Germany, Netherlands, Czech Rep, WHERE do I go??? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**freespiritz** · 03-27-2008, 03:06 PM

It's coming to that time where I tear my hair out because I don't know what to do with myself, so I'm asking good ol' tpunks to save me from that.

The basic idea is that I am here in Florence and need to end up in Frankfurt. I figured I'd fly somewhere (cheapish) and head to Frankfurt from wherever, and give myself about...a week (a little more is quite viable) to do that and see something on the way. All this started in hopes of some boy coming to visit and do Prague, but looks like that may not be happening...SO I need much good advice...where do I go?? I'm thinking 2, maybe 3 cities. Here are some options I have...

It would be cheapest and most direct to fly straight into Frankfurt from Bologna and maybe trip around from there before going back, but I don't like doing circles...any suggestions on how to work this out in an amazing way would be nice though.

I can fly into Prague for a little more money and inconvenience, about 60 Euros from Milan. I do really want to see Prague though, but I can be convinced to save it for another time. Not sure what to see between Prague and Frankfurt.

I can fly into Hannover for about the same amount (but from Pisa, so much easier and cheaper), and maybe see Cologne on the way to Frankfurt.

And I can fly into Eindhoven for about 44 Euros (from Pisa, yay!) see A-dam, and rock on over to Frankfurt, maybe also see Cologne on the way.

All other suggestions and alternative routes will be entertained and appreciated as well.

**pinknic38** · 03-27-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freespiritz

And I can fly into Eindhoven for about 44 Euros (from Pisa, yay!) see A-dam, and rock on over to Frankfurt, maybe also see Cologne on the way.

that's my vote! hang out in a-dam, check out cologne, maybe dusseldorf? what about flying into cologne/bonn?

that's kind of my route this summer.

**marc873** · 03-27-2008, 03:38 PM

Shit!!!! You know I'm gonna tell you to hit up Holland. Theres a lot of cool places other than the Dam too!!! Ask away, I got your info Hwei!

**Elizabeth** · 03-27-2008, 03:59 PM

I would say do Prague/Berlin or A-Dam/Cologne. Cologne can probably be done in a day. Is there anything else there besides the cathedral? I could be wrong.

**freespiritz** · 03-28-2008, 03:18 AM

Looks like the netherlands may be calling, although knowing me I'm going to end up in latvia instead or something.

So, um. Assuming I have 9 days, with me having to get to Eindhoven on the first day and me having to leave Frankfurt for other strange lands on the last day, where and how should I divide my time and 7 full days?

**mbo108** · 03-28-2008, 05:53 AM

Quote:

I'm going to end up in latvia

Do it! Head to Riga, I've heard nothing but good things...

Seriously though, any of the places you've mentioned sound good.

**MeTurk** · 03-28-2008, 06:00 AM

I don't think you can go far wrong with Amsterdam, it's just a cool city. But then again Eastern Europe is just as good for different reasons. If your going to Amsterdam for the smoke it's just as available in eastern Europe, it's everywhere there you just need to talk to a local. Look for a cheap airport on ryanair (that's out in the arse end of nowhere) and work your way back. I found the Slovaks very friendly, surprisingly friendly you'd swear you knew them for years after one night. It's also way, way cheaper out east.

**marc873** · 03-28-2008, 07:29 AM

For the Holland leg of the trip, you could leave from Eindhoven for Utrecht, a VERYYYY cool city, worthy of 2 days easily, then head to the Dam from there, I have a lot of good day trips out of the Dam too if you are interested, then fly out of Schipol to germany....

**micdans** · 03-28-2008, 07:51 AM

I would say, go East or stay in Germany.

How about going to SW Germany from Frankfurt? You could go see the Black Forest. There aren't many huge cities there, but I hear it's beautiful. You could even take a train from Italy up there.
If you go Prague, it would be amazing, and you could stop by a city or so on the Romantic Road in Germany.

mmhmm

**pinknic38** · 03-28-2008, 08:28 AM

if you have 9 days I say like 3 or 4 in A-dam, then go down towards Frankfurt... a day in Dusseldorf, a day or 2 in Cologne... maybe a day in Bonn, then on to Frankfurt. It's all right in a row there, easy little trip!

**tumblezweedz** · 04-01-2008, 06:15 AM

Let me know if/when you're in Cologne - we live about 1 1/2 hours away by train and could possibly to a meet up. It's a lovely city to wander around - the Dom is awesome, but there's also a great Roman museum and beautiful streets to wander through - plus there's a chocolate museum...

**expatben** · 04-01-2008, 08:26 AM

Berlin is one of the best cities in Europe if not the world, there are many posts about Berlin explaining why.
I was also taken with Nuremburg and wished I had spent more time there to.
Really, the only German city I did not like is Munich-found it to be way to artsy of course the fact that the weather was terrible probably did not help either.

**freespiritz** · 04-01-2008, 10:08 AM

Thanks for the advice so far guys...the Netherlands plan (and any possible meetups! :D) is sounding good but I'm going to wait till after this weekend to get tix, once I submit my visa application for India.

I'm feeling poor already, I looked at my bank account and was like wait, this has to last me all the way through to september.

**freakypete** · 04-06-2008, 10:16 AM

I really wouldnt fly into frankfurt...there isnt really much to do there, and if you have to end your trip there anyway its definitely not worth 2 trips. I assume the cheap flight will be to frankfurt/hahn? which is nowhere near frankfurt anyway.

I lived in Cologne until about 3 weeks ago. Its a really great city to live in, but as a tourist im not sure how much of it you'd see. ive not heard great things about the hostel either (its called Station hostel or something). If you do go then get out of the centre, theres lots of really cool pubs on Zülplicherstr, which is the student area, thats maybe 15 minutes walk from the centre or a tram ride away. Bonn isnt far away either, and that's definitely worth a day trip, it really is beautiful.

If you do end up going to cologne let me know, i still pop back there quite often so i might be around.

**freespiritz** · 04-08-2008, 12:49 PM

Random other possibility - anyone have anything to say for Brussels?

**pinknic38** · 04-08-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freespiritz

Random other possibility - anyone have anything to say for Brussels?

when I was planning my Euro trip and pondered the exact same question, everyone said forget Brussels and go to Bruges if you're going to go to Belgium. After a lot of research (and seing the film "In Bruges") I must say I agree.

**joe7f** · 04-08-2008, 01:30 PM

Just when would our favorite freespirit be flying into/training into Brussels? Em and I decided that may be the best spot to meet up with a few friends so we are targeting early May (2-5ish) for a Bruges stay.

--Joey

**freespiritz** · 04-08-2008, 01:33 PM

I'm looking at flights on the 30th, am slightly flustered, feeling un-rich, and not really knowing where I'm going. So what's new.

It's really between flying into Eindhoven or Brussels though.

Oh and by Brussels I meant fly there and head out to wherever, i.e. Bruges...I think I'm still leaning to the Netherlands for some reason though.

**freespiritz** · 04-08-2008, 03:03 PM

DONE! I bought a flight to Eindhoven. Am probably going to check out couchsurfing for the week.

I get into Eindhoven on the 30th of April at 11.30 am and will probably head to Utrecht, then A-dam, then I dunno, Dusseldorf, Cologne...and fly out of Frankfurt on the 9th of May. Any suggestions timing and place-wise?

Holla at me for meetups, people!! and starting couchsurfing on this trip too...hm hm..lots of adventure indeed.

**mbo108** · 04-08-2008, 05:08 PM

oh, i was too slow for a Bruges plug! Oh well, I'm sure you'll have a great time in the Netherlands and the Deutschland