donroja

We looked at Ibiza and Barcelona because we have friends that will be there at the same time and wanted to go to the end of season parties, but couldn't find a way to work them in. Any ideas?

uhoh_busted

i think you are wise to stick to this second itinerary. Spain would be great, but you would probably need to dump Italy, and then it's a real long haul from Germany to Spain.

christycruz

I still think you're missing a great opportunity in Barcelona (and Ibiza!!). You're only young once, and you'll have friends there too?? Skip Italy this time, Prague too. Make the long haul and get there. I know this advice won't be popular here, but as someone who's been to these places, I only wish I had gone to Ibiza when I was 28.

easytraveler

This is looking way better.

I'd still suggest taking the night sleeper train for some of your transit needs, getting a "couchette", especially on the City Night Line routes.

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/pr...t-travel.shtml

And here's the map of all the CNL routes:

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/mdb/bahni...nl_1011_en.pdf

There are numerous other night trains. If not the CNL, then try for a trip that does not require changing trains, especially in the middle of the night.

If you want to include Barcelona, consider flying one of the budget airlines.

Check out skyscanner.net

If Barcelona comes at the end of your trip, you have a good chance of getting good airfares on the budget lines, since the prices increase the closer you get to the travel date. Just remember that only one piece of carryon per person is allowed by the budget airlines and it has to fit into one of those bins, otherwise, there's a stiff price for additional pieces of luggage. One piece means one piece: a computer is one piece, a purse is one piece.

The other way to add in Barcelona is to fly there from London, again, with the budget airlines like Ryan Air or easyjet. That'll get you onto the continent and from there you could train to Paris and pick up the rest of your itinerary. There's good fast TGV service form Barcelona to Paris.

LSky

It sounds a lot better.

When you say you are interested in historical landmarks, what does that really mean?

Does that mean only the truly iconic landmarks, like the Eiffel and not the Sacre Cour? Any interest in the Beaches of Normandy? Or Mont St. Michel?

It doesn't look like you're into museums? That's okay. Do you want to see some of the iconic art? For instance, are you going to see The David when you're in Florence?

Why Munich? There is beer everywhere in Germany, it's all good.

I agree that Barcelona is a far better city for what you're looking for. The Gaudi architecture is phenomenal and Barcelona knows how to celebrate her favorite son.

Florence might be a disappointment but Rome and Vienna would probably satisfy.

jamikins

Much much better! I would stick to your new itinierary, you will have a great time!

bilboburgler

looking like a good plan

donroja

Thank you everyone for your replies! You have been very helpful! Feel free to add any suggestions on places to see along our journey (updated itinerary of course). If I have any more questions I'll be back, you guys are great here fodor's! Thanks again!

PalenQ

City/Days
London, 4
Paris, 4
Amsterdam, 3
Berlin, 3
Prague, 3
Munich, 2
Venice/Florence, 4 (still not sure which one)
Rome, 4

If I had to chose between Venice and Florence I'd put two days in each one - neither is to be missed IMO - to save travel time as you have many long distnce trains consider hopping overnight trains, such as between Amsterdam and Berlin and Munich and Venice (or Florence)

You have all big tourist cities - consider a day trip or two from a big city base to a smaller town - such as from Amsterdam a half-day in nearby Haarlem, just a few minutes from Amsterdam but a world of difference - a calm typical regional Dutch town or from Paris a day trip to Chartres and its famous cathedral or to Reims for its stunning cathedral and vaunted Champagne House/facotry tours.

PalenQ

for anyone in their 20s I would highly recommend getting a copy of Let's Go Europe, a guidebook with tons of useful info - especially good on objective looks at zillions of low-cost accommodations - not only hostels but cheap hotels, B&Bs, pensions, etc. Take a copy from your library and save the cost of the book perhaps.

suze

MUCH better!!!!

But I still question your order. From London wouldn't it make more sense to go next to Amsterdam, Berlin, etc. making a loop? London to Paris to Amsterdam seems needless backtracking right at the beginning of your trip.

Mimar

Lay out your itinerary in nights, not days. 2 nights is at most 1.5 days in a city plus transit time.

That said, I like your new plan.

Some train notes. The Eurail pass does not include the UK. You can get a discount on the Eurostar from London to Paris. And the sooner you buy your Eurostar tickets the cheaper. That train can get very expensive last minute.

And what adrienne said. Except for the very slow local trains, you must buy seat reservations for trains in France and Italy. A given train has a limited number of seats for passholders so you might not be able to get on that train unless you pay a last-minute full fare.

Burke30

I've been to all the spots you're looking at. I'm 32 and towards the end of a 6 1/2 months europe trip. Definitely get to Ibiza - especially if you have friends there. The weather should still be warm and you can catch a cheap flight down there. Barcelona is ok but Ibiza has some crazy parties.

I would knock a day off London. Here's my suggestion

London 4 (day trip to Bath)
Paris 4 (day trip to normandy)
Amsterdam 3 (no day trips needed I love this place)
Berlin 3
Prague 3
Munich 3 (day trip to Neuschwanstein)
Rome 4
Ibiza 3 (weather will be warm, go to the beaches)

Venice is a very romantic city and I wouldn't recommend it for 3 guys. Florence is mostly art, might be a good one to go to and it's not far from Rome. You will have to fly to some of these destinations as some of them would be real long train rides. Unless you do sleeper trains. Have fun it sounds like a great trip.

carmar

Here's another thought to confuse you. 2 of my daughters backpacked in there early 20's to Europe with a Eurail pass. They started in Frankfurt, made a big loop around Europe and ended back in Frankfurt. They both said the highlight was Interlaken, Switzerland where they stayed at Balmer's youth hostel. I think this is the extreme sports capital of the world (or something like that) They did Canyoning which I could have killed them for doing when I saw the pictures. www.balmers.com


Have a general idea of where you want to go and then play it by ear. If you like a place, stay as long as you want. If you don't like it, move on. Since you've never been to any of these places before, everything is an adventure so don't get too hung up on seeing everything.

When you're on the train, ask any backpacker you meet where they've been and that may help with your next destination.

Oh to be young again..........

PalenQ

camar captures the thrill of traveling around Europe by train when young!

and yes places like Balmer's Herberge in Interlaken are just fun fun places for the younger crowd - you'll meet people from all over the world your age - and unlike official youth hotels with their restrtive rules and all this is an example of one of many youth hotels in Europe (Let's Go Europe highlights many of these places) - yes they have bars on the premises and offer good-value excursions like camar talks about.