3-4 Month Europe Trip - Rough Draft

[thegerman]

Hello everyone. I have been looking around this board for a little while now however, this is still my first post. I was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback. I am planning a 3-4 month trip to Europe at the end of this year with a friend. It will most likely be from December to April. However, that may change and it might end up being from February to May.

I’ve done some research as to destinations, but am still a little uncertain about how to travel between places. In France and Germany I have family so those won’t require much travel planning or costs.

It’d be great if anyone had any suggestions of things to change or things to cut out or what not.

Thank you ahead of time!!!!! It is much appreciated!!!!


Arrive in Paris, France

France
Paris (9 days)
Train to Heidelberg

Germany
Heidelberg (3 days)
Train to Leipzig
Leipzig (3 days)
Drive to Hamburg
Hamburg (2 weeks)
Fly to Athens

Greece
Athens (5 days) *possible trip over to Crete
Train to Delphi
Delphi (1 day)
Travel to Corfu
Corfu (3 days)
Fly to Rome

Italy
Rome (5 days)
Bus to Sorrento
Sorrento (3 days with trip to Pompeii)
Train to Florence
Florence (2 days)
Train to Venice
Venice (3 days with trip to Verona)
Train to Marseille

France
Marseille (a day or two)
Train to Barcelona

Spain
Barcelona (4 days)
Train to Madrid
Madrid (3 days)
*anyone know some other nice cities to visit in Spain?
Fly to Geneva

Switzerland
Geneva (5 days)
Bus to Chateau de Chillon
Chateau de chillon (a day or two)
Train to Lucerne
Lucerne (3 days)
Train to Zurich
Zurich (2 days)
Train to Salzburg

Austria
Salzburg (2 days)
Train to Vienna
Vienna (3 days)
Train to Prague

Czech Republic
Prague (5 days)
Fly to Amsterdam

Netherlands
Amsterdam (6 days with day trip to The Randstad)

*possible addition of trip to Norway

Fly Home

[herrbert]

Just a couple of things:

The Island season in Greece in not really alive, during the period, that you are traveling, there. (and at least, the possiblilities for cheap flights will be less, both for getting there, and as connections between Athens and the Isles). May would normaly be the start of the season.

*anyone know some other nice cities to visit in Spain?

Sure!, how much time can you spend? I would do 3 days in Barcelona, and 4 in Madrid, as Madrid has some perfect daytrips. (amongs them: Toledo and Segovia)

For the rest consider: Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba. The most interesting cities in the South, and maybe some daytrips from Sevilla, like Jerez or Arcos de la Frontera. (or maybe Gibraltar). Take a not that it can be cold in inland Spain during December, January and February. (so Madrid might be a little colder, than you expect).

You can consider a flight between Barcelona and Madrid, as flying is cheap in Spain, check Vueling Airlines, Spanair, and even Iberia.

I don't see the reason for taking the bus from Rome to Sorrento (you can stick with the train).

Note that the Randstad, is a name give to the collection of Cities in the West/Center of the Netherlands (Amsterdam, The hague, Rotterdam, Delft, Utrecht). For daytrips, you will find that almost everything is within reach in the Netherlands, if you leave early in the morning, you can even make it to Maastricht and back. Closer to Amsterdam, you will find Haarlem is a good option for a daytrip. Rotterdam is not a popular place to visit for tourists, as the city was bombed heavily during WWII, as there isn't a historical city. If next year is like this year, then you can also consider the beach (summer started 4 weeks ago!!!)

[Eagle]

thegerman, some observations and comments on your proposed itinerary.

First, that's not the best time of year to travel in Europe! From what I recall there were some severe weather problems this past winter; hopefully that won't be the case this winter? I realize that may be the only time you have to travel, so as a "compromise" the February - May schedule might be a better idea.

As herrbert mentioned, that time of year is not the best for travel in the Greek islands. However, I believe it would be best to use "open jaw" flights and start your trip in the southern areas, as they'll be a bit warmer in February. As you travel north, hopefully the weather will co-operate?

Even though you have lots of time to travel Europe with 3-4 months to spend there, my preference would still be to plan the most efficient Itinerary. Your present route seems to be a bit "convoluted" in some ways - start in the north, then to the south into Spain and Italy and then back to the north in Austria, etc. I would probably have structured this a bit differently.

Good luck with your planning!!!