I am back with details of the trip. Hoping that experts here say that I got a decent trip
Flying out (United economy award ticket for 3) from Sacramento in early June to London (reaching LHR early morning). Staying at Holiday Inn London Mayfair for 2 nights.
Taking overnight bus from London - Brussels (reserved seats the day schedule opened at got it for 33.5 Euros. Immediately after that, tickets went up to 47.5, so proud of myself
). Reaching Brussels early in the morning, and staying at Holiday Inn Brussels for one night.
Next day, take early morning bus from Brussels - Paris (reaching Paris around 11 AM) for 18 euros. Staying 3 nights in Paris (2 nights in Radisson & one night in Inter Continental). Booked Eiffel tower tickets for late evening as kid wants to see the sunset from the top).
Then, take TGV train from Paris - Zurich (booked using no FTF card, dont remember the exact fare, but it was cheap). Reaching Zurich around 3:0 PM. Staying for 2 nights in Zurich in Crown Plaza. From my other thread, know that there is not much to do in Zurich, so still trying to figure out what to do on one full day there. Any suggestions/advice?
Then, take Bernia Express train early morning from Zurich - Tirano (Italy). From there, take a train to Milan and then to Pisa (hopefully, trains will be on time and schedule will work out). Still need to make Milan - Pisa reservation (schedule not available yet). Tirano - Milan is local train, where advanced booking is not possible. Overnight in Marriott Pisa (booked using points).
Next morning, after clicking a few pictures at Leaning Tower, on our way to Florence (by train). Staying at AirBnb (my first stay), close to main train station (host has very good reviews), booked for $120 or so. Should be in Florence by 11 AM or so.
Next morning, leave for Rome (by train, seats reserved), reach Rome around 11 AM. Stay in Hotel Indigo for one night, and next night, staying at Holiday Inn Rome (close to airport).
Need to book Colosseum tour.
Next, we use Open Jaw ticket Rome - Athens (reaching Athens at 8:45 PM). Take Ryan Air flight (Athens - Santorini, 3 adults, $142), reaching Santorini at midnight. Booked a hotel for 2 nights (including when we reach there overnight) for $167. It has free cancellation till mid-June. , keep checking if anything else opens up.
Then, we take ferry (need to make reservation) to Mykonos island. Reach there around 2 PM. Stay 2 nights there (AirBnB, $231).
Then, we take Ryan Air again from Mykonos - Athens ($102 for 3 adults), reaching Athens around 9 AM. Staying 2 nights in Inter Continental Athens (using points from IHG promo where we had to mail cards; made 2 separate reservations to use 2 accounts).
Finally, we fly back from Athens - LAX (reaching LAX around midnight).
From LAX, we are flying back to SMF on SouthWest (used miles & companion pass).
Initially, I had booked trans-atlantic flights from LAX - LHR - FCO - ATH - LAX. Then, one day SMF - LHR reward flight opened up, I called United, and agent switched it from SMF - LHR (everything else being the same). So, now we are flying out from SMF, but returning to LAX (on United reward flight). Hoping that ATH - SMF reward availability opens up, so I can cancel SW and save my points
Flying out of SMF helps with car parking fees too, as we can work at work, and take public transportation to the airport.
Mostly staying in IHG properties as I had accumulated over 270,000 points over the years (IHG CC sign-up, and bought Daily getaway IHG points earlier).
Now, need advice with things to do, what to eat (vegetarians).
Let me know how I did with flights, bus/train & hotels. Feeling proud of myself, but need to hear from experts.
