So my husband and I just realized we have enough frequent flyer points to go to Europe next Spring as we had hoped. Yay! We're on a definite budget (without the miles, we weren't going to go) and generally stay in hostels with double rooms and the like. But now that airfare is taken care of, where to go? We originally intended Rome, but the possibilities are so many that now we're not sure!

Here's our background, etc.: I've traveled extensively throughout W. Europe (every country except Portugal), and also Prague; he's only been to Paris, Ireland and London, all on our honeymoon. So ideally we'd like to go somewhere with some side trips that are easily accessible by train so that we can experience some new places together. No rental cars if we can help it (Eurail pass of some kind is our preference.) 10-14 days in Spring of '09. We like castles/churches, history (especially medieval and ancient), mild hikes, but mostly just to immerse in other cultures, try new foods, walk around local markets, etc.

Some of our possibilities so far:
-Rome/Florence with a couple of day trips to other towns
-Rome and work our way around to Dubrovnik, maybe via the Amalfi coast/boat instead of by train
-Portugal
-Munich (Neuschwanstein castle, which I haven't seen), Salzburg and either Northern Italy or Vienna
-Vienna, Prague, Budapest
-Florence, Cinque Terre, southern Provence

We'd just like to brainstorm a little more before we make firm decisions and were curious--if you had free plane tickets to Europe and 2 weeks to spend, where would you go?

What about 2 weeks in Germany? Maybe a week in Bavaria - Bamberg, Rothenburg, Regensburg are all filled with wonderful medieval buildings, including wonderful churches. I'd also visit Wurzburg (which is on my list for the next trip to this area).

Then perhaps a week along the Mosel. If you get to Cologne, the cathedral is magnificent and the city's many Romanesque churches are absolute gems.

There is a terrific recent trip report about the Mosel/Bavaria:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35128728

And another good one, all with public transport:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35116484

We've almost always relied exclusively on trains in Germany - the rail system is extensive and fantastic. There are passes and regional train specials - and there are some very knowledgeable fodorites who can advise on the ins and outs of the trains and fares.

Western Europe, no matter where is 'most of the same'. Some belive it is more like the USA than Europe. Try Central Europe this trip. Poland is a great choice. Norman Davies calls it 'The Heart of Europe'. The busses are many and frequent. Start in the south and travel north....

I'd start with your flight, frankly, particularly if you're at all locked in to particular dates. You'll have a great time no matter where you go.

Of the possibilities you list, I'd put Portugal at the top of the list, as it's inexpensive and has great history, very good public transportation, and opportunities for hiking (both countryside and seaside). And the weather in early spring, when your flight availability is going to be the strongest, is already more likely to be nice than anywhere in northern or eastern Europe.

For info on trains and railpasses i always recommend ricksteves.com and budgeteuropetravel.com as these sites have tons of info on rail travel in many european countries, unlike the usual online railpass selling sites that have the pass prices and an 'add to cart' button - on budgeteurope site request their excellent free European Planning & Rail Guide that has suggested itineraries and a chapter on each country's rail system, etc - a fine primer to European rail system and passes.

If you've been everywhere but Portugal, then why not Portugal? Supposed to be less expensive too.

Hi
I am planning a first trip to Europe with my daughter we will be there from July 8th until August 6th.
We are going to London, Italy, France, and Ireland. What would you recommend as far as accomadations and ways of getting around? We just purchased a Euro rail pass for France and Italy. I saw that you had traveled to these areas on your last trip. We don't have a lot of money, so we are trying to go on a budget.

I would check on the flights - see where you can get in and out of and work form there.

As someone who has been researching a lot over the last six weeks for a long trip with my daughter - I think based on what you shared Germany is a great idea. I bet you can get the FF flights in and out - you could also go to Austria from there as well.

calley192--I'd highly recommend hostels for accommodations, especially in Ireland. Many have double or private rooms with a shower down the hall, which is par for the course for European hotels anyway, and are MUCH cheaper than the average B&B. The only city in which we stayed in a hotel on our month-long honeymoon was London, and it was the worst accommodation we had. Not sure how old you are, but if your back can stand it, even the dorm beds at hostels aren't usually too bad, and in my opinion, worth saving the money for better things. If you do go the hostel route, research a LOT--they can run the gamut. Eurotrip.com has good backpacker forums with hostel reviews, as does eurotrek.net and the Let's Go guides. Eurail passes=great deal for jumping around, though this last trip we did use Ryanair a couple of times and rented a car in Ireland, but only because I'd seen the major cities and wanted to go other places. But if your schedule's not tight, Ireland has a great bus system too; they just sometimes only run once a day in the West. Feel free to post more specific questions and I'll post more specific answers. =)

As for our latest trip, hubby wants to definitely go to Rome and Venice, so the question for us is now to continue northward to Bavaria or go across to Dubrovnik and Croatia. What do you think, Fodorites? Our dates are completely open for now, as we haven't booked anything.

And the open-ended question is still out there, just because I love hearing what people would do with a couple of weeks anywhere in Europe...I guess Portugal for me will have to wait until after hubby has seen the colosseum...=)

If it is early Spring, then I would look hard at Spain and/or Portugal. The weather will be better than in much of Europe (even if not great), and they can both be a bit cheaper than elsewhere in Europe.

Based on your budget, interests, and timing I would recommend Croatia. You could use ferries to get up and down the coast and to see many of the most recommended destinations. Apartments (even oceanside ones) at that time can be had for very cheap, and there's history, classical architecture, and charm to spare.

Let's Go Europe IMO has the very best coverage of hostels and low budget accommodations like youth hotels, B&Bs, college dorms, etc. as well as a wealth of other info for low-budget on your town travel. In any major bookstore or library.

another vote for Spain !

Another vote for Portugal. It fits with everything you are asking for, and it is really a beautiful country.

Thanks for the information on the hostels. I am 49, and my daughter is 23. I have another question for you do you know of a good web site for the train routes, or will we receive the train routes when we get our rail passes? We paid for a regional rail pass, and they said they would send the information. I was wondering because we want to use it to go to Italy from France, it kinda of looks like you may need to go out of the way to avoid going into Switzerland, since we only bought the regional pass we can only use it for two countries, Italy and France.

You should have gotten the free Eurail Timetable with your pass though some agents don't send them out as it may boost the postage price - but along with a rail map of those countries and a brochure on the pass benefits, etc.

The main Paris-Italy route would only go thru France and Italy, via Artesia Day or Night trains via Milan

But the Paris-Venice night train goes via Dijon and Switzerland but as this train does not serve Switzerland i believe you only need a France and Italy pass to use it - do not need Switzerland on the pass - not so for day routes via Switzerland however.
Note if you need a Visa for Switzerland then you will need it even though the train does not really serve as even stop i think i Switzerland.
Upshot - to go via Switzerland to Italy in the daytime would be taking a longer route than the more direct faster route only in France and Italy

Castles, churches, history medieval/ancient, hiking, food, markets, culture? How about a volcano or two? Islands? Hilltowns?

How about Sicily??

"Western Europe, no matter where is 'most of the same'. Some belive it is more like the USA than Europe."

no kidding !
- Madrid is the same as Florence?

Barcelona and Berlin are twins?

Amsterdam is more like Detroit?

and Edinburgh is just like New York?

Please.....