3 Weeks in Europe - First time+Solo
 

I'm a 24 yo guy from the States planning to travel to Europe this summer...will be going it alone, and plan on traveling for approx. 3 weeks any time between late June and the end of July. I plan on using a mix of couchsurfing and hostels for housing, but besides that I'm not sure what/where I want to go. With only three weeks I'm having a hard time deciding where to split my time. I mainly have an interest in visiting the UK, France, Switzerland, and Germany, but obviously 3 weeks is not where enough time for all that. Any suggestions for where I should focus my travels to keep things both simple and affordable during that time?

If theres any more detail I can add that would aid you in providing some help just ask...Thanks!

*The one thing I will note is that I am considering trying to hit one of the U2 concert dates while I am over there. :D

Well, theredmission, I'd say for a 24-yo guy you've got a good head on your shoulders if you already realize 3 weeks isn't much time for 4 countries.

Maybe if you tell us where U2 is playing when we could begin to help you form this itinerary

The tour dates won't be released til the 6th so I'll know date wise better then, but here are some rumored dates:

- Paris (July 10 and 11, Stade de France)
- Nice (July 15)
- London (very likely around July 17-20)
- Amsterdam (July 21st and 22nd, Amsterdam Arena)
- Dublin (very likely July 24, 25 and 27)

UK, France, & Germany are huge countries. Are there any specific cities/towns/area of each country that you're most interested in visiting?

I'm thinking you should skip Switzerland this time, as it's more expensive than the other countries. IME, Germany is the cheapest (among the countries you listed).

I agree that Switzerland is the most expensive of the countries you listed but I wouldn't completely rule it out. We have found Germany to have reasonably priced accommodations and food. Even though we don't stay in hostels, the ones we know about in Germany seem quite nice.

If you fly into Frankfurt, I know that there is a great hostel in Bacarach on the Rhine River. It is in Castle Stahleck. There are lots of neat castles along the Rhine as well as some great wine.

http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/12718-...charach-Hostel

Heidelberg and Tuebingen are two beautiful university towns that you might find interesting.

I'd also recommend Meersburg on Lake Constance. From here you could drop down in Switzerland and the Berner Oberland. We stayed at the Hotel Oberland in Lauterbrunnen. Across the street was a hostel that looked very nice with a computer room and landry facilities.

http://www.travbuddy.com/Valley-Hostel-v179

Lots of hiking opportunities in this gorgeous area.

From here you could make your way up thru the Innsbruck area (nearby Hall in Tirol is a great place to stay) and into the German Alps around Berchtesgaden.

You could then end up in Munich and fly back from there.