LauraMichele

Hi All,

I will be traveling to Europe for 21 days in August. I am a 20-something female celebrating my law school graduation / post-NYS bar exam. I will be traveling with my 20-something brother and 20-something female cousin. I have already for the most part figured out my itinerary. I have booked my flights and begun to reserve lodging through AirBNB and Hostels. However, there is a gap in my itinerary where we I am not sure where to go. I will explain:

-Landing in Amsterdam early August. Day trip to Haarlem. Stay for 3 nights.
-Leave for Brugges. Stay for 2 nights. Secured a hostel already.
-Leave for Ghent.
-Should we stay in Ghent? Or should we go on to Brussels?
-Where should we go after Ghent/Brussels?

I was considering staying 1 night in Ghent and then heading to Cologne for a night. From Cologne I thought we could either take a relatively cheap flight or a train to Austria.

After Bruges, we have *3 days* to meet my family in Innsbruck, Austria.
After meeting up with my family we will be heading to Innsbruck, Salzburg, and then Munich. We will then be flying out Munich late August.

I have never been to Europe, but fully intend to come back to travel in the UK, France, and Italy. So please no recommendations for these countries. I am trying to see as many countries as possible, but at the same time, I do not want to be in the train station or airport for much of our days.

bilboburgler

Yes to staying in Ghent, no don't bother to go to Brussels, full of over paid politicians and expensive restaurants, while Ghent is interesting.

Cologne is ok, small beers but tidy little centre. You might prefer Koblenz (or say a river town like Rudesheim), or Ulm each of which is far prettier than Cologne.

TexasAggie

It's also quite easy to stop briefly in Cologne to see the Cathedral and then continue on your way if you are using the trains. There is a left luggage at the station, or at least there was a couple years ago.

spaarne

I don't see Paris in your plans. Do The City, despite your entreaty, and don't bother with Brussels. I don't know about Ghent. I'm a 70s something and have loved Paris for decades. I would stay a couple nights in Düsseldorf if you can include a Saturday night. The Altstadt is a kick, especially for you young ones. Take an afternoon to see the Dom in Köln.

Forget the backpacks. That's old camp. Get a 21" roller bag to take the load off your back. Whatever doesn't fit in a 21" bag and shoulder bag stays home.

Just a short tram ride east from Innsbruck is a charming ancient village named Hall-in-Tyrol. My maternal grand parents came from there.

Travelforbeer

Agree with Spaarne. After Ghent, go straight to PARIS. I realize you said no to France this trip, but IMO, you will never get enough of Paris. And August is "low season" in Paris. I suspect you can catch a flight from Paris to Innsbruck just as easily as Cologne to Innsbruck. And you could catch a night train from Paris to Munich and transfer to a direct train to Innsbruck if you decide to go by train.

The other option is to follow TexasAggie's advice and stop in Cologne a few hours to see the cathedral , then follow bilboburgler's advice to stop at one of the towns on the Mosel (Cochem) or Rhine (Koblenz, Rudesheim, Boppard, etc.)for a few days.

Good luck on the bar exam...Have a good time on the trip!

Southam

There is an old movie comedy called If This Is Tuesday It Must Be Belgium. Your itinerary could be the script, moving every second day, packing and unpacking incessantly, "seeing" a landmark or two but not spending the time to get any feel or understanding of anywhere (except maybe where your relatives are located.) Travel less; enjoy more.