Hi!
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer and I'm having a hard time to decide where should I go and for how long.
I'm a 19 year old guy from Montreal and it's already going to be my third time in Europe. I'll be travelling solo, by train and bus. I was in Scandinavia on my own last year and I got to know my style of travel. I really loved the city of Copenhagen, its architecture and general atmosphere. I also enjoy walking a lot and I wouldn't say no to a bit of hiking. I like museums, but not more than 2-3 per week. Finally, I like photography so I'm interested in visiting picturesque towns or places. I really need your advice to decide which cities I should visit and maybe add some destinations of your own. Here's what the plan looks like at the moment:
26 - 30 June : Amsterdam (with a day trip to Haarlem)
1 - 6 July: Berlin
7-8 July: Dresden
9 - 12 July: Prague
13 - 17 July: Munich (day trips to both Neuchswanstein & Garmish-P)
18th of July: Rothenburg ob der Tauber (morning train and staying overnight to avoid the crowd)
19 - 21 July: Frankfurt
22 - 24 July: Luxemburg
25 July: Brussels
26 - 28 July: Antwerp, meeting friends & Tomorrowland (music festival)
As you can see, I try to limit the transportation costs and to keep space to breath and relax at times.. Also, if you know about a good day trip and/or a place to enjoy great beer, please let me know! My biggest doubts are about the Rothenburg to Brussels leg: Is Luxemburg worth it? Should I visit Cologne & Heidelberg?
Any input is appreciated, thank you so much already!
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*Central Europe - sorry for the typo.
For Berlin you might want to try to find this book: Peter Fritzsche and Karen Hewitt, Berlinwalks, 1994 which divides Berlin into 5 different walks in different neighborhoods. Try www.abebooks.com to find a used copy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/sets/72157623174831107/
I personally like Luxembourg - you could do it as a day trip from Brussels, which you can do in 1 - 2 days. Luxembourg is worth a day. It's a gentle little city. Visit the casemates (fortifications built into the cliffs) and the old city, which is down in a valley.
In Brussels look for the Art Nouveau walks from the tourist information centre, and also visit the Horta Museum, which is a must. You can do the Grand' Place, Galeries St Hubert, Grand and Petit Sablon in a day, or a half-day if you don't linger over lunch. However, food is very important in Belgium so do try to factor in a good meal in a nice restaurant (if you're on a budget, try to plan for this event). You won't be disappointed. For a snack, have a waffle at Dandoy.
In Frankfurt spend a day in the city, a day in the surrounds (Mainz and Rhine gorge).
Unless you particularly like museums the best part of Cologne is the cathedral (the cityscape is not that attractive, but the cathedral, considering it's medieval, is an imposing miracle). You can see the cathedral easily from the railway station - stow your bag in a locker and take 1 - 2 hours to enter the cathedral and go up to the top for mind-blowing views. The day you travel from Frankfurt to Brussels would be a good day to do this.
Save Heidelberg for another time. You will come back. It's nice but not critical to see if you've got other things doing.
Lavandula
Thanks for your advice Lavandula, it definately makes sense to add time in Brussels and visit Cologne on the way from Frankfurt.
Your itinerary looks quite good. I am also a photographer and like 'picturesque' places. I have galleries of most of the places on your list. Most of the places you mention are very photogenic. http://www.pbase.com/annforcier
From Luxembourg, you could do an easy day trip to Trier, and also to either Nancy or Metz, as well as the WWII site of Diekirch - it's a beautiful drive from Luxembourg City through the woods. On the way to Brussels, if you're a WWII buff, stop off in Bastogne and vicinity.
Sounds like a lovely and leisurely trip - enjoy!
I loved Heidelberg; if it fits in your itinerary easily, it is definitely picturesque!