Planning 3 weeks in Europe

[hurock]

Hello from the south shore of Montreal!

I decided recently to go on a backpacking trip in Europe for 3 weeks through the month of June. My plane ticket is already booked, I arrive in Paris on the 4th and leave the 28th. Don't tell me it would have been better to take an open-jaw, but I saved a great deal of money by taking a Montreal-Paris round-trip ticket... Anyway, I intend to travel by train or on low-cost flights.

Now, I already stayed 10 days in Paris back in 2007 and with a day-trip to Brussels. It was a superb experience with my comrades at the end of high school. So, these two cities are out of my list for my trip in June. Considering that I'll be traveling alone for the first time, I don't intend to visit a lot of big European cities.

I thought about some itineraries to follow: Venice -> Napoli; Andalucia; Munich -> Prague via Salzburg or Budapest -> Prague via Vienna.

These are just rough ideas, but I think you get what I wish to do, I want to have time to enjoy the cities I'll be visiting and not feeling like I'm on a race around Europe.

I would be very happy to receive other suggestions. I don't mind if it is a trip through southern France or through Switzerland. I just want it to be feasible and easy for a first-time backpack experience. Then, I might be able to make a clear choice on what I'll do.

Thank you!

[Eagle]

hurock,

Bonjour, and welcome to the Boards!

As you've only got three weeks and have to be back in Paris for your flight home, I'd suggest limiting the geographical area so that you minimize travel times. You'll have to allow time at the end to get back to Paris at the end of the trip.

Were you planning to stay in Paris for a few days at the beginning to get over jet lag?

Two locations that would be fairly easy to visit are the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland and specifically the small village of Gimmelwald. It's basically a small farming village that also caters to tourists and there are some B&B's there as well as the famous Mountain Hostel. Have a look at www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ru9JguLrY for a better look at the village.

You could also visit the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, which is another favourite of many here (the area where Pesto was invented). Hiking the trails between the five small villages is almost a compulsory activity for the majority of people that visit there (note that a Park Pass is required to hike the trails - there WILL be people checking!). The trails vary in difficulty, with the first two from the north being the most challenging. Have a look at www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiVuyivVyU0 for a better look at the area.

Munich is a fantastic city, so if you have time it's well worth 2-3 days. There's lots to see in the city, but most visitors use it as a home base to visit Neuschwanstein Castle and/or Dachau. If you need further suggestions on Munich, post another note. It's also very close to Salzburg, so easy to visit both cities.

If I think of any other suggestions, I'll post another note.

[donrobert]

i think you need to drop prague and choose a location that is nearer...