Jen158

I know I'm replying really late, but I just saw your post and because I actually just did these exact same countries in the exact same amount of time this summer, I thought I would reply. I started in Greece and did about 10 days there - going to Athens, Santorini and Naxos. I loved the two islands, and loved taking photographs. If your boyfriend likes to take photos, he will probably really like wandering around aimlessly around the islands, getting lost but quickly finding your way back.

I took the overnight ferry to Italy, where I stayed for 3 weeks total. I went to Naples, Rome, and then stayed for 2 weeks in an apartment in Umbria (Spoleto), which was a lovely change and slow-down, before hitting the road again for Venice.

Then I took the train up to Luzern, Lauterbrunnen, Gimmelwald, then Bern, then Geneva where I flew out of. I was in Switz. for total of 13 days.

I was traveling alone so I think that was more expensive, because accomodations are a bit less when you have 2 to share a room. I stayed in hostels, made a lot of my own meals, got a couple nights free in Geneva at a friend's and still managed to spend $4200 US not including airfare. I think your budget is more than adequate if you are staying in hostels.
Hope this helps.

PalenQ

www.swisstravelsystem.com has a wealth of great info on scenic trains, lake boats, etc.

mokka4

Hope you are still checking for responses!
I would NOT write off staying in apartments. You can get really good rates staying for a week at a time in five or six pre-selected cities, using local public transportation for day trips. I have averaged $100 a night for two bedrooms (doesn't matter how many people), with your own kitchen, living room and bath.(And this was in Switzerland). Go into the local markets to buy food for picnics and dinner and experience true local living. Saves money on eating out too.

travelerjan

Oh lordy, it certainly IS worth waiting to go in Late May - Earlly June. That is IDEAL for Greece -- the temperature is what the Lord fashioned for Eden. In the night, low 60s, by day up to low 80s, sunny all the time AND warm enough to SWIM!! Plus it will NOT be "filled with tourists" -- in Greece the High season does not really start until July.

Buy your ticket into Athens and out of GEneva, if boyfriend is still insisting on Switzerland. Fly out MAY 23 -- don't waste a single day! Spend your Week (10 days? in Greece) ... go first to your farthest island, work your way back so your last 2 days are ATHENS, then get your flight (some el cheapo European airline) to Rome, go UP Italy via its excellent trains, end in Switzerland .. If you find enought mountains in NOrther Italy maybe BF will cut the Swiss time a little shorter.

Heimdall

I usually reply to posts about Greece these days, but some years ago, while living in Germany, used to take weekend ski trips to Wengen and Grindelwald in Switzerland. I have never forgotten the beauty of the Bernese Oberland, and suggest you and your boyfriend include it in your itinerary. From Interlaken you can take a train up to Kleine Sheidegg, which overlooks the north face of the Eiger, and then on up to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Unforgettable!
http://www.magicswitzerland.com/bernese_oberland.htm

donnaandspence

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions Jen158, I find it really interesting that you planned almost the exact trip as us! What months did you go?

Right now, my biggest concern is time...
We have a wedding smack dab in the middle of May, It's Easter at the end of April (which I heard is crazy in Italy) and my boyfriend works in the film industry which makes it hard to leave at the beginning of summer (it starts to get really busy that time of year) I am struggling with trying to plan a 45 day trip without interfering with any of those dates WITHOUT going too early so that my budget is ridiculously tight. May have to either shorten my trip or exclude 1 country. I am feeling a bit defeated =(

travelgirl2

Oh, I hope you don't have to shorten your trip. It sounds so lovely. Would September/October possibly work for you?

Although Switzerland is not my favorite place to visit, I think if that is your boyfriend's pick, you are practically obligated to go there.

Your budget sounds great to me.

PalenQ

In many ways IMO Switzerland is the visual highlight of Europe and I would not cut it off in favor of any other country - well that is my experience - even if you do not cotton to Switzerland it is still an astounding visual experience not to be missed IMO

travelerjan

Donna you are young (at least younger than a lot of your responders), you can afford to knock a country off your list and leave it for the next trip. I had one 3-week europe trip age 26, and then not able to go again until my 60s .... and now I'm happily on trip # 12 since then (and not financed by anyone else). So believe me, it is NOT a tragedy to have to postpone one country out of 3 for a later date. .... Just to give you some perspective. Make a decision, and book your flights.

PalenQ

If budget is a priority - lower budget that is then I would definitely buy and take along the Bible for young American backpacker - Let's Go Europe - its accommodations listings will save you loads - listing dozens and dozens of not just hostels but B&Bs, pensions, budget hotels, etc. for zillions of places. At any major bookstore. Priceless to me, even though I am an old fart but still peruse their hotel/B&B listings.

PalenQ

Budget is also greatly influenced IME by the time of year one goes - especially places like Italy - not only can air fares be much lower in off-season so can hotels. Like the hotel I got in Florence, right near the train station (I travel by train) that cost 35 euros for a nice enough room with a shower and unlimited breakfast buffet - that room I was told in summer would have cost 85 euros - for the exact same room and even at that price may have been full up in summer.

and things like lines at museums are much much shorter, etc.

PalenQ

Budget is also greatly influenced IME by the time of year one goes - especially places like Italy - not only can air fares be much lower in off-season so can hotels. Like the hotel I got in Florence, right near the train station (I travel by train) that cost 35 euros for a nice enough room with a shower and unlimited breakfast buffet - that room I was told in summer would have cost 85 euros - for the exact same room and even at that price may have been full up in summer.

and things like lines at museums are much much shorter, etc.

donnaandspence

Our plan is to leave the beginning of April. After Christmas is over we'll have a better idea of what our exact budget will be and then we'll be able to plan for how long and if we'll be fitting Switzlerland into our itinerary. Our goal is to go for 6 weeks, 1 week in Switzerland, 3 in Italy and 2 in Greece. But, if we have to shorten it due to budget then oh well! We may do 2.5 weeks in Italy and 1.5 weeks in Greece.
As soon as we've got atleast that much planned, we'll be booking our tickets!!
Our budget looks like its going to be $6000 CDN each.

I've done a little bit of research re: the cities I'd like to visit but I'm waiting for my travel books that I asked for for XMAS as well.

In Italy I'd like to go to: Florence, Venice, Pisa (day trip?), Tuscany, Rome, Vatican City...
In Greece I'd like to go to: Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Cretes.

We both agree that we don't want to cram TOO many cities into our trip if we have to shorten it. We just don't want to spend the majority of our trip taking trains etc. So if you think there is an absolutely MUST see, please let me know Other then that I hope I have even more information after Christmas. I'm completely taking advantage of my time off to read as much as I can!

PalenQ

Our plan is to leave the beginning of April>

avoid the week before and after Easter in places like Italy as this is when Europeans often have two weeks off of school, work, etc and flock to Italy - it is high season and you'll pay a lot more for lodgins as cheaper ones will be harder to find and hotels will may have high season rates.

After that and until June really IMO is a perfect time to go to Italy - weather is still not boiling and a fraction of the tourist torrent you'll see in July and August.

donnaandspence

I don't really think we have any choice but to be in Italy at the time. I've tried to figure out a way that we can not be in Italy during Easter, but I've read that is also just as busy in Greece. The only way is if we shorten our trip... and I'm not liking that idea! We may plan it so that we are more in the countryside during that time, relaxing, rather than in the midst of Rome. I've also been reading that Spring is one of the best times to go to Italy.

Unfortunately we have a wedding to attend to May long weekend, and my boyfriend is expected back at work for beginning of June.

travelerjan

Italy first, then Greece ... Italy the beach isn't that much of a deal, in Greece it's one of the main things.

PalenQ

If you gotta be in Italy's tourist mecca cities during Easter then make the most of it - take in some of the religious processions and events in churches, etc. Just make your accommodation bookings far in advance.

Heimdall

Never been to Greece during Easter, but my impression is that many Greeks head for their home villages, leaving Athens fairly quiet, so that may be an ideal time to visit. Do a Google on "Easter in Athens" to see what I mean. You could go against the flow, spending Easter in Athens, then heading out to the islands or mainland attractions as the Greeks are returning to the city. If beaches aren't a priority, late Apr - early May would be a great time to be in Greece.

BeniciaChris

We were at a timeshare on the Island of Paros during Greek Orthodox Easter. We were asked to join them in a celebration-It was the highlight of our trip. The only thing is it was too cool for the pool to be open. The weather would be a concern-especially if you want to swim in that beautiful tirquoise Sea. I have found September a perfect time for European travel-after Labor Day. If you have to go in April I would go the furthest south & work my way up/
We have been to Italy twice-Greece twice and Switzerland once. All lovely choices.
Check our VRBO if you want to stay put for a week or so here & there. You can have a kitchen and not eat all meals out.
Planning is half the fun of the trip-Have fun. I am always thinking of the next trip

PalenQ

Greeks and Orthodox religions have a different date for Easter than do Christians? I think so anyway so if so you can catch Easter in both countries!