Croatia or Oktoberfest? + trip itinerary advice (rail passes, money, etc)
Apr 25th, 2009, 10:27 PM
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Croatia or Oktoberfest? + trip itinerary advice (rail passes, money, etc)
Hi,
I am planning a trip to Europe this fall. Originally my itinerary went something like this:
Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Istanbul, Thessaloniki (trek Mt. Olympus), Then I would fly to Munich or close to it for Oktoberfest. I am meeting someone in Milan from there.
However, going to Oktoberfest is expensive. $150 flight, $100 lodging, $10 beers, etc. I was budgeting $400 plus the flight for 2 nights of partying in Munich. Someone mentioned going to Croatia and seeing the Adriatic Coast instead. I would be traveling by train (I assume) from Thessaloniki with my end destination being Milan. Where are some great places to see in the Balkans around the Adriatic? How far could $500 get me? What is the best way to get around? etc.
I am also looking for some more outdoor, day trek type adventures. Mt. Olympus and CinqueTerre (It's a trek at least) are the only ones I have thought of so far. Ideally, this trek wouldn't take more than 1 or 2 days, have some sort of lodging, be relatively cheap, and be close to the route I am planning.
After I meet up with my friend in Milan, we are staying with a friend in Genoa for a couple days, then going to Cinque Terre for a night. Probably seeing one more city in Italy before we part. From there (depending on my funds) I want to travel as far down the coast (towards Spain) as I can. Then, back to Amsterdam for the return flight, maybe stopping in Paris is money permits.
If anyone has rail pass recommendations or advice on getting around, here is what I have worked out so far:
As far as getting around, I am planning on taking a flight from Amsterdam to Prague. Then, a train from Prague to Budapest. Overnight train from Budapest to Istanbul and another overnight to Thessaloniki. Once in Italy, I am more than likely going to buy tickets from point to point because my friend isn't going to have any special rail passes and I want to travel with her on the train. My trip is going to be anywhere from 5-8 weeks depending on how much money I can raise and how far I can stretch my funds. Which rail pass (if any) would be the best considering I am flying to one destination, booking overnight sleeper trains on at least two trips and buying individual tickets in Italy? I am also traveling down the coast towards Spain and back to Amsterdam after Italy, so a pass might be handy for that.
Thank you to anyone who has the time to share!
I am planning a trip to Europe this fall. Originally my itinerary went something like this:
Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Istanbul, Thessaloniki (trek Mt. Olympus), Then I would fly to Munich or close to it for Oktoberfest. I am meeting someone in Milan from there.
However, going to Oktoberfest is expensive. $150 flight, $100 lodging, $10 beers, etc. I was budgeting $400 plus the flight for 2 nights of partying in Munich. Someone mentioned going to Croatia and seeing the Adriatic Coast instead. I would be traveling by train (I assume) from Thessaloniki with my end destination being Milan. Where are some great places to see in the Balkans around the Adriatic? How far could $500 get me? What is the best way to get around? etc.
I am also looking for some more outdoor, day trek type adventures. Mt. Olympus and CinqueTerre (It's a trek at least) are the only ones I have thought of so far. Ideally, this trek wouldn't take more than 1 or 2 days, have some sort of lodging, be relatively cheap, and be close to the route I am planning.
After I meet up with my friend in Milan, we are staying with a friend in Genoa for a couple days, then going to Cinque Terre for a night. Probably seeing one more city in Italy before we part. From there (depending on my funds) I want to travel as far down the coast (towards Spain) as I can. Then, back to Amsterdam for the return flight, maybe stopping in Paris is money permits.
If anyone has rail pass recommendations or advice on getting around, here is what I have worked out so far:
As far as getting around, I am planning on taking a flight from Amsterdam to Prague. Then, a train from Prague to Budapest. Overnight train from Budapest to Istanbul and another overnight to Thessaloniki. Once in Italy, I am more than likely going to buy tickets from point to point because my friend isn't going to have any special rail passes and I want to travel with her on the train. My trip is going to be anywhere from 5-8 weeks depending on how much money I can raise and how far I can stretch my funds. Which rail pass (if any) would be the best considering I am flying to one destination, booking overnight sleeper trains on at least two trips and buying individual tickets in Italy? I am also traveling down the coast towards Spain and back to Amsterdam after Italy, so a pass might be handy for that.
Thank you to anyone who has the time to share!
Apr 25th, 2009, 10:56 PM
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after prague and vienna, croatia was refreshingly cheaper for us back in 2006 because we had the luxury of being able to choose lodgings that were central yet inexpensive
i think in the fall the prices drop anyway - certainly cheaper than in july and august
you will be able to find rooms everywhere on the roadside and if in town can simply go into the tourist bureau and ask what is available
i have not been on a strict budget before when travelling but i do not spend willy nilly either
i cant help you with trains because we hired a car
the meals were cheap though
dubrovnik is a fun town - lots of young people promenading on the weekend nights
split has a good atmosphere too round the harbour at night
and so does trogir which is a nicer place to overnight than split
to give you an idea - back in 2006 you could get a room for 25 euros
we were paying about 70 aud for a studio apartment sometimes with a kitchenette
there are supermarkets too- not huge but certainly save you some money
in dubrovnik there is the konzum supermarket - it is out of the old town but easy to walk to
great pastry shop owned by niko in the old town of dubrovnik- a great breakfast!
i think in the fall the prices drop anyway - certainly cheaper than in july and august
you will be able to find rooms everywhere on the roadside and if in town can simply go into the tourist bureau and ask what is available
i have not been on a strict budget before when travelling but i do not spend willy nilly either
i cant help you with trains because we hired a car
the meals were cheap though
dubrovnik is a fun town - lots of young people promenading on the weekend nights
split has a good atmosphere too round the harbour at night
and so does trogir which is a nicer place to overnight than split
to give you an idea - back in 2006 you could get a room for 25 euros
we were paying about 70 aud for a studio apartment sometimes with a kitchenette
there are supermarkets too- not huge but certainly save you some money
in dubrovnik there is the konzum supermarket - it is out of the old town but easy to walk to
great pastry shop owned by niko in the old town of dubrovnik- a great breakfast!
Apr 26th, 2009, 07:52 PM
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I/we have been to Oktoberfest but not to Croatia.
I will tell you that my husband (3 years later) is still obsessed by Oktoberfest - he loved it THAT much. I did not drink nearly as much beer as he did but would agree that it is a once (or more) in a lifetime experience that was actually quite fun. We were there with friends - so with 4 of us we had a really good time. It is beyond belief how many people get packed into each of the beer hall tents and everyone is just genuinely having a good time. My husband would return in a minute! He loved it so much that we now host our own Oktoberfest party each year just so he (and our friend who was with us) can have an excuse to drink German beers out of their 1 litre mugs.
Just one side of the story!
I will tell you that my husband (3 years later) is still obsessed by Oktoberfest - he loved it THAT much. I did not drink nearly as much beer as he did but would agree that it is a once (or more) in a lifetime experience that was actually quite fun. We were there with friends - so with 4 of us we had a really good time. It is beyond belief how many people get packed into each of the beer hall tents and everyone is just genuinely having a good time. My husband would return in a minute! He loved it so much that we now host our own Oktoberfest party each year just so he (and our friend who was with us) can have an excuse to drink German beers out of their 1 litre mugs.
Just one side of the story!
Apr 27th, 2009, 03:30 PM
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The other side to the story--
I have not been to Croatia, but I too have been to Oktoberfest. I found it a big disappointment. Picture a crowded huge bad fraternity party with drunken strangers. Add in disgusting bathrooms with urine ankle deep off of the walkway (my husband's recollection) and a traveling carnival with rides and you have my memory of Oktoberfest. I would go to Croatia!
I have not been to Croatia, but I too have been to Oktoberfest. I found it a big disappointment. Picture a crowded huge bad fraternity party with drunken strangers. Add in disgusting bathrooms with urine ankle deep off of the walkway (my husband's recollection) and a traveling carnival with rides and you have my memory of Oktoberfest. I would go to Croatia!
Apr 27th, 2009, 08:02 PM
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Interestingly - the experiencethat DDA describes is exactly the experience that I expected to have but didn't! So perhaps there are various Oktoberfest experiences to be had?! I should add that we are not huge drinkers nor are we into getting sloshed in public and making idiots of ourselves. Maybe because we were with friends so the 4 of us enjoyed our own party without needing to really get into the maelstrom - we found tables at the edges where we could watch, swing our beer mugs but not be completely in the centre of a mosh pit!
Apr 27th, 2009, 08:53 PM
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I'll second PurpleNeon. I've been to Oktoberfest three times, and would go back this year in a heart beat. I think it's one of those must-see things if you're into beer drinking and like the idea of partying on such a large scale. It's so much fun, but be prepared to be down for the count a bit if you're closing your trip this way. It's quite the festivity!
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Apr 28th, 2009, 08:34 AM
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For outdoor adventure in Croatia, there are organised kayaking tours near Dubrovnik and the nearby islands (Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan)Here is one company that does them;
http://www.huck-finn.hr/sea_kayaking.htm
I don't know if the trips would be beyond your budget, but it's very reasonable to hire just a kayak for the day on Sipan island for example, and go off by yourself
http://www.huck-finn.hr/sea_kayaking.htm
I don't know if the trips would be beyond your budget, but it's very reasonable to hire just a kayak for the day on Sipan island for example, and go off by yourself
