Hey all,
Alright, I am just going to be continually adjusting my itinerary as your fine suggestions and helpful hints keep pouring in.
This is my old and extremely confusing itinerary. I have decided to try out a new mentality for planning:
less is more.
Basically I plan on being in Europe for approximately 4 months and hitting approximately 10-20 countries. I would like to keep my Itinerary as free flowing as possible, so I can adjust it on the fly. However, with a departure time of mid-late July, I would like to avoid the high prices and hustle/bustle of Western Europe in peak. With that being said, I plan on camping out in Eastern Europe until the end of August or start of September, then I should be able to roam Western Europe in (relative) peace.
Step 1:
I will make my way to Toronto and fly to one of these cities as they are pretty much the cheapest flights to Europe of anywhere I would want to go.
Glasgow, Belfast, or Edinburgh
($360CAD)
Munich or Frankfurt
($480 CAD)
Questions:
1. Once I get to one of these cities, what is the best way to go East? (Plane, Bus, Rail?)
2. Should I just go to Germany because it is closer to Eastern Europe (and it is only $120 more to fly there)?
Step 2:
After 5-7 days stay in aforementioned location, relocate to Eastern Europe for 20-35 days. Countries I am interested in:
Czech Republic
Poland
Croatia
Slovakia
Hungary.... maybe?
Questions:
1. Which country should I begin my travels in? Coming from the UK or Germany? Keep in mind, I will be back in Germany in fall, when it is quieter.
2. What is the best way to get around these countries? What transportation system do I use? Eurail passes are no good here.
3. What is the food like in Eastern Europe (I am conservative, very, when it comes to food, and am a little frightened!)
Step 3:
That should take me to around September 1st. Where I plan on hitting these countries in some type of order to be decided;
YES!: Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain
HOPEFULLY YES!: Sweden, Finland, Austria, Belgium,
Maybe YES!: Morocco, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Netherlands
AKA I hope to figure this out in summer, not right now. Also some of it on the fly if possible.
Questions:
1. From what I know, Western Europe is like a nuclear reactor of activity in July and August. Will it be fairly chill in September?
2. At this point of the trip, it may be worthwhile to buy a Eurail pass?
Step 4:
Am I sick of travelling? Do I come back to Canada? Work overseas? Do I have money left (more travel?) Who knows!!!
THAT's it for my questions for now. I am going to call Airmiles tomorrow and see what dates I can get my butt to Toronto in July and then maybe book my first ticket.
Thanks a lot for the help!
Itinerary: Version 4 (of 10?)
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