Combine destinations to get the most out of your London vacation

For people coming from North America, London is almost always the cheapest and shortest flight to Europe. Add in the language factor, and it’s no surprise that London is the most popular destination for Americans and Canadians in Europe. But if you are already flying across the Atlantic, you might want to think about adding in at least one continental stop, for only a bit more money.

London is fantastic, but it gets old faster than you might think

That old saying that if you are tired of London you are tired of life is still true, so it’s not exactly like you’ll be running out of things to do in a week or so. It’s just that London is quite intense, especially for the short-term visitor on a budget. Everything feels expensive and crowded and when you find something affordable it’s usually of low quality. That wears on you quickly, so I always recommend people spend part of their trip here and another part in another country. France always comes to mind, but Paris in particular is just as crowded and hectic, and probably best left for a trip of its own.

Possible side trips: Germany or Italy

I know quite a few people who’ve combined one of these countries with a London trip, and it’s worked out really well and only added a bit to the cost. Germany and Italy are both extremely different from the UK, as are Berlin and Rome different from London, so I think these are each worth checking out.

Germany – Think Berlin

Germany is quite a large country that isn’t usually high on many people’s wish lists for Europe, but it’s actually a lovely place that you’ll be glad you visited. Flights to Germany tend to be affordable from either the UK or North America. You’ll almost always get the best deals by flying in to Frankfurt, but you should also investigate prices all the way to Berlin. The capital is much larger and more entertaining than Frankfurt, so there really isn’t much point in staying somewhere on your way to Berlin. Get a price quote for a flight all the way and then compare that to the price just to Frankfurt with a train ride to Berlin.

Italy – Rome is a must, but only one choice among many

If you are considering stopping off in Italy as part of your London trip, I’d highly recommend first stopping off at the Italy travel guide that is part of this same network. It’s the best resource you can find anywhere and I’m sure it’ll be a big help.

You’ll want to research airfare to Rome, since it’s the largest airport in the country, but you might also find good deals into Milan or even Venice if that’s your main goal. Be warned that Rome hotels tend to be weirdly expensive compared to the rest of the country. It’s a bit like New York City or London itself in that the cities are crowded to the point that it seems like even the cheapest hotels are expensive. That’s another reason to think about maybe 2 or 3 days in Rome and then heading off to Florence or Venice. Both of those cities are very different, and Florence in particular is also cheaper than Rome for accommodation.

Milan draws quite a few people lately as well, but to be honest it’s actually not a great tourist city unless there is something specific you want to see there. It’s the fashion and financial center of the country, but you don’t really feel much of that as a tourist, and it’s also the least “Italian” of all the major cities.