smokointokyo1

I am planing to go to Europe with two of my friends at the start of August. So far I'm planning to start in Berlin and then eventually the UK (probably just London and Edinburgh) and Paris. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of other countries to visit in Europe throughout my stay, preferably places that are affordable and also not a big factor but a good bar/club scene would also be nice. I'm open to places that may be unusual or out of the way but also bare in mind that it would be nice if the price to get there wasn't a lot. All ideas about transport to these places are welcome (train, plane, bus etc.). I just want this trip to be interesting, fun and even educational as it can be as I probably won't get an opportunity to go back for a while.

*Another little side note is that I would like to see at least one or two countries I've never been to before and so far have been to all the places I have mentioned

PalenQ

Have you been to Holland and Belgium - if not take a train from Berlin to Amsterdam and then Amsterdam to Paris

Or Amsterdam to Bruges, then Bruges to Paris

then Paris via Eurostar train to London and train to Edinburgh

fly home from Edinburgh - landing in Berlin.

How long are you going to be on this trip - makes a big difference in what folks will recommend - many will say with two weeks or less your plate is already full.

Amsterdam is one of Europe's most gorgeous towns and also one of its liveliest towns at night - in art due to the policy of allowing cannabis to be sold over the counter in so-called coffee shops.

Bruges in Belgium is a gem - one of the neatest old towns IMO north of the Alps - everyone it seems loves it - a lot more than Brussels - a fairly modern town that has lost its old charm thru IMO tasteless renovations and demolitions, etc.

for lots of great info on European trains check out these superb IMO sources: www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

Dreamy picture postcard Bruges:

https://www.google.com/search?q=brug...=1600&bih=1075

smokointokyo1

Ah from reading your reply I have realised I have left out two things. I am from Australia and starting my holiday in Berlin and the second is that I shall be there for 3 months.

I have been to Amsterdam and agree that it is absolutely amazing (I left it out but I am actually planning to go there).

Bruges looks great and am definitely thinking of going there, but not too sure that I am too passionate about it yet.

I do plan to catch the Eurostar to London from Paris as I caught it last time and it was very quick.

I was even thinking of going East for a little bit but can't make up my mind (my friend and I were thinking of going to Romania for a week).

nytraveler

If you have not been to Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria definitely plan on visiting them. The costs are quite moderate (way less the out of control Switz and Scandinavia and even less than most of western europe). These places have great music scenes and lot of nightlife for younger people as well as a host of fascinating sights in the cities and areas where hiking and other outdoor pursuits wold be possible.

PalenQ

3 months is a long long time for compact western Europe/UK so yes go east too - places that are less spiffy in some ways but more affordable and still adorable!

Travelforbeer

Hi Smoke-
If you survive 3 months of clubbing thru west and eastern Europe, have you considered a short visit to the Oktoberfest? It ain't cheap, but for someone of your age it is a bucketlist experience in Munich the last week in September and first week in October. How are you traveling for these 3 months? You could stay outside Munich and daytrip into Munich for the 'Fest during the week- If the weather is good the weekends are VERY crowded!
And don't forget Prague...

Have a great trip!!!

PalenQ

Note that the cost of nightlife in Europe for younger folk can be dauntingly shockingly high - cover charges high - mandatory one expensive drink high, even regular beer and wine - about 3-4 times the price in the States - not many Happy Hour deals or large mugs - even a tiny glass of beer - about 6 oz may cost $4-5 at a cafe.

Booze in supermarkets except for a few countries (UK, Scandinavia) is really cheap however so how about some picnic du park benches?

smokointokyo1

Update: My friends and I have just booked tickets leaving Melbourne on the 9th of August and landing in Berlin. There we shall be staying for one month. After that we plan to travel to Prague and Vienna. Our other plans are to eventually get to Paris and the UK but we mos likely still have time to see other places and are considering: Hungary, Croatia and possibly Holland. Thank you all for your replies and if you have any ideas of things to do in the places then they are most definitely welcome.

PalenQ

Between Berlin and Prague I would encourage you to stop off in Dresden at least for a night if not more. A very unique city with a poignant history - being blitzed to smithereens in WW2 - needlessly many say by the British in retaliation for a similar blitzing of Coventry - this is a very unique city - all the more interesting as they are still piecing the Florence on the Elbe back together - so deftly done.

Even a few-hour stop would be great.

nytraveler

Student cafes and pubs typically have fairly cheap drinks as long as you stick to pitchers of beer and basic table wine. Mixed drinks - or upper grade of anything will be much more.

(Although nothing like the $10 K martini in NY)

PalenQ

Good luck finding such student cafes in London, Paris and almost anywhere I have been.

drlaz

You should be aware of the festivals in Edinburgh in August. Depending on your interests, it may be worth starting by going there from Berlin, and saving Czech republic etc. for later.

Peter1985

What about Prague? You can go there by plane (the ticket form London costs few euros with low cost airlines) or by bus (less comfortable and not necessary cheaper). Prague is definitely worth seeing and prices aren't such a tragedy even in the city centre. But be aware of "night prices", some restaurants have different prices during day and night, when latter are significantely higher.

Enjoy your trip

P.

annhig

Ah from reading your reply I have realised I have left out two things. I am from Australia and starting my holiday in Berlin and the second is that I shall be there for 3 months.>>

thank goodness for that - i thought for one dreadful moment that you were going to say that you'd got 2 weeks!

IME, the best places for beer are Germany [obviously] the Czech republic, Belgium, but also the Netherlands as they import a lot of belgian beer, and the UK. you can more or less forget about France and Italy, though of course if you like wine, they are definitely places to explore.

in three months, there's a lot of beer tasting you can do and a lot of bars to visit. Have fun!

ashwinb

You should give Austria a thought, not that far from Prague or even Germany, you'll get cheap bus rides(studentagency or westbahn for example) to Salzburg and Vienna. Both are amazing places, plus you should explore a little countryside around Salzburg, it's incredibly beautiful, especially the Lake district.
You can have a look at my trip report here : http://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com/...ia-and-prague/

PalenQ

You will return home with a beer gut if you drink all the brews annhig has!

annhig

You will return home with a beer gut if you drink all the brews annhig has!>>

surely, PalenQ, that should read

<<"You will return home with a beer gut if you drink all the brews annhig has mentioned!>>

PalenQ

Yes I stand corrected with my typo - BTW AA works wonders!