Am I Totally Insane??

[Lisa in Ottawa]

We haven't even left for our May trip to Italy and I'm beginning to plan a trip for September. The Italy one took forever and I swore I would not go through the same torture again. And that was just for 1 week as I followed in Pauline's footsteps for the 2nd week.

Here's the thing. Ron will be in Norway beginning Sept. Now I have no great need to go to Norway but he convinced me that Trondheim is quite beautiful and interesting and it looks lovely from pics. And I can use it as a jumping off point for other spots so in the space of 48 hours I've been to:
Prague, Vienna, Luberon, Crete, Naxos, Puglia and Tuscany!!!

We've never been to either Prague or Vienna and I thought great opportunity but....Sept....cities. No! Love countryside. We were in Crete several years ago and love it. Have never been to any other Greek Islands. So...well the internet plays into these addictions. BUT this is still high season and very hot and many places booked and a little complicated to get to from Norway. We don't have that much time.

Oh yeah, checked Kathy's place in Bonnieux. Totally booked.

So I'm back in Italy. The conference ends on a Friday. If we do a week rental, we'd have to fly from Oslo in time to get a rental car and drive.....where?

I'm even thinking Sant Antonio where we're going in May even tho we've been there and they will probably be booked as early Sept is still high season. And do I want to return to where I've just been?

Help!!! Save me from myself.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Just heard back from Nicco at Sant Antonio. The cottage we will be staying in in May is free and he won't charge me high season rates as a repeat customer even tho I haven't even been there yet. So....should we go? It will be a different season. We don't have tons of time so maybe should do what is simplest...

I know several of you have been there more than 1x

That is if we can coordinate flights from Norway to arrive in Rome to drive....

 

[JustTravel]

I would say "Go for it!", Lisa.

 

[Roz]

Lisa, if you are debating a destination in September, I very highly recommend Vaison-la-Romaine in northern Provence. Our stay there last fall was one of our absolute best trips ever. We are already thinking about going back next year. Here is a review of the apartment where we stayed, posted here on Slow Europe: Vaison-la-Romaine rental. And here is the topic on Slow Trav where I wrote about the trip: Bonjour from Vaison-la-Romaine. If you like Italy, one advantage to Vaison is that you get some of the best Roman ruins in France.

Vaison is a pretty easy drive from Marseille, by the way, if you want to know how to get to the area by air.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Take tons of money for Norway! St. Petersburg RU, Gdansk, Poland, Sweden were places I went from Norway. Easier, closer to where you'll be. comfortable temps in Sept. Only you should answer your question IMO.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Take tons of money for Norway! St. Petersburg RU, Gdansk, Poland, Sweden were places I went from Norway. Easier, closer to where you'll be. comfortable temps in Sept. Only you should answer your question IMO.

Chiaro,
Yes you're right. I would only be in Norway a few days and some of the costs will be covered. Otherwise I wouldn't even consider it. Not with our falling $.
I'm beginning to realize that it would be extraordinarily difficult to get to Southern Europe from Trondheim where we would be. It looks like there may be a direct flight to Prague. I don't have that much time.
Well, that's why I asked if I was insane. I thought it would be easier as in Europe. I wouldn't mind seeing St Petersburg. mmmm. I really only have a week.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Lisa, if you are debating a destination in September, I very highly recommend Vaison-la-Romaine in northern Provence. Our stay there last fall was one of our absolute best trips ever. We are already thinking about going back next year. Here is a review of the apartment where we stayed, posted here on Slow Europe: Vaison-la-Romaine rental. And here is the topic on Slow Trav where I wrote about the trip: Bonjour from Vaison-la-Romaine. If you like Italy, one advantage to Vaison is that you get some of the best Roman ruins in France.

Vaison is a pretty easy drive from Marseille, by the way, if you want to know how to get to the area by air.

Roz,
I looked at that apartment right after your post. It's very popular and is all booked up.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I was in St Petersburg, Russia only for 2 days . I used Red October Russia, tour company site to book an escorted tour, that way I did not need an individual tourist Visa. The Russia site did not require a deposit---the USA site--same company did ask for a deposit.
My tour was excellent.

http://www.redoctober.ru/

ru is the russian site

 

[Pauline]

What about Denmark or Holland? Or Scotland!

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

What about Denmark or Holland? Or Scotland!

I think I'm getting my head wrapped around Russia! Have no idea why that didn't occur to me immediately. It's amazing how quickly I move from country to country without a backward glance. Why it was a mere 2 days ago I was in Crete
Now that was silly. Crete is no where near Norway. In fact, except for going to Copenhagen all other points present some challenges.
But Russia. How exciting.
Thanks for the suggestion Chiaro.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I also enjoyed Copenhagen. Lovely place to walk,boat rides for sight seeing, wonderful but expensive food. I got the Marriott on the waterfront by bidding on priceline.com for $100 US/night. I was there in early Sept. Weather was beautiful.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

I found out about Red October.ru from cruisecritic,com forums. I arranged the 2 day tour for 6 of us. we had a driver and a guide who did not let us out of her sight. we had an 8 seater van. very well organized. I told them where we wanted to go, then they put the tour together-museum fees, lunch etc were included or we were told prior what we pay extra. My friends did same thing 4 years ago and loved it.

 

[SusanSeattle]

I also really enjoyed Copenhagen. I thought price-wise that it was similar to London.
It's very easy to get around the city itself - interesting architecture, museums, boat trip, pedestrian streets, etc. You can also take easy day trips by train. It's one of the places I'd like to go back to.
http://en.louisiana.dk/ - outdoor sculpture park
http://blixen.dk/ - karen blixen's house
http://www.kronborg.dk/ - Elsinore in Hamlet

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Well folks I did a 360 degree turn. After deciding on and getting very excited about Russia, I realized 2 things:
complicated and expensive to get visa and this was truly not going to be ST. You need a visa unless you are off a cruise with a max of 72 hours in the country. Visas are expensive, detailed and somewhat intrusive. For that kind of effort, I wanted more than just a few days. Russia deserves a trip unto itself not just an add on.

I looked at Copenhagen nut after Norway but want a different experience.

So....back to Prague which I had considered a mere week ago and can't remember why I dismissed the idea. I think I was trying to get from Trondheim in the north to Prague. But now we will leave from Oslo and extend our Norway trip and see a little more of the country(just a week) and then 3-4 days in Prague.

My process is a little circumlocuotous to say the least.

Anyone been to Prague recently?

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

What about Denmark or Holland? Or Scotland!

Been to Holland, Scotland and see above for Denmark. Now it's Prague.

 

[Pauline]

Sometimes there is too much choice, isn't there? Anywhere in northern or Central Europe would be easier to get to and the time of year is good for them.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Sorry about the Visa issue. Who did you contact? My TA got my VISA for Australia, I didn't need to do a thing. I thought I would have to go through Visa process myself for Russia, but once i contacted Red October tour company ru , they explained they covered it. I did go for 2 days by ship though.
I think Prague looks interesting, but have never been.
The scenery surrounding Norway, Sweden, Finland is beautiful, reminding me of Northern Ont.
I also enjoyed lovely Estonia on that trip.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Chiaro if you do a cruise with a company you are covered for 72 hours in Saint Petersberg. Right on Embassy website. You can only get your visa through a particular 3rd party processing company that they approve.
All in all too much work for a short stay.
One of the reasons I've not been inclined to go to Scandanavian countries is too much like home. but i have this opportunity. I think prague will be good. Bit sized. it won't be really ST. But can't do that all the tiem.

 

[chiaro di Luna]

Chiaro if you do a cruise with a company you are covered for 72 hours in Saint Petersberg. Right on Embassy website. You can only get your visa through a particular 3rd party processing company that they approve.

This is a bit different from cruise lines tell you and what actually happened with us doing an independent 2 day trip off the ship in St. Petersburg. The tour/Visa I got was not through the cruise line. Just adding this in case others read this thread since there are a few options regarding Visas. A travel agency and a tour company in Russia can simplify the process.
So, for future travelers---tip: do your homework if you decide to go to Russia.
Lisa, I'm sure you'll come up with the best solution for you. Enjoy your trip.