Topic Wiki

Points Used:

UR: 133K
MR: 40K
SPG: 90K
AA: 148K
UA: 95K
Hyatt: 4 free nights
Marriott: 146K and 2 free nights (still waiting for some points to post and then change cash res. to points)
IHG: ~130K (still haven't decided which hotel in Belgium to stay at)
Melia: 22K
BA: 4.5K
And 1 BRG :)

Desired Locations: (Strikethrough means booked)

Israel
London
Paris
Zurich

Rome (Car rental booked FCO-FLR-PSA-VCE)
Florence
Pisa
Venice
Madrid (RT train booked to Toledo)
Barcelona
Seville
(Car rental booked SVQ-GIB-SVQ)
Gibraltar
Bruges/Ghent (Belgium) (Have to book trains within Belgium and RT to AMS.)
Amsterdam

Days Scheduled in Each Location
In no order in particular...

Rome 3.5
Florence .5
Pisa .5
Venice 4.5 including Shabbos (although others said it can be done in less time)
Israel 12
Amsterdam 2
Paris 4 including Shabbos
Dublin 1.5
London 4 including Shabbos (although others said it can be done in less time)
Zurich 1 (b/c it's the United <24 hour stopover, but I'm sure there's more than 1 day's worth of activities there)
Belgium 1
(Amount of days in the different Spain cities are short and were very calculated based on suggestions, as I wanted to save any "extra" days I had for other countries.)
Madrid 1
Seville .5
Gibraltar 1.5 including Shabbos
Barcelona 1.5
« Last edited by @Yehuda on June 08, 2014, 06:26:36 PM »

Author Topic: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon  (Read 108014 times)

Offline ilherman

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 8935
  • Total likes: 227
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #340 on: April 19, 2014, 09:29:14 PM »
Heh thanks. Interesting. I'll check avail as time gets closer. LH told me they're updating the fleet and it's possible it'll be lie-flat by the time I go.
BS. Don't trust them. Unless they can give you some kind of link... UA keeps on telling me they will be updating their KSML for the longest time..
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 12818
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #341 on: April 19, 2014, 09:37:17 PM »
BS. Don't trust them. Unless they can give you some kind of link... UA keeps on telling me they will be updating their KSML for the longest time..
Except that LH is truly updating their business class and is rolling out over their whole fleet.
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #342 on: April 19, 2014, 09:46:56 PM »
Except that LH is truly updating their business class and is rolling out over their whole fleet.
+1 They told me to call back closer to the flight to see which exact metal I'll be flying to see if it's the updated one or not.

Offline ilherman

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 8935
  • Total likes: 227
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #343 on: April 19, 2014, 10:02:38 PM »
Except that LH is truly updating their business class and is rolling out over their whole fleet.
Give me one updated one for the local Europe fleet.
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #344 on: April 20, 2014, 09:51:28 AM »
Just did some searching on UA. I could technically change outbound to EWR-YYZ-IST-TLV and stay in business, but I don't think that's any more convenient than EWR-FRA-MUC-TLV. Maybe I'll check again in a few weeks, but I'm definitely not going to proactively work on it. The current routing is fine :)

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #345 on: April 24, 2014, 12:03:48 AM »
Just realized I can use my unused airline miles for hotel stays! Yes, I know it's not a great use of miles, but my whole miles-goal is really all about this trip. I can worry about restocking in the future. I didn't check every program, but my 110K LH can be used for hotels. Same for my 43K BA and my mother's 20K UA. That should definitely add a couple more nights to the mix.

Just applied today for SP, Marriott, IHG for my wife. Security pend on all of them and in the process of taking care of that.

Offline HP58

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 1383
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #346 on: April 24, 2014, 12:22:32 AM »
Can you post your itinerary so far in the wiki? I'm planning a trip in August and the time you'll be using in each spot would be helpful.

Online SOS

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 792
  • Total likes: 48
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Avis First, Hertz Five Star, National Executive
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #347 on: April 24, 2014, 01:02:39 AM »
Can you post your itinerary so far in the wiki? I'm planning a trip in August and the time you'll be using in each spot would be helpful.

+1
Thanks for this thread
It's helping me plan my Europe trip this summer

Offline ad120

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Nov 2013
  • Posts: 2526
  • Total likes: 104
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey, NY
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #348 on: April 24, 2014, 01:15:09 AM »
If not mentioned already, tolls in Italy is bloody fortune. Sometimes 30 Euro.

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #349 on: April 24, 2014, 09:58:37 AM »
Just realized I can use my unused airline miles for hotel stays! Yes, I know it's not a great use of miles, but my whole miles-goal is really all about this trip. I can worry about restocking in the future. I didn't check every program, but my 110K LH can be used for hotels. Same for my 43K BA and my mother's 20K UA. That should definitely add a couple more nights to the mix.

Just applied today for SP, Marriott, IHG for my wife. Security pend on all of them and in the process of taking care of that.

You're probably better of getting rid of the miles and just paying for hotels.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #350 on: April 24, 2014, 10:00:08 AM »
Can you post your itinerary so far in the wiki? I'm planning a trip in August and the time you'll be using in each spot would be helpful.
+1
Thanks for this thread
It's helping me plan my Europe trip this summer
Done! My pleasure. Definitely 1/2 the reason I'm posting all this info.

If not mentioned already, tolls in Italy is bloody fortune. Sometimes 30 Euro.

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to look into the tolls on my route, but the money may be worth the convenience of travelling on my own accord w/o train schedules + travelling to the train stations. Don't know where the stations are, but if I have to taxi from the hotel to the train, that could be just as expensive as paying tolls.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #351 on: April 24, 2014, 10:00:58 AM »
You're probably better of getting rid of the miles and just paying for hotels.
What do you mean by "getting rid"? Saving them for a future trip? I'm short 10-15 nights. At $100 per, that's quite a chunk of change that could otherwise be used for food, taxis, etc.

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #352 on: April 24, 2014, 10:02:05 AM »
What do you mean by "getting rid"? Saving them for a future trip?

Not what I meant.  ;)

You have over $2000 worth of miles right there.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #353 on: April 24, 2014, 11:09:05 AM »
Not what I meant.  ;)

You have over $2000 worth of miles right there.
Ohhh hahaha. Yeah well I don't do that. My LOR.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #354 on: April 24, 2014, 01:23:31 PM »
As someone who has never really planned a trip before, what expectations should I have with taxis?
For example, I've been planning my day in Madrid/Toledo, and I'm sure what I found will be applicable in basically every city - although perhaps without the train.
Taxi from airport to hotel. Taxi from hotel to activity #1. Taxi from activity #1 to train station. Taxi from train station to Jewish Toledo area. Taxi from Jewish Toledo area to train station. Taxi from train station to hotel. Taxi from hotel to airport.
That's 7 taxis. I mean it seems like a lot, but renting a car isn't practical for travelling within Madrid and probably any other European city.

So just looking for ppl with experience - I should be expecting to take a lot of taxis, right?

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #355 on: April 24, 2014, 01:26:22 PM »
Side note. Whatever you think you're going to spend on the trip (after doing the math) I'd add at least $1000 to.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #356 on: April 24, 2014, 01:26:54 PM »
Side note. Whatever you think you're going to spend on the tri(after doing the math) I'd add at least $1000 to.
+1 I agree

Offline Marco Polo

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 13121
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 104
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #357 on: April 24, 2014, 01:36:52 PM »
As someone who has never really planned a trip before, what expectations should I have with taxis?
For example, I've been planning my day in Madrid/Toledo, and I'm sure what I found will be applicable in basically every city - although perhaps without the train.
Taxi from airport to hotel. Taxi from hotel to activity #1. Taxi from activity #1 to train station. Taxi from train station to Jewish Toledo area. Taxi from Jewish Toledo area to train station. Taxi from train station to hotel. Taxi from hotel to airport.
That's 7 taxis. I mean it seems like a lot, but renting a car isn't practical for travelling within Madrid and probably any other European city.

So just looking for ppl with experience - I should be expecting to take a lot of taxis, right?
Maybe try to see if you can find a driver. May be cheaper.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Online SOS

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 792
  • Total likes: 48
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Avis First, Hertz Five Star, National Executive
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #358 on: April 24, 2014, 01:49:51 PM »
I just noticed in the wiki that you want rent a car in Venice??
What are you gonna do with a car in Venice? Where will you park?

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: @Yehuda's Israel/Eurotrip Honeymoon
« Reply #359 on: April 24, 2014, 01:50:39 PM »
Maybe try to see if you can find a driver. May be cheaper.
Interesting idea. Hard to calculate the costs of each taxi trip, though, to know if it's worth it.