suze

Traveling for 14 weeks, I'd suggest you might want to build in a few times where you stopped and stay put for more than 1-2 days. I understand you want to cover a lot of ground at an extremely fast pace, but to basically move every day for 98 days in a row, and spend so much time on trains (busses, planes, whatever) just doesn't sound fun to me.

KTtravel

I second Isabel's great suggestions -- a well thought out plan. Checking in and out of hotels can take a good portion of the day as rooms are sometimes not ready, taxis can get quite lost trying to find them, etc. You may find you need to take a day or so to relax and slow the pace which you can do if your lodging is centrally located. Or, there may be a festival or special event that you decide you prefer to enjoy rather than taking a day trip. You will have more flexibility.

I have not been to Krakow or Budapest but Vienna and Prague were not as memorable for me as some of your other locations.

Dukey1

to the VERY fortunate OP: "Way too ambitious. Wont be able to catch your breath much less see anything."

be grateful you aren't hampered by such foolish notions. GO FOR IT!!!!

Jean

I think you need to re-check some of the train information, night trains in particular.

Bern to Salzburg overnight can involve multiple changes which means you won't sleep. Or fewer changes, but you arrive at 3:00a.

Prague to Paris overnight is probably 15 hours with at least one change having a long delay. Why not just fly?

The train ride from Lake Como (hopefully, you intend from Varenna-Esino) to Bologna is not 6 hours. It's under 3 hours. But it's backtracking a bit to go from Lake Como to Bologna to Venice to Florence, as you'll be passing through Bologna on the way to Florence.

There is no train from the Cinque Terre that can get you to Rome in 3 hours. Almost all trains from Rome to Naples take 2 hours or less.

For all train rides, calculate additional time at both ends for travel between lodging and train stations. Check frequently for strike announcements affecting various transit.

china_cat

Gee, this is the revised itinerary. Looks like seg49 already got loads of suggestions last month:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-europe.cfm

bvlenci

You say you have a year to plan this trip. Why don't you start taking each destination, one at a time, and look at what you really want to see there. Some of your choices are a mystery to me. For example, spending the same amount of time in Dubrovnik as in Paris.

seg49

Thanks so much for all of the responses. I am definitely open to feedback and appreciate it! I forgot to mention that I will be backpacking staying in hostels and staying with friends for the majority of the trip. When my husband meets up with me we will allow extra money to stay in hotels (yes I know Switzerland and Austria will be expensive).

The reason we are flying into Milan as this will be the best deal we can get flying from NZ through my friends work.

The reason for the massive 14 week trip is I can only take one extended period of leave every 3 years. And I will most likely have children in the next few years, so won't have an opportunity to go backpacking again (at least whileI'm young!). NZ holidays are in Europe's winter too, so can't go then! It also takes over 24 hours and Thousands of dollars to get from NZ to UK/Europe.

I know the trip is really fast paced but I thought it was an improvement on the original Contiki trip I looked at doing which is many more Countries in about half the time.

From your feedback:
- I will take out the quick trip to Loch Ness and perhaps do a day trip to Sterling/Rabbies.
- I am seriously consider ditching Ireland and adding that time to London/Paris part
- Thanks Isabel I like the idea of skipping Zurich and basing myself in two cities (Lucerne and Interlaken) and doing day trips etc. also like the idea of flying to Greece and using that traveling time to add a few more days to the Greek Islands. Although I do want to stay on Capri and not just do a day trip.
- Perhaps my husband could meet me in London instead of Frankfurt and then we could use those days to add to London/Amsterdam.
- I will definitely look at taking out some of the locations and basing myself in a few more places instead, especially in Italy and Belgium
- Thanks for the vote of confidence Dukey1, Thursdaysd, pariswat! I'm not put off by all the dream takers, Backpacking around Europe is definitely something I've always wanted to do, go and see as much as I can! I did ask for feedback so am open to all of those who say it will be too exhausting/whirlwind but as I said at least it's an improvement on a Contiki tour.
- I will look at train schedules etc in more detail closer to the time, just getting a general overview for now.
- Trip will be flexible but need to have a rough itinerary If I want to book a few cheap flights and get the appropriate rail pass etc. closer to the time.

Still open to more feedback, if you have any tips/ideas!

Cheers!

seg49

@bvlenci I have already done that and already taken out Barcelona/Madrid, Berlin, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Lithuania, and French Riviera. You should have seen my first itinerary !
I thought spending a bit more time in Croatia midway through would be a bit more relaxing and also it's a cheaper alternative. My husband has already seen Paris and isn't as keen on spending too much time there, I really just want to see the main sights (Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris..) But am definitely thinking of adding a couple of days to Paris now after hearing from others feedback.

michele_d

We did a thirteen week trip in 2009 which included five, one week stays interspersed throughout the trip with the remaining time averaging about 3-4 days in each place, a couple two night stays: 23 locations in all. I felt the pace was just right. I loved those week long stays in apts. Felt like a 'vacation from our vacation'. Time to relax, do laundry, cook meals etc.

Our second trip of six weeks was done at a faster pace with many two night stays. Although we enjoyed it I really wished we had stayed longer, minimum three-four nights in each place. Having traveled both ways I much prefer the first, with longer stays interspersed amongst the short ones.

Gretchen

Well, I didn't even address the minute time in Paris, but even if your husband has been there, he's going back with YOU.

suze

I'm not sure it would be possible for a person traveling solo to move themselves around as fast and furious as the pace of a Contiki tour (even if you wanted to).

Ozarksbill

Wow, that's my comment! I've always said that part of the joy of traveling is in the planning. Being lots older I can't imagine myself and wonder about you covering so much territory. Yes, you are a gutzy gal for sure. I've camped but never backpacked and you must be tough. Just about to see the movie The Wild. And I do understand that being from far away in New Zeeland and Australia it is not uncommon for someone to plan lengthy trips.

I would second isabel...less moving. Enjoyable travel is enhanced by time for soaking in the places visited. Yes, I see you have three days in some places.

msteacher

You may want to re-think the order of your destinations, to create the most efficient movement from place to place. Your current itinerary has you practically circling the continent twice, which will eat up a lot of time and money. For example, you are leaving Zagreb to fly across the continent to Edinburgh, only to later swing back to Krakow, then later fly back across the continent to Paris. I assume you are on a budget, so cutting a few destinations as others have suggested, and then putting them in a logical and efficient order will maximize your budget, time, and enjoyment of the trip. Happy planning!

suze

(use a map, plot it out, place to place as you now have it planned... see how the route looks)

PalenQ

anyone doing that much train travel should investigate some kind of railpass - and there are zillions from one country ones to global ones covering every country save the U K which has its own pass. Anyway for loads of great planning info on European trains check these info-laden sites: www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.seat61.com.

I think you are missing out on the most gorgeous part of Switzerland by not going to Alpine wonderlands like the fabulous Jungfrau Region around Interlaken - glacier-girdled peaks in view from hotel balconies in mellow hill towns like Wengen, Grindelwald or Murren - a myriad of toylike trains and thrilling aerial cableways going off inall directions - hiking trails from easy to advance energies - this is the Switzerland picture etched in many folks' minds but which will not be fulfilled in placdes like Zurich or Lucerne, nice as they are:

https://www.google.com/search?q=jung...=1600&bih=1075

seg49

Thanks for your replies they have been very helpful. Here is a possible revised itinerary. I feel like I need to add more time in Vienna and Krakow. What could I substitute this for? I am hoping that my husband will be able to meet me in Amsterdam instead of Frankfurt so I have taken this out. As well as advice to ditch Ireland, and some Italian locations. I found I can fly home from Prague for a similar price as paris so have changed that around to suit locations better. Advice on adding more to Switzerland is useful as this will probably be a highlight of the trip for my husband.
I realise this is still very ambitious and full on! But I love it.
Open to feedback on this. Thanks in Advance!

Saturday 16th April Fly NZ-AUS-Abu Dhabi (PLANE)
Sunday 17th April Arrive Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi)
Monday 18th April (Abu Dhabi)
Fly out Late (PLANE)
Tuesday 19th April Arrive Milan. Transfers to Lake Como (Lake Como1)
Wednesday 20th April Lake Como (Lake Como2)
Thursday 21st April Lake Como (Lake Como3)
Friday 22nd April Train to Milan (Store bags at station) ( Night train Milan - Naples)
Saturday 23rd April Naples or Sorrento (Naples1)
Sunday 24th April Naples or Sorrento (Naples2)
Monday 25th April Early Ferry to Isle of Capri (1 hour) (Capri1)
Tuesday 26th April Capri (Capri2)
Wednesday 27th April Capri (Capri3)
Thursday 28th April Ferry to Naples, train to Rome(4 hours) (Rome1)
Friday 29th April Rome (Rome2)
Saturday 30th April Rome (Rome3)
Sunday 1st May Rome (Rome4)
Monday 2nd May Rome (Rome5)
Tuesday 3rd May Train to Florence (4 hours) (Florence1)
Wednesday 4th May Florence (Florence2)
Thursday 5th May Florence (Florence3)
Friday 6th May Florence (Florence4)
Saturday 7th May Day trip to Pisa then train to Venice (Venice1)
Sunday 8th May Venice (Venice2)
Monday 9th May Venice (Venice3)
Tuesday 10th May Venice (Venice4)
Wednesday 11th May Fly To Athens (Athens1)
Thursday 12th May Athens (Athens2)
Friday 13th May Athens (Athens3)
Saturday 14th May Ferry Athens to Mykonos (7am) (Mykonos1)
Sunday 15th May Mykonos (Mykonos2)
Monday 16th May Mykonos (Mykonos3)
Tuesday 17th May Ferry to Santorini (3pm) (Sanotrini1)
Wednesday 18th May Santornini (Santorini2)
Thursday 19th May Santonrini (Santorini3)
Friday 20th May Ferry Santorini to Athens (3:30pm) (Athens1?)
Saturday 21st May Athens to Montenegro (Montenegro1)
Sunday 22nd May Montenegro (Montenegro2)
Monday 23rd May Bus to Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik1)
Tuesday 24th May Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik2)
Wednesday 25th May Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik3)
Thursday 26th May Bus to Split (Split1)
Friday 27th May Split (Split2)
Saturday 28th May Split - Day-trips (Split3)
Sunday 29th May Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park (Plitvice1)
Monday 30th May Plitvice to Zagreb (Zagreb1)
Tuesday 31st May Zagreb to Edinburgh (Edinburgh1)
Wednesday 1st June Edinburgh (Edinburgh2)
Thursday 2nd June Edinburgh (Edinburgh3)
Friday 3rd June Edinburgh (Edinburgh4)
Saturday 4th June Edinburgh (Edinburgh5)
Sunday 5th June Edinburgh (Edinburgh6)
Monday 6th June Edinburgh (Edinburgh7)
Tuesday 7th June Edinburgh -(Overnight train to London)
Wednesday 8th June London London1
Thursday 9h June London London2
Friday 10th June London London 3
Saturday 11th June London London 4
Sunday 12th June London London 5
Monday 13h June Eurostar to Paris (Paris1)
Tuesday 14st June Paris (Paris2)
Wednesday 15h June Paris (Paris3)
Thursday 16th June Paris (Paris4)
Friday 17th June Bus to Brussels (4 hours) (Brussels1)
Saturday 18th June Brussels (Brussels2)
Sunday 19th June Brussels (Brussels3)
Monday 20th June Early Train/Bus to Bruges (1 hour) (Bruges1)
Tuesday 21st June Bruges (Bruges2)
Wednesday 22nd June Train to Amsterdam (3.5hrs) (Amsterdam1)
Thursday 23rd June Amsterdam (Amsterdam2)
Friday 24th June Amsterdam (Amsterdam3)
Saturday 25th June Amsterdam (Overnight train to Zurich)
Sunday 26th June Train to Bern (1 hour) (Bern1)
Monday 27th June Bern (Bern2)
Tuesday 28th June Bern Train to Interlaken pm (1 hour) (Interlaken1)
Wednesday 29th June Interlaken (Interlaken2)
Thursday 30th June Interlaken (Interlaken3)
Friday 1st July Interlaken (Interlaken4)
Saturday 2nd July Train to Lucerne (Lucerne1)
Sunday 3rd July Lucerne (Lucerne2)
Monday 4th July Lucerne (Lucerne3)
Tuesday 5th July Train to Zurich (1 hour) Evening Train Zurich to Munich (Munich1)
Wednesday 6th July Munich (Munich2)
Thursday 7th July Munich (Munich3)
Friday 8th July Munich (Munich4)
Saturday 9th July Train Munich to Salzburg (Salzburg1)
Sunday 10th July Salzburg (Salzburg2)
Monday 11th July Salzburg (Salzburg3)
Tuesday 12th July Train to Vienna (2.5 hours) ((Vienna1)
Wednesday 13th July Vienna (Vienna2)
Thursday 14th July Train/Bus to Budapest (3.5 hours) (Budapest1)
Friday 15th July Budapest (Budapest2)
Saturday 16th July Budapest (Budapest3)
Sunday 17th July Bus/Fly to Krakow (Krakow1)
Monday 18th July Krakow (Krakow2)
Tuesday 19th July Krakow (Night Train to Prague)
Wednesday 20th July Prague (Prague1)
Thursday 21st July Prague (Prague2)
Friday 22nd July Prague (Prague3/Late Flight)
Saturday 24th July Travel Back To NZ
Sunday 25th July Arrive Back In NZ

thursdaysd

How much time do you actually have at Plitvice? I stayed for two nights and had no trouble filling a full day. You may have to wait a while for a bus when you leave, so you need to start that wait early.

Too much time in Brussels - one day is plenty.

I would give more time to Vienna and less to Salzburg (but I have been to Austria four times and haven't been to Salzburg yet).

I would forget Bern or Lucerne and add time to Budapest.

seg49

thanks thursdaysd, I might put an extra night for Plitvice as you are right by the time I get there from Split it will already be after midday. Any recommendations on places to stay there? Is it easy enough to get the buses?

Will take out some time in Belgium. There doesn't seem to be a lot of love for Salzburg? A few friends have been and all recommended it, so that's why I have it on the itinerary. Am keen to hear others thoughts? Sights I had wanted to see: Hohensalzburg Castle, Cathedral, Hellbrunn Palace, Sound of Music Bike Tour, and House of Mozart

Bern - Was looking at doing a day trip from Bern to Broc – Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory which I heard was fantastic. also seeing Gurten Mountain

Lucrene - Mount Pilatus Day tour was recommended and would also like to see the famous Kapellbrücke.

michele_d

I think it looks a LOT better regarding amount of overnights in each place. You have eliminated nearly 1/3 of your destinations. It is still an adventurous trip, but in a good way. I know you will enjoy this much much more.

Now the real fun begins: figuring out what to do in each location. Read up about each location. This just adds to the anticipation of the trip.

thursdaysd

I went to Plitvice in 2004 and stayed at the Hotel Plitvice. Back then, if you weren't driving you basically had a choice of two hotels, don't know whether there are more options now. The hotel was fine.

Also, you waited at the bus stop out on the main road and hoped one of the buses would have an empty seat and stop for you. I think I waited about half an hour or so.