Looking for travel advice for Europe

[AntiFreze]

Ireland, England, Belgium, France - this fall.

Packs or Luggage? Whats better.

We aren't going to be staying in any hostels, we are mostly doing hotels with a few castles. I think packs would be easier, but I dont want to look out of place when we stay in a nice hotel.

Car Rental?

We have decided that flying between countries is the best (cost+time wise), but when we are in a country like Ireland is it better rent a car or just take a train/taxi. We want to see lots of dublin, belfast, giants causeway, and some castles. Is there public transportation to famous tourist spots?

Orbitz, Actual Hotel websites, or wait till we get there?

We are traveling in an offpeak season. Orbitz is the cheapest but I know that, at least in the U.S., once you reserve it you are locked in to the room so there isnt a chance for a free upgrade, whereas the actual hotel is a bit more but you just reserve with a few euros, pay when you get there and maybe get a free upgrade. Or should we wait? Can you haggle the price at all if you just show up since we know the places wont be sold out?

Any other advice would be appreciated. I know there is a guide on here, but this is going to be a nice honeymoon so I'm not looking for the cheapest, just some savings when I can get them 😉

Thanks!

 

[WildHorse]

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[feralkid]

You are never "locked in to a room" regarding the possibility of an upgrade.

It is completely up to the person at the check-in counter. Ask with a big smile, and see what happens. I always ask. It never hurts and it works at least half the time for me, but luck is fickle.
It never hurts to mention you are on your honeymoon, either.

I've gotten room upgrades on Orbitz reservations, reward nights, vouchers, Priceline and last minute walk-ups.


My personal preference is to always have a reservation. My second preference is to have a reservation that can be canceled up until the night of my stay, so I can be flexible. The second preference is not always available. Do you have any "Hotel Points"? Starwood, Hilton, etc? Some of the best deals for free rooms through these programs can be had in Europe.

If I have a specific hotel that I'd really like to stay in, I search multiple sites to get the best price...Often the very best deals are non-refundable (vouchers); still, some truly wonderful properties do offer amazing deals at times.

Fall is not really off season, it is "shoulder season" so deals can be had, but don't expect to just walk in to any hotel and expect a vacancy at.


I think 4 countries in 3 weeks is just fine, provided you are only doing 1 or 2 cities per country.

 

[Farang]

You will want a car for Ireland. Dublin - Belfast is fairly painless but to go to castles and whatnot on public transport you're going to be always stuck on someone else's schedule.

packs/luggage: I don't see why you care about looking out of place. But if you're there only 3 weeks, renting cars and generally not moving around with everything too often, I'd just go with what you have already. A good pack is somewhat pricey.

 

[AntiFreze]

Thanks for the info everybody. So here is a small iteneray or what we plan on doing:

Ireland - Dublin, Belfast, Castle - Giants Causeway, Guiness Factory, Jameson Factory, Blarney stone, undecided castle, countryside, soccer game (possibly world cup qualifier), food
England - London and one other town probably - Mostly sightseeing, Fiance is a huge Jane Austin fan so some of that involved, fish and chips
Belgium - Bruges, Trappist monk brewery, waffles, mussles, chocolate
France - Paris - Sightseeing, food

Any other recommendations? (places to stay, see, eat, castles to stay in, soccer games to see, romantic ideas)