Carmi

This June, my boyfriend & I are spending 18 days in Europe. We' re covering Brussels, Paris, Barcelona and finally Italy. And if time and budget still permits, Germany. But I can let go of that in case. In that flow, can you suggest the best means of transportation to get us through from one country to another? Is it wise to just look for accommodation when we get there as well as the plane/train tickets? Please help me with the itinerary. What are the must do and can't miss in each place? I wanna make the most out of the trip without breaking my bank. I'm on a budget. Thanks!

cathies

Carmi, you need to think about what you have posted. I'm hopeful that you meant one city in Italy, not the entire country and that you meant the same for Germany. Otherwise, as you know from the responses to your other post, it isn't possible to see 3 cities and two entire countries in 18 days.

Everytime you change cities it costs you more money and time, so if as you say, you are on a budget then you need to choose 2 or maybe 3 places that you would really like to see and then plan.

Where are you from? Will you be jetlagged when you arrive at your first city?

qwovadis

Congrats on your trip go a lot just got back.

2 good sites 2 review

eurocheapo.com

ricksteves.com

usually train like a local on the short legs

seat61.com

avoid pass almost always a rip off pass cost per day too high

unless training relentlessly every day of your vacay.

fly econo long legs booked in advance skyscanner.net

18 days not much time just head down to Paris sunfrance.com

Barcelona maybe fly Vueling econo to Rome train around Italy

Head up toward Venice for Munich and Germany via Austria

great training pretty cheap on local trains.

insuremytrip.com always wise...

Have fun!

adrienne

I'm not sure the answers here will be much different from your other post. Your other post was almost 2 months ago and it seems that you have not made any progress with your trip plans.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-15-days.cfm?7

You're trying to cover 3 cities and an entire country (plus perhaps 1 more country) in 18 days (your other post said 15 days so I guess you have added 3 more days to the trip).

You're on a budget but the more you move around the more the trip will cost. Also you're leaving the planning very late to get discounted train and plane fares. The best budget accommodations are usually booked months ahead, not as you go.

Brussels to Paris - train. Paris to Barcelona, Italy, Germany - fly. Of course, if you're going to northern Italy you could take a train to Germany (depending where in Germany). See how not knowing where you are going makes it difficult to give advice?

What to see - please get some guide books (they're free from libraries) and do some reading to learn what each city/country offers. I'm always surprised at the number of people who book trips and then ask what to see once there. What prompted you to visit the places you've chosen if you do not know what to see.

No one can suggest what to do since we do not know anything about you or your interests nor do we know how much time you have allotted to each location nor do we know where in Italy or Germany you plan to visit.

You have very little time to plan but I suggest you only see 3 cities in the 18 days and that they be fairly close together. Brussels (not sure why you chose Brussels - it's not a hot spot), Paris, someplace in Germany.

mamcalice

WIth 18 days I recommend something like Paris, Barcelona and Italy. Skip Germany for this trip. Spend 5 days in Paris, 3 in Barcelona and 10 in Italy. Visit either Venice and Rome or Florence and Rome. Fly into Paris and out of Rome. Fly between Paris and Barcelona and between Barcelona and Italy. Take trains in Italy.

Let us know more about why you are going to Europe and why you are interested in visiting the places you have included in your itinerary. Do you like museums, churches, hiking, wine? More help please.

Carmi

The only reason to go to Brussels is to meet a friend.Maybe an overnight then fly to Paris. Go to the must sees then fly to Barcelona. Then fly again to Italy- Venice, Rome Florence. Haven't booked all the transfers though. We can let go of Germany & fly to Amsterdam. That's where our flight back to Manila will be. We're not much after hiking & other strenuous activities. More of churches, museums, local cafes & the likes.

greg

Have you already purchased your flight?
If you suppose you are covering this many places, it seems to make sense to fly into Italy and fly back from AMS. I looked at a sample KLM flight from MNL to VCE in June and fly back from AMS to MNL and it is actually cheaper than a MNL-AMS roundtrip while you eliminate one crossing over Europe.

Here are some strange routings.

Flying Brussels to Paris, why? unless you are meeting your friend at Brussels airport? From Brussels Midi train station to Paris Nord station is 1hr 20min by Thalys train. Flying takes longer considering the check-in process and the airport transports and likely to be more expensive.

Brussels and Amsterdam are 2hrs apart by Thalys train. Is it not possible to group Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam?

Carmi

I mean from Brussels, train to Paris.

despirited

You probably have gathered from the various responses here that your plan is simply not feasible. I appreciate that you are coming all the way from the Philippines and may not get another opportunity like this. I would still consider sticking to Brussels (go to Bruges or Antwerp while you are in Belgium), Paris, and Germany. Fitting Italy and Spain/Barcelona is simply too much. Paris (3-5 days) and Germany (Cologne), and Belgium would consume all 18 days that you have. You will be back.

janisj

So now you've added the Netherlands into your plan (flying out of Amsterdam -- that is a semi-important fact you left out)

Sorry, but you are in this waaaaay over your head. Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, some places in Italy, possibly someplace in Germany, and finishing up in Amsterdam -- just a few weeks from now . . . And you haven't made any plans?

This is crazy. I know you think everyone is being difficult/maybe picking on you. But honestly you will spend a literal FORTUNE on last minute fares, and possibly on accommodations too.

Brussels, Paris for 5-6 days, 7-10 days in Italy, fly to Amsterdam and there's your 18 days. No Barcelona, no Germany. But it is awfully late to be planning any of this . . .