sept-late dec

[chedder]

I am a first time backpacker heading out across europe i am fying into frankfurt, Germany to stay with a friend for about a month. I would like to experience Octoberfest in Munich, after that its open, if anyone could give me some tips on anything and what cities to visit, I would greatly appreciate it!!...thanks alot

Chedder

[me]

Hi, Chedder!

1st suggestion: unless you're a fan of cold weather (& heavy baggage for the Winter clothes) i'd suggest ending your trip in southern Italy, Spain or Portugal.

- d

[herrbert]

I have to agree with David, visit the cities in Northern and Central Europe (like London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Prague, Vienna) in September and October, and after that head South to Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. (and maybe Malta and/or Turkey?)

For giving you advise on the places you should visit, you should tell a little bit about you interests, and that will decide which places would suit you.

[madamtrashheap]

herrbert said:

I have to agree with David, head South to Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. (and maybe Malta and/or Turkey?)

Good point about the warmth factor, but don't forget the autumn/fall storms in the Mediterranean - they can make a trip to the coast a little blustery (!).

Welcome to GFE, Chedder! Have a look at this post: pretravel.proboards1.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&n=1&thread=2937&page=1 for some info on Oktoberfest as well as their website www.oktoberfest.de. If you definitely know what dates you want to be in Munich, can I suggest booking accommodation now as it will already be filling up for this year. Plus it's not really a "day trip" from Frankfurt to Munich and train travel after a day at Oktoberfest might not be a grand idea (up to you though).

As Herrbert wrote, let us know what you're interested in and we'll be able to load you up with suggestions.

[herrbert]

madamtrashheap said:

Good point about the warmth factor, but don't forget the autumn/fall storms in the Mediterranean - they can make a trip to the coast a little blustery (!).

In a Casino it would be called playing the odds. If next autumn turns out like the autumn in 2006, you can be in London in late October and getting a sunburn. But normaly November and December and not the best months in North and Central Europe.

[madamtrashheap]

herrbert said:

If next autumn turns out like the autumn in 2006, you can be in London in late October and getting a sunburn.

Good point, well presented!

Back to you Chedder!

[chedder]

Thank you all for the suggestions!!....i will definetly get back to you when i have some more ideas/plans figured out. I am just winging this so its all up in the air. Until then thank you all again, and i look forward to hearing from you

[chedder]

also how cold are you talking about, here at home this past week it has been about -30 but i hear what you are saying with the extra clothing and such

I have a wide variety of interests, partying, sports, music, hiking, snowboarding, the outdoors, taking pictures meeting new ppl, food ....

[lia]

gosh! the temperature won't be a problem for you, then! It looks like your problem could be the high temperatures! ;D I'm a great fan of Portugal, but I must say that it can be quite rainy in that period; there's a nice party in Coimbra in september/october, though, for the beginning of the academic year - it's called "latada". Could be fun some extra suggestions: if you're planning to travel by plain, check www.ryanair.com, it's got low fares through europe; as for the places to stay, see www.flashbooking.com, might find something!

[herrbert]

lia said:

some extra suggestions: if you're planning to travel by plain, check www.ryanair.com, it's got low fares through europe;

Note, that Ryanair often flies on distant airports (needing you to travel extra distances, with extra costs to get there, and that their service is also cheap. (and everything onboard is hugely overprices)

There are about 30-40 of this type of airline in Europe, so check out, which has the best deal for your trip.

[madamtrashheap]

chedder said:

also how cold are you talking about, here at home this past week it has been about -30 but i hear what you are saying with the extra clothing and such

A light jacket for the evening should do it!

As for other destinations to match your interests, how much time are you planning to spend travelling vs time with your friend? In a month, you might want to look at keeping the number of destinations low so you can explore well (and keep Oktoberfest in the plan). Again, if you're travelling for a month and only spending minimal time in Frankfurt, then the sky's kinda the limit. But if you are spending more time in Frankfurt, then you could look at flights to places that are more than a few hours away by train (Spain, Prague, Italy, etc) as well as trips around the region you're in. See what cities interest you, let us know how much time you have and then we'll see what we can come up with.

[chedder]

I am leaving around sept 13 and staying in frankfurt untill i head to munich for octoberfest, after then i am hoping to be home for christmas

[chedder]

This is just a rough rough intinerary. If anyone could fill in how many days i should stay at the unlisted cities, also suggest what cities to add or remove thanks alot. Another thing i was wondering was the best way to travel between places and aprox time between as well.

Frankfurt, Germany (20 days to stay with a friend)
Munich, Germany ( 3 days, including octoberfest)
Vienna, Austria ( 3 days)
Innsbruck, Austria
Zurich, Switzerland *
Paris, France
Brugges, Belgium
Rotterdam, Netherlands *
Amsterdam, Netherlands ( 2 days)
Dublin, Ireland (3 days)
(anywhere else in Ireland)
Edinburgh, UK
London, UK (i would like to visit stonehenge)
(fly back to Paris)
Lyon, France (1 day)
Milan, Italy
Venice, Italy (3 days)
Florence/Pisa (4 days)
Athens Greece (4 days)
Santorini, Greece (2 days)
(fly to Rome)
Rome, Italy (5 days)
Cinque Terre Region, Italy (not sure what cities to visit)
Nice, France ( 2 days)
Barcelona, Spain *
Madrid, Spain
Segovia, Spain *
Grenada, Spain *
Portugal (not sure where tog o here)

FLy back to Toronto

* not real important choices
i also havnt took into consideration travel time but i am thinking of returning to canada between christmas and new years


thank you to everyone who responds

chedder

[chedder]

i should also mention that i am more into hiking, architecture, photography and some art if that helps for any suggestions

[Eagle]

chedder, a few comments on your last Post.

The best way to travel between places will usually depend on the distance involved. If there is considerable distance to travel, budget airlines are a good choice. For most other travel, trains are the preferred method and usually the best choice. The high speed trains are amazing, and go direct to the city centres in most cases (whereas most of the budget airlines operate from airports that are some distance from the city centres, so extra travel time and costs have to be included). The travel time will depend on the distance and what type of train you're using. You can check the travel times at www.bahn.de - it's a wonderful resource! Once you've worked out a "final" Itinerary, enter your trips into www.railsaver.com and the site will suggest the best rail pass.

Next, regarding your stay in the Cinque Terre. Most people use one of the five villages for a "home base" and then hike the trails between the villages. The most northerly and most "touristy" village is Monterosso al Mare but all of the villages have great tourist facilities (although each has a slightly different character). I stayed in Riomaggiore on my last visit, and had a great time! While in the area, you could also check out Portovenere, Portofino or Santa Margherita if you're interested. Check the C.T. website to see which one of the villages appeals to you the most; if you need further details or information on each village, post another note (check the other posts here, as I'm sure there's information already listed).

Could you provide details on your reasons for staying in Lyon for only one day, and also Milan? I'd be tempted to drop both of those, unless there's a specific reason for going there? It's usually a good idea to limit one day stops if possible, as they get very tiring after a while.

Your Itinerary still seems a bit "convoluted" and inefficient IMO. Is there a reason you've chosen the sequence of visits in that order?

Cheers!!!