snowball1982

TP'ers. Hello, and thanks again for all the great tips and whatnot that have been coming my way. You may recognize me from my insanely long Itinerary posts, http://www.travelpunk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=16042, etc etc.

Basically the deal:
4 months in Europe. Finished my position in one month. Not coming back to my hometown after - > time to travel and resettle. Hoping to leave middle of July.

Rough itinerary.
UK (1 wk) >
Eastern Europe (1 mo: Poland, Croatia, Czech) >
Europe (2 mo: Finland, Sweden, Austria, Germany, etc) >
Southern Europe (1 mo: Greece, Rome, Spain, Morocco) >

I want to have a free-flowing plan, and wait out the bulk of summer in cheaper Eastern Europe. Then there may be a few wildcard destinations as well (Egypt?).

I checked Transat, and I can get a flight from Toronto, Canada (I live in the Prairies and would my airmiles to get from Saskatoon to Toronto) to Belfast, Ireland for $280 Canadian ($282 USD ). I can't imagine that these deals last for long, but this was pretty unreal. Really the options were Dublin, Glasgow, Lyon, Edinburgh, and Hamburg as 'fly into' locations. Its about a week earlier than I was hoping to head over, but I am so tempted to do it.... advice anyone??

__________________
*There is an inversely correlated relationship between intelligence and the number of facebook application one has* - some british guy

Elizabeth

I would go for it as long as theres not alot of taxes that come up on the next page. I picked up a NYC - Dublin ticket for 230 USD in low season, so for high season this seems like a good deal. Is there anything holding you back in the week prior to your ideal departure? In the world of "open itenerary" dates change. Sometimes you depart earlier than you thought. Sometimes you end up staying longer.

Also I read your itenerary post and you say you want to fly into the UK bc its cheap to do so. However if you don't really want to see the UK you could consider flying into Hamburg. You'll be closer to the Polish border. Though at this point it would be possible to find a cheap flight outta the UK into EE also.

snowball1982

Lizz,
Its actually a $99 ticket with $188 in tax (go figure!).

Although I can fly to Lyon for $99 more, on the 21st which is a more ideal time for me. Belfast vs Lyon.... anyone? anyone?

My job is done on June 30th, although there was a possibility of working a couple more weeks, which is what I wanted (eat some of the high season away, plus some more G's for travel). But I think I might have to roll the dice and book this ticket. I don't know how long these flight offers last, is there potential for it to disappear overnight? < $300 taxes in from TO to UK seems like a pretty damn good deal .

__________________
*There is an inversely correlated relationship between intelligence and the number of facebook application one has* - some british guy

Esterina

Based on your itinerary, isn't Belfast more a fit? I didn't see France nor Switzerland among your destinations.

__________________

people are people

Elizabeth

Are you still considering waiting it out in Eastern Europe? Agreed w/ Esther. If you choose to fly into Lyon you will be far from eastern europe and getting there overland will cost you. However if you fly into Belfast maybe you can get an easyjet straight into eastern europe.

snowball1982

Lizz,
I am tending to agree with you. Flights from Belfast to Eastern Europe seem to be pretty cheap. Belfast to Krakow for 50E including taxes and whatnot in July. Strange that such a small city like Belfast would be such a hub of travel.

__________________
*There is an inversely correlated relationship between intelligence and the number of facebook application one has* - some british guy

travelchick75

KG it's cheap, airfares are only getting higher, and its only a week earlier than you had intended, hell im tempted to jump a plane to belfast now! Do it! I dare you

__________________
"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest. - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

snowball1982

I did it. Click. One way ticket to Belfast. Goodbye old life. Does anyone listen to Boards of Canada? It's what I am listening to right now at this moment. I feel like I am entering the 3rd age of my life, crazy.

__________________
*There is an inversely correlated relationship between intelligence and the number of facebook application one has* - some british guy

xanthuos

Congrats on booking. Something to remember is that Air Transat & skyservice (the airline that's actually operating your flight) are charter airlines. If there's a mechanical problem with your plane or something of that sort and they can't fly you out until the next day, you have no recourse. Just hope for the best and know that you're going to get a pretty tiny seat.

Oh, so does leaving on the 14th mean you won't get to Craven this year? :D Just asking, seeing as how you're a Saskatchewaner.

__________________
Regards,
Matthew

travelchick75

Hahah Snowball? Craven? It wouldnt have happened anyway trust me and good for you KG! I knew you couldnt back down from a dare

__________________
"Well, I had one that I was playing Quidditch the other night," said Ron, screwing up his face in an effort to remember. "What do you think that means?"
"Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry, turning the pages of The Dream Oracle without interest. - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Esterina

Congrats, this was one good deal ! Isn't it the best feeling ? The moment you book your flight, and know there is no stepping back.

__________________

people are people

xanthuos

Well I don't know the fella, so I'm sure you have better insight than I. Are you planning on going, Ash? It's going to be quite the gong show.

__________________
Regards,
Matthew

travelpunk

Congrats on entering the next stage of life, SB ! That's what I'm talking about !

__________________


Cheap Hostels, Europe Hostels, Student Hostels

Cheap Eurail Passes, Eurail Youth Passes, Eurotrain Passes