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Post by drdorian on Jun 13, 2007 21:36:27 GMT -5
First off, just wanted to thank everyone here for all previous posts, as they have been a great help in planning my trip.
im a college student who will be traveling alone in europe for 3 weeks this august. i have the general itinerary down but i need help with some details and logistics for you experts.
i want to go to amsterdam, the alps (switz or austria), italy (dont need big cities, want cinque terre type towns), germany (munich and/or berlin) and 1 other country probably prague in czech.
i plan on buying a global youth pass for unlimited travel for 21 days and my plan so far looks like this:
fly into brussels (2 days/nights)
fly to genoa, italy and train to cinque terre and from there make some trips to sienna or other italian towns (5 days total)
night train to interlaken (3 days)
train to munich (2 days)
train to prague (3 days)
train to berlin (2 days)
train to amsterdam (3 days)
fly home from amsterdam
i realize im not spending as much time in big cities (munich/berlin) as most would recommend but thats not really the goal of my trip. i would like to see as many different areas as possible without rushing too much. if anyone could give me some insights into how i could include anywhere else that i might be neglecting, i would really appreciate it. or any hints on how to incorporate italy more clearly as the trains down there can be long. thanks for all your help!
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Post by madamtrashheap on Jun 14, 2007 0:04:49 GMT -5
drdorian welcome, and if only you really were JD  Good that you've had a look through the other Posts to get an idea of what suits you and your travel plans. But despite the fact taht you say you would like to see as much as possible without rushing, unfortunately that's pretty much what you'll be doing in Berlin with only two days. I'm gathering that you want to see things other than the "big cities" as you're more into the "feel" and atmosphere of a place rather than the standard sights - yes? So, to your itinerary. You would have already seen that Brugge/Bruges is the preferred destination to Brussels in Belgium, but as you're flying in there, and will need time to get over the flight (and I'm a fan of Brussels!) then 2 nights will be fine. Have a look for things to see in Brussels in other Posts, let me know if you can't find them. Italy - as you have only 5 days in total to play with, might I suggest spending 3 of them in CT and 2 in Siena. You could fly into Pisa (if there are flights from Brussels to Pisa - not sure) and spend a few hours there (long enough to take the obligatory photo of the Tower and grab a gelato) before taking the train on to La Spezia then CT. It's a shame you don't have more time for Rome, Florence, Sicily etc, but we'll save that for the next trip. If you really want to see more here, there you'll have to sacrifice time somewhere else, unfortunately. Interlaken - 3 days is good for sightseeing, adventure sports and general gazing at mountains. Is there a reason you chose here instead of further up in the mountains (Gimmelwald, Lauterbrunne, etc)? Munich - 2 days will really only let you see the city and a half-day trip out to Dachau, but if you want to spend a day visiting the Romantic Road castles (Neuschwanstein, etc) then do that and then spend the 2nd day at Dachau in the morning then back in the city for the afternoon/evening. Prague - 3 days will be good, and allow for a day trip to Kutna Hora (although not at the expense of exploring the city first). Suggestion: Stop in Dresden for a few hours on the way to Berlin from Prague (check the train route). Berlin - you've already noted that 2 days isn't much time here, so I won't harp on (and on!) about it, I'll just recommend that you plan what you want to see well, and plan to come back! Amsterdam - are you taking the overnight train from Berlin? Flying will give you more time (check www.transavia.com ), but the train, on some routes, stops in Cologne so you could spend a few hours there to see the Cathedral and town before continuing to Amsterdam. 3 full days in Amsterdam is plenty. Hopefully that gives you something to work with a little more and see if you can refine your itinerary. Happy planning!
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Post by drdorian on Jun 14, 2007 6:09:23 GMT -5
Thank you so much for your response. Ill try to explain some of my thinking now.
I thought I could base in interlaken and take a side trip to gimmelwald. Is that possible?
You were correct in assuming I'm not big on the "sights." I want the different atmospheres of diff. Cultures. That being said, does anyone think it makes more sense to limit myself to one of munich or berlin and add a few days to somewhere new? Anyone with opinions on any part of my plan, I would be so appreciative of anything!
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Post by herrbert on Jun 14, 2007 8:30:36 GMT -5
If you would feel like you can always visit Berlin another time, then it would be possible to fly Prague - Amsterdam with SkyEurope. so it would be possible.
As you would already go from Munich to Prague. I would reckon a stop in Salzburg (with possible daytrips to Werfen or Innsbruck), or a stop in Cesky Krumlov, would be good alternatives.
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Post by Eagle on Jun 14, 2007 16:15:28 GMT -5
drdorian, I have a few comments to add to the others. With only three weeks to spend in Europe, I tend to agree with herrbert in that perhaps Berlin could be left for a subsequent visit. This would provide a bit more of a relaxed schedule for travel between locations, as well as a slightly different blend of cities (Salzburg is a good choice). You didn't indicate where you're flying from, so it's difficult to make specific recommendations. However, one thought that occurred to me is that it might be more efficient to structure your trip so that you visit Brussels and Amsterdam first, then fly to Prague and go from there. For the flight home, choose a major airport such as Frankfurt or perhaps one of the Swiss airports (again, I don't know the specifics of your situation, or whether you've already bought your tickets?). Depending on which cities you finally settle on, you might be able to get by with a less expensive Rail Pass as well. Once you have a list of cities, enter the information at www.railsaver.com to see which pass the web site recommends. Regarding a visit to Gimmelwald -- Yes, you can certainly base yourself in Interlaken and take a day trip to Gimmelwald; it's not that far. If you want to take a trip to the top of the Schiilthorn, it's a bit expensive but an interesting trip (with great views!). If you feel "adventurous", there are Paragliding firms in both Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen. There are other Posts here that describe how to get to Gimmelwald, but if you need further information post another note. It's always nice to stop for a Beer and savour the ambience of Gimmelwald for a while, especially in the late afternoon when the sun is setting over the glacier! You didn't mention which of the five Cinque Terre towns you were planning to stay in? Let us know if you need any further information. August is not far away! Good luck with your planning!
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Post by drdorian on Jun 15, 2007 5:32:38 GMT -5
my biggest dilemna now is deciding where to stay in italy and in the alps- in italy im looking for small towns near the water, with hills. in the alps im looking for either austria or switzerland, in the mountains with spectacular views and a chance to go whitewater rafting.
for both italy and my alps stop i would like to base myself in one place and be able to make several shorter day trips from each. for the alps stop it seems it might make sense to stay somewhere in italy and then make day trips up to austria as they can be under 2 hours.
im looking forward to hearing some opinions on this matter. thanks so much.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Jun 15, 2007 23:40:22 GMT -5
Taking into consideration your brief on Italy, I can suggest two (of many) places: Lake Como (Lago di Como) or Lake Garda (Lago di Garda). Lake Como is stunning, as far as day trips it would be easier to access Switzerland (20kms up the road) and the towns on the lake. Riva del Garda is on the north tip of Lake Garda and would be a good base to access Austria and the towns in the Dolomites as well as day trips to Verona, Sirmione, Bologna and even Venice if you fancy.
I'd suggest also to stay in Innsbruck if you have the time, rather than simply try to travel up and down from Italy. It is a gorgeous town, right in the middle of the Tirol and has easy access to all manner of adventure sports including white water rafting.
As Eagle suggested, staying in Interlaken will mean you can visit Gimmelwald for the day and other parts of the region, but if you really want scenery, then consider staying up in the mountains either in Gimmelwald, or Lauterbrunnen.
Hope that gives you a little more clarity. Any decision on which town to stay in while in Cinque Terre?
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