yeguita91

k so im planing for next year to travel to Europe for 90 days, i want to start in Dublin just cause the ticket is cheaper and i have student budged so im trying to save as much as i can. I would like to finish the trip in Greece even though im not sure how easy is to travel there due to political matters, i know is really unrealistic to think that i will be able to see Europe in 90 days but i would like to see as much as i can. What would be the do and dont and best places to see? how long should i stay in each city? and is there any routes any one would recommend?

Heimdall

<i> I would like to finish the trip in Greece even though im not sure how easy is to travel there due to political matters...</i>

That is a non-issue. You may as well worry about travelling in the USA because of disagreements between Democrats and Republicans. ;-)

PalenQ

Too open-ended a question - do you have any preferences on which parts of Europe - Europe is compact compared to the U.S. so in 3 months you can see lots of different parts - especially if going by train - high-speed trains barrel along at nearly 200 mph on many inter-city routes now.

On an overnight train you can literally move from one end of Europe to the other at night - also saving on the cost of a night in a hotel.

How old are you makes a difference in lots of recommendations from speed of travel to which places younger folk may be more attracted to, etc.

Anyway I recommend for any wide-ranging first trip to hop the train around and perhaps mix in a few low-cost flights and even a night boat going between Italy and Greece. For lots of great info on trains and planning a European train trip I always pick out these IMO superb sites - www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - be sure to download the last site's free and excellent IMO online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of rail-itineraries in each country.

For 3 months of travel some kind of railpass may be a great deal - especially if you are under 26 years old then you can get the bargain youthpasses. Eurailpasses even give free deck passage on boats between Italy and Greece - as well as letting you just hop on any train anytime in many countries - some you need to buy a few buck seat reservation before boarding.

PalenQ

ttt

msteacher

First, pick maybe five or six destinations that are the "must sees" for you, then build your trip around that. With a trip of that length, I'd suggest staying in each location a minimum of a week, and often more, possibly with day trips to nearby sites. Hopping from hotel to hotel will grow tiresome quickly, and is usually more expensive too. You'll appreciate having a "home base" by sleeping in one place for an extended period.

Also, while the cities of Europe are magnificent, there is so much more to the continent. Be sure to build at least a couple of non-city destinations into your trip. The mountains, countryside, beaches, lakes, and small towns have much to offer and will provide a nice contrast to your urban experiences.

If you don't already have the book, "Let's Go Europe" you should head to your local library or bookstore to pick up a copy. Lonely Planet guidebooks will be helpful to you too. Happy planning!

PalenQ

I 2nd and 3rd and 4th the suggestion to get a copy of Let's Go Europe - it is especially fine on its rundown of inexpensive lodging - critiquing zillions of hostels, youth hotels, pensions, B&Bs and budget hotels plus a wealth of other info - also clues you in on places young people may enjoy for the apres-sightseeing scene in each city.

yeguita91

Thank you for the help! im still working in a basic itinerary and but im going thru all the webs and books you guys suggested!

PalenQ

Do consider flying open jaw - flying into one city and departing from another. Flying into Dublin and back out of Greece for instance in your wish list would be great - backtracking not needed and prices are usually not much more for a mix and match air thing.

PalenQ

Really take a good look at night trains - can relocated literally from one end of Europe to the other whilst sleeping and also save on the cost of a hotel. There are zillions of night trains rolling in every direction.

PalenQ

https://www.google.com/search?q=euro...bih=1075&dpr=1

See what various night trains look like - private comartments can even have a toilet and a shower inside them but more commonly just a wash basin with common loo at the ends of each train car.

yeguita91

Also! im looking into flying beginnings of march to the end of may, i know the weather is a bit random in Ireland and UK but are this good dates to go??? or should i stick to august to October?? im just a bit concern about getting stuck in an area due to weather

Gretchen

Ireland may be cheap to fly into but is it also cheap to get to your next destination?

PalenQ

or should i stick to august to October?? im just a bit concern about getting stuck in an area due to weather

I think Aug to October may have less wet weather but at any time of summer even Ireland can be wet - that's why they call it the Emerald Island perhaps - in August one year it was cool - in 50s for highs and wet for the whole week I was there.

Shraddha

I think Aug to October is a better time to visit and you can always plan your destinations from North to South (as the weather stays better in the South till Oct). My husband and I are currently in month 2 of our 100 day travel in Europe (mainly western Europe). So far I recommend:
- Get a eurail pass. It a no brainer
- If using hostels, get the flexible cancellation option at hostelworld - you are likely to change destinations at last minute!
- Spend at least 4-5 nights in each destination and do day trips
- Plan in advance or on day 1 of the city, things you want to do in each destination. Some things may require a booking.
- Skip Switzerland. It was beautiful but way too expensive for a budget travel and with cheaper and better alternatives of the alps experience in France and Austria.
- Pick a theme. Many european cities are too overwhelming and there are too many things to do. E.g. If hiking is your thing, then pick your destinations based on that.

If it helps, refer to my blog for destinations we have been to so far http://talesoftwoglobetrotters.blogspot.com

Good luck!

PalenQ

- Spend at least 4-5 nights in each destination and do day trips>

Yes I am a huge fan of base cities - use a nice city from which to hop to nearby smaller towns or the countryside - a nice city to return to at night - same hotel no packing up and relocating which takes hours out of each day.

Like in Paris - stay some days there and see it and also day trip to Normandy and the D-Day beaches por Reims for Champagne Tours or Chartres for its world-famous cathedral.

From Florence day trip to Siena or some other iconic Tuscan Hill Town or Bologna, one of the oldest-looking cities in Europe but often neglected by travelers blasting between Venice and Florence or from Florence to Assisi if into religious towns and shrines or to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, etc.

PetrosB3

First of all, Greece is not Syria. There is not a Revolution its a Financial Crisis the same as in Italy Spain and Portugal. So stop saying "im not sure how easy is to travel there due to political matters..." Its just wrong, I live in Athens and I know what I am saying because I live it.

PalenQ

Indeed Greece just the other day reported a budget SURPLUS - incredible from the sad state of affairs just a few months ago.

yeguita91

Thank you for all the information!! has been really helpful! im still planning and i have cut and organize different scenarios per city!!!

stokebailey

Wow that sounds like a great trip.

Even though cities are fun, you might want to consider a stay in a smaller town, maybe one big enough to have a hostel. For instance, my daughter had good luck in Biarritz one recent October, ended up getting to surf through some people she met at the hostel.

To understand a country it's really good to get out into the countryside, and harvest time or spring either one would be lovely.