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Old 11-10-2008, 02:10 PM   #1
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Default Europe Itinerary version 50 kabillion

All I can do next year is three weeks (I thought i'd have 12 weeks but work soon put a stop to that) so I'm kind of taking this trip as a introduction and then i'm going to try and do a longer trip in summer 2010.

No doubt this will change again, but im liking this so far-no strict dates except for the San fermin festival (end of trip) *deep breath* here goes..

1. London (start, I live here)

2. (fly to) Amsterdam (1-2 days- I went here in april and covered most I wanted to see so im gonna see what i missed)

3. (train/bus to) Rotterdam (1 day)

4. (train to) Berlin (3 days ++)

Now is where the problem starts, I dont know where to go next.. I could go to Prague (just been for three days, saw quite a bit and im not sure if i'm ready to go back so soon) or I could catch a cheap flight to Rome.. by now, we're up to Day 6 (maybe more with travel time) so i've still got a fair amount of time before I need to be in Pamplona. Any suggestions? I like the art/culture side of things but i also like to get fucked up (train/bus/plane) Then on to ..

x. Barcelona (Day 11-14)

y. (train/bus to) Pamplona (Day 14-19)

I might only stay for a couple of days and Pamplona and need to get out but thats the rough plan, of course im open to changes at the last second Whatever happens, i really want to be in Pamplona when the festival opens (or maybe a day later)

What do you guys think? You guys are the best and I know you can help a young man out of his predicament
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Old 11-10-2008, 02:24 PM   #2
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if you've already covered Prague, I'd say hit up Rome if you can find a cheap flight and you can find the time.

maybe a little more time in Germany? Munich maybe? I've been to Heidelberg for a day and it's my favorite place I've been to so far.

or you can hit up Spain instead and see Madrid or Valencia or Toledo (maybe even head down to Morocco on a day trip?)

Just a suggestion! Keep us posted!
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Old 11-10-2008, 02:34 PM   #3
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if you've already covered Prague, I'd say hit up Rome if you can find a cheap flight and you can find the time.

maybe a little more time in Germany? Munich maybe? I've been to Heidelberg for a day and it's my favorite place I've been to so far.

or you can hit up Spain instead and see Madrid or Valencia or Toledo (maybe even head down to Morocco on a day trip?)

Just a suggestion! Keep us posted!
thanks for your super fast reply

focusing on Spain could be a good idea and i didnt even think of Morocco (depending on funds!) ill have to look into it.

Rome is also very tempting but seeing as it is like my 'introduction' to Europe, i wonder if i wouldnt be doing Italy justice, although if i get an idea of what's what, i can always go on my 'extended' trip a year a later.

i've heard mixed things about Munich, some have said its amazing and others have said to me 'a day is enough'

once again, thanks for your awesome ideas and ill definitely take them into account. looks like ill be flying a lot more than i thought (god bless easyjet/ryanair/aerlingus and the various other eu lowcost airlines )
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Old 11-10-2008, 03:58 PM   #4
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I say between Prague and Rome, you should choose Rome. Why go back to Prague if you're not even sure you want to go back just yet? Hit up somewhere new and eat some yummy pizza and gelato instead!!

(My choices are usually based somewhat around food.)
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Old 11-10-2008, 04:25 PM   #5
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My only suggestion is that you have an escape plan for San Fermin, don't just show up and expect to get a train out of there anytime you want. The same goes for accommodation and trains in San Sebastian. Make sure you book ahead.

Also make sure you are in Pamplona for the San Fermin opening ceremony, that was a highlight for me.
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Old 11-10-2008, 04:29 PM   #6
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Later in the summer, Rome could be deathly hot. I thoroughly enjoyed Prague. But, it seems that you are going around Switzerland, which happens to be my favourite country to visit. After Germany, you could head down to Switzerland on your way to Pamplona.
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Old 11-10-2008, 04:32 PM   #7
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^good call on Switzerland. I was bummed I couldn't make it there when I went to Germany last summer, I planned on visiting Zurich... like a 3 or 4 hour train ride from Frankfurt!
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Old 11-10-2008, 06:01 PM   #8
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On one hand, I'd highly recommend spending more time in Spain. Sevilla seems a bit far south though and the only other cities I visited were Barcelona and Madrid. On the other hand, I had an awesome time in Gimmelwald, Switzerland. If you want to do any hiking and just relaxing in the outdoors, definitely make Gimmelwald a stop on your trip. I didn't really get to see any of the other cities in Switzerland though.
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Old 11-10-2008, 08:05 PM   #9
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Interlaken may be a good small swiss city if you like the outdoors as well as a bunch of crazy backpackers at night.
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Old 11-11-2008, 02:17 AM   #10
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My only suggestion is that you have an escape plan for San Fermin, don't just show up and expect to get a train out of there anytime you want. The same goes for accommodation and trains in San Sebastian. Make sure you book ahead.

Also make sure you are in Pamplona for the San Fermin opening ceremony, that was a highlight for me.
Well, its looking like I need to be back in London on the 10th July (friday) to go back into work

So, ideally, i'd need to leave on the 9th to get the overnight train back to london to be in work for 10am

oh my god.
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Old 11-11-2008, 03:59 AM   #11
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So, ideally, i'd need to leave on the 9th to get the overnight train back to london to be in work for 10am
There's an overnight train from San Fermin all the way up to the UK that will get you into London by 10am?
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Old 11-11-2008, 04:22 AM   #12
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There's an overnight train from San Fermin all the way up to the UK that will get you into London by 10am?
kind of, its a horrific journey

Here is what it says on seat61:

Quote:
Train times Pamplona, Zaragoza, Bilbao ► London

An air-conditioned 'Talgo' train called the "Miguel de Unamuno" leaves Zaragoza at 16:48 and Pamplona at 18:42, arriving at Hendaye on the French frontier at 21:16.

From Bilbao, catch a bus from Bilbao to Irun with www.alsa.es. These run every hour or two, journey time 1 hour 45 minutes, fare 8 euros one way, 15 euros return. You can also sail direct from Bilbao to Portsmouth by ferry.

Travel overnight from Hendaye to Paris, leaving Hendaye at 22:19 and arriving Paris Gare d'Austerlitz at 07:10. This is a Corail Lunéa train with 1st class (4-berth) and 2nd class (6-berth) couchettes are available, but no sleeping-car. Not 24, 31 December.

Travel from Paris to London by Eurostar, leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 09:07 (09:13 on Sat & Sun) and arriving in London St Pancras at 11:16.
I work near St Pancras so i'd be in the office by 11:45 ish. It's going to be killer (and i might end up 'catching something') but on the other hand i might not have much choice really.

Depending on flights, i might be able to get back to Barcelona and catch a flight back..who knows, luckily i have enough time to try and figure something out.
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Old 11-11-2008, 06:04 AM   #13
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I'd plan the trip practically. The great thing is We're European and can come and go as we please. You could even stay in any of those countrys and maybe start collecting the dole. :D

I did a two month trip to start with 3 or 4 years ago and now I'm just doing 2 week trips (or shorter) whenever I have the time. I plan to visit ever member state of the EU.

I don't make detailed plans though. Last time I bought a flight into Riga and booked my flight back from Kaunas in Lithuania. There's always a bus or a train if you stick to the bigger cities and finding your way from A-B is great fun.
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