World Travelers

[iwishiwasthere]

Okay, SoWallers. I need some suggestions and ideas.

My daughter has decided to travel abroad next semester. She chose a Classics trip which consists of studying the following countries:Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Crete, Italy, France and Sicily.

While I am not excited about traveling abroad , I will go to see my daughter. So knowing the above places, if I go, what must I see?

Tell your favorites as well as things to avoid. Many of you have traveled extensively, so I appreciate your ideas.

 

[audie]

i hope you have funn visiting your daughter, i have no suggestions since i've never been anywhere !

 

[iwishiwasthere]

Thanks...It will take a lot of courage since I have never had any desire to leave the good ole USA. I enjoy understanding what the police are telling me!

 

[Beach Runner]

Italy. Love it, especially Rome and Tuscany. Every time I've been to Venice, I've had a bad experience. But then I've heard that's because I've only been there during the summer -- it's supposed to be better when it's not tacky tourist season. Milan to me is not very thrilling (unless you have a boatload of money to spend at the couturiers). Hubby's been to most of the other places (France last week), but he's not a Francophile. We absolutely adore Paris, but not as much as Rome.

 

[DD]

i hope you have funn visiting your daughter, i have no suggestions since i've never been anywhere !

^^^^What she said.

But, iwiwt, I'm sure you will have a wonderful experience.

 

[Jdarg]

Florence- and watch "Room With a View" before you go.

 

[Beach Jacket]

Italy. Love it, especially Rome and Tuscany. Every time I've been to Venice, I've had a bad experience. But then I've heard that's because I've only been there during the summer -- it's supposed to be better when it's not tacky tourist season. Milan to me is not very thrilling (unless you have a boatload of money to spend at the couturiers). Hubby's been to most of the other places (France last week), but he's not a Francophile. We absolutely adore Paris, but not as much as Rome.

I agree. I. Don't. Like. Venice.

 

[Cil]

Wow, tough choices. I've never been to Egypt, Sicily or Cyprus so those would be my first choices.
HOWEVER
Italy is very accessible, as is Greece. I've been to Venice as a young person and did not like it much, and as a 40something and adored it. (Warm weather both times.) I dunno. It's likely your daughter might be in Florence, which can be very crowded no matter what time of year--but that's where the art is. Jdarg's advice is quite spot on.
Crete is absolutely full of history and natural beauty. Heraklion is not a very attractive city, but other towns on Crete are, such as Chania and Rethymnon.
I very much enjoyed our time on Crete.
IMHO it is hard to go wrong with France, but that's just me.
Can you find out which cities your daughter would be visiting?
That would help narrow things down.

 

[Mermaid]

What exactly is your daughter's itinerary? I should think that wherever she is staying, you will be staying, too. That will narrow the field down considerably.

Most likely she won't have a lot of free time between classes to really stray very far from where she'll be living. Day trips probably will be as far as the two of you will explore from whatever her base is.

Two good ways to find out what appeals to you: go to the library and check out the travel videos and travel guides, and coffee table books (for the visuals). See what grabs you, and then log onto www.fodors.com or www.slowtrav.com. Both of these travel forums offer wonderful and up-to-date advice to help you zoom in on good things to see and do.

I think France and Italy are easy to do for first-time travellers. I've not been to Egypt but friends who have always say that is one country where a guide is almost always essential. Not so with France and Italy.

I think when you start doing some reasearch, you will change your mind about travelling!!

 

[iwishiwasthere]

Our tentative plan is to meet her during her spring break in March, so I think city/country choices are open. I will have her email the cities..the first itinerary only lists the countries. I do not think she has much free time when the class is in session unlike other programs she looked into doing. Just so overwhelming since know very little about the best places to visit.

Cil, your suggestions on Crete are interesting...never thought about it much as I haven't heard much about it.. BR, Italy is a good option. Any good books to use for travel suggestions? I looked in the bookstore and there were too many to make an intelligent choice. We aren't people who love huge crowds, and enjoy the beauty of the area ( why we love SoWal), but feel the need to do some tourist type places. I am certain it will be a once in a lifetime, chance so I want to do it right.