), that we were able to stay at the same hotel in Sorrento and take the train different places. Other fascinating places are Rome and Paris. With the high speed trains, you can do plenty of day trips if you want to stay at one hotel, but still get out of town.
Wife and I were very pleased with Delta comfort seating when we went to Germany and Zurich in '15. The extra room really made such a long flight more pleasant. Enjoyed Lufthansa on our first trip over.
Delta comfort seating is pretty decent, we flew over there once like that. Sat in the first row, which was nice (as long as you aren’t right by a bathroom).
Just out of curiosity, why do you feel compelled to travel to Europe just because he is there on business? You would be saving the cost of his flight if you were to meet up with him in Europe while he was there? If you really want to vacation in Europe, you could get 2 for 1 ticket via Emirate. I have traveled extensively for work, and not once did I ask my then H to join me because while i was working I couldn’t spend time with him and it would be stressful to me knowing he was waiting for me to get off work, and the only money we would be saving would be my flight. I would rather go on vacation when I want to go on vacation.
BTW - it would be quite easy to plan an one week vacation in Europe in less than a month. There is so much to see and do.
Make sure your passport is valid not just for dates of travel. My sister and BIL ate the cost of a trip to Paris when BIL was not allowed to board the plane because his passport expired within 6 months-- even though they had return tickets that were for months before the expiration date.
One summer, I planned a week in Paris one week before departure date. Used the Last minute travel website and got a fairly good deal. (Passports were fine). Even got a new travel visa card from my bank (one with no foreign exchange fees) - they fedexed it overnight for me.
I frequently travel, DH happily stays home. Reversed roles, but I get that some are not travelers. It’s nice that your Hubby wants to spend time with you, but have you fully discussed your lack of enthusiasm?
Do check (as noted above) that there’s 6 month validity on your passport after your arrival date. That’s a pretty standard requirement no matter where you go. The State Department website has the passport info by country on their “Quick Facts” pages.
Where to go for stained glass? Paris - St Chappelle and Chartre, either as a day trip or overnight. I think airlines are hit or miss any more. I’ve flown Air Berlin, Air France, Alitalia, Iberia and United in the past couple years. None stood out as wonderful or awful. I do book non-stops when ever possible. I also book extra legroom when offered. Any more, all airlines seem to be giving less space.
I frequently travel to a single city for a week. Plenty to do in all the obvious spots - Paris, Berlin, London, Rome, Madrid, etc. Is there no place that has some curiousity or appeal for you personally?
There is some very interesting modern as well as older stained glass in many cities. It might be fun to investigate where your interests lie and plan accordingly. A month plus will give you a fair bit of time to arrange matters (from the experience of may last minute trips) Enjoy.
There are stained glass classes /courses in Europe you can take that could include housing and meals (B&B) and that could solve housing as well as meals. Some are in the countryside. Other options would be glass blowing courses like in Murano, Italy. The places could be flexible with dates and length of stay. This way only the flight would be needed to be arranged by you. I always go with the least stops. Also, I second the one week one stay idea.
In my (tech) job vacations usually require at least a couple of months notice, but I could probably beg and take my laptop for emergencies. And yes, primary incentive is the savings on H’s ticket. I wouldn’t be there while he’s working. I’d go before or after (after collides with an important project milestone at work, but I might be able to swing a week).
I had no clue emirates did 2 for 1 deals . I’ll check into that. For stained glass, I thought Italy would be best, but would love to hear other opinions!
Funny concidence, my sister is doing a 14 day cruse to multiple European countries next week, but no way I could afford that or the time off required.
Italy? I dunno - would love it if others could share their better knowledge - or would love to hear the results of your research. There is the Siena Duomo, of course. For me, my first thoughts on Italian art (museum and church and gallery) is the painting and statuary.
For me, stained glass would be Paris, as I said. Sainte Chapelle - you are totally surrounded by stained light. Notre Dame - Rose Window. Galleries Lafayette dome and ceilings. Chartres just a train ride away. Reims, a train ride the other way. St Denis is at the end of a metro line.
Very interesting hobby, by the way. Are you an artist? Art history is my passionate avocation.
If your attention turns to the UK - King’s College in Cambridge is stunning for stained glass as is York and Canterbury Cathedrals, but this is a slightly wider area to traverse from a central location like London than the highlights of French stained glass from Paris.
Have fun planning. I do empathize, it’s no fun trying to relax when work is hanging over your head.
I totally agree with Chartres (love the cobalt blues) and Sainte Chapelle. Don’t make hurried tourist mistake at S Chapelle and pop into the main floor which I believe is free and think you saw anything…Waiting in line and paying for admission is so worth it. Hopefully you will go on a sunny day, fall in love with the place and go back for an early evening concert where depending upon time of year you might be lucky enough to watch the sun go down behind the windows.
I think Reims has Marc Chagall windows.
We have found it interesting to learn about the meaning of the Christian symbols used in glass in art. Here is a list of some smaller books on our library shelf.
Symbols of the Christian Faith by Steffler
Signs and Symbols in Christian Art by Ferguson
How to Read a Church by Taylor
A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art by Sill
Saints, Signs and Symbols by Post
I am also a planner and don’t really enjoy to having surprises like this tossed at me if I am the one responsible for the details. I have found the least stressful way to handle a trip like yours is to agree on location and date, know your flight options and then find a hotel for the first and last night. If not in large city and not renting a car, think about airport transpiration and good public transp. Book the flights and the 2 nights in hotel. It seems to calm me to know that I am covered on both ends and this allows me to fill in the blanks at a more relaxed pace.
In my family, we believe Lufthansa’s service mindset is hard to beat.
What a great opportunity! Don’t cram too much into a week but do see and do as much as you’d like. Try to save a day or two to relax…Needing a vacation from your vacation is NOT what you want!! Love the idea of perusing a particular cuisine or other interest. Sorrento and the Almafi Coast are very doable in a week’s time and there is no place more beautiful!
If you visit France and you’re interested in history–Consider a couple of days in Normandy, visiting the WWII beaches. I spent a few days in Paris last summer and took the train out to Normandy…definitely a highlight of the trip for me!
We always found Lufthansa good until they began striking at the drop of a hat. I just did a quick google, looks like maybe they made some progress in that area earlier this year with some pilot deals. Of course, I had to fly United on a return from Paris because of an Air France strike and was on tenterhooks until hours before a flight due to Iberia threatened strikes, so I guess there is no guarantee. My motto for air travel is “stay loose and make sure the cell phone is charged”.
Last trip through Europe we did a Delta/Air France codeshare, Delta on the way over, Air France on the way back. I much preferred Delta. The seats were more comfortable and the flight attendants more attentive and friendly.
Enjoy.