nitishraj

Hi Friends,

Last November i was planning a trip to Europe, but unfortunately, had to cancel my trip last moment due to an emergency at home. I Now plan to make my trip in June since it coincides with a Conference that i intend to attend. Below are the details and my queries. Would be glad to hear your advice/ suggestions.....Thanks in advance.

- The Conference that i'm attending is a JCI European conference between June 13th to 17th at Braunschweig, Germany.

- The places that i intend to visit are Paris, Switzerland, Berlin, Dusseldorf & Austria (Salzburg)

- I have my sister in Dusseldorf, so my last port will be dusseldorf and i will leave back to India from there....

- What is an ideal route i should take?

- I was planning Paris - 2 days, Switzerland - 3 days, Austria - 2 days, Berlin - 2 days, Braunschweig (Conference) - 4 days, Dusseldorf - 4 days, 2 days extra...Total of 19 days

- Accomodation is taken care at Switzerland (in Ermatingen to be exact), Austria & Dusseldorf as i have friends and relatives. In Paris & Berlin will be requiring accomodation. (Hostel accomodation will do)

- Apart from the flight from India and back, my budget is about 1250 US$...This includes my travel within europe, food and drinks, accomodation in Berlin & Paris, some souvenir shopping etc...Is this OK?

- What is the best mode of travel? will a point to point train ticket be fine or should i buy a eurail pass?

- i'm solo (Im trying for a company from India), but in case i travel solo, are there any such groups/ forums where i can join a bunch of fellow travellers?

There are my queries....I look forward to some great suggestions and advice....

Thanks & Regards,
Nitish

treplow

Too much!!!!!!!

First of all, don'think in term of countries, but locations.

The sequence: Drop Berlin and/or Salzburg. These are "outlayers" in terms of travel. You have to realize that getting from one place to the next usually takes 1/2 day minimum.

Add the extra days Paris and to Switzerland. There, spend the time in the Berner Oberland Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald and enjoy the alpine experience, without having to walk it all, but using the excellent train /cable car system.

Check with your sister as to what she thinks is the best way to see the pretty part of the Rhein between Koblenz and Bacharach (it's only about 40 miles long.) You could make it a driving day tour (if she has a car), or a train/boat day trip tour (train Duesseldorf to Bacharach, boat Bacharach - Koblenz, train back Koblenz to Duesseldorf.

I would not get a pass, but rely on point to point tickets.

You can buy the Switzerland - Braunschweig ticket on the Internet, through the Swiss or German railroad website, up to 92 days in advance of your travel. That will give you the best rate. As the day of your travel approaches, the price of the ticket goes up.

There are all kinds of other discounted tickets between Braunschweig and Dueseldorf, Duesseldorf the Rhein, etc.

I think your budget is a bit tight, unless your sister will spring for some of your expenses. My budget is usually EUR110 hotel, EUR50 food, EUR 30 incidentals. Switzerland, which doesn't use the EURO is even a bit more expensive (add 15%)and Duesseldorf is one of the more expensive cities in Germany.

As to solo vs. tour, I really can't advise you.