June/July Europe Trip - Basic Itinerary

[McHopsky]

A few of my friends and I are going Europe this summer for about 20 days for a "life changing experience". We just started talking about the trip last week so a lot of this is up for debate. We are planning for June 20 - July 11th or so.

21 - 24 - Zurich
My parents are from Switzerland and moved here almost 30 years ago. All my family is still in Switzerland, mostly in Zurich. For the first few days I'd live in our Swiss apartment outside Zurich, partying with cousins, etc.

24-27 - Interlaken or Bern

27-30 - Milan

30-3 - France

3-6 - Amsterdam

6-9 - Berlin

9-11 - Zurich



That's a lot to do in about 20 days, so we can extend it if we need to. We plan on setting on specific dates this weekend and organizing flight plans. We are going to get Eurorail passes.


A few questions:

1. We are for sure reserving a hostel for Berlin due to the World Cup. I used TP's Hostel finding/reserver and it seemed pretty easy to use. So, if I only pay the minimum ammount with a credit card, do I just show up and pay the rest?

2. Ive seen that you recommend to reserve all your hostels. What if we decided to only stay in XXXXX for 2 days instead of 4? Wouldnt that mess up all of our hostel reservations?

3. Is it possible to reserve without paying anything?

4. Any suggestions/comments for our trip?

Thanks for all the help. Any help would be much appreciated!

[McHopsky]

Forgot to add: We were thinking about perhaps going to Hungary, Slovakia or Czech Republic. Would it be worth extending the trip another week for these destinations?

[tumblezweedz]

Definitely worth adding time for anywhere in eastern Europe, I'd recommend a bare minimum of three days each for Prague, Bratislava and Budapest, but more is definitely better. Personally, we spent about 6 days each in Prague and Budapest, and didn't see nearly everything, especially because of the crowds in summer. I was pretty sick in Bratislava, so only got in one day of looking around, but it definitely looked like you could spend several days there to really enjoy it.

Two questions:

Where in France (you're giving 4 days to an entire country)?

and

Why Milan? Is the fashion industry a particular draw? Or do you know people there? Because if not, you might want to choose somewhere a little more scenic and maybe daytrip in to Milan just to check it out. Verona might be a good choice - smaller, and roughly halfway between Milan and Venice, it gives you easier access to both. Just a thought...

[McHopsky]

Originally posted by tumblezweedz@Feb 24 2006, 09:44 AM
Definitely worth adding time for anywhere in eastern Europe, I'd recommend a bare minimum of three days each for Prague, Bratislava and Budapest, but more is definitely better.* Personally, we spent about 6 days each in Prague and Budapest, and didn't see nearly everything, especially because of the crowds in summer.* I was pretty sick in Bratislava, so only got in one day of looking around, but it definitely looked like you could spend several days there to really enjoy it.

Two questions:

Where in France (you're giving 4 days to an entire country)?

and

Why Milan?* Is the fashion industry a particular draw?* Or do you know people there?* Because if not, you might want to choose somewhere a little more scenic and maybe daytrip in to Milan just to check it out.* Verona might be a good choice - smaller, and roughly halfway between Milan and Venice, it gives you easier access to both.* Just a thought...

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Oops! Yes, We would be visiting Paris, France. My friend also wants to see Leon, so I'm not totally sure what we have planned for France.

As for Milan - I visited Verona a few years ago and loved it. I mixed up two and for some reason said Milan instead of Verona. I definitely want to see Verona again.

[JeanB]

Whenever ive travelled in europe i've rarely had problems finding hostels, but i was probably winging it a little. I suspect that if you email them and let em know you willl be 2 days late it will be no problem.

Enjoyit geezer.

[McHopsky]

Originally posted by JeanB@Feb 24 2006, 10:10 AM
Whenever ive travelled in europe i've rarely had problems finding hostels, but i was probably winging it a little. I suspect that if you email them and let em know you willl be 2 days late it will be no problem.

Enjoyit geezer.

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Im reading that for some situations, its better just to buy tickets at the station, rather than a Eurail pass. What do you guys think for my trip?

[freakypete]

You know you will be in Berlin for the actual World Cup final on the 9th July? if you want any chance of finding somewhere to stay, you need to book asap. plus berlin is gonna be packed for those few days up to the final. if thats the reason you are going to berlin then its fine, but if nto then i would suggest going a few days later if its possible

i doubt the hostels there will be very flexible either for when you want to go

[JeanB]

Although seeing europe by train is really the only way, i do hate the costs involved in the eurail passes. To actually save money you do have to keep moving on the trains every couple of days.......and inevitably some places you will really like and want to stay longer. I spose it depends on how much you really want to see in a short time span.......Personally i would go point to point.

and berlin is bound to be prepared for the world cup with places to stay for all the english footy hooligans chancing a ticket there. But i would definately try and organise something now just to avoid the hassles/////

[beergal]

why do you assume that its english footy hooligans aalthough we may have had one of the worst records there are other countries that you might like to examine before making this judgement

[omisan]

Yeah, every country has football hooligans.

http://www.hooligans.cz/in/eng/index.htm

Except for the US. We have Oakland Raiders fans, and most of them are monitored by a parole officer...

[JeanB]

Originally posted by beergal1@Feb 26 2006, 07:58 PM
why do you assume that its english footy hooligans aalthough we may have had one of the worst records there are other countries that you might like to examine before making this judgement

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I know i know......you do realise that i live near london don't you? As a liverpool supporter i'm sure you are also well aware that English fans were made to be the scapegoats in the 80's. But it is a europe wide phenomena, just look at galatasary or the italian clubs (roma etc). But, like the game itself, we invented it and we should be proud of our british hooligans.......british thugs, best in the world i say.

Take it easy beergal, and well done for beating man city. Keep it up!