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Post by monsieurv on Jun 14, 2008 9:22:54 GMT -5
Hey guys,
I'm going to Europe in September (some might say it's a bad time to go because of our economy at the moment, but if I don't just go, I don't think any time will be a good time) and I've been trying to plan an effective route. I have the places I want to go, but i'm sure some of you guys have more experience than I do and can help me really perfect it.
I leave for Amsterdam on September 23rd and I come back from the same airport on October 23rd so I have to make a circular route.
This is what I have in mind so far..(no specific dates as of yet for some places)
- Amsterdam & Rotterdam
- Munich (September 30 - October 2 for Oktoberfest, reservations for hostel have been purchased already)
- From Munich train to Zurich
- Zurich train to Milan
- Milan to Venice
- Venice to Ljubljana
- Ljubljana to Budapest
- Budapest to Vienna
- Vienna to Prague
- Stuck where to go to from Prague (any suggestions)?
Budgeting is of course very important, so if anyone has anything better in mind that can help me I appreciate it.
I am staying with a friend in Amsterdam and with family in Milan for a few days. I'm counting on that to save me a little bit of money on a Hostel. I also may couchsurf, but I can't rely on that as much.
Would you think $3000 is enough? As of right now thats like 1,900Euros, so thats about 65 euros per day.
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Post by monsieurv on Jun 14, 2008 11:33:45 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm not really looking for those types of places. I heard from someone Zurich was nice, but if there isn't anything to see there and it's expensive you can sure count me out.
I could go to Neuschwanstein Castle after Munich, but thats like a day trip.
I've toured around Italy before, and I don't really want to spend much time there where I could go places I haven't seen before. I really liked the Tuscany area, Lake Como, Florence and etc. I'm only going to Milan because I have relatives there and it would be a place to stop and save money haha (although I don't really consider Milan a "tourist" city).
Istanbul would be really nice, but I would have to fly there.. it would be cheaper don't you think?
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Post by me on Jun 14, 2008 16:20:57 GMT -5
Zürich is a very pleasant place. aside from the lake (one can see lakes at much lower cost elsewhere!) and a few historic church buildings, there wasn't that much of interest there. the nightlife was out of my price range, too.
didn't know you'd been to Italy before. since The Da Vinci Code book/movie came out saying that Christ & Mary Magdalen were husband & wife, suggesting that Leonardo knew this and depicted Mary Magdalen in his painting, The Last Supper, (which is at Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milan) Milan has become something of a tourist Mecca. actually, the depiction in question is of John, the youngest disciple.
if you want to go to Istanbul, i'd suggest flying from one point in your trip to Istanbul - then from Istanbul to a 3rd city. [for example, if you do skip Zürich, fly from Munich to Istanbul. after your visit there, fly from Istanbul to Milan. (these are just cities we've been chatting about. other pairs might be better)]
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Post by monsieurv on Jun 14, 2008 22:48:01 GMT -5
Yeah, I was thinking maybe after Ljubljana fly out to Istanbul then to Budapest.
The cities you suggested in Czech Rep. seem really interesting, I might have to check them out. Do you think my budget is enough though?
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Post by me on Jun 15, 2008 0:42:01 GMT -5
Do you think my budget is enough though? D'oh! i didn't see that. €65/day will *not* be enough. certainly not in Western Europe. you need more funds, or to shorten your trip. - d |
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Post by herrbert on Jun 15, 2008 17:42:22 GMT -5
Hi monsieurv,
I am wondered about why you put Rotterdam on your list, if you feel you need a city besides A'dam in the Netherlands, The Hague would be a better choice. (Or Groningen (to the north) or even Maastricht (in the south-east).
If you are going to train Amsterdam - Munich, it is possible you will make a stopover in Cologne. From the station it's a very short walk to the Cathedral. So if the opportunity arises, take advantage of it, and spend some time here. (complety budgetproof, as it is for free!)
Between Budapest and Vienna, you can easily spend the day in Bratislava.
The obvious choice to go to after Prague would be Berlin (with a possible stop in Dresden.), and if there is still time you could return to A'dam, with stops in Hamburg (2-3 days), and maybe Groningen (1 day)
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Post by madamtrashheap on Jun 15, 2008 23:13:51 GMT -5
Between Budapest and Vienna, you can easily spend the day in Bratislava. Bingo! The obvious choice to go to after Prague would be Berlin (with a possible stop in Dresden.), and if there is still time you could return to A'dam, with stops in Hamburg (2-3 days), and maybe Groningen (1 day) Adn double-bingo! herrbert took the words right off my keyboard for other cities to see in terms of proximity to your list of cities. Although I must say Istanbul would be a great choice to - awesome city! And the Czech towns listed by David would also be good to insert into your itinerary, especially if you are considering purchasing a train pass for the Czech Republic (it's not included in a Eurail Pass, btw), otherwise if you're simply visiting Prague just buy the individual ticket rather than a country pass. You could also simply do a day trip to somewhere like Kutna Hora if you're staying in Prague for a few days. You'll have to really do your research in terms of budget accommodation choices if you can't increase your Euro65 a day budget, although if you stick to central Europe you'll be a little better off. |
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Post by monsieurv on Jun 18, 2008 23:24:31 GMT -5
Herrbert, I'm going to Rotterdam because I have a friend studying abroad there for the fall, so I'll be staying with her for a while.
From Amsterdam to Munich i'll be most likely flying, and I will definitely take notice on the other cities you have mentioned. Thank you so much!
madamtrashheap, I plan on staying 2-3 days each city tops.. and I will definitely have to account my budget more carefully. Although I didn't think Hostels were that expensive.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Jun 19, 2008 0:03:22 GMT -5
monsieurv, the Euro65 a day reference was counting in all of your costs (accom., food, transport once in Europe), but if you aren't counting transport, ie you have money aside for a pass/flights, and are happy to share large dorms rather than single rooms in hostels, then you should be OK in most places. It really does depend on your accommodation preferences and of course availabilty. There have been a few recent Posts in Accommodation regarding hostels and budget accommodation - have a look through and see if any of them apply to your cities of choice. That you already have accommodation in Munich for O'fest is a very good thing! And to add to your budget, a Maß (litre of beer) will cost around Euro7 and a pork knuckle or half-chicken roasted will be around Euro5...otherwise there are always pretzels! ;D
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Post by herrbert on Jun 20, 2008 18:31:18 GMT -5
Herrbert, I'm going to Rotterdam because I have a friend studying abroad there for the fall, so I'll be staying with her for a while. From Amsterdam to Munich i'll be most likely flying, and I will definitely take notice on the other cities you have mentioned. Thank you so much! madamtrashheap, I plan on staying 2-3 days each city tops.. and I will definitely have to account my budget more carefully. Although I didn't think Hostels were that expensive. Friends are the best reason to visit!!. Check out a little corner of Rotterdam called Delfshaven, it's abit different from the rest of town, and more like other (older) places. For a flight from Amsterdam to Munich: I am not aware that there is a cheap flight between these two cities. But the German trains are not that bad. |
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Post by monsieurv on Jun 21, 2008 11:08:25 GMT -5
I'm definitely taking your advice and considering traveling from Budapest to Bratislava then to Vienna. It seems like a common sense decision to do so. I haven't decided if I am going to buy the pass yet, I heard it isn't always so efficient to do so, and I have gotten so many mixed reviews so I really don't know what I should do. And another thing, I'm going mid-september to october should I look into booking hostels in advance or should i take the risk? I don't think it would be a super busy season but you never know. madamtrashheap, I got really lucky with Oktoberfest, we booked our hostel really late too. Of course we are not going on the weekend so I think that might of been why. And Pretzels will be it of course! haha  |
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zsoulan00
Full Travel Member
Have Funds, Will Travel
Posts: 12
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Post by zsoulan00 on Jun 22, 2008 10:50:16 GMT -5
if you can stop over in KOLN from Amterdam, it would be worth it. Look up the Station Hostel. It's cheap, and 3 blocks from the cathedral/train station.
as soon as you walk off the train in Koln, the cathedral is directly in front of you. it's an amazing city.
also: find a club called Subway.
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Post by monsieurv on Jul 29, 2008 11:23:52 GMT -5
Alright so I have updated my itenerary a little bit...
Amsterdam/Rotterdam
Rotterdam to Munich (Oktoberfest)
Munich to Milan
Milan to Ljubljana
Ljubljana to Budapest
Budapest to Bratislava
Bratislava to Vienna
Vienna to Prague
Prague to Berlin
Berlin fly out to Copenhagen
Copenhagen fly back to Brussels
Brussels back to Amsterdam
I havent configured the exact days I will be spending in some places yet, and only Milan because of family.. I'm trying to budget as much as I can, I've visited Italy before, trying to check out other places I haven't...
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