30 day whirlwind europe trip!

[bps04]

Hi I'm planning my first oversees excursion and I want to plan it as thoughtfully as possible. I will be in Israel for two week then I will be flying to Greece, I had thought of flying directly into Mykonos. I had planned to spend
a week island hopping in Greece
one week in italy - please advise!
one week in amsterdam
one week in prague
a few days in budapest
then i have to end my trip in tel aviv. thats non negotiable unfortunately. I am considering a Eurail Global Pass for one month. Is that wise? Should I consider buying an Italy/Greece Regional Eurail pass instead and flying the rest? I would appreciate any and all suggestions!

Thanks,
Brad

[herrbert]

Hi Brad,

I think you should first see where you want to go, before buying a pass at all. Cheap flying is the magic word. So let's first focus on where to go.

In 30 days you can see a lot.

Remember Mykonos is one of the busy spots (as the half of Germany will be there), but as a startingpoint I could live with that.

One week in Italy. It depends on your interests. I would at least see Rome, but that would take about 5 days. leaving you with only two, for other towns.

Amsterdam isn't really a big town, so if you want to see the sights, than 3 days is enough (unless you want to see soemthing more of the Netherlands). I would transfer 4 days for a longer stay in Italy. (or maybe to hit Vienna, inbetween Budapest and Prague. I think 3-4 days would do for Prague.

As you want to go back to Israel, then maybe ending you trip in Amsterdam would be good, as you can take the train to Germany to take budget flight from Düsseldorf or Cologne/Bonn Airport to Tel Aviv, with JetAir or TUIfly.

[bps04]

Thanks herrbert, I'm really excited for the Amsterdam coffee shop culture so I feel I may need a week to fully appreciate that to its fullest, what do you think? Italy: tell me about what I CAN'T MISS, all I know of is the Uffitzi musuem and the entire city of Firenze. Is Venice a must see? Is Pisa? I'm 20, I love history and architecture, but I really want to party, can you lead me in that direction? I've heard that Prague is fantastic from my friends, but I'm not sure if I will purchase a global eurail pass or budget flights. I have one month total to spend in Europe and I will go with cheap hostels, your advice is priceless thank you so much.

[me]

René is right on. Rome needs at least 5 days. this is especially true as you are interested in architecture. and Rome is the most important city in the history of Western civilization. (i kid you not!)

in 2004, i was in Rome for 5 days yet left feeling that too much had been missed.

Pisa can be done as a day trip from Florence.

don't know that you have time for Venice. Siena is prolly out, too. but, i found Siena to be one of my faves in Italy.

[herrbert]

Most coffeehops, today are well run shops, with the possibility to buy softdrugs. In most shops you can just go and stand in line, wait for you turn, and tell them what you want, and there will be a place where you can smoke a joint. And that's it. Don't expect too much of it. It's nothing more than a commercialy run business. I would rather spend some days somewhere else, and just go for a shop, in the evening after sightseeing.

If you buy stuff, don't bring it over the border!!!

For Italy, I would go and do the three main attractions: Rome, Florence and Venice. I don't think you will have time for any other cities. Rome for 5 days, Florence 3-4, and Venice 2-3. Pisa you can do as a daytrip, but if you would stay in Florence for 3 days, I wouldn't bother, and leave it on the to-do list for a next trip.