hurr111

Hi everyone, my trip is getting a bit closer and I have some things falling into place like my oktoberfest reservations and plans with meeting a friend in Vienna. I am absolutely going with the idea of taking it easy and just going with the flow. One thing I do want to do is have a rough idea of where I am going and about how long I will stay there. The Itinerary I will post is super flexible. I am looking for some suggestions on places I may have missed along the way. My interests are mostly in the people and their culture. I also live to eat, so any chance to eat & drink what the locals do is right up my alley. Medieval stuff like castles or forts interests me a lot. I am not a war buff, but the thought of a Military museum or even a terror or turture museum intrigues me a bit.

So please share your wisdom and let me know any suggestions you have.

-8/3/2007 Arrive Paris at 9:40 AM. I plan to stay two nights. Paris isn't a huge draw for me and is really only on the itinerary because it is Paris (And that is where the cheapest flights I could find are)

-Stop in Brussels on the way to Brugge. 2 days in Brugge
-Amsterdam 4 days
-Interlaken 3 nights (May stop in Zurich for the Street Parade)
-Gimmelwald 5 days (Too Long maybe...Seems like a good place to chill out for a bit
-Salzburg 2 days
-Vienna 4 days (staying with a friend 30 minutes outside the city)
-Prague 4 days
-Berlin 3 days
-Krakow 3 days
-Lviv 3 days
-Budapest 4 days
-Venice 2 days
-Rome 5 days (Should I cut from here to add Florence?)
-Naples Area 4 days (including Pompeii & Amalfi Coast)
-Cinque Terra 4 days
-Oktoberfest 10/1 - 10/4 (4 nights reserved)
-Barcelona 3 days
-My Birthday (Undecided where I want to be) 10/9
-Grenada 3 days
-Sevilla 2 days
-Madrid 4 days(day trip to Toledo)
-Lisbon 3 days
-Lagos 2 days
-10/24 there is an o/n train from Lisbon to Paris.
-10/25 Paris
-10/26 Fly home at 9:00 AM

I am struggling with the Spain & Portugal portion a bit. Does that seem too rushed? Do you think there is any way to squeeze in Valencia (That art center/aquarium looks amazing). I have also only used 77 days but I am there for 86 days. Most are travel days or chill out days.

Another option I am considering is dropping Spain and Portugal to explore the Balkan area a bit. But I think Spain and Portugal will win out.

Thanks for reading everyone!

Esterina

You have an amazing trip planned ! 3 months out there, wow !

The itinerary doesn't seem efficient enough in my opinion. Too many zigzags, and the Oktoberfest right during your time in Italy/Spain will drain travel time and energy. Since you asked for them, here are a few comments :

You'd have it smoother if starting your itinerary from the end : Spain, Portugal, Italy, then northeast to Switzerland, Austria, etc.

Skipping Spain and Portugal would make it even easier : Italy, Balkans, Austria, Switzerland or Czech, Poland, Germany, Netherland, Belgium.

If you want to leave the itineray the way it is, to rethink the first part is necessary, to make it a circle, otherwise you'll waste a lot of time in trains : Amsterdam, Berlin, overnight to Prague, Krakow, Lliv, Budapest, (Bratislava), Vienna, Salzburg, Switzerland, then southwest.

Also, being found of Eastern Europe , I think you're doing a lot of millage to see very little of it. Skip either Spain and Portugal or Ukraine and Hungary, and explore more of either of them.

Keep us updated !

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joe7f

Based on your interest in the middle ages, I strongly recommend not skipping Iberia. In addition to Toledo, go to Avila (perhaps you shouldn't look at it online...it came as a surprise to me and I loved it all the more), the lesser known medieval highlight of central Spain. I promise you will like it.

--Joey

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Esterina

Regarding your interests, France, Spain and Germany have more to offer as for castles and medieval arts, whilst Ukraine, Hungary, the Balkans and Poland are more interesting as for culture and people.

Whatever the decision you make, you'll have a good time. One could wander a whole year in Europe without getting bored !

Half of your journey takes place during the off season, so you'll have less problem finding a place to stay. No need to book everything weeks ahead. Starting around September or October, some hotels/hostels give better rate, and in Eastern Europe, you can even bargain your room (hotels only though).

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hurr111

Thanks a ton. Great suggestions Atchoum. And Avila looks very nice Joey.

If I did go south from Paris into Spain, What would be a couple nice spots to break up the Paris to Madrid train ride?

joe7f

Unless you take the Trenhotel (which if your goal is just to get to Paris, I suggest because it is very comfortable and nonstop), you will have to change in Irun anyway (the Spanish gauge track is different than the rest of Europe)

I think I would travel to San Sebastian (or Pamplona maybe?) spend a day (or two), and then take a night train to Paris.

--Joey

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mbo108

I just spent some time in (among other places) Bruges, Prague, Rome, and the Cinque Terre. If you have any specific questions, let me know.