Feeling overwhelmed with planning a 3 week trip
 

Hi folks,

I don’t get a lot of vacation time. Recently my company gave me 5 weeks PTO as a reward for performance. I am going to be at home for 2 weeks and will have 3 weeks to travel. I took a look at lodging and flights and it’s all doable for the dates I wanted (I looked at multiple cities across Europe).

The dates are July 23rd - August 13th (20 full days). I normally plan months in advance but since this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel (the most I’ve ever had to travel was 10 days in Europe) I have to plan fast. Luckily I have 24/7 to plan since I’m on vacation.

I am also not married to doing Europe, but other countries like South America seem like they require a lot more planning time.

Are there any good sample 3 week itineraries? I am interested in seeing beautiful architecture, eating amazing food, hiking, swimming, etc.

Some places that I’ve already been to: Rome, Paris, Florence, Amalfi, Venice, Prague, Vienna, London.

I feel particularly drawn to Iceland, Scotland, Switzerland, Turkey, Georgia (the country), Germany, Poland, the Balkans, Benelux, Hungary, Slovenia, more France, and Greece.

Any advice on how to narrow down my choices and build an itinerary are appreciated!

Here are some ideas I had (note: I do prefer to not stay in one country if possible):

Idea 1 (scenery or scenery/warm weather):
- 7-8 days doing the ring road in Iceland OR 7-8 days in Scotland (particularly the highlands)
- Pick another location or 2 and do that for 2 weeks (ie central europe trip revolving around Switzerland or the Balkans and Istanbul)

Idea 2:
- Poland (maybe Berlin too since it's close to Poland)
- Budapest
- Croatia
- Maybe Bulgaria
- End in Turkey

Idea 3 (Istanbul to Budapest via Balkans and Greece)
Probably won't have time for all the cities but some combination of Turkey, Greece, and Balkan cities
- Start in Istanbul
- Go to Greece (briefly visit Athens then go to 1 island of my choice)
- Zagreb
- Split
- Mostar
- Sarajevo
- Dobrovnik
- Kotor
- Budva
- Budapest

Idea 4:
- Big central Europe trip that involves the Alps in Switzerland, Munich, Salzburg, Fussen, Berlin

I'm 24 and I know this isn't a lot of vacation time to Europeans but I rarely get 3 weeks to travel. This would be my second solo trip. If I had to narrow it down to 5 places, I would say Iceland, Switzerland, the Balkans, Scotland and Istanbul, Turkey are especially interesting to me. So any advice is appreciated on narrowing down my options :)

Edit: meant to say 3 weeks not 4 but it won’t let me change title

Go where you have a desire to visit.
There is a proviso. Do not zoom from one location to another. Do not limit your time in one location. Like your idea of Iceland, Switzerland, the Balkans, Scotland and Istanbul. They are spaced way to far apart. That is around 4 days allocated to each location. Can you get from one to another without a lot of trouble? What are the health restrictions?
The more time spending at airports and traveling the less time sight seeing. There are delays at airports I have relatives traveling now and it is real.
Less travel means less money. You have not given any idea of budget.

July 23rd as in next week?

We combined Iceland and Switzerland one year. Flew Iceland Air. Worked pretty well. I have both trip reports posted here on Fodor's if you think they might help.

It's pretty easy to combine the "Alps in Switzerland, Munich, Salzburg, Fussen, Berlin" as well. Well, Berlin is the outlier, but the rest is easily accomplished - fly into and out of Munich, train to Salzburg, bus or train to Switzerland from Munich, etc.

I don't envy you having to come up with a plan with such short notice - have you even checked to see if flights are available at this late date?

Welcome to Fodors :)

Just quick -- I'd absolutely 100% forget about either Scotland or Iceland because unfortunately you've left things too late (I know - not your 'fault' but it is the reality)

And Scotland is my favorite place on Earth. Late July is difficult, and August is nigh on impossible unless planned months in advance, Edinburgh triples in size and more than doubles in cost from the end of July through the entire month of August due to the Fringe, International Festival, other festivals, and the Tattoo all running concurrently. Other places in the country (Skye, Mull, other scenic areas) are likely fully booked.

Height of European Holiday season and Edinburgh has the mother of all festivals in August.

I'd do Iceland, Scotland, Ireland. Travel between is easy. Only three currencies, lots of parties.

Your 2nd itinerary would be one hell of a trip.

I may be wrong but I don’t think Iceland wouldn’t be too late? I found a tour that goes all around the ring road starting July 25th for a whole week. And found plenty of accommodation in Reykjavík for the 2 days I stay before doing the tour. So not sure what you mean?

Yes. I’ve checked flights and lodging (I like to stay in hostels). All of the places had availability and even checked tours and stuff. I found $600 round trip flights to Reykjavík and Istanbul. Other areas roughly the same as well.

Sorry I should have noted my budget. My budget is $20,000. I doubt I will get near that since I like to stay in hostels. And I like to backpack. Im just giving what realistically is the max I would spend so it is noted that budget is not an issue at all.

Yeah I think I’m going to pick locations close together. Or 2 locations far apart but can easily be flown (for example Iceland and Switzerland) may be more doable. But I won’t do Iceland and Switzerland and Istanbul for example.

Ill try to rethink and will put down my thoughts.

I decided to remove Scotland due to timing. Iceland has tours and accommodation. Turkey and the Balkans might be a better idea since less people travel there so more options. I imagine Switzerland would probably be packed.

How about Iceland + Turkey/Greece?

I'm guessing Iceland will be more packed than Switzerland.

Sounds like you've got a healthy budget, but keep in mind Iceland and Switzerland are both eye-wateringly expensive.

Yeah true. Idk how to narrow it down. I guess I’ll watch more videos. I feel like I did narrow it down to 3 options tho

1st one is pick Switzerland OR Iceland then fly to Turkey and finish in Greece

2nd one is Turkey + Greece and/or Balkans depending on what I can fit

3rd one is Iceland and Switzerland and Istanbul

Also I was considering a location other than Europe because people say other places around the world require 3 weeks and Europe can be done in 10-14 days so don’t waste it. I considered Australia/NZ but I think I’ll save it for a time when it isn’t winter

Something about your original post and additions of your budget remind me of another poster we had recently in this thread: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...to-go-1708440/ - Both 24 years of age with a $20k budget. Wish I had that at 24! Heck, wish I had that now at 43!

But even if you are two different people, the one thing you really need to consider right now is whether you want to travel in the current climate of the airline industry. It is in a complete meltdown right now worldwide. Go if you can, absolutely, but keep it simple. Try to use trains between your destinations (and those are having their own issues, too), maybe even avoid connecting flights if you can. So, fly direct if at all possible. Having carry-on only will help, too. Baggage handling is a mess everywhere.

You wanting to go to Europe in the high season makes things crowded - not so much if you can find accomodations (sounds like you have). Just choose. We really cannot choose for you. It is your decision to make, and at the last minute no less. Yes, you can see highlights of Europe in 10-14 days, but you cannot see all of it. You could cover Paris, Rome, perhaps Venice & Florence in that 14 days. Or stick to just Germany or just Switzerland. Thoughts: Iceland is busy at this time of year, so are the Balkans/Greece, like others have suggested I'd avoid Scotland and even the UK (read up on Heathrow - it's a disaster). Personally, I'd avoid Europe right now (and this is coming from someone who planned a sabbatical before the meltdowns - I can't change my sabbatical dates so I am stuck). If you can make it to Australia and New Zealand, despite it being winter, that would be my choice.

My best trip was planned simply by putting a map of Europe on a dart board and tossing a dart. I was about your age. Maybe you should consider that as well.

I vote for Iceland-Turkey-Greece (or opposite order), with some Aegean island hopping.

Europe can be done in 10-14 days

That's a first. I can't even 'do' one country in Europe in 10-14 days.

Australia and NZ is a huge undertaking at the last minute. I love both in the winter, but then again I plan for months before going. And once again, you need to decide which country, and then narrow down even more. Three weeks is a good amount of time to leisurely explore one island of NZ or two eastern states of Australia, but if you head to Western Australia, all bets are off. WA is about as far from the US as a person can get. I know, I lived there for seven years and the flights to/from the US were brutal.

Everywhere in Europe is busy right now, and much of it is roasting and or burning.
Many people are taking trains instead of flying so trains, certainly between countries, may not be available. Flying is a pain, and not helping the roasting/burning.
I would choose a single country and spend real time there, and just chill a bit while there. Slow down and enjoy it before going back to work. Since you keep mentioning Turkey go to Turkey.
Or spend the time exploring your own country, which has plenty of amazing places.

amen


planes are so pre-covid, just not responsible, perhaps use some of the $20k (American I guess) to plant some trees

That is my post! I lost access to that account and I had a date change due to work issues so I just made a new post since date requirements changed and I narrowed down my choices even more.

Here is what I think I’m going to do. I read on the Rick Steves forum that Poland currently is experiencing under tourism due to Ukraine situation. Maybe I could fly into Warsaw or Krakow and see 1-2 cities in Poland. Buy a ticket to fly out of Istanbul to give me options. Then I have a lot of options like I could go down to Budapest. Then I could take a short flight to Greece or I could visit Croatia instead. It gives a lot of flexibility.

Other idea I had which is less logical is to fly to Iceland. Yes it’s gonna be crowded but at least it’s outdoors in nature. Reykjavik is also a good stopover since it’s a relatively short flight compared to most of Europe. Then from there I really wanted to visit Istanbul and I also wanted to see Greece.

If those 2 ideas sound okay then I will choose between the 2 of them.

I would prefer to have more planning to visit Australia/NZ. It’s my fault but theres so much of Europe I’ve always wanted to visit anyway so I’m still excited!!!

Not Poland. I read through some TripAdvisor forums and it seems to be not as crowded. And the weather in Krakow doesn’t seem too bad either.

I’m not gonna let crowds stop me from traveling either way. I rarely get to leave the country.

I’m thinking I’m gonna do Iceland then go to Turkey and do Greece as well. Or fly to Poland, see Budapest, and go down the Balkans.

Plus since Iceland is outdoors, crowds aren’t as big of an issue since space is huge. Even if it still is, not gonna stop me.

Yes it sucks the crowds, but I’m just tired of staying in the states.

If you are serious about Poland you might enjoy this article:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...upport-ukraine

Here is the June thread https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...to-go-1708440/

Just wondering :-. . . Could it be we are being trolled here? This thread -- his trip is due to his employer unexpectedly awarding PTO for his exceptional work performance . . . earlier thread its because he left his job and has 5 weeks between his old job and starting a new one in August.

No not a troll, it’s my other account that I lost my password to. And I had dates changed due to person problems. I explained that in another thread. That was my last post. I just changed the phrasing but basically I got a performance bonus and got a new position at my company’s parent company. So yes I am switching jobs.

Bruh, I got to level with you, you have been straddling this "where should I go fence" since June 18th. You're straddling is so dang far that you're doing the splits. You're barely closer today than you were in mid-June.

This is YOUR TRIP. Choose wherever YOU want to go. You do not need our validation. You have spent 4 weeks asking for advice over two separate threads - two threads that people are concerned that were not legitimate (your inconsistent details do not help that, especially with the ever changing travel dates). You are past being "overwhelmed", this is just you being indecisive.

At this point, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, it is time to cr*p or get off the pot. This will not be your last trip to Europe. If you want to go to Iceland, Turkey and Greece. By all means: GO! To me, that itinerary does not make sense but you do not seem to be heeding the advice of others on here, so why bother advising you about it? It is not our trip anyway. On the other hand, if you want to go to Poland, Budapest and Croatia: GO!

Have fun. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

OK - so assuming this whole exercise is legit . . . There are nearly 45 posts on your first thread and getting close to 25 on this version and you are no nearer making any decisions than you were in the beginning. (Before this big new job offer - did your employer know how indecisive you are? -- Kidding - sort of)

Time to get off the pot (just noticed Travel_Nerd used the same idiom) fish or cut bait. Start booking things already!

The reason I made a new thread like I explained before was because my circumstances changed and I no longer had 4 weeks but have 3 now. I also was planning on leaving a lot earlier when I made that post but now I had a bit more time to plan.

Whatever, I’ll just choose a destination and stop posting.

No one has questioned the reasons you started a new thread (Lost log on ID and different ideas/dates). Totally understandable. What isn't quite so obvious is why its taking you so long to make any decisions - all the while, flights are being cancelled daily, places are booking up and soon you'l be flat SOL. About 35 different Fodorites have posted suggestions trying to help. Take some (any) of those suggestion, stop dithering . . . and book your trip . . .

Because you have so little time, I suggest Switzerland and Germany. I think choosing a few places in those two countries would make a fantastic trip, and other than flights and hostels you could go in without any other formal planning. Buy a decent guidebook and read it on the plane ride over.

I believe your other ideas are too complicated to pull together on such short notice.

And that budget would allow for accepting last-minute lodging availability at much higher rates than hostels.

I don’t plan on actually using that budget. I just said the maximum money I *could* spend if need be. Realistically I’ll probably only spend half to even a quarter of that.

I prefer hostels for the social aspect.

Good point. I apologize for that. I decided to do Switzerland then Istanbul then Greece. So 7 days in Switzerland, fly to Istanbul, spend a week, then go to Crete in Greece.

ivr booked tours and everything so we can end this thread

OK. Good luck. Safe travels. Have fun.

Also, FriendlyTraveler5, if you haven't looked already, the tripadvisor forums are very active and may help with the details of the locations you choose, or simply reading through them will offer information. Have a wonderful time and mask up! Sounds like a fantastic opportunity.

Pretty sure they already posted there (TA).