Louise Does Europe: The First Run Through...
 

Hey!
This is my first try at a very very rough itinerary. I've been planning this trip for about a week...needless to say I haven't had a chance to do alot of research. The places I have chosen are absolutely up to being changed so if you think I've missed something or should change one place for another please let me know. I am going in a group of 4 and we are looking for a good balance of history and party time.

Here she is:

Tue Sept 16.08 - Fly Vancouver to Amsterdam - Leiden

Wed Sept 17.08 - Amsterdam/Leiden

Thu Sept 18.08 - Amsterdam/Leiden

Fri Sept 19.08 - Geneva, Switzerland

Sat Sept 20.08 - Geneva, Switzerland

Sun Sept 21.08 - Toriono, Italy

Mon Sept 22.08 - coast to Pisa

Tue Sept 23.08 - Pisa. Italy

Wed Sept 24.08 - coast to rome

Thu Sept 25.08 - coast to rome

Fri Sept 26.08 - Rome, Italy

Sat Sept 27.08 - Rome, Italy

Sun Sept 28.08 - Rome, Italy

Mon Sept 29.08 - Venice, Italy

Tue Sept 30.08 - Venice, Italy

Wed Octo 01.08 - Venice, Italy

Thu Octo 02.08 - Munich, Germany

Fri Octo 03.08 - Munich, Germany

Sat Octo 04.08 - Berlin, Germany

Sun Octo 05.08 - Berlin, Germany

Mon Octo 06.08 - Amsterdam

Tue Octo 07.08 - Fly Amsterdam to Vancouver

Again, please feel free to change it up where necessary...and if you can give me some ideas of your favorite places to see and do, that would be great as well!

You could probably take a day off Venice and add it to Rome. Also, if you're only going to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower you can knock that over in a couple of hours and move along, maybe add another day to Rome (Rome is a huge place with a massive amount to see and do). Amsterdam to Switzerland is a huge train trip, definately an overnighter.

With that busy schedule, you're going to love that extra day you've scheduled in Amsterdam at the end, it's a good place to unwind ;)

I couldn't agree more. Do Pisa in a few hours on your way down. You won't need more time than that. And the last day in A Dam, thats our style!!!! Roxy and I always start our trips there, and finish with a nice day of bicycle riding and coffeeshops. In the Dam, the thing you could do that you would remember the most, is to rent a bike and ride through the Jordaan. If the bikes intimidate you, which they might, make sure to spend a few hours wandering the Jordaan. Its the prettiest area in the Centrum. I would also maybe suggest a Mikes Bikes tour on one of your days and theres also a Fat Tire bike tour in Berlin. I always fucking love those things. They get you oriented to the city, and show you basically how to get to most of the good sights etc..... Feel free to PM me with any questions. I can help you the most in Holland and Italy.
Cheers,
Marc

Personally, I enjoyed Leiden more than A-dam. It seemed more authentic.

Gonna go with the less time in Pisa...visit Florence instead!! It's only an hour/hour and a half from Pisa and hey, it's got all the history and art you could ever ever want. :)

Rome was a ball-park of fun, I spent three days there, could've done four. Do a daytrip to Tivoli, it's totally worth it.

if possible you should add more days to berlin...2 days is not enough

Near Pisa is a town called Perugia. It is situated between Florence and Rome. I stayed at a wonderful farmhouse hostel just a bit outside of town. Perugia is quite a bit less touristy then the other cities nearby and well worth an adventure. Rome and florence could all be day trips from here.

I don't know why I disliked Berlin, I had a great night out there. Maybe it was just the hospital clean, christian hostel I stayed in. I was kept awake all night by German schoolkids singing the best of David Hasselhoff.

Other than the never ending Hasselhoff nightmare, great nightlife.