Very basic, rough idea for my trip this Autumn, tell me what you think..

[Majestic58]

Ok.... So I'm planning a trip this September-January and this is the super basic outline.. let me know what you think... This will be my first backpacking trip AND my first trip to Europe.. VERY excited... But I could definitely use the extra knowledge you guys have to make it good... Your opinions on "too much time here" or "you might want an extra day there" are greatly appreciated.... After all the days I have lined out, I have seven extra... let me know if there are places they should go.. Also... The two groups that probably make the least sense (5 days in Dunkeld, Scotland and 4 days in Limoges, France) are to visit family... So that's why I'm spending all those days in seemingly strange spots. Let me know what you think!

18 Weeks.

England:
London
3 days

(TRAIN FROM LONDON, UK TO GLASGOW, SCOTLAND)

Scotland:
Glasgow- (Day Trip: Isle of Mull/Iona)
2 days
Dunkeld- (Day Trips: Glencoe, Pitlochry [Highland games 9/10])
5 days
Edinburgh
3 days

(FERRY FROM STRANRAER, SCOTLAND TO BELFAST, IRELAND)

Ireland:
Belfast- (Day Trip: Derry/Londonderry)
3 days
Dublin
2 days
Galway- (Day Trips: Aran Islands, Limerick/Cliffs of Moher)
4 days
Dingle- (Day Trip: Ring of Kerry)
3 days
Cork- (Day Trip: Rock of Cashel)
2 days
(TRAVEL DAY: FERRY/TRAIN FROM ROSSLARE TO LONDON)

England:
London
Overnight
(TRAIN TO PARIS)

Northern France:
Paris
4 days
Rouen
2 days
Fougeres
Overnight
Tours
2 days
Limoges
4 Days
Lyon
2 days

(OVERNIGHT TRAIN FROM LYON TO VERONA)

Italy:
Verona
Overnight
Venice
2 Days
Monterosso
Overnight
Manarola
Overnight
Florence (Day Trips: Lucca, Pisa, Siena)
5 Days
Rome (Day Trip: Vatican City)
4 Days
Brindisi
Overnight

(OVERNIGHT FERRY FROM BRINDISI TO PATRAS THEN TRAIN TO ATHENS)

Greece:
Athens
2 Days
Patmos
3 Days
Karpathos
2 Days
Andros
2 Days
Naxos
2 Days
Ios
2 Days
Santorini
3 Days
Hereklion
3 Days
Athens
Overnight

(OVERNIGHT FERRY FROM PATRAS, GREECE TO ANCONA, ITALY THEN TRAIN TO NICE, FRANCE)






Southern France:
Nice
2 Days
Avignon (Day Trip: Arles)
3 Days
Lourdes
1 Day
(TRAIN FROM LOURDES, FRANCE TO SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN)
Spain:
San Sebastian
1 Day
Barcelona
3 Days
Valencia
2 Days
Salamanca
2 Days
(TRAIN FROM SALAMANCA, SPAIN TO PORTO, PORTUGAL)
Portugal:
Porto
2 Days
Coimbra
2 Days
Lisbon
4 Days
Evora
2 Days
Lagos
1 Day
(BUS FROM LAGO, PORTUGAL TO SEVILLA, SPAIN)
Spain:
Sevilla
3 Days
Arcos de la Frontera
2 Days
Grenada
3 Days
Madrid (Day trips: Toledo, Segovia)
4 Days

Thanks for your input!!!

[space virgin]

First of all, I'm jealous.

Second of all, I think you're going to wear yourself out a bit. You have a LOT of movement going on... it's totally understandable as we all want to see everything RIGHT NOW the first few trips! But I have a feeling you'll get to France and feel pretty tired. A day or two more in fewer places will give you a better feel for things, and it will let you unpack for longer than 24 hours too.

I'm betting you'll also get over there and start to throw your itinerary out the window once you land in a place that really captures your heart. If possible, I'd try to leave more room for flexibility in case that happens. Which it will.

Specifically, I would add a day to Nice and head to Monaco as a day trip (20 minute train ride) and maybe subtract a day from Avignon. I did like Avignon, but taking a day to see Monaco is better.

[Majestic58]

Like I said, this is all totally subject to change.. And I have every intention of discarding it completely if I find a place I want to stay longer or shorter in. This is MAINLY because my dad needs an "outline of my plans" or whatever... He's a uni prof, and therefore very schedule-y... where as I would rather not have one at all. Monaco huh? I got the impression that was all fancy-ish... But I'm down to check anything out.:D Thanks! :D

[space virgin]

Monaco is a great day trip. It's very interesting.

[Diorama]

I'm very impressed that you actually got an itinerary sorted out! I'm going to asia in sept for three months and other than organzing the first week I'm just going to fly by the seat of my pants. I've been finding that everytime I open my guidebook I get too flustered and can't really concentrate on looking long term. Good on ya though! Your dad will be proud!

If you get a chance to go to Isle of Skye in Scotland go for it! It's my number one place in the world that I've been to so far. And that was almost 6 years ago!!! (eeek has it really been that long)

[Canadian Bacon]

That is an awesome schedule. I won't not change anything. Hope u have a great time

[lilchappy]

I know you said you were going from Sept to Jan, but you have to check the ferry schedules on the greek islands during those months. You also don't want to go to the islands and then it be cold. Check flyingdolphins.gr i think it is, or superfastferries.com . If greece is going to be too cold, check out croatia. It may be warmer, it is cheaper, and just as beautiful. (now that I think about it, it would probably be colder)

Also, i would cut out a couple of days and add in southern Italy or even sicily. Hit up the almafi coast. I would add in a couple of more days in Barcelona. Could be a good place to relax and get some energy for Portugal and the final leg.

cya...lilchappy

[Majestic58]

Great advice, thanks! I checked the temps (They average temp in Athens for the time i'll be there is about 60 degrees which isn't bad). I've also already checked the ferry schedule, they're not nearly as frequent, but they do still run... Ok... I've reworked my schedule slightly.... Removed a couple of days in France and a few in Greece... This gives me about 2 weeks of extra days to use for whatever... also, like I said... I have no intention of following this to the letter... It's just a basic idea... Anyway, how does this look?

18 Weeks.

England:
London
3 days

(TRAIN FROM LONDON, UK TO GLASGOW, SCOTLAND)

Scotland:
Glasgow- (Day Trip: Isle of Mull/Iona)
2 days
Dunkeld- (Day Trips: Glencoe, Pitlochry [Highland games 9/10])
5 days

Edinburgh
3 days

(FERRY FROM STRANRAER, SCOTLAND TO BELFAST, IRELAND)

Ireland:
Belfast- (Day Trip: Derry/Londonderry)
3 days

Dublin
2 days
Galway- (Day Trips: Aran Islands, Limerick/Cliffs of Moher)
4 days

Dingle- (Day Trip: Ring of Kerry)
3 days
Cork- (Day Trip: Rock of Cashel)
2 days


(TRAVEL DAY: FERRY/TRAIN FROM ROSSLARE TO LONDON)

England:
London
Overnight
(TRAIN TO PARIS)

Northern France:
Paris
4 days
Fougeres
Overnight
Tours
2 days
Limoges
4 Days
Lyon
2 days

(OVERNIGHT TRAIN FROM LYON TO VERONA)

Italy:
Verona
Overnight
Venice
2 Days
Monterosso
Overnight
Manarola
Overnight
Florence (Day Trips: Lucca, Pisa, Siena)
5 Days
Rome (Day Trip: Vatican City)
4 Days
Brindisi
Overnight

(OVERNIGHT FERRY FROM BRINDISI TO PATRAS THEN TRAIN TO ATHENS)

Greece:
Athens
2 Days
Patmos
3 Days
Andros
2 Days
Naxos
2 Days
Ios
2 Days
Santorini
3 Days
Hereklion
3 Days
Athens
Overnight

(OVERNIGHT FERRY FROM PATRAS, GREECE TO ANCONA, ITALY THEN TRAIN TO NICE, FRANCE)

Southern France:
Nice (Day Trip: Monaco)
3 Days
Avignon (Day Trip: Arles)
2 Days
Lourdes
1 Day
(TRAIN FROM LOURDES, FRANCE TO SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN)
Spain:
San Sebastian
1 Day
Barcelona
4 Days
Valencia
2 Days
Salamanca
2 Days
(TRAIN FROM SALAMANCA, SPAIN TO PORTO, PORTUGAL)

Portugal:
Porto
2 Days
Coimbra
2 Days
Lisbon
5 Days

(BUS FROM LISBON, PORTUGAL TO SEVILLA, SPAIN)
Spain:
Sevilla
4 Days
Arcos de la Frontera
2 Days
Grenada
3 Days
Madrid (Day trips: Toledo, Segovia)
4 Days
=115 Days

+11 EXTRA DAYS

[lemlern]

As for your overnight in monterossa and manarola. I would just base yourself in one town (manarola has a nice hostel that I will be staying at) and just use the train or walk to monterossa if you wanted to visit it, though I am sure you will also be caught up in the other three towns in the cinque. They are only about 3-5 minutes apart. The highlight of the cinque terre is the walk I am told so you can do the couple hour walk as well! Monterossa is more $$ and has a more of a resort theme to it, while Manarola and the other towns are more trad.

As I am not familiar with the other countries, Italy and Ireland is the only thing I can really put in input. Ireland part looks great! I will be going to Cork and Dublin (and Italy) in a month, so if I think of anything else I will send you a message!

[Majestic58]

Originally Posted by lemlern

As for your overnight in monterossa and manarola. I would just base yourself in one town (manarola has a nice hostel that I will be staying at) and just use the train or walk to monterossa if you wanted to visit it, though I am sure you will also be caught up in the other three towns in the cinque. They are only about 3-5 minutes apart. The highlight of the cinque terre is the walk I am told so you can do the couple hour walk as well! Monterossa is more $$ and has a more of a resort theme to it, while Manarola and the other towns are more trad.

That is a really good point... Did I mention I did most of this while working my 3rd shift job? There were definitely a few rough patches... I think the reason I had myself staying overnight in Monterossa is because that is where I was going to get off my train from Venice, although now that you mention it, it makes just as much sense to walk to one of the other towns before I settle in for the night..

Originally Posted by lemlern

As I am not familiar with the other countries, Italy and Ireland is the only thing I can really put in input. Ireland part looks great! I will be going to Cork and Dublin (and Italy) in a month, so if I think of anything else I will send you a message!

That sounds great! I would really appreciate that!

[Brookers13]

First off, I'm way jealous!

Secondly, I would give San Sebastian more than 1 day...it's an awesome place!

Thirdly, I can give you hostel recommendations for all of Spain and Portugal if you like. Just let me know!

[Majestic58]

Originally Posted by Brookers13

Thirdly, I can give you hostel recommendations for all of Spain and Portugal if you like. Just let me know!

Of course!!! I will take any advice I can get!!! I'm looking for cheap, non-disgusting, but those are about my only needs.:P

[Brookers13]

Southern France:
Nice (Day Trip: Monaco)-Hotel Baccarat-decent rooms with fans, somewhat hot, community kitchen, free internet...about 20 euros

San Sebastian--Urban House-really chill place, few different buildings, awesome staff, really open clean rooms with balconies, community kitchen, pillows to lay around on...about 25 euros
1 Day
Barcelona--Centric Point Hostel--GREAT location, community kitchen, bar, TV and couches, 3 internet terminals...about 20 euros
4 Days
Valencia--Red Nest Hostel--really nice kitchen area, great bright colors, fans in rooms, easy access to supermercados and bus stops..about 16 euros
2 Days
Salamanca--I stayed at the HI hostel here...it was ok..nothing special..no kitchen..hard to find as well!...about 13 euros
2 Days
(TRAIN FROM SALAMANCA, SPAIN TO PORTO, PORTUGAL)

Portugal:
Porto--Pensao Duas Nacoes--GREAT owner..single rooms with shared bath...only like 1 or two showers in whole building but wasn't a huge issue...cheap calling to US...awesome cafe next door (same owners) with the BEST tosta mista ever...about 15 euros (for your own room thats insane!)
2 Days
Coimbra--HI hostel--my least favorite place I stayed-REALLY long walk uphill...like i like to walk and it was WAYYYYYYYY long...lockout 12-6...good breakfast tho...id try somewhere else...about 13 euros
2 Days
Lisbon--Oasis Backpackers Mansion-my FAVORITE hostel EVER!-awesome kitchen, dining room where they serve homecooked dinner for euros, great patio with umbrella tables, elevator, awesome living room, free internet, foosball, stereo, books, close to Barrio Alto for nightlife...employees will take you out at night..1 euro drinks...about 18 euros
5 Days

(BUS FROM LISBON, PORTUGAL TO SEVILLA, SPAIN)
Spain:
Sevilla--Oasis Sevilla..another great place..dinner parties for 5 euros, free internet, clean, open room, awesome air conditioning, located in a great shopping area and walking distance to cathedral and The Alcazar...community kitchen....about 18 euros
4 Days
Granada--Oasis Granada--SWEET location is Moroccan neighborhood, dinner parties for 5 euros, nice patio with ping pong, swing, great bar with cheap drinks, rooftop lounge with pillows and skylight down through the rest of the hostel, movie collection, community kitchen, breakfast...about 16 euros
3 Days
Madrid (Day trips: Toledo, Segovia) DON'T Stay at Ole International. It was the only thing available when I went. Stay at Cat's.
4 Days

hope that helps!...I STRONGLY recommend the Oasis hostels...they really are top quality and so much fun

[Majestic58]

Brookers, you are officially my favourite ever.