Itinerary Help
 

Hi guys!

I am planning a trip to Europe for the last week in August and into September.

My mom asked me to plan everything out (and at a reasonable cost) but I want to go everywhere and there just isn't enough time!! I know I'm pushing it with all the places I want to go but I think we can do it because I'm more of a see a little bit everything rather than stay in one place person. And museums are NOT my thing so that eliminates basically half the continent (haha) Here's my very rough plan so far:

1. Fly to Berlin, Germany via WOW air and drive a rental car to Dresden. The airfare is cheapest to fly into Berlin and we can pick up the car at the airport.
2. Get to Dresden, check in at a hotel, drop off rental car and walk around. I'm not sure that I really want to go to Dresden but my sister is studying abroad so we might visit.
3. Visit the Neuchswanstein castle and stay nearby. - paragliding!
4. Eventually take a train to Prague
5. Then take train to Salzburg
6. And finally, fly to Zakynthos Island in Greece - swim in the Blue Caves and snorkel and relax :)

I hope I don't sound too naive... I'm open to suggestions and tips! I was thinking about Iceland but I don't know if there's much to do there and I really REALLY want to go to Greece...

You can fly from Salzburg to Zakynthos but it will most likely mean a connecting flight to Vienna first. You can also look into taking the train from Salzburg to Munich for your flight to Zakynthos instead of flying from Salzburg to Vienna. Then from Zakynthos you can fly back to Berlin for your flight home. www.skyscanner.com will show you what's available on the budget side of European airlines.

How many days do you have not including travel days?

Besides the first and last day, and flying to Greece, everyday should be relatively free because it will only take 1-2 hours to travel on train between cities.

Not including your flying days, how many days do you have on the ground?

How many days will you have on the ground in Europe?

"Besides the first and last day, and flying to Greece, everyday should be relatively free because it will only take 1-2 hours to travel on train between cities." If only that were true. But going from one city to another involves more time than that. You have to figure from the time you check out of your lodgings in one place until you check in ay the next. In between is not only your train journey, but also transport to and from the train station and wait time at the station. As a result, chancing locations takes at least half a day.

I don't really have a set amount of days- as long as its no longer than 2 weeks. I don't know how much time I will need to be able to go to all the places I want.

You are kind of zig zagging around. Get a map and look at locations. Two weeks is not reasonable for all those places plus travel time. You will have to choose favorites and places near them.

Group places and try not to backtrack.
Berlin - Dresden - Prague.
Munich - the castles - Romantic Rd - Salzburg o
Greek Island

Pick your favorite three or four max. Decide what you want to see and do there and how much time that will take. Then decide the best way to do it - train, car, etc. See how much time it will take to get from place to place, not just train or drive time, but time getting to stations, hotels, etc.

So, start with your absolute must do choice. How many days? How many do you then have left to work with? Good way to start planning and to be sure you get what you most want.