Europe: Self plan Europe Itinerary

[Wt_know]

Hi,

 

I'm planning to visit Europe in Dec 07.

 

Germany (Berlin) -> Chez (Prague) -> Austria (Vienna) -> Hungary (Budaphest) -> Italy (Rome) -> Swiz (Lucern) -> Germany

 

I'm contemplating whether to buy global eurorail pass (quite ex) or buy budget airline from city-to-city (cheaper but not as convenience as rail, beside the duration is not shorter by a lot)

 

Anyone got a Europe itinerary to share for reference

 

Thanks

Edited July 24, 2007 by Wt_know

[Tashi]

hi bro

The Eurorail/Eurail Global Pass is actually more convenient, imho. The Saver version for 15 days is US$572 (on their website), and it is more convenient than attempting to go airports and such, and no need to fly up and down, all on land. imho lor.

 

God bless

tashi

Edited July 24, 2007 by Tashi

[Redstorm]

How many days will you be there? From the number of places, I can safely say that u need at least 3 days for each place plus another 2 days of flying thru and fro and a day rest b4 returning to work. That would take up 21 days. It defeats the purpose if u stay at a place for only a day or two, coupled with the distance between each city, a lot of time will be taken up travelling with less time for visits to tourist spots. If u don't have much time, try not to visit to squeeze so many cities in one visit. Leave them for your next holiday. This way it will not be that rushing and u have more time to look around.

[Wt_know]

i'm planning to go for 22+ days. must cover more countries as possible. i went to europe 7 years ago (london, france, belgium, holland). this is my second trip. cannot always leave for another trip to cover some other countries. the next trip could be 5-10 years time. it's no joke to fly 13-15 hours to europe. once get there, must visit as more countries as possible

 

my heart goes with eurorail but the easyjet and ryanair budget airline is VERY TEMPTING

 

another dilemma now .... Dec is WINTER in Europe and damn cold .... ... i'm told that many shops close early and the sun set at 5:00pm !

Edited July 24, 2007 by Wt_know

[Focus06]

Hi I went to Europe during the Xmas and New Year a few years back. But I cover Budapest, Warsaw, Krakow, and a few days of ski in Germany in about 21 days too. My experience is that is really very very cold at night, there is basically nothing much you can do but stay in Hotel to have a good wine ( especially in Poland ) The shops also close quite early, but not sure about now, & its dark by about 5pm. Do note, its only bright at 8am.. so u only had about 9 hrs of daytime to see see look look....

 

My suggestion is to find out whats the best in each city, give yourself more time to relax and enjoy the city itself. If you make it too pack, then you will find yourself too tired to enjoy anything.

 

I had a very good time back then because of our relaxed schedule, we had open air ice skating in Budapest, enjoy open air swimming ( the water was 37 degree, and the temperature of the air is about -10 degree ) ! In our final part, we stay in one of the cheap ski resort, did some shopping and whip up a good meal to end our trip... all in the snowy white winter... its was surely a good memory

 

Most impt is to find a good companion and plan well, esp the airline timing or the rail timing, for they usually screw up in winter...

[Wt_know]

i would like to thank all for your comments and tips

[Vollov]

Hi,

 

I'm planning to visit Europe in Dec 07.

 

Germany (Berlin) -> Chez (Prague) -> Austria (Vienna) -> Hungary (Budaphest) -> Italy (Rome) -> Swiz (Lucern) -> Germany

 

I'm contemplating whether to buy global eurorail pass (quite ex) or buy budget airline from city-to-city (cheaper but not as convenience as rail, beside the duration is not shorter by a lot)

 

Anyone got a Europe itinerary to share for reference

 

Thanks

 

You need to plan your route well. The last time I went backpacking in Europe was 5 years ago and I did it solo. Last I remembered, there's a rail pass for eastern europe that covers Czech, Hungary, but I'm not sure if these been any changes to it.

 

Berlin is a 3 - 4 days stay. Austria is 2 days. Prague...I stayed for 5. Didn't go Budapest or Rome, but for Switzerland, you should consider Interlaken instead.

 

I'm not sure how you intend to go from Berlin to Prague or Vienna, but if you can, I would suggest taking an overnight train from Berlin to Munich and then take a day train from Munich to Prague. The train from Munich to Prague takes 6 hours and you pass through really nice valleys...and I think would be great in winter. From Prague, head on to Budapest before rounding back to Vienna. Then from Vienna cross over to Switzerland and from there to Rome on an overnight train.

 

Getting the Eurail pass makes sense, but if it's still possible for you to get the selectpass instead of a unlimited pass, you should.

 

Along the way, consider going to Cinque Terre. It's along the coast and the place is fantastic for the view of the sea. But not sure if it's a good idea in winter.

 

If you have 22 days and you can maximize your train rides, you can do quite a few places. I would not recommend internal flights other than from Rome to Berlin for your return. You will waste so much time for the checking in plus the airlines for the budget airlines are all about 1 to 2 hours away from the town areas (usually).

 

I did the backpacking trip in Europe for almost 3 months and while my info might be a bit out of date now, let me know if you need any help on where to go. Personally speaking, I hated Berlin and would not go back again. It's rich in the history and nightlife but...it's very sterile.

 

Cheers!

[Carben68]

In Prague - visit the castle & go have a traditional dinner in a traditional czech restaurant. Go Wenceslas Square for tour guide under horse statue.

 

In Budapest - Skip buda and spend more time in pest. Again, a traditional dinner is a must.

 

In Switzerland - As advised, Interlaken is nice but if you want a real close upfront look. Go Grindelwald.. half hour by train from Interlaken OST station.. BEAUTIFUL !! If you are planning to stay in Grindelwald, forget about staying in a hotel in Interlaken with a mountain view.. waste of money. Also, Bern is nice. Neuchatel is a 1 horse town..

[Jayq]

Look for this book "Lonely Planet Europe" is a good travel guide may help u along the way.

[Baka]

Your itinerary is almost the same as the first half of my Europe Tour 2 years back...

We used Trafalgars Tours to cover the Easter Europe because we thought that language barrier would be a concern in moving around. English is very rarely used and understood in Eastern Europe. Travelling by trains there, esp in less urban areas can be hard because they are all in German language.

 

I went in Spring time. Not sure how Dec will look like there... must be vary cold and quite lifeless (trees i mean)...

[Baka]

Since you are going Italy (Rome), I hope you have plan to also visit magnificent cities like Venice and Florence (Milan and Pisa are also not bad)

 

Salzburg in Austria (Mozart's birth place) is also very nice.

 

If you are not really keen in Berlin, you can also launch your tour from Munich instead. Munich is closer to the Eastern Europe and is a vibrant city.

[Vollov]

actually, I think the Let's Go series is better.

[Vollov]

Language barrier? What language barrier?

 

The tourist spots anywhere in Europe will speak English. If buying train tickets, just have the timing of the trains you want to take, write the destination and the time down and go to the counter to buy. Again, usually they will speak English.

 

For food, part of the fun is going in and trying what the locals eat...with a little help from some advance reading on what to eat and all lar. Not a problem...

 

I've survived backpacking alone all over Europe and even Morocco without being able to speak a single word of Spanish, German, French, or Dutch. And part of the fun when travelling is being able to experience what the locals do. Joining a tour group to me basically places you one layer away from the people.

[Jayq]

Ic, My school project I used lonely planet most of their recommendations are informative and they give very details information, and for school project because of budget constraints lonely planet also provide all range of budgets to select from.

[Kxbc]

Rick Steve's Europe is not bad. I've used his travel books for all my Europe F&E tours. Available only in very few places, one of them being Borders.

[Thug]

Hi,

 

I'm planning to visit Europe in Dec 07.

 

Germany (Berlin) -> Chez (Prague) -> Austria (Vienna) -> Hungary (Budaphest) -> Italy (Rome) -> Swiz (Lucern) -> Germany

 

I'm contemplating whether to buy global eurorail pass (quite ex) or buy budget airline from city-to-city (cheaper but not as convenience as rail, beside the duration is not shorter by a lot)

 

Anyone got a Europe itinerary to share for reference

 

Thanks

 

So shiok...never been to Europe....

I have no experience to share but wish u a safe and happy journey!!

[Sony]

actually I have a different opinion. I would suggest you go for budget airline to move between the places.

 

going by rail is takes a longer travelling distance but then, for budget airline, you need to make sure that they fly to the main airport. Some like Ryanair fly to ulu airport, so you actually need an hour or so to get to the city and the coach ride cost 12-20euro each.

 

for the itinerary, let me go home and see if I still got soft copy, if not, got to look at the photos to give you some idea.

 

Actually for 22days with the travelling, you don't really have much time at each place.

Prague and Budaphest are quite similar, you might want to try hitting Spain instead.

 

Lucern is great for the scenic drive but as you are going in Dec, it might be rather cold, so not sure if it suit you.

[Sony]

Since you are going Italy (Rome), I hope you have plan to also visit magnificent cities like Venice and Florence (Milan and Pisa are also not bad)

 

Salzburg in Austria (Mozart's birth place) is also very nice.

 

If you are not really keen in Berlin, you can also launch your tour from Munich instead. Munich is closer to the Eastern Europe and is a vibrant city.

 

 

Venice and Florence would means that he need another day of travelling from Rome.

 

BTW, berlin have so many such Jews Muesum and berlin brickwall. Shd be quite ok for 1st timer.