Does this sound feasible?
Jul 30th, 2014, 09:25 AM
#1
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Does this sound feasible?
My brother and I (18&20), are planning a backpacking trip for June of 2015. We are planning on staying 30 nights. This is what we have come up with so far
Fly from the U.S. to Lisbon
Lisbon 3 nights
Madrid 3 nights
Seville 3 nights
Barcelona 3 nights
South of France 5 nights- have not pinpointed exactly where we want to stay. Any tips?
Zurich 4 nights
Fly to Mykonos
2 nights there
2 nights santorini
2 nights patmos
What is the easiest way to get between each city? I know it is alot of skipping around, but we want to see as much as possible. We have been to Europe several times before so this is nothing new. As for France what is there to do in that region for our age range. Any tips will be appreciated!
Fly from the U.S. to Lisbon
Lisbon 3 nights
Madrid 3 nights
Seville 3 nights
Barcelona 3 nights
South of France 5 nights- have not pinpointed exactly where we want to stay. Any tips?
Zurich 4 nights
Fly to Mykonos
2 nights there
2 nights santorini
2 nights patmos
What is the easiest way to get between each city? I know it is alot of skipping around, but we want to see as much as possible. We have been to Europe several times before so this is nothing new. As for France what is there to do in that region for our age range. Any tips will be appreciated!
Jul 30th, 2014, 09:37 AM
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You will see many places but will not see as much as possible as you have too short a stay in most places. Decide if you want to see as much as possible or go to as many places as possible.
Are you backpacking because you're on a low budget? The more you move around the more you will spend getting to each location.
Fly from Lisbon to Madrid; Barcelona to Nice; take trains for the rest of the itinerary (except Greek islands where you can take ferries).
You're spending more time in Zurich than in Lisbon or the Spanish cities. What is so enticing about Zurich?
Are you flying home from Athens? Will you spend any time there?
Stay in Nice as you'll have a beach and nightlife. You can take trains to other towns on the Riviera.
You will see many places but will not see as much as possible as you have too short a stay in most places. Decide if you want to see as much as possible or go to as many places as possible.
Are you backpacking because you're on a low budget? The more you move around the more you will spend getting to each location.
Fly from Lisbon to Madrid; Barcelona to Nice; take trains for the rest of the itinerary (except Greek islands where you can take ferries).
You're spending more time in Zurich than in Lisbon or the Spanish cities. What is so enticing about Zurich?
Are you flying home from Athens? Will you spend any time there?
Stay in Nice as you'll have a beach and nightlife. You can take trains to other towns on the Riviera.
Jul 30th, 2014, 09:43 AM
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All your travels before Greece can easily be done by Europe's fantastic rail system - and if under 26 you can get a bargain Eurail Select Youthpass (valid in Portugal, Spain, France and Switzerland- if over 25 you can only get a first-class pass that is much more expensive.
For lots of great info on planning a European rail extravaganza check these fine sources: www.seat61.com (great info on discounted tickets you can get if you buy way way in advance and do not plan on changing from a specific train on a specific date they are only valid on); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You can use overnight trains at times - save on daytime travel costs and the night's cost in an accommodation - many younger folks from all over the world use Europe's still vast array of overnight trains.
For lots of great info on planning a European rail extravaganza check these fine sources: www.seat61.com (great info on discounted tickets you can get if you buy way way in advance and do not plan on changing from a specific train on a specific date they are only valid on); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.
You can use overnight trains at times - save on daytime travel costs and the night's cost in an accommodation - many younger folks from all over the world use Europe's still vast array of overnight trains.
Jul 30th, 2014, 10:35 AM
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Just to inject some different ideas - Languadoc area is a wonderful location and just over the border from Spain but not featured on this Board much. Argeles sur Mer and Coillure are delightful and cheaper than Nice
Jul 30th, 2014, 01:57 PM
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Zurich is dull. Cross that off the list and fly from France to Greece.
"What is there to do in [the south of France] for our age range?"
Well are you a partier? Do you like drinking to excess all night? Or do you enjoy museums? Architecture? Early morning people watching at cafes? Not all people age 18-20 like to do the same things, so we'll need more on YOUR interests...
"What is there to do in [the south of France] for our age range?"
Well are you a partier? Do you like drinking to excess all night? Or do you enjoy museums? Architecture? Early morning people watching at cafes? Not all people age 18-20 like to do the same things, so we'll need more on YOUR interests...
Jul 30th, 2014, 02:54 PM
#11
I have friends in Zurich and went there this year after staying away (in spite of their pleading) for the last 5 years. It is as dull as ever. However, if you get the "Swisspass" you can travel on all of the public transportation in the entire country -- rail, municipal and regional bus, tramway, etc. -- on one flat rate. It is a lovely country, and this sort of pass would ensure that you don't have to spend all of your time in Zurich.
It isn't cheap but it pays for itself very quickly: http://www.swiss-pass.ch/en/swiss-pass/
It isn't cheap but it pays for itself very quickly: http://www.swiss-pass.ch/en/swiss-pass/
Jul 30th, 2014, 05:01 PM
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With this itinerary you will not be seeing more you will be seeing way, way less.
Two nights in a town means one full day there. And dealing with ferries in Greece can mean even less if the seas are very rough.
What you have is a very extensive - and expensive - tour of the train stations of europe.
I would cut at least 4 laces from your list - one of them being Zurich - despite knowing someone there.
You have a lot of time to plan. I suggest you get some guide books and some tour brochures and decide what your must sees are in each place. Then figure out how many days it will take to see them.
Then relook at your itinerary.
Two nights in a town means one full day there. And dealing with ferries in Greece can mean even less if the seas are very rough.
What you have is a very extensive - and expensive - tour of the train stations of europe.
I would cut at least 4 laces from your list - one of them being Zurich - despite knowing someone there.
You have a lot of time to plan. I suggest you get some guide books and some tour brochures and decide what your must sees are in each place. Then figure out how many days it will take to see them.
Then relook at your itinerary.
Jul 31st, 2014, 04:25 AM
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I think some folks who say Zurich is 'dull' really have taken only an ephermal look at this multi-faceted cosmopolitan city - the old town is as neat as any in any larger Swiss city - you have hill-climbing trams taking you to hiking paths in lush forest
boat rides on the lake
a wonderful lakeside promenade on its east side - on weekends or nice days it is thronged with folks including many different ethnic types
And Bahnhofstrasse, called the world's richest street - check out its many small boutiques hawking expensive clothes, watches, etc.
That said if I had never been to Switzerland before I'd spend my time elsewhere where the picture of Switzerland etched in many poeples' minds will be fulfilled - like in the fabulous Jungfrau Region around Interlaken.
As large cities go in Europe Zurich is most pleasant - clean as a whistle - but the beauty of Switzerland IMO lies outside of its many nice squeeky clean cities.
boat rides on the lake
a wonderful lakeside promenade on its east side - on weekends or nice days it is thronged with folks including many different ethnic types
And Bahnhofstrasse, called the world's richest street - check out its many small boutiques hawking expensive clothes, watches, etc.
That said if I had never been to Switzerland before I'd spend my time elsewhere where the picture of Switzerland etched in many poeples' minds will be fulfilled - like in the fabulous Jungfrau Region around Interlaken.
As large cities go in Europe Zurich is most pleasant - clean as a whistle - but the beauty of Switzerland IMO lies outside of its many nice squeeky clean cities.
Jul 31st, 2014, 05:41 PM
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Have you tried using this website to search for flights:
http://www.edreams.com/
You enter from and to cities and it will search for any flights that go between the two. Might be worth a try. I've been using it a bit recently for our upcoming Spain/Portugal trip.
Good luck...Michele
http://www.edreams.com/
You enter from and to cities and it will search for any flights that go between the two. Might be worth a try. I've been using it a bit recently for our upcoming Spain/Portugal trip.
Good luck...Michele
