itenirary help - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Tropical Orb · 11-19-2004, 10:12 PM

Hey I'm an 18 yr old female planning to backpack western europe summer '05. I'm pretty limited financially - I'm looking at having about 3 grand for transportation, lodging, and souvneirs and I plan to stay for at least a month, no longer than 2. Italy's my main focus and I have a rough itenirary I made not long ago. Looking for advice as to which cities I should add to my list, or what I should cut out:

Italy: Rome - 2 days, Firenze - 3 days, Siena - 2 days, Pisa - 1 day, Bologna - 1 day, Milano - 2 days, Venezia - 3 days.

Switz: Luzern - 1 day, Bern - 1 day. (Switz I hear is expensive and I don't really care for seeing much of the country, just wanna pass through, so I don't want to spend *too* much time there)

France: Paris - 2 days, Toulouse - 1 day, Valence - 1 day

Spain: Barcelona - 2 days, Madrid - 2 days, Cordoba - 1 day.

Portugal: Lisbon - 2 days

Tips on whether or not I'm within my budget (if I stay at the cheapest of the cheap hostels) if I see all these places would be greatly appreciated.
Thnx in advance :]

**Sijuki** · 11-19-2004, 11:45 PM

Welcome to the boards

What is your main focus of going to Europe? (attractions, scenery, parties, etc) Naples, Italy is another possibility with Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii being there.

Switzerland is very expensive... so if its not that important you might want to cut that out.

Are you getting a rail pass, it will probably be cost effective.

That is about all I can come up with for now.

Tropical Orb · 11-20-2004, 01:11 AM

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm there mainly for scenery and attractions - not really interested in the club scene. I'd like to go out a few times though, but finding a party town isn't on my agenda.

I don't know how expensive they are, but I guess I'll be getting a rail pass.

dttraveler · 11-20-2004, 01:07 PM

i dont think your giving yourself enough time to see some of the greatest cities in europe. think about that and also go to the cinque terre in italy, it is one of the most beautiful places you'll ever see. also i went to europe for 3 months on 3 grand, but that was after i got my eurail pass which you also need to look into as it is the best bang for your buck.

**pinion** · 11-20-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Italy: Rome - 2 days, Firenze - 3 days, Siena - 2 days, Pisa - 1 day, Bologna - 1 day, Milano - 2 days, Venezia - 3 days.

I wouldn't stay overnight in Pisa...there's nothing there besides the tower. Its only a couple hours train ride from Florence so try to make it a day trip or something. Better yet, stop off there on your way up to Milan. I'd also think of cutting Bolonga out of the trip and spend a day in the Lake Como area just north of Milan. Very beautiful area. Its also on your way up to Switz

Quote:

Switz: Luzern - 1 day, Bern - 1 day.

I would go to Interlaken instead of Bern...Bern just has a bear....

Tropical Orb · 11-20-2004, 09:09 PM

Yea I decided to make Pisa a daytrip and cut out Bologna. I also decided to to add Naples to my list and pompeii as a daytrip. Only problem is, my flight lands in Rome and as I originally planned to go straight to florence from there, I'll be backtracking by going to Naples and then back up to Rome to get to firenze. I've heard backtracking is bad so I don't know.

And I cut Switz out entirely, I don't really care for it and its expensive so instead I think I'll just head straight to France.

**worldwidemike** · 11-22-2004, 03:53 AM

I would try to make some of your stopovers 3 nights. I've found that it is the minimum number where I begin to relax and almost feel like a local. With only one or two nights, it seems you're there and gone -- always unpacking or packing.

So, definitely look into consolidating some of the cities and doing the smaller ones as daytrips. You can pull up train schedules online and check out what IS possible to do as a daytrip. For example, I spent 3 nights in Sorrento when in Italy. On the afternoon I arrived, I saw that city's sights. The next day I went to Pompeii. And the following day I went to the Amalfi coast. Or something like that...it's been awhile!

worldwidemike

**Somnambulation** · 11-22-2004, 03:14 PM

Yeah, go to Sorrento over Naples. Its nicer and you can do the Pompeii daytrip from there. Also, I would only recommend one day in Venice. Basically you walk around the city, see the canals, and you're ready to leave. If you do decide to go to Switzerland go to Interlaken and Lucern, I loved those places.

**worldwidemike** · 11-23-2004, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Somnambulation@Nov 22 2004, 11:14 PM
Also, I would only recommend one day in Venice. Basically you walk around the city, see the canals, and you're ready to leave.

Augh! Jake disses my vote for the most beautiful city in the world...

Seriously, I know some folks and Venice just don't click. I love it, though, and would plead with you to AT LEAST spend the night there, so you can walk around after all the cruise ship daytrippers have left....

worldwidemike

**Somnambulation** · 11-23-2004, 05:48 PM

Yeah, a nights stay in Venice is a must. It is probably the prettiest city in Europe, but I was with someone who was less than agreeable that day, so that may have influenced my impression a little bit.

**bellelass** · 11-24-2004, 02:19 PM

You should also give morocco a second chance. With agreeable company.

**Somnambulation** · 11-24-2004, 05:56 PM

Yes, I really should.

**bellelass** · 11-24-2004, 10:05 PM

I consider myself agreeable company.

**Sijuki** · 11-24-2004, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Seriously, I know some folks and Venice just don't click.

You know I always hear mixed opinions of Venice. Some people love it, some hate it. I know I would spend at least a day there, it just seems historical. I know you are partial to Italy period, but I think I could take your word for it. Although is there much of a fish smell?

**worldwidemike** · 11-25-2004, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sijuki@Nov 25 2004, 06:46 AM
Although is there much of a fish smell?

I've been to Venice twice, and never had any problems with "canal odor." Either it was so faint I never noticed it, or it wasn't there. Once I went in the summer, and the other time was in the Fall, so I can't imagine that has much to do with it...

worldwidemike

justforkicks28 · 01-20-2005, 10:33 PM

Go to Sorrento!!!!! It is an awesome city that is not too far outside Naples, and Naples is not a place you want to stay in anyways. Pompeii is a must see and you can easily spend a whole day there, and it is a short CHEAP train ride away from Sorrento.