alecksonajetplane

Hello all . I'm currently in the process of finalizing my four week Europe itinerary. I'm trying to be as detailed and planned as I can, so I figured I'd post my itinerary in two separate posts to ensure that each area is getting the attention that it needs .

Before I begin, I think I should probably give you all some background information about myself. I will be twenty years old by the time of travel, and will have just finished my first year of college. Thus, as a typical student, I will be staying in hostels with a limited budget, but not so limited that I will not be able to enjoy the sights. This will be my first trip to Europe, and will be doing this leg of the trip by myself. I will be vacationing with my Parents in London, Italy, and Paris for two weeks prior to the start of my trip on May 18, so jet lag will not be a factor.

While I realise that this may be tailored in a faster pace than the average Fodorite is used to, I'd like to think that I did enough research to ensure that I'm not completely running myself ragged and breezing through the sights (though feel free to tell me otherwise as you see fit =D).

I am looking for any tips, suggestions, and comments to further improve my itinerary. I also welcome your thoughts on the sights listed and what, in your experience, should be added or taken out.

Well, I think I've digressed enough, so here it is:


May 18: Train from Paris to Brussels, arrive at 10:00AM.
- Store luggage at station
- Walk around Grand Place area
- Tour La Maison du Roi
- If time permits, or if I feel like it, stop by at Palais des Beaux Arts
Train to Brugges, departing at 16:00. Overnight in Brugges.

May 19: Day trip to Ypres from Brugges (since apparently, most of the sights in Brugges are closed on Mondays)
- In Flanders Field Museum
- St Martin's Cathedral
- St George's Memorial Church
- Menin Gate

May 20: Brugges
- Walk around Markt & Burg
- Belfort
- Stadhuis
- Basilica of the Holy Blood
- Church of Our Lady

May 21: Day trip to Ghent
- Gravensteen
- Walk around Parteshol, Graslei
- St Niklaaskerk
- St Baafskathedral

May 22: Train to Amsterdam (ARR 12:06)
- Van Gogh Museum

May 23: Day trip to Den Haag
- Peace Palace
- Mauritshuis
- Binnenhof tour

May 24: Amsterdam
- Walk around Niewmarkt, Waag
- Westernkerk
- Niewekerk
- Anne Frank Huis

May 25: Amsterdam
- Rijksmuseum
- Oude Kerk
- Walk around RLD
- Night train to Prague (DEP 19:03)

May 26: Prague (ARR 9:03)
- Prazky Hrad
- Look at exterior of Bazilika sv Jiri (which, apparently, is closed on Mondays :/).

May 27: Old Town
- Old Town
· Charles Brige
· Astronomical Clock
· Tyn Church
· Kostel sv Jakuba
· Chram sv Mikulase
- Kafka Museum (if time permits, or if I feel like it)

May 28: Day trip to Kutna Hora
- Sedlec Kostnice
- Cathedral of St Barbara

May 29: Day trip to Terezin
- Ghetto Museum
- Small Fortress
- Cemetery and Crematorium

May 30: Josefov area
- Buy the Jewish Synagogue pass and visit the synagogues in the area (Pinkas, Spanish, Maisel).
- Night train to Budapest (DEP 21:53)

May 31: Budapest (ARR 7:03)
- House of Terror
- Sz Istvan Bazilika
- Opera House tour at 16:00

June 01: Pest
- Parliament
- Great Synagogue
- National Museum

June 02: Castle Hill
- Buda Castle and Museums
- Castle Labyrinths
- Hadik Andras Statue
- Matthias Church
- Fisherman's Bastion

June 03: South Buda
- Gellert Bath
- Rock Church
- Citadel

June 04: Budapest
- Walk around Heroes' Square in the morning
- Relax the rest of the day (unless someone has a suggestion?)

alecksonajetplane

Anyone?

Ingo

Okay, I can only comment on Prague. Your pace is similar to mine ;-)

What I miss in your schedule for Prague is Loreta and Strahov monastery. Both first rate sights. They are easily to combine with Prazsky hrad. Five minutes walk to Loreta, five more minutes to Strahov monastery. See the Library in Strahov AND the cloisters/Romanesque rooms/gallery. Walk down from Strahov monastery via Vlasska st. to Mala Strana passing by the embassies.

Beside that I would probably try to visit Vysehrad after Josefov on the day of departure. Should be enough time for that. Or Anensky klaster, which is right in Josefov.

Don't miss the coffeehouses Slavia and Louvre, both on Narodni st.

If you are inclined to, click on my username and you'll see a thread about Prague in January coming up.

Have fun!

Ingo

jamikins

HI there...I can only comment on the Belguim part...I think your Bruges plans look good. We spent 3 days in Bruges this Dec, and while we spent a lot of time eating, I think you do most of what there is to see in a day. So I dont think you will be too rushed. Enjoy it at night as well...so beautiful!

One thing we found was food was really expensive in Bruges (like 20 euro for mussels and fries). You can stop and get fries and mayonnaise and waffels if you are on a budget, we just found restaurants pricier than we were expecting.

Have a fabulous trip! I will never forget my first trip to Europe!

hetismij

OK, The Netherlands. I would add Panorama Mesdag to the Hague day for something a bit different. Scheveningen is close by if you want to see the sea.
In Amsterdam, there is only a small part of the Rijksmuseum open at the moment, you could easliy combine that with the Van Gogh since they are next to each other.
Allow time in Amsterdam to just wander and sit and take in the atmosphere.
There is no exhibition on at the Nieuwekerk in May.
Prebook your tickets for the Van Gogh and Anne Frank to avoid the queues.

alecksonajetplane

Ingo - thanks for your tips and report on Prague. I've bookmarked it, and will certainly be referring back to it as my trip progresses. I'll see about visiting Loreta and the Strahov monastery, as well. I guess I'm just a little concerned that I may be overbooking myself if I add them, but I figured I'll just feel it out when I get there .

Jamikins - thanks for the heads up on food in Brugges! I was expecting a bit of that from backpackers I know, so I guess I really will be going down the cheap waffles road! I can't wait to see Brugges at night (or any of the cities, for that matter). I tried to setup my sightseeing in a way that will have me finished by dinner time, so I'll be free to just wander around afterwards.

Hetismij - thanks for the info on Rijksmuseum. I was concerned about booking that and Van Gogh back to back on the same day, but with the renovations, it may just be possible. I'll definitely look in Scheveningen and Panorama Mesdag for The Hague as you have mentioned.

kja

Hi, alecksonajetplane -

I've been to Bruges, Amsterdam, Prague, and Budapest, and my impression is that you've got a good, workable plan. You've obviously put some thought into it and prioritized your stops - kudos! Sounds like a great trip.

Hope that helps. . . .

suec1

Sounds like a wonderful trip you are planning - here are a couple of suggestions you might want to look into. In Amsterdam there are two hostels www.shelter.nl that you might like - one is in the Jordan, the other in the redlight part of town. www.amsterdamboatclub.com is a link to alternative to the big canalboat crusies. Also we like to rent bikes - in Brugge we rode to Damme (I think) just lovely canalside scenery and in Amsterdam we trained to Harlem, rented bikes and headed out to the coast - Schnevgin? Have a wonderful trip!

alecksonajetplane

Kja - that definitely helped! It's reassuring to know that I'm not completely off my rocker for planning to do this .

Suec1 - funny that you mentioned Shelter Jordan. I actually just booked myself there last week. It seems to be a pretty awesome place...close enough to the sights, but much quieter and much, erm, soberer, than the alternatives. Thanks for the Amsterdam Boat Club link! It's definitely something that I want to further look into.