Hey everyone, me and my two buddies are going to Europe for three weeks after our college graduation. We're going to be there from June 1 to June 22. We basically have no idea what the hell we're doing and have never really traveled extensively. We're looking to have a great time, enjoy the sites and nightlife and make it back in one piece to the States. Here's a rough itinerary. Feel free to pick it apart and offer suggestions.

Fly into London
Either fly or take the train into Paris and stay for only a day or two
Switzerland (we were thinking Interlakken)
Vienna
Czech Republic (Prague)
Germany (we know this is during the World Cup and would like suggestions as to what cities would be good to visit that wont completely over run by soccer fans and where the prices aren't completely jacked up)


Please feel free to make any suggestions (even ideas as to fun things to do in each city). I'm sure a bunch of you have taken similar trips. Thanks in advance

Gary

Did the exact thing last year, after college graduation, I think about the same dates too...weird. Allright

Paris, you need at least 3 days. You could spend 3 in the Louvre itself.
Once you get your flight over here, check Ryanair.com for cheap flights in Europe. Or you can use skyscanner.net, or sidestep.com.
Europe is crazy for soccer and being in Germany in June you will not be able to get away from it. I know the games are crazy expensive but not sure about other stuff. Finding cheapflights and available hostels may be tough in big cities. I would book those early.
Interlaken, great choice, I am going there in July. Trains in Switz are expensive i have found.
No Italy? If you are in Interlaken, you are like 4 hours from Milan and 8 hours to Florence, by train.
Are you going to be traveling by train or planes? I found myself trying to see too much in my 24 days that I was always planning the next city while in one.

cya...lilchappy :party:
http://blogs.travelpunk.com/index.php?blogId=24

Germany's going to be a zoo during the Cup, even non-host cities will be pretty full with overflow. Try Koln (Cologne), Bonn or Trier for cheaper accommodations, maybe Dusseldorf (I don't know if games are slated for there or not). If you really want to be brave, look for hostels in smaller towns - they don't necessarily have all the perks of big cities, but you'll get a more "authentic" look at Germany, and the prices might not be as inflated. Check out the Germany hostel website (Deutsche Jugendherberge I think is the keyword) for a comprehensive list. The good news is, every village with a pub is going to be showing the games, so even if you get into a small place, you'll be able to experience a little of the atmosphere. At our neighbouring village (pop. <600) Fasching parade last February, there were at least three floats focussing on the World Cup, and we're well out in the sticks, so you know the interest is going to be massive. If you aren't able to get to Italy, Koln and Trier also give a taste of the Roman Empire, with all their ancient buildings (Trier) and Roman Museum (Koln). It pales in comparison with the realities of Rome, but it's a bit of something, isn't it.

:tumbleweed:

Thanks a lot for the advice. We figured Germany will be extremely crazy during the World Cup but I think we're willing to put up with some of the inconveniences. As for Italy, I would love to go but was somewhat concerned about taking on too much. Just from looking at other posted itineraries it seems like the common critique is not giving yourself enough time in each city. Is the consensus that it's worth taking the time to travel to Milan or Florence?

hey, if you want to know where to avaoid in germany and when. look at the world cup website and look at the scehdules. i was hoping to avoid the same thing when i went. it's quite helpful. :blink:

check it out

off the subject but HOW IN THE HELL COULD YOU EVER WANT TO AVOID THE WORLD CUP CITIES?!?!?!?!

I would give my left nut to be in Germany this june.... but alas I will be watching what games I can in my living room in Indinana.


but good luck with your travels

basically, it's pretty impossible to get a place to stay, or so it seems to me. i'm actually going to spend a weekend in Stuttgart maybe during a game weekend. but its only because i know someone who;s working at a daycamp on a US armed forces base there. i dont know why theres a base there, but it means i can stay with her for freeeeee! it'd definatley be cool to be able to see all the soccer crazed fans up close.

Seriously, I would love to be around. One of my gfs lives in munich and she's been trying to get me to come but I cant. :crybaby: But I'll be in egypt and they'll probably be really into it, too.

Gotta love having friends, eh Steph? I'm spending a few days with my German bro (exchange student, lived with me in school) during June in Berlin. That should be amazing.

yeah like tw said, i think every decent sized city is gonna be packed for the world cup, and prices everywhere will be jacked up. if you are gonna be here you might as well soak up the atmosphere in one of the host cities.