Litmus

Hey all,

heading up for eurotrip this june/july with a friend. Here's our plan:

June 2nd/3rd to June 8th = Amsterdam
June 9th - June 11th = Germany (Berlin)
June 12th - June 16th = Czech Republic (Plzen and Prague)
June 16th - June 21st = Poland (Krakow)
June 21st - June 25th = Hungary (Budapest)
(fly to Greece)
June 25 - June 30 = Greece (Athens, Corfu, Mt. Olympus)
July 1st - July 5th = Italy (Rome, Madrid?) and Southern France (Cannes or Marseilles)
July 6th - July 11th = Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Pompolona)
July 12th - July 17th = France (Paris)
July 18th - July 20th = London

My friend is really into museums, and I am more into just seeing what each place has to offer.

We will only be using the Eurail Flexi Youth for Italy, Spain and France. For the eastern part we read its cheaper to go on single tickets. We will have about 2700 euros for the trip, which excludes our plane ticket and eurail pass.

Any advice or comments? This is the first time we're doing this and my first time in Europe.

Also, where'd you recommend to go around Paris and in Spain? We're 20ish, like to party and all.

Thanks!

Lenn

florencia9699

Hey Lenn, well, it looks pretty good to me, it's nice that you have enough time to feel comfortable in every city. It looks like a good plan to me.
Though there's one thing I'm wondering:


What do you mean?

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Litmus

Oops! type there. I meant "Madrid" should be Milan. I'm wondering if Milan and Venice are worth visiting.

Any comments on the budget? Is it possible to do it on less, and if so how much less?

florencia9699

Well, it seems like you'll be gone for about 50 days, right? If you plan 60€ a day, that should be... that's 3000€, of course that if you buy food at the grocery the expence on food will be much less (specially since you're 2 and can share...)

Also, so u get an estimate (since ur friend likes museums and such - i do as well...) you guys can check out the ticket's price on their websites and check out the youth/student discount. This is also cool cause, for example, students get in free at the Lourve on Friday evenings, and it's closed on Tuesdays. This helps u plan your way around the city, so that if you leave this for the last day (and it happens to be a Tuesday) you'll leave Paris withought going to the Louvre... Or find the passes that include several sites/museums on a same price.

Mmm. and on your question of Milan vs Venice... I've been to both, but Venice made such a big impression... all I remember about Milan is the huge cathedral, but from Venice I remember every little detail, I loved it! and I was really young back then!.... lovely lovlely city.

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Been to: Argentina, Chile, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt. Greece, Turkey, England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, USA, Mexico, Spain, Monaco, Czech Republic, Ireland and Uruguay.

Next trip: Still pondering the possibilities for January 2009... * OH THE MYSTERY!! *

The travel bug is insatiable

tumblezweedz

Given a choice, I'd take Venice over Milan, the latter didn't impress me as much, and Venice is so unique. And drowning, so go now before it's swamped. For your museum loving friend, I would think Florence would be a must-see, if you have a couple of days to play with.

I don't know where you're from, but if you're European or Canadian and have a youth ID, you should be able to get into the museums and sites in Italy for a discounted rate - those countries have reciprocal agreements with Italy, but you have to have ID proving your nationality.

As the guy at Pompeii explained to me, when I had to pay full entrance for my 10 year old daughter because I didn't have my passport with me, "It's because you have the same language as the US." They also tried to charge 11 Euro for each child, for us to go into the Colosseum, which I considered outrageous. So carry ID.

If you're American, I'm sorry, but I don't think you qualify for a discount even if you're a student...anyone have experience?

bluepea

You can get an ISIC (internation student id card) through your university or through their website (just google ISIC). It's 20 something dollars and you have to be a student, but if you're planning on doing a lot of museums, it should be worth it. Make sure to ask everywhere you go if they take it.

Otherwise, I think your itinerary looks good. You're visiting some great places. I definitely wouldn't go with LESS money than what you're planning now. Places like Poland and Czech are still pretty cheap, but accomadation and drinks in tourist places in western Europe can help you burn through your money pretty quickly.

Good luck!!

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beergal

lol i was a little surprised to find this in the western europe section half of your trip is in central europe....anyway for some really good museums in Budapest definately head for the National Museum at Kalvin Ter and the House of Terror which is all about Hungarys history under the occupying forces (Nazi's and Communists) on Andrassy Ut.
Other great museums to visit would be the art museums at Hosok Tere (heroes square) the natural history museum is pretty cool as well.

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RootBrewskies

milan i would say pass on. venice i would say is definately worth a look. its not as packed with stuff to do or with good nightlife like other big cities in europe but there is no place in the world like venice so 2 days there is well worth it.

its a place you'll never forget.

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Litmus

thank you all for you help and comments!

given the response, i guess we have to check out venice. other than that, in spain my friend and i will split paths. she'll stay for the museums while I head to france for the Tour De France in bordeoux. will anyone be going?

either way, thanks for your comments.

p.s. we're from singapore so the exchange rate is a killer for us, but yes we both have the IYTC and ISTC.

eunike

First of all, Singapore! Love Singapura.

Okay, I just have one question: How are you getting from Greece to Italy? (I'm planning a month in Greece this June/July.) Mt Olympus is 5.5 hours by bus from Athens, and Corfu Town is 8.5 hours by bus from Athens. If you plan to take the ferry from the Ionians to Italy, I believe they only really go to Brindisi, Bari and (I'm guessing) Sicily, so you should factor that in to your travel time. I wouldn't bet on, er, quick and efficient train transport.

Have fun!

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worldwidemike

-- This is the only part of the trip I think you're cutting yourself short on. Maybe use some of those Amsterdam days and shuffle them down to Italy? There's MUCH, MUCH more to see in Rome than in A-dam. Plus, you could squeeze in a day or two in Venice, the most beautiful city in the world, in my opinion.

Of course, if you'd rather than , well, I guess I understand your time in A-dam...

Other than that, looks great, Litmus!

worldwidemike

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lauren313

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expatben

Sounds great man, keep us posted! I have never been to either Milan or Venice so I can't really say. Good pick on Berlin though.

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Maineartist

I suggest going to naples and riding down the Amalfi coast by bus. I only went as far as Pompeii with a tour group and I could see Naples from the bus and really wanted to keep going. A friend said she liked it better than Rome.

Anyway, have a good trip and report about it.

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