Novice abroad ! Wanting to visit Lourdes, Barcelona and Rome April 2023

[Sadmum23]

Hi

I am a complete novice at travelling abroad, but want to visit Lourdes, Barcelona and Rome April 2023. For 7-10 days in total. Any tips, suggestion most welcome . Would be for husband and myself both 65+
Thank you

All in one trip? They are not very close together. Where are you travelling from?

You'd need 9 days, 3 in each, though Lourdes could be done in less.
I'd start checking out websites like Skyscanner for multi-city options so you can work out if it's easier to go west-east or east-west. Sites like that give you a wide option of airlines too, then you can book the airline direct. easyJet probably your most reliable best bet out of the UK, they're always my first port of call. Go for flights early in the morning to get a full day in. You almost feel like you've had an extra day that way.
Spend time on Booking and Expedia and sussing out hotels.
I love planning city breaks.

I think Lourdes will be the most difficult here, have a read of this and see what you can work out. It sounds like there's airports nearby but they might need a connecting flight from elsewhere in France. Do you know anyone that's been, that might be the easiest way to suss it out.
www.tourism-lourdes.com/en/how-to-get-to-lourdes.html
Barcelona and Rome will have flights from most UK airports and between the two. Airport websites are a good place to start as they usually list the routes and which airline flies them. Likewise they usually have info on how to get into the city by bus/train/taxi.
I would book direct with the airline and pay by credit card.
If you're using the budget airlines such as Easyjet and RyanAir check the small print carefully and that you've paid for baggage etc as required. They also usually require you to check in online and print your boarding pass or have it on their app.
Take out travel insurance when you book not just before you travel.

This thread might be useful too www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k13822746-o10-Paris_Lourdes_London-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Personally I'd do that on at least two separate trips.
Couple of nights in Rome on one trip then home. In a separate trip, fly to Barcelona, rent a car, then drive to Lourdes and back.

How do you want to travel? And would you be happy with a 5 hr drive round the Pyrenees if you were to combine Barcelona and Lourdes.
If definitely sounds like more than 1 trip to me.

How are you travelling? It is possible but not cheap ... train to Lourdes, then train to Barcelona you can fly to Rome or if wanting a sea adventure, take the ferry to Sardinia then onto Rome. Personally though I would do just Lourdes and Barcelona in one trip then Rome another time

Thank you all for comments and suggestions . Coming from UK . I was originally thinking Lourdes, Barcelona then Rome but will take onboard the comments . THANK YOU

Do you want to be in Rome for Easter?

I’d go to Rome during Lent, not at Easter. It’s relatively quiet in March and absolutely swarming over Easter.

Very true, but if you actually do want to go for Easter then this year might be as good as any.

Hi , Do not intend to be there for Easter probably looking at week commencing 18th April. Could not cope with the massive crowds!

If you are travelling from the UK it doesn't really make sense to do all three as one trip. They are not located near each other at all and there are some large mountains in between. You could fly to Tarbes but I don't think you can fly direct to Barcelona from there, you can probably fly to Rome from Lourdes, then fly back that way to BCN. You'll spend an awful lot of time in taxis and airports though.