My first trip to Europe is taking shape. Some itinerary advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m planning on staying 8/9 weeks. I’ve removed Spain/Portugal, and added Italy/Czech Republic, but I still have room to space to fill in maybe Spain again.

Fyi, a little about myself, I’m a 26y/o male; never been out of the states, and giving up a good job in a city/state I despise. Fulfilling my life goal of backpacking thru Europe will be liberating! I’ll be traveling solo. I’m a musician, and an art and history lover. Along with seeing sights, I’m going to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people.

Oct 22-27: London (5 nights)
Oct 27-2: Amsterdam (5 nights) ---Halloween holiday Amsterdam or Paris best place?
Nov 2-7: Paris (5 nights)
Nov 7-10: Berlin (3 nights)
Nov 10-13: Prague (3 nights)
Nov 13-15: Munich (2 nights)
Nov 15-19: Venice (4 nights)
Nov 19-24: Rome (5 nights)
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Dec 16-18: London (2 nights)

Should I of chose another city to begin/end my trip? I choose flying into London because I know English best. I planned ending and booking Easyjet flight from Rome to London. But now should I just go to Spain/Portugal, and fly from Lisbon to London? Or should I spend more time in the cities above. I also plan on getting a Eurorail.

Thanks for the advice. It’s greatly appreciated.

I might start another way and look for easy to access public parties. So Novemeber 5th, if you are in UK, the whole country becomes covered with smoke from public fireworks (celebrating the saving of parliament from religious fanatics..)

Germany http://gogermany.about.com/od/events...ls_Germany.htm

You will also find certain major museums have special shows on so time limits may be important.

The days get pretty short in Northern Europe in November.

Not sure about halloween, I think its some sort of American Holiday (I think best celebrated in USA).

You are right to plan by nights and you can assume you lose half a day for every move.

With so much "extra time" unaccounted for, the first thing I personally would do is add 2-3 days to most of the places you are already going.

I would go from London to Amsterdam, from Rome to Paris and return to the States from Paris. Or follow the same circuit but simply return to the States from Rome. If there is an extra cost to an open jaw ticket, it probably is no more than the cost of flying from Rome to London.

Munich should probably take 3 nights. There are some important museums there, plus Nymphenburg. Take one of the nights eliminated from your final days in London. Berlin could probably take an extra day.

I would take the 2nd day in London and put it in Dresden, which is between Berlin and Prague.

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I also plan on getting a Eurorail.>

For loads of great stuff on European trains and passes (and alternatives to them) I always spotlight these IMO fantastic sources - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com - the latter has good advice about online discounted tickets which can be cheaper sometimes than a pass if you are willing to lock yourself in stone to a specific train at a specific time on a specific date weeks in advance (because those discounted tickets are often sold in limited numbers and can sell out quickly. For flexibility to hop any train anytime or to decide which trains to take as you go along then the pass will probably be a better deal as fully flexible fares can cost a ton of money.

Just wanted to add that Halloween is not a big deal in Europe so I wouldn't plan around that.

Look into open jaw tickets, into London and out of your last city so you don't have to backtrack to London.

Have fun!

Based on your love of Art and History, you might want to add a couple of days in Florence to Italy.

I would also possibly add a couple of days to England and visit Bath.

I would probably cut Amsterdam to three nights unless you are doing a couple of day trips), but you are young, and want to visit the museums, so perhaps five are good for you.

In Venice, look for free evening concerts in some of the churches.

However you arrange things, get a multi-city ticket so you can fly home from your last city and not return to London.

With your extra time, Spain would be great: history and music and lovely people.

And. . . I can't believe I am suggesting this because you hadn't mentioned it and I am not fond of Ireland, especially in winter, but you might consider Dublin for a few days, either as your first stop or your last. Don't know what kind of music you like, but you might enjoy the pubs and friendly people - the best part of Ireland, IMHO.

I would add Madrid or Barcelona to your trip and would not arrive and depart in same country.

So depending on best deals on flights - they always differ even from one day to another -(besides Easyjet, Ryanair also does many low cost flights in Europe) I would divide the holiday as follows, not necessarily in the same order but according to flight deals - always of course considering your personal preferences:

5 nights Spain (Madrid or Barcelona) - fly into Spain
7 nights London
3 nights Amsterdam
5 nights Paris
3 nights Berlin
3 nights Prague
3 nights Munich (two night stays are way too short)
4 nights Venice
5 nights Florence or any other town or city in central Tuscany - :you can visit so many historical towns and cities in this region like San Gimignano, Lucca, Volterra, Siena, Pisa etc) not to mention the beautiful countryside
5 nights Rome

I am assuming you have 43 nights available right?

Hi Anthony, I'll be travelling around europe in Oct/Nov too! Maybe we can backpack together at some of the cities. =)

Considering the time of year you are traveling, and the 3.5 weeks you still have to fill, I would probably put Spain back in. It would be nice to be somewhere a little warmer in late November/early December.

Having said that, the Christmas Markets in Germany are worth a trip alone, so if you could find a way to get to Germany sometime after December 1 in all this you could have that experience.

ttt

Halloween is really a US holiday. Not celebrated much outside of here - nothing like the NYC Halloween Parade with many thousands of marchers. Have been in paris on Halloween and there were a few witchy decorations - but it seemed to be a couple of restaurants pushing special events - locals didn't seem familiar with it. Like Thanksgiving - not really something they have.

Thanks for all the responses. It’s a great help. Since I’m depending on the weather I do want to work my way north to south. And in being in London for Nov. 5th sounds like a fun time. So I’m trying to work that in, but it feels i'm burning days to make it happen. Is it worth it? A Eurorail pass will be vital, and thanks for the other useful links.

Tentatively, I’m thinking of flying into Edinburgh, to visit Loch Ness (for the inner child) and then heading to London so I’ll be there around the 5th, for the fireworks and such. Another option would to begin in Paris, and then London, Amsterdam, ect. I’m just a little intimidated about flying into Paris to begin my trip because I’ve just started learning French, and then with customs and all.

I do want to spend a few nights in Amsterdam. I've had friends say i'd love it and their museums are interesting.

Oct 26-29: Edinburgh (4 nights)
Oct 29-6: London (7 nights) ------Seems like a lot of nights. Not sure?
Nov 6-11: Amsterdam (5 nights)
Nov 11-15: Berlin (4 nights)--------Possibly go to Dresden
Nov 19-24: Prague (4 nights)
Nov 14-27: Munich (3 nights)
Nov 27-30: Zurich (3 nights)
Nov 30-4: Venice (5 nights)
Dec 4-8: Florence (5 nights)
Dec 8-13: Rome (5 nights)
Dec 13-17: Paris (5 nights) Fly Home

If I get ahead of schedule, I think I’ll try to get to Barcelona and then Paris.

Also, Joicee. That sounds like fun!

I think 7 nights in London gives you a great amount of time...there is so much to see and you won't be rushed. I would highly recommended a day trip as well...check out www.walks.com for some great, affordable day trips.

I think you have a great plan...not rushed so you will be able to enjoy each location!

A Eurorail pass will be vital, and thanks for the other useful links.>

The best pass mya be a 7-day Eurail Select Saverpass - 7 rail travel days - or long ones that is - Select pass good in 5 countries if you take the train back to Paris in the daytime (Eurail passes not valid on the new Thello overnight trains - so in that case a 6-day pass) - Select pass for 5 countries - Benelux - Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg as one 'country' for pass purposes and Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and France (or a 4-country pass if not needed in France).

If over 26 it will be a first class pass and IME of decades of touring around with railpasses the benefits of first class IMO are well well worth the cost - when comparing pass prices to regular tickets keep in mind if over 26 this is a first class pass so could compare against cost of first class tickets.

I would do Paris after London or Amsterdam since it is geographically closer to these two countries. Then fly back home from Rome (or Barcelona if you ultimately decide to fit it in as well. So even to save some travel time I do agree with you that it makes more sense that you work your way southwards.

The Italians organise so many Christmas traditions and festivities, like Christmas markets, presepe vivente (live cribs), static cribs, processions etc - check them out.

Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, is a national holiday. There are celebrations throughout Italy and churches hold special masses. You'll find parades, feasts, and music in many places. In the Abruzzo region, it is often celebrated with bonfires and traditional singing. Rome celebrates with floral wreaths and a ceremony at the Spanish Steps presided over by the Pope. Although government offices and banks are closed, many stores stay open for holiday shopping. Schedules for public transport would probably be like that of public holidays, so check them out beforehand. It is certainly a nice time to be in Italy during this season.

I congratulate you on not racing through Europe, with only 2 night stays everywhere. Your schedule will give you a really good overview of the places you will be visiting.

You will have a great time!