10 days in Europe

[[e-mail]]

Ok, I am in the working world, so I don't have a lot of time to explore europe.  I have always wanted to do this, and 10 days is the best I can do. I am either going to fly into paris or Amsterdam as they seem to be the cheapest airports.  
My goals are to get a good general feel for everywhere I visit, not see everything. I am looking at 2 days tops in each city, then overnight train it to the next place. What would everyone recommend my itenerary look like? Running w/ the bulls in Spain is a given.  Art Museums and such are not really my thing.  I've already been to London on business, so I am not looking to go to the UK.

[snorkelman]

You will run yourself ragged, but if 2 days is the max that you will have, then maybe try the following:

Paris - 2 days
Brugge Belgium 1 day
Amsterdam - 2 days
Berlin - 2 days
Barcelona - 1-2 days
Bull running (fermin i suppose) - you better already have reservations for that or else forget finding lodging.

The 10 day restriction really puts a damper on things.  personally i would just fly to Italy and spend the whole 10 days there.  maybe see Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa.

[Kim]

I would just do Italy too...that way you really get to enjoy yourself, rather than spending it all on the train.

The cities, the scenery, the FOOD!-it's all there.

You have to take into consideration the length of time to get to each place-if you are spending a good part of each day on the train, you will feel like you didn't see anything.

Kim

[me]

OK, Francis, here's what i'd suggest:  Check out flying into Amsterdam and spend a day or two there.  [Amsterdam is a great museum town.  but, you said museums are not your thing]  Ams. has more to offer than just museums - it's a world class party town!   After a day or two, head for Brugge, Belgium.  don't know if there's a direct, overnight train, you'll need to check that out yourself. <www.raileurope.com>  

Brugge is an interesting town, worth a stop.  After a day or two, go to Paris.  Ditto on Paris.  From Paris, catch an overnight to Carcassone, France.  there is a castle there.  it's said to be very interesting.  from there, head for the bull running;  it's in Pampalona, a town West Northwest of Barcelona, i think.  Double check that, though.  

After the bull running, go to Barcelona.  It's a beautiful town!  But, again, one of the things i most liked there was the Picasso museum.  But, there are lots of clubs off of Las Ramblas, in the old quarter.  if, by chance, youre there on a sunday, there is a folk dance outside the main church.  hundreds participate - it's fun!  

You could then take an intra europe flight <easyjet, buzzair, ryanair, whatever> from Barcelona back to Amsterdam & fly home from there.  

If you are sucessful in getting 8 hour direct train rides between the destinations, it might work.  But it still seems too rushed to me.

[[e-mail]]

Thanks, everyone.

Running myself ragged is my kind of vacation. My vacations can resemble the TV show "The Great Race" at times. I am not on vacation to rest.  

Anyway, I will probably be in Florance, Italy for work in the winter, so I will do Rome then. I LOVE the travel aspect of my job.

Can anyone recommend some Party Hostles  and party towns? I would like to hit the town in one or two places on my trip. Where are the places for great night life? I am not a big fan of techno type places, I much prefer something between huge clubs and sit down bars - interactive places, but not dead. So, basically I am looking for friendly inviting natives, a bar hopping atmosphere, and a relitively early nightlife (compared to madrid, which I hear goes from 1-5am).

[[e-mail]]

Also, if there are any fun festivals in Europe between July 3rd and the 14th that anyone knows of, please chime in.  
Fun festival to me = charged atmosphere + locals acting crazy + good food + good Music