Brothers going to Europe

[gordooo]

Me and my brother are going to Europe in August 2009, right around the 10th. Waiting for prices to drop on the airline tickets. Had prices checked from Chicago to London at beginning of September for $733, and travel agency called in middle of October and said they raised to $1250. We will see what happens with that. But here is the rough outline of where we are going and for how long.

London for 3 days to Paris
Paris for 3 days to Madrid
Madrid for 3 days to Barcelona
Barcelona for 3 days to Bunol, Spain
Bunol for 1 day to Nice, France HAVE TO BE HERE LAST WEDNESDAY OF AUGUST. for the La Tomatina Festival
Nice for 2 days to Rome
Rome for 3 days to Venice
Venice for 3 days to either Switzerland or Austria don't know which one to choose yet, little help here.
3 days at one of those places to Prague
Prague for 3 days to Munich
Munich for 3 days to Amsterdam
Amsterdam for 3 days back to London an then home.

Please say which places we should spend more/less time at. What we MUST see at these places.
I plan in bringing $6000 us dollars, and my brother is going to bring $5000.
Post if I need to give more info. All comments are welcome.

[herrbert]

Hi gordooo,

In London, Paris and Madrid I would at least 1 days more. Also note that on the day you arrive you will have to take some time to get over a the jetlag.

See if you can get cheap tickets on Vueling for the piece between Paris and Madrid. (take notice that Ryanair also flies Paris - Madrid, but they fly from Beauvais, which takes some extra time to get there, so avoid them if you can.)

For Madrid I recommend to take 2 daytrips, one to Toledo and one to Segovia, both are smaller places, but also places you can spend a day easily.

The way you are travelling, I would drop Nice, and fly Valencia (close to Bunol), directly to Rome. Taking the train first to Nice, and then onwards to Rome, takes up a really long time.

Switzerland vs Austria. Austria is cheaper, and sceneries are just as good. It depends a little bit for what reason you want to go to these countries. As your next city is Prague, I would vote for Austria, as it would make an easier connection. Maybe spend 2 days in Innsbruck, and a day in Salzburg. (or maybe an extra day in Salzburg for a visit to Werfen and Eisriesenwelt, the Ice caves.)