Hello, I am in the very beginning stages of planning a solo trip in summer of 2018. It will also be my first time traveling out of Canada by myself. I will be going a 4 week college class at the University of Glasgow that starts mid June (and ends mid July). I am planning on then traveling around Europe for 2-3 weeks after the program is over. Unfortunately, it will be very hot and very touristy but I can't really change the dates.

I need some help with planning approximately how long to spend where (and any other helpful tips!). So far this is want I am thinking:

Paris: 2 nights (directly after the end of the class) I really want to go see Versailles
Munich: 4 nights (I want to day trip to go to Neuschwanstein and maybe spend sometime in the smaller towns in the area); I also speak some Germany and my family is from Germany, so I really want to spend sometime there
Venice: 2 nights (I'm not super into spending a ton of time in Venice, but I do want to check it out)
Rome: 4 nights
I am also interested in going to the Cinque Terre...

I know I will have to spend quite a bit of time traveling to and from cites, but I'm open to staying for three weeks. I'm not really into nightlife or partying, I would like to spend my time going on walks, seeing the sights, and enjoying really good food.

Well that is a plateful for 2 weeks- I'd spend more than a day in Paris itself and yes you will have to travel much of the day between Paris and Munich even if flying and Munich and Venice (though there is an overnight train on that segment).

I don't see time for CT and in summer it is super crowded - best leave that to a future trip.

anyway trains are the best for cities somewhat close to each other like Venice -- Rome and for day trips to Fussen for the castles.

Fly from Glasgow to Paris or go via London.

For lots of great train info check www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

You are not traveling enough to merit any perusal of railpasses.

I was with you (except I'd think you'd want more than 2 nights/1.5 days in Paris) until >>I am also interested in going to the Cinque Terre… <<

The CT will be a mob scene.

Where are you flying home from? Do you have any interest in London? I'd maybe consider flying from GLA to Rome, then train to Venice, then train or fly to Munich then fly to Paris. Finally fly home from either Paris (or London).

That would be a terrific 3 week trip.

Only one day in Paris? One day in Venice? I would definitely add some time/days in both. There is so much to see in Paris, even if you skip most of the museums and just wander the different neighborhoods and parks. I'm not the biggest fan of Venice, but I don't think you can even feel oriented to the place in one day.

For me, the Cinque Terre is too much of a detour and time-eater for the little enjoyment I would get there in high season summer. It's nearly 6 hours by train from Venice to the CT and 4+/5 hours from the CT to Rome. The tiny CT towns will be packed with tourists.

Can you do the vacation on the front end rather than the back end of the trip? Crowds and weather will be more favorable. Versailles is a madhouse. Is this your first trip to Paris...I wouldn't go there for 2 days.

Only 2 nights in Paris?

"Unfortunately, it will be very hot and very touristy but I can't really change the dates."

You can change some of the destinations and perhaps avoid the heat and tourists.

In Italy you might try the Dolomites, a great summer destination, and see them perhaps on the way to Venice; drop Rome and the CT (which you could axe and save for another trip in a different season.)

Why Neuschwanstein? Yeah, it's in every guidebook and brochure, I know. And it should be somewhat cooler there maybe but it's a 5-hour round-trip by trains and buses and a tourist zoo, one with a mere 30-minute tour - and it's not a real castle. It was built just before the start of the 20th century as a "Residenz" (residential palace) but the designer pulled a Hollywood set gag and gave it a fake castle facade. An interesting building but not worth the hours, the Euros and the trouble.

http://www.dw.com/en/is-neuschwanste...-be/a-17887035

I would suggest instead a short stay in Berchtesgaden for some alpine splendor.

http://images.fotocommunity.de/bilde...366c66aa75.jpg

http://www.berchtesgadener-land.com/...-lockstein.jpg

Take in some real castles in nearby Salzburg and/or Werfen. (Some trains between Munich and Venice route through Salzburg anyway, by the way.)

http://www.markmarissink.com/wp-cont...n/DSCF0697.jpg
http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/

Thanks so much! That is a bunch of really helpful info.

You need more time in Paris.
ssander

Why not more than 2 days in Paris - one will be in Versailles or most of one? At least another day!

Venice: 2 nights (I'm not super into spending a ton of time in Venice, but I do want to check it out)>

Yes more than enough to do that.

It really matters where you need to be at the end of your trip in order to fly back to Canada. I'm guessing you already have bought your RT air. What is your departure airport?

There are lots of cheap flights to Pisa that put you in a good position to visit le Cinque Terre and then move on to Rome -- but that only makes sense to do if you don't need to leave from Rome. (If you follow).

Also you'll get more useful advice if you can be more specific about what kind of travel experience you are looking for when it comes to visiting le Cinque Terre. If you want to see the UNESCO designated wine terraces of le Cinque Terre and gaze at the Mediterranean, that's one thing, but if you want to experience a break from urban sightseeing, with some swimming in the sea? -- people can suggest beautiful alternatives that are less crowded, easier to squeeze into your wish list.

CT in summer is no fun for the average tourist just wanting yes to relax in a dreamy old seaside village -and not in one so elbow-elbow with tourists. Plus on such limited time leave the CT for another trip - and in spring or fall perhaps.

I would only spend 2.5 days in Rome - the .5 would be for travel back to Paris.

You have a lot of time to purchase train tickets ahead of time.
The website www.maninseat61 makes everything clear for you.

If you want to go from Paris to Venice, I would take EasyJet.

If you are thinking about hotels or hostels, many do not accept bookings until about 6 months in advance.

The website www.maninseat61 makes everything clear for you.>

won't work - use www.seat61.com -the name of the site and yes the best rail info on the web right now IMO.

Paris to Venice I always take - well three times now - the Thello overnight trains but overnight trains are not for all - especially folks that can't sleep well with a modicum of noise that will come from inside and outside of the train.

But for me some vino and rarely had any problems sleeping. there are also some special fares from about 45 euros in multi-person compartments to significantly more in a private double -but worth the extra money - which I never have as single compartments are very expensive -but you save on cost of a hotel that night and arrive in Venice itself bright and early in the morning -well bright for many not all and those with noise problems should never take overnight trains. Yet the sleeping berths are comfy enough and come with sheets, blankets and pillows.

www.thello.com for prices and booking.

It is a sad fact that the shorter the time you spend in any one place, the more touristy it will seem and Versailles is more or less tourist central in Paris, along with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. So see these sights by all means, but give yourself time to explore and get away and find your own Paris. That's going to take you at least 4 nights [which gives you 3 days].

Depending on where you are leaving from, and assuming that you want to see something of that place too, that really leaves you a max of 2-3 places to fit in between, remembering that you need to factor in the time needed to move between places, finding your hotel or hostel, checking in, getting transport tickets or passes, etc.