Guenmai

"Before the low-cost companies, European youth would do these kind of itineraries by train all the time"

Yes, I agree that European youth would do these types of itineraries by train all the time. I was living in Europe annually, during entire summers, and had either a 2-month or 3-month Eurail pass and would meet them on trains. I was also a youth then, although an American one.

A lot of the youth who were friends of mine, in the Scandinavian country in which I lived, were also out on such itineraries, but starting from Scandinavia and on to other countries in Europe. However, they weren't starting out on those trips jet-lagged, having come out of an entirely different time zone and they were used to Europe, so not a lot of differences to get used to. They also spoke more than one language; at least my friends did as well as I did, which made things faster and easier.

Happy Travels!

Guenmai

Correction: "They also spoke several languages".

Happy Travels!

nytraveler

To be clear - the trip as outline is physically possible. However, it will be significantly more expensive than staying in fewer places and you will be spending a very large percentge of your time in transit rather than in sightseeing or soaking up the local culture.

As for overnight trains - they are not included in train passes - you need to buy berths in compartments separately (and share with strangers) and the cost is not low. (I know people say they are saving a night hotel cost - but IMHO the train - rocking and discomfort included) are often not any less.

You need to decide what you want to see in each place and then determine how long that will take (Michelin green guide is great for this). You will find that you can't see the Tower of London in an hour - or make your way across London in 15 minutes.

I would lay out your trip by day - indicating how/when you will arrive, what you will see that day and when/how you will leave. For instance, will the trip from Paris to London come out of one of the days in Paris or one of the days in London (you have to lose half a day somewhere). Ditto for all of your other city to city transfers.

Get a map, a train schedule and the Michelin guide and figure out how much time you will have each place versus the minimum time you need. IMHO to see even the most basic sights in Rome takes 3 days (which is 4 nights).

annhig

I have to disagree with the above posters - lots of people visit a major city over a week-end. >>

what St. Cirq said - they may do, but not back to back for 3 weeks straight.

IME it is very difficult to orientate yourself in a major city in just 2 days - and if you keep moving, the whole experience just becomes a mush of disparate experiences, none of which are particularly special. It's also quite expensive to travel like this - you never get a chance to find a nice cheap bar or cafe, or if you do, you have to leave it again. and all that travel - tiring AND expensive.

the ideal, IMO, is to mix the trip up - a city, then time in the countryside, perhaps an activity, then another city. With side trips, an itinerary like that could easily fill 3 weeks, and you'd have a holiday to really remember.

charnees

And when are you going to do laundry? You can lose close to half a day doing this if you have to find a laundromat, get change, figure out how to work the machines (instructions will be in a language you don't understand), wait for the wash to be done, then wait for the dryer to be done, then fold and repack your clothes and get them back to your accommodation. So you lose a big chunk of your time in a city where you have little time to waste.

If you wash stuff by hand in your room, you have to hang it to dry, so you have to have time for the drying to take place.

We have been to Europe about 15 or 16 times, to many different countries, and we still find that it takes much longer than you think to get your bearings, figure out transportation, get to your hotel, or local site, etc. Places you want to see are closed on the day you are in a city. Or they are closed from noon to 4 pm. And so on.

pctraveler

My wife and I have been to Europe many times; the posters above who recommend fewer cities and more time in them are correct in at least one aspect: each time you change cities, you essentially lose one whole day -- early departure from your hotel, trek to the train station, go to the next city, and then locate your hotel. It is even worse if you fly, as the waiting time in the airports eats into your available time.

Pegontheroad

I think you're trying to cover too much territory. If I were you I would assume that you will return to Europe at other times over your lifetime.

StCirq

<<Isn't it nice you don't have to travel with these lovely responders?>>

And so many of them, too, all with sage advice garnered by experience.

Lucky you don't have to travel with Aramis, who has no advice whatsoever. None.

Aramis

You need to read more of my posts janisj.

There is a difference between helping people take the trip they want to take and insulting them by suggesting they are foolish, wasting their money, and making a big mistake by not taking the trip the responder thinks they should.

Some people want to see as many of the the great cities of Europe as they can and only have 10 days, I find it quite sad to see some stuffy responders suggest they simply stay in the responders favourite city/country (a very common approach), or not bother at all because it will be a waste of their time and money.

Not everyone wants to travel they way the responder does, but some people simply can't accept that and believe it is their duty to "correct".

Sometimes it all seems too much like the well meaning mother in law (or mother) criticizing her daughter about how she is handling the new baby. Just like the critical mother, everyone is just trying to help and give the benefit of their experience.

mamcalice

Aramis - did you read the OP's original post? S/he asked if the trip was too much. The responses endeavor to answer that question. You have your point of view, others have theirs and don't need your criticism. If you want to differ, that's your prerogative but that does not make the other replies incorrect.

charnees

Llet the OP decide if it is too much, based upon the advice and limitations offered by those who post here.

Just saying someone is ridiculous for wanting to do this is not helpful. But giving reasons why their trip should be more limited is helpful. The OP did ask if this was too much, so we are giving the benefit of our own experience.

Aramis

St. Cirq said; (subsequently described as "sage" advice)

"The outlined itinerary is more like a forced march than a vacation. It needs to be cut back to about 4 places. It's not only the blur factor of racing around to too many places in too short a time; it's the needless expense of it. I will never get why people want to shell out gobs of money on transport and not really get to see much of anything."

Because they are not you and don't necessarily want to travel like you or see the things you do. As hard as that may be to believe, it is really that simple.

StCirq

Aramis, perhaps there is a psychology board you could join to post on. This is a travel board, where people come to ask other experienced travelers for their advice, as the OP did. We gave it to her. You still haven't.

janisj

Aramis -- most of your recent posts have a nasty side w/o offering anything much in the way of help.

We all <i>know</i> you don't respect anyone's suggestions/advice but how about cutting the snide personal attacks.

bilboburgler

I seem to have lost sight of "daniloesierra", if you are still reading where are you up to in your plans?

tailsock

daniloesierra, a trip like this CAN be done but consider your girlfriend's interests before embarking on something like this. I took a similar trip in March with my wife. We saw London, Brussels (day trip to Ghent), Paris, Lisbon, and Madrid in about 18 days. After 6 days my wife starting to become really tired, indifferent, and stressed. I like bouncing around from place to place too but the one thing i seriously underestimated was the time it takes to relocate from one area to another. (Someone above mentioned it) because of a delay, we only had a little over a day and a half in beautiful, sunny Lisbon. it was criminal!!! ;-)

dwight_olson_5

I would drop 1 day in Berlin, Paris, and Rome. I would go to Cologne for a day, Florence for aday and have an extra day to relax. don't plan everything out. You'll want to do some spontaneous things while you're there. Don't lock yourself in for the whole 3 weeks. While rushing ti catch all the trains, the time will go by too quick. Have Fun. The most important part is spending time with your significant other