joetoast

My daughter and I plan to backpack several European countries in March 2018. As most who this is their first trip to Europe, there are so many countries, sites, etc. that it is often difficult deciding whether to do Central Europe (Vienna, Salzburg, Prague, Budapest) or the Western (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium/France) trip or even staying South and hitting Venice, Nice, Barcelona. Obviously, she wants to see it all but understands 10 days limits our time in any one region. Any suggestions of best routes to take allowing us to cover 2-3 days per city (I personally would rather hit smaller less touristy cities/villages that are on these train routes). We will likely fly into our beginning city and return home from another.

suze

People can help with your route, after you decide the general regions, but I don't think anyone can guess which of the three itineraries you mention you and your daughter would most enjoy.

At this early planning stage, I suggest getting a pile of guidebooks from the library, look at photos, read about places, to try to narrow down your interests.

Everyone can tell you which cities they like best, but that doesn't necessarily apply to you and your daughter's interests.

joetoast

Thanks for your quick response. If there was only one option, she would choose a trip that included Germany, Prague, Vienna (or Salzburg) and Budapest. Definitely not opposed to night trains, but my understanding is that some of the prettiest scenery is from day train travel.

PalenQ

Get a fix on trains -www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com (online European Planning & Rail Guide gives many itineraries in lots of countries by rail.)

March can be funky weather above the Alps - maybe Italy, southern France, Paris and London?

suze

<she would choose a trip that included Germany, Prague, Vienna (or Salzburg) and Budapest>

Well there you have it!

Seriously I would start planning from there.

Where in Germany? Because even choosing only one city in Germany, then you have 4-5 total, which is a fairly aggressive schedule for only 10 days of travel time.

Prague, Vienna, Budapest only would work well in your time frame.

yorkshire

Ditto Suze--a classic combo, makes me nostalgic for my first trip!

thursdaysd

When you say ten days, are you including the day you arrive and the day you leave? How many nights do you have? Three major cities is aggressive if you have ten nights. Ot takes two nights to get one full day anywhere. You need to allow for travel time.

I agree that in March south of the Alps will be much nicer than north.

janisj

10 days is EXTREMELY short if you mean 10 days in total. 10 days home to home will net you 7.5 days on the ground and then you use another half a day traveling from city to city. So not <i>nearly</i> enough time for Germany, Prague, Vienna or Salzburg, and Budapest.

So pick at most 3 cities: Prague, Vienna and Budapest (Salzburg can be done as a day trip from Vienna) is doable.

Or say Munich, Vienna/Salzburg, and either Prague or Budapest.

That is still awfully aggressive for 10 days.

And if you mean 10 full days in Europe (a 12-13 day trip in total) - that is still only about 8/8.5 days free after accounting for intra Europe travel, so three cities would be about perfect.

PalenQ

Yup 3 cities close together would be my max.

PalenQ

Definitely not opposed to night trains, but my understanding is that some of the prettiest scenery is from day train travel.>

There are no viable overnight trains for those close together cities and yes you want to see the countryside and cities in between.

joetoast

Ok this has been most helpful. So, 10 days includes traveling from Boston to one of the 4 cities and returning there. So if I had to line up the 3 cities with the least traveling time (more time for enjoying the sites and culture), which might b the way to go. All cities look amazing. Thx

StCirq

Whatever you decide you should be looking at open-jaw tickets, NOT a round-trip. You're already short on time for what you want to accomplish, and having to backtrack will eat further into that timeframe.

untraveller

Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam
Day 2 & 3: Amsterdam
Day 4: Afternoon train to Brussels
Day 5: Brussels
Day 6: Train to Paris
Day 7, 8, & 9: Paris
Day 10: Fly Home

janisj

Any three cities will work -- but really only if you do fly open jaw (multi city. If you pick 3 cities but have to return to your arrival city that is essentially 4 cities because you'd have to return to the first city the evening before you fly home.

10 days will net you 7.5 days 'on the ground' and day one may be jet lagged. And even w/o jet lag the logistics make it hard to do much/any serious sightseeing on your arrival day. So with the 7 free days you have you <i>could</i> squeeze in 3 cities, but 2 cities would be better IMO. Especially if one of them is a MAJOR city like Paris.

If you do pick 3 cities -- don't plan on seeing more than a teensy % of the main sites and forget about 'enjoying the culture'

PalenQ

Like untraveller's itinerary but would replace Brussels with Bruges. Or skip Brussels or do a few-hour stop.

janisj

untraveler's itinerary as written isn't possible since the entire trip is 10 days.

They would depart home on Day 1 and arrive in A'dam Day 2.

So more like:

Day 1: Fly out
Day 2: arrive in Amsterdam
Day 3 & 4: Amsterdam Afternoon train to Brussels
Day 5: Afternoon train to Brussels
Day 6: Brussels
Day 7: Train to Paris
Days 8, & 9: Paris
Day 10: Fly Home

IMO not enough time in Amsterdam and DEFINITELY not enough time in Paris. Just Amsterdam & Paris would be better . . .

suze

Hold the phone! How did we get to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris.

I thought the wish list was: "Prague, Vienna (or Salzburg) and Budapest"

PalenQ

They were presenting other choices OP gave as alternative wish.

suze

Hopefully they'll check back in and let us know how trip planning is coming along.