1st Time Backpacker - 1 Month

[cubbiephil]

February
20 Bologna
21 Bol/Rome
22 Rome
23 Rome
24 Florence
25 Munich
26 Munich
27 Munich
28 Germany?

March
1 Berlin
2 Berlin
3 Berlin
4 Copenhagen
5 Copenhagen (day trip to Sweden?)
6 Amsterdam
7 Amsterdam
8 Belgium (Brugge?)
9 Belgium (Brugge?)
10 France - Normandy
11 Paris
12 Paris
13 Paris
14 France - wine country?
15 Switzerland - Interlaken?
16 Switzerland - Interlaken?
17 Venice
18 Bologna
19 Fly home

Background Info:

Here's my tentative itinerary for my first trip to Europe, backpacking Feb 20-Mar19. The time in Italy is set since I've piggybacked onto a friend's trip and am basically using it as a springboard for a long overdue trip myself. Another guy is spending a year in Bologna, hence the flight in and out of there, which I've already booked.

I'll be travelling alone from Munich to Paris, with the exception of a stop in Copenhagen to stay with a friend for a couple days. Everything along the way is negotiable time-wise, until I get to Paris where I'll be meeting my lady-friend.

After scouring these threads I realize I'm not doing any justice time-wise to Rome, Florence, and possibly Paris. However, I'm not huge on sightseeing so I'll probably skip some spots many people wouldn't, thereby giving me more time to relax and enjoy each stop.

Plus, I know I'll be back to Italy in particular in order to do it properly, most likely when the weather is warmer. Same goes for Spain, southern France, Greece, etc... And my travelling friends have Eastern Europe on the radar for a trip in the next year or two so I'm gonna knock out my trip since everyone has already done these places.

Specific questions:

Do I seem like a good candidate for a Eurail pass? Based upon what I've read here it seems like it. I'm a small guy and have no problem sleeping on a train.


Also, if anyone knows. I fly out of Bologna at 7:35 on 19 Mar, should I plan to stay in Bologna the night before or is it possible to hit Venice a day later and go straight to the airport from there? It would allow for an extra day in France if so.

I know it would make more logistical sense to do Venice on the way from Florence to Munich but I think I'd rather do it with the lady-friend at the end of the trip rather than with the guys at the beginning.

Thanks in advance for the help. Go Bears!

-Philip

[herrbert]

Presuming you also need time to check-in earlier then 7.35 am. There is a train leaving Venezia Mestre at 3.31 getting to Bologna at 5.08, according to the website of the airport there are shuttle busses running from the central station to the airport, that take about 20 minutes, with the first busses leaving from the station at 5.30 am. getting to the airport at 5.48. I presume that would be on time to check-in. So yes it would be possible, but nothing can go wrong. I would go to Bologna a day earlier (for my own piece of mind).

check: www.bahn.de for the timetables of the trains, and this site for the timetable of the busses from and to Bologna Airport: www.atc.bo.it/orari_percorsi/linee/pdf/atc_01040.pdf

Brugge is a yes, as far as I am concerned.

If I were you I would stick one day extra somewhere, and get the nighttrain to Interlaken from Paris.

[madamtrashheap]

Phil, for that extra day in Germany (28th Feb), can I suggest a stop in Dresden - it's on the way between Munich and Berlin and warrants a day's visit. Otherwise, add the extra day to Berlin as you'll find plenty to do.

I'm with Herrbert in that it would be advisable to be in Bologna the night before your flight - you just don't want to rely on the train being on time when you're racing to check in at the airport. I'm gathering you're flying from Berlin to Copenhagen (can't remember what you've posted previously, sorry) - if not then consider it ( www.airberlin.com ).

For the French section, one day in Normandy might not suffice (Eagle is the best person to ask about this). And as you're only allowing one day in "wine country" can I suggest somewhere on the way to Switzerland (like Chabils, Macon, Beaune or Lyon - Burgundy region or Epernay in the Champagne region) to cut down travel time.

In Switzerland, depending on what you want to do, look at Gimmelwald up in the mountains as opposed to Interlaken at the "base" of the mountains. Interlaken is pretty, further up the peaks is prettier.

The journey from Switzerland to Venice by train is an all-day job, so look at night trains (as per Herrbert) or even a flight (there are some, just can't remember which/if any budget airlines use this route, try Swiss Air). One full day in Venice is good, so you could leave late in the afternoon/early evening for Bologna (and arrive there just in time for a great Bolognese meal!). If you want to spend another day in Venice, then look at removing a day from the France region (to fit in with the dates/meeting people), say the wine country. Otherwise, you'd have to look at removing Switzerland all together and using the extra days in Paris/wine region and Venice.

[cubbiephil]

First of all, thank you very, very much for your help! It looks like I'll stick to my original plan regarding Venice and Bologna rather than trying to to do much and be hurried to the airport. Hate to leave to room for error.

And I'll definitely look into making a stop in Dresden on my way to Berlin. I do remember reading some good things about it on this board before.

I plan to take night trains when possible (Paris to Switzerland and then also to Venice) so it should allow for extra time spent in those places. Also, thanks for the wine suggestions. Makes a ton of sense to pick an area on the way to Switzerland to cut down on and break up the travel time.