14-16 day Europe Trip (after college graduation)
Dec 27th, 2015, 04:03 PM
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14-16 day Europe Trip (after college graduation)
Hi All,
Was hoping to get some ideas/thoughts about my friends and I's plan in Europe. We plan on leaving mid June for a 14-16 day trip. All four of us would like to hit the bars/nightclubs most nights, and would like to tour some great areas. We would like to hit the following areas (in order but could be rearranged):
1) Barcelona
2) Paris
3) Amsterdam
4) Munich
5) Venice, Italy
Our budget per person is $4,500. This includes:
$1,500 flight to and from (Illinois)
$110 Eurorail pass (pick 4 countries to travel within)
$800 Food
$750 stay (combination of Airbnb, hotels, and hostels)
$1,000 misc. (tours, nightclubs, etc.)
$340 (2 flights from Barcelona to Paris and Munich to Italy)
We believe both stay, and flight can be lessened while food, misc. and the two flights could increase.
Days 1,16 flying to and from
Days 2,3,4 Barcelona
Days 5,6,7 Paris
Days 8,9,10 Amsterdam
Days 11,12,13 Munich
Days 14,15 Italy
Within this we understand the travel portion (going from Barcelona to Paris and so fourth) Therefore, some countries will be 2.5 or even 2 days because of travel.
Do any of you guys have suggestions in the following countries on what to do/see/where to go and etc.? Also, does this plan seem realistic? Do we need to take out one of the 5 countries? If so, which one would you do?
NOTE: Any advice is great advice. Please comment if you have an opinion, criticism, thoughts and etc. THANK YOU
Was hoping to get some ideas/thoughts about my friends and I's plan in Europe. We plan on leaving mid June for a 14-16 day trip. All four of us would like to hit the bars/nightclubs most nights, and would like to tour some great areas. We would like to hit the following areas (in order but could be rearranged):
1) Barcelona
2) Paris
3) Amsterdam
4) Munich
5) Venice, Italy
Our budget per person is $4,500. This includes:
$1,500 flight to and from (Illinois)
$110 Eurorail pass (pick 4 countries to travel within)
$800 Food
$750 stay (combination of Airbnb, hotels, and hostels)
$1,000 misc. (tours, nightclubs, etc.)
$340 (2 flights from Barcelona to Paris and Munich to Italy)
We believe both stay, and flight can be lessened while food, misc. and the two flights could increase.
Days 1,16 flying to and from
Days 2,3,4 Barcelona
Days 5,6,7 Paris
Days 8,9,10 Amsterdam
Days 11,12,13 Munich
Days 14,15 Italy
Within this we understand the travel portion (going from Barcelona to Paris and so fourth) Therefore, some countries will be 2.5 or even 2 days because of travel.
Do any of you guys have suggestions in the following countries on what to do/see/where to go and etc.? Also, does this plan seem realistic? Do we need to take out one of the 5 countries? If so, which one would you do?
NOTE: Any advice is great advice. Please comment if you have an opinion, criticism, thoughts and etc. THANK YOU
Dec 27th, 2015, 04:44 PM
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You have basically 2 weeks - and it really makes a difference based on exact number of nights on the ground. Do not count the day you arrive (will be 1/2 day at best and likely jet lagged) or the day you depart.
Assume you actually have 12.5 days on the ground (out of 14) and you deduct 2 days for travel between cities you now have 10 days and at least 5 cities. If you want to just do Venice in Italy - still incredibly rushed - if you want to see any place else in Italy then really not doable.
IMHO every one of these cities needs at least 3 full days - and Paris 4 full days (5 nights) so I think you are making the classic first time traveler mistake of trying to put 20 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound bag.
In the time you have I would limit myself to 3 cities - pick those that are your must sees. I would drop Munich and Barcelona, but you might want to make it Munich and Venice.
Be sure you get open jaw tickets into your first city and out of your last (multi-destination on the air web sites).
Then take a look at what you want to see and do (and I assume that you won;t want a lot of early starts - 7 or 8 am trains - due to all of the nightlife) that means travel from one place to another will eat up even more of the travel days.
As for your budget - it is very tight. If you are looking at quad rooms be aware that is OK for hostels but is difficult in hotels since most rooms are one double bed for 2 people - and many hotels may have only 1 or 2 quad rooms. You would need to book as far in advance as possible.
Finally do consider AC. Unlike the US AC is NOT universal in europe - and Spain and Italy can both be very hot - I wouldn't consider any lodging without AC.
I would discuss this with your trip mates - as well as a detailed discussion of how money will be handled - including commitment of substantial funds up front. Very often these trips end up with fewer participants that originally planned and that can increase costs for everyone else.
If anyone is hesitant to commit to air far in advance, assume they may not go. This happened to my 19 year old DD a couple of summers ago. They were supposed to be 4 but one kept delaying and having excuses about why she couldn't pay for her air (and trying to get the others to subsidize it). smartly they refused and she ended up not going since she had spent her trip money elsewhere.
Assume you actually have 12.5 days on the ground (out of 14) and you deduct 2 days for travel between cities you now have 10 days and at least 5 cities. If you want to just do Venice in Italy - still incredibly rushed - if you want to see any place else in Italy then really not doable.
IMHO every one of these cities needs at least 3 full days - and Paris 4 full days (5 nights) so I think you are making the classic first time traveler mistake of trying to put 20 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound bag.
In the time you have I would limit myself to 3 cities - pick those that are your must sees. I would drop Munich and Barcelona, but you might want to make it Munich and Venice.
Be sure you get open jaw tickets into your first city and out of your last (multi-destination on the air web sites).
Then take a look at what you want to see and do (and I assume that you won;t want a lot of early starts - 7 or 8 am trains - due to all of the nightlife) that means travel from one place to another will eat up even more of the travel days.
As for your budget - it is very tight. If you are looking at quad rooms be aware that is OK for hostels but is difficult in hotels since most rooms are one double bed for 2 people - and many hotels may have only 1 or 2 quad rooms. You would need to book as far in advance as possible.
Finally do consider AC. Unlike the US AC is NOT universal in europe - and Spain and Italy can both be very hot - I wouldn't consider any lodging without AC.
I would discuss this with your trip mates - as well as a detailed discussion of how money will be handled - including commitment of substantial funds up front. Very often these trips end up with fewer participants that originally planned and that can increase costs for everyone else.
If anyone is hesitant to commit to air far in advance, assume they may not go. This happened to my 19 year old DD a couple of summers ago. They were supposed to be 4 but one kept delaying and having excuses about why she couldn't pay for her air (and trying to get the others to subsidize it). smartly they refused and she ended up not going since she had spent her trip money elsewhere.
Dec 27th, 2015, 08:31 PM
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I don't want to discourage you from going to Venice if you all want to go, but it is not a place for nightlife, nor is it cheap. You can certainly find some bars and there are probably places where young people go dancing or hear music somewhere in the city or nearby, and of course there is the extraordinary city to stroll around at night, but pointing that out in caae your group wants to talk it over.
Cities in Italy young people go for the nightlife are Rome, Milan, and Torino.
Personally, I would maybe eliminate Italy. I might do something like Amsterdam, Antwerp, Paris, Munich, Barcelona. Or vice versa.
Cities in Italy young people go for the nightlife are Rome, Milan, and Torino.
Personally, I would maybe eliminate Italy. I might do something like Amsterdam, Antwerp, Paris, Munich, Barcelona. Or vice versa.
Dec 28th, 2015, 12:10 AM
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You can travel by train from Barcelona to Paris in about 6 1/2 hours, or a long overnight train. You can get from Munich to Venice in about 7 hours, also with an overnight train option. That compares favourably with the extra time around air travel, which can turn these 1-2 hour flights into 5-6 hour affairs.
Add up the cost of the 2 airfares, 4 separate transports to and from the airports to the city centres and compare that to extending your rail pass to 5 countries and paying the little bit extra to travel the Italy portion from Munich. Right now you can book the Munich to Venice fare for 39 Euros, if you book far enough ahead (3 months max). It might make more financial sense. There are some pretty cheap flights between your city pairs but if you stayed near the rail stations in each city I still think that it might be cheaper to take the train and avoid the airport aspect of the trip.
Considering your age and interests, Venice would be the one to drop if you felt pressed, but your original itinerary is still fine. Four 3 overnight stays followed by one 2 overnight stay before you leave is doable. It makes Venice a bit of a hit and run, but you may want that for the chance to see it. It makes taking the night train from Munich a better option as it would give you 2 complete days there.
Add up the cost of the 2 airfares, 4 separate transports to and from the airports to the city centres and compare that to extending your rail pass to 5 countries and paying the little bit extra to travel the Italy portion from Munich. Right now you can book the Munich to Venice fare for 39 Euros, if you book far enough ahead (3 months max). It might make more financial sense. There are some pretty cheap flights between your city pairs but if you stayed near the rail stations in each city I still think that it might be cheaper to take the train and avoid the airport aspect of the trip.
Considering your age and interests, Venice would be the one to drop if you felt pressed, but your original itinerary is still fine. Four 3 overnight stays followed by one 2 overnight stay before you leave is doable. It makes Venice a bit of a hit and run, but you may want that for the chance to see it. It makes taking the night train from Munich a better option as it would give you 2 complete days there.
Dec 28th, 2015, 08:46 AM
#5
If hitting the bars are the main objective with a certain amount of letting the hair down and just a bit of culture I might do the following
1) stay in hostels, you will meet more people of the right age and mind-set there than any of the other options
2) look at Barcelona/Amsterdam and Ibiza do not look at Munich and Venice
3) go on thorntree to get more age relevant advice
Most countries will have concert and festival websites start looking
When I used to do this stuff I didn't travel massive distances but I traveled often, so maybe 3 nights in Barcelona and the three nights in Ibiza, because guys, traveling is a bore it is arriving that is special
1) stay in hostels, you will meet more people of the right age and mind-set there than any of the other options
2) look at Barcelona/Amsterdam and Ibiza do not look at Munich and Venice
3) go on thorntree to get more age relevant advice
Most countries will have concert and festival websites start looking
When I used to do this stuff I didn't travel massive distances but I traveled often, so maybe 3 nights in Barcelona and the three nights in Ibiza, because guys, traveling is a bore it is arriving that is special
Dec 28th, 2015, 08:51 AM
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$110 Eurorail pass (pick 4 countries to travel within)> must be a typo - more than that but if you go the Eurail Youthpass route it still will be a bargain if you go to all those places by train though compare also against discounted tickets which however must be booked in stone weeks/months in advance to get and typically cannot be changed nor refunded - the pass lets you chose which trains to take once there - anyway for lots on European trains and passes check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You can take overnight trains to save the cost of an accommodation and daytime travel time - even more than flying plus for a group together a night train can be a ball - bring any food or drink you want on board and party down if you wish (if all in the same compartment but if with strangers then be more discrete of course.
You can take overnight trains to save the cost of an accommodation and daytime travel time - even more than flying plus for a group together a night train can be a ball - bring any food or drink you want on board and party down if you wish (if all in the same compartment but if with strangers then be more discrete of course.
Dec 28th, 2015, 09:43 AM
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My two sons (25 and 29) went last year for two weeks. They flew into Amsterdam, took the train to Berlin then Prague then to Frankfurt to fly home. The favourite was Berlin.
They travelled on a shoestring, staying in hostels and doing the walking tours etc. They did not get a rail pass, it was cheaper to do point to point. Their trip, not including air to/from was under $2,000 each
Munich would be a great choice IMO. Venice, like others say, is very very expensive and not really a nightlife place.
They travelled on a shoestring, staying in hostels and doing the walking tours etc. They did not get a rail pass, it was cheaper to do point to point. Their trip, not including air to/from was under $2,000 each
Munich would be a great choice IMO. Venice, like others say, is very very expensive and not really a nightlife place.
Dec 28th, 2015, 03:20 PM
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Some judicious editing will make this a better trip. Like others, I'd cut Venice for sure. Four is the absolute maximum number os cities I'd try for in your time, and I think you'll be happier if you cut it down to three. Why? Every time you change locations, you lose at least half a day - time you could be enjoying rather than transiting. Also, the more time you spend in a place, the more you will find things to do that really interest you.
Dec 28th, 2015, 04:39 PM
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For partying and a young city I would suggest that Berlin is a much more likely choice than Munich. Not only great nightlife but also very budget friendly.
Per the note above the poster's sons traveled for about $3K each for 2 weeks - which I think is more realistic than the $2500 or so I had listed.
(When my DD went with friends - but for 6 weeks - a couple of years ago she spent about $8K all in (modest hotels, student nightlife and very limited shopping).
Per the note above the poster's sons traveled for about $3K each for 2 weeks - which I think is more realistic than the $2500 or so I had listed.
(When my DD went with friends - but for 6 weeks - a couple of years ago she spent about $8K all in (modest hotels, student nightlife and very limited shopping).
Dec 29th, 2015, 06:37 PM
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If you really want to maximize the nightclub and party aspect, I would suggest you limit your trip to Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam. This gives you enough time to go out and meet some people and so forth.
On the other hand, if what you want to do is see a lot of Europe while having a jolly good time, I think you have a good trip almost as you have it set out. I would subtract one day from Munich and add one day to Paris. Also you should be aware that it probably takes longer to fly from Munich to Venice than to take a train when you account for travel time to and from the airports. You should never fly in Europe when it is possible to take a train.
Everyone is saying dump Venice. Just NO! You do not have to go out to a disco every night. You can have great fun drinking beer on St. Mark's Square, and Venice is absolutely the most unique place you will see in all of Europe. It is the one place that no one should skip, ever, even if only staying for one night.
On the other hand, if what you want to do is see a lot of Europe while having a jolly good time, I think you have a good trip almost as you have it set out. I would subtract one day from Munich and add one day to Paris. Also you should be aware that it probably takes longer to fly from Munich to Venice than to take a train when you account for travel time to and from the airports. You should never fly in Europe when it is possible to take a train.
Everyone is saying dump Venice. Just NO! You do not have to go out to a disco every night. You can have great fun drinking beer on St. Mark's Square, and Venice is absolutely the most unique place you will see in all of Europe. It is the one place that no one should skip, ever, even if only staying for one night.
Dec 30th, 2015, 01:24 AM
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I don't think of Paris as a party town for young people. Munich more fits that description, and I agree with those who point to Berlin as well (and I tossed in Antwerp.)
A beer in piazza San Marco is likely to set you back more than 15 euros per beer. If you want to dump Venice, dump it. I can't say I wish I'd skipped Venice, and maybe someday you'll want to see it, but beware the Venice bullies who will never recognize that Venice that loads of people go to Venice and dislike the place, it doesn't fit well into every trip, the world is full of amazing unique places and tourist-polluted Venice is just one of them, and you know: this is your trip with your friends, and it would be stupid to go to places strangers tell you they'll be disapprove of you if you don't go. Good practice for an adult future by learning early to give those people the brush off. Next they'll be telling you to start having kids right away.
A beer in piazza San Marco is likely to set you back more than 15 euros per beer. If you want to dump Venice, dump it. I can't say I wish I'd skipped Venice, and maybe someday you'll want to see it, but beware the Venice bullies who will never recognize that Venice that loads of people go to Venice and dislike the place, it doesn't fit well into every trip, the world is full of amazing unique places and tourist-polluted Venice is just one of them, and you know: this is your trip with your friends, and it would be stupid to go to places strangers tell you they'll be disapprove of you if you don't go. Good practice for an adult future by learning early to give those people the brush off. Next they'll be telling you to start having kids right away.
Dec 30th, 2015, 10:32 AM
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I don't think of Paris as a party town for young people. Munich more fits that description, and I agree with those who point to Berlin as well>
I agree and Paris 'clubs' start very late - 11pm or so often and a drink can cost a fortune - the minimum drink and also those thereafter.
Amsterdam is the party capital of Europe for young folk IME - in large part because of legalized cannabis sold over the counter from a menu in zillions of coffeeshops. The Bulldog Palace is one great meeting/party place for young folk:
http://www.thebulldog.com/palace-amsterdam
Lots of American college age folks always there.
some nice hostels have their own hopping pubs down below and are pot friendly - so if into partying and pot Amsterdam is a great option unduplicated in Europe TMK. Young Europeans flock there from all over for the same reasons.
I agree and Paris 'clubs' start very late - 11pm or so often and a drink can cost a fortune - the minimum drink and also those thereafter.
Amsterdam is the party capital of Europe for young folk IME - in large part because of legalized cannabis sold over the counter from a menu in zillions of coffeeshops. The Bulldog Palace is one great meeting/party place for young folk:
http://www.thebulldog.com/palace-amsterdam
Lots of American college age folks always there.
some nice hostels have their own hopping pubs down below and are pot friendly - so if into partying and pot Amsterdam is a great option unduplicated in Europe TMK. Young Europeans flock there from all over for the same reasons.
Dec 30th, 2015, 11:58 AM
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airbnb and hotels are isolating - if into meeting folks your age to party or have fun with or whatever stick to hostels - a meeting place for young guns from all over the world - again Let's Go Europe clues you into hip nice hostels - there are often dozens to chose from in a city like Paris or Amsterdam and warns you about the dumps.
I would urge you to stick to hostels if you want to meet other folks you age easily and then go out with them or stay right at the hostel bar.
I would urge you to stick to hostels if you want to meet other folks you age easily and then go out with them or stay right at the hostel bar.
Dec 30th, 2015, 12:19 PM
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There is a lot of good advice here. As for Venice, save it for the year before you become wheelchair bound. Since you are bar hopping I think that you should start with Amsterdam (with a side trip to Haarlem), then do London or Dublin, and then a cheap flight to Riga for a weekend. Definitely stay in hostels, but respect the right of others to sleep.
