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Raileurope.com: See Europe by train
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Old 01-19-2005, 08:46 PM   #1
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I've been planning a trip to head to Europe for 5 weeks for some time now, and I stumbled on this site and fell in love with it. So hello everyone.

Im writing to get some general advice; so far I have a simple itinerary planned:

Fly into Paris
Brussels
Antwerp
Amsterdam
Berlin?
Prague
Budapest?
Bologna
Florence
Rome
Back to Paris to leave

I speak enough French to travel, not enough to hold a conversation. Im traveling alone most likely and will be looking to just hang out and experience anything I can when over there.

My question is if you experienced travelers think Berlin is worth seeing and on the same note, Budapest. Im curious about both and will appreciate any views on these cities. Also, am I leaving any city that should be seen?

Thanks ahead of time.
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Old 01-19-2005, 09:09 PM   #2
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Hi, I can't help you with Berlin or Budapest, but welcome anyway!
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Old 01-19-2005, 11:10 PM   #3
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Howdy Matt!

I'm new to the board here as well, but your intinerary sounds like fun. I've posted my tentative schedule elsewhere, but i plan on flying into Dublin, hopping to A-Dam, train down into Paris, Burgundy, Rome, Florence, Naples, hop the ferry to Corfu, Greek Isles for a week, and back to Italy, train up into Bologna, and then bum around Germany for a week or two.... Have fun planning!
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Old 01-20-2005, 01:02 AM   #4
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Hey welcome to the community! Berlin and Budapest are two mega cities with lots to do and see. I preferred them over Brussels and think they have more to do than Amsterdam. I spent 5/6 days each in Berlin and Budapest. Budapest has the castle district, the coolest parliamentary building and thermal baths! Berlin with more history than you can poke a stick at - Brandenburg gate, wall etc and the maddest nightlife!


View looking towards Pest side of city in Budapest


Escape the busyness and go to Berlin zoolishcergardens (bad spelling) right in centre of Berlin, most beautiful gardens where only locals jog - no tourists

ev
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Old 01-20-2005, 08:48 AM   #5
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Welcome to the Site!!!

I would take the "?" mark away from Berlin, it is really worth checking out. Very cool city.

I wouldn't bother stopping in Bologna, instead, head west a little bit more & check out Cinque Terre.

here's a map
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Old 01-20-2005, 09:52 AM   #6
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As far as Belgium goes, I've heard time and again it's worth passing on Bruxelles and heading for Brugges... much more fun... and all the good beer & chocolate to boot!

Oh, WELCOME!
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Old 01-20-2005, 11:13 AM   #7
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Hi m8, im a travel newbie too, so cant help u out on the Budapest/Berlin thing. If i were planning a trip to europe i would definatly include London, Moscow, and maybe Barcelona too.
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Old 01-20-2005, 11:19 AM   #8
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Thanks for all the help!

Ive modified my itinerary a bit to spend less time in belgium and more time elsewhere. To respond to Thailand_Rocks, Ive been to Russia (Moscow, St. Pete and Pskov), loved it there, but wanted to try some different cities. Ill look again to see if London or Barcelona can fit in, at this point Im very flexible and open to ideas.
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Old 01-20-2005, 11:42 PM   #9
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unless you have family in Bologna, I'd skip it and see Venice. While I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the Cinque Terre, it has the ability to destroy an itinerary. You literally have to tear yourself away. So if you plan on coming back to Italy, you might just want to do Venice cuz you can see what there is to see in a day or 2.

Skip Brussels.....trust me. Brugges is a 30 min train ride away and a hundred times cooler. I spent 4 days there and will never regret it, though you don't really need 4 days.

Berlin is AMAZING and I highly recommend it. I wasn't sure I was going to like it but it is an absolutely fascinating city. I didn't go to Budapest but wanted to badly.

Other than that I feel I should tell you that I personally think that you're cutting it pretty close on time. I think this because I hate spending less than 4 days in a city, especially the biggies like Paris, Rome, Berlin. So if you could maybe think about dropping a city, or just doing an overnight flyby, you might want to. Though this is just my opinion based on the way I like to travel.

So anyway, have a good time
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Old 01-21-2005, 11:38 AM   #10
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jw,
one of the big advantages i have is that ive spent 3 weeks in paris last may. Because of that, i was planning on just dropping in on paris (cheaper flights) and heading straight to bruges. And if at the end of the trip time does become an issue, i can spend a minimal time there. Also, the more i check out these boards, the more i want to lengthen my trip (hopefully i can get the cash to work out as well).
What did you find so appealing about CT? I heard there were some awesome places to just go and walk around. Also, is it connected in the eurail system?
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Old 01-21-2005, 11:31 PM   #11
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The best thing about the Cinque Terre for me was just the experiences I had while there. I know that sounds vague, but the people I met, the drinks, conversation, chilling, hiking.....all that. The CT is a total vacation from a vacation place. But the fact that the feel is small town Italian made it awesome. Sure, there were maybe 10 or 15 other Americans there but everyone I met(with the exception of 2 insane chicks who wanted nothing more than to bang a Swiss Guardsman from the Vatican) was extremely cool, laid back, and friendly. It was all about hiking and chilling on the rocky beach during the day and then going into the little tiny food shop to find stuff to make dinner and some wine to make friends with. Of all the people I met on my trip, with the exception of 2 other people in 2 other places, the people in the CT were the best. It was a great respite from the hustle of the the rest of my trip. I, however, was planning on 3 days and ended up staying for 6. And the only reason I didn't stay longer was cuz I was going to have to start cutting out some major cities off the rest of my trip.

Anyway, check this out and you'll sorta get my idea about the placeBasic info on the Cinque Terre

more info on the CT

So that's why I liked it. And yes it's part of the Eurail system. If you want more exact info on this, PM me.

good luck dude
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