I want to go to Europe for a month next summer. But need your feedbacks and suggestion and cut down countries.
Hi there, sounds like an exciting trip.
Quite a bit of countries you are going to, and you wil have to cut out some places in order to experience anything more than just traveling, given your time frame.
First and formost I would like to advocate Norway, since I am Norwegian. Very beautifull country, espessially the north. But I understand that the price level scares a lot of people off. But if you have never experiences the midnight sun, it will be worh it.
A good route would be to buy an interrail ticket for travel in continental europe, distances are not that big. Would fly into Madrid, then train to Barcelona and so into France, and then Switzerland and München in Germany. Would cut out Berlin, since it is so far east, and head directly for Paris, followd by Amsterdam, Hamgurg and Copenhagen. But if you want to experience Prague, I would insted cut out Spain, and start my trip in either Switerland or Italy (Italy is a very beautifull country, and the whine is excelent), then head for München, Prague and Berlin, followed by Amsterdam, Hamgurg and Copenhagen. Or you could cut out southern Europe, and start in Berlin, then Prague, München, Switzerland, Paris Amsterdam, Hamburg, Copenhagen. (the reason that I include Hamburg so much is that all rails headed for Copenhagen goes through Hamburg).
My point is that you should limit you travel area a bit. Most cities on the continent have exelent rail-connections. Once in copenhagen, you can fly off to northern Finland, say Rovaniemi, and then travel toward Norway and North Cape.
If you want to go to Russia, I would go to St.Petersburg insted, then head for Helsinki (it is very colse), and when in Helsinki you can take the ferry over to Tallin. Bear in mind that you must apply for a visa to Russia. The schengen-visa is not valid.
[ 26-Mar-2010, at 02:31 by hanhans ]
Don't know where you're from, but there is a possibilty (or rather a probability) that you are going to need visas for some of these places. Are you all prepared for that?
All the Scandinavia countries you mention are wonderful, especially Finland and Norway (my two favourites along with Iceland), but very expensive. I mean so incredibly pricey.
Egypt will be a bit of a struggle by rail. Your best bet is a budget flight one way, then another cheap ticket to a different destination. There's no need to buy a return. All European budget airlines are single tickets.
Forget Eurail/Interail passes. Just buy your train tickets as you go. It's a lot more convenient and often cheaper.
If I had to cut anything out of this suggested itinery of yours, I'd say forget Switzerland, Madrid and Munich. Try and do a little more of Eastern Europe, once you're in Prague (maybe Poland, Hungary and Romania - possibly Bulgaria).
Switzerland is nice, but there's no need to include it if you hope to do Norway. However if you don't get to Scandinavia, then for sure do Switzerland.
Russia is always great, but if you need a visa and don't want to pay a visa agent a fortune, then you must plan well ahead. You will not be allowed on to a plane at your point of departure to Russia, without a current visa of some kind.
I have been to Russia several times and it also needs forward planning to get the cheapest rooms, meals etc. It is a very easy place to get ripped off in, regardless of whether you are in a city or village. Moscow is frightfully expensive 'Unless' you've done your homework. If you do bit of studying, then it doesn't have to cost much at all.
My two favourite cities on your route are Berlin and Amsterdam. Both a little expensive, but such wonderful adventures.
To make your journey times a lot shorter, you might want to check out a few budget airlines instead of trains. They'll usually work out cheaper and of course, will be a lot quicker. It's not necessary to use them all the time, but if you happen to like the idea of another country 1,000 miles away, it's nicer sometimes to do it in 2 hours instead of 2 days ! !
Airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair have good prices across Western Europe (a little of Eastern Europe and Africa too) and Wizzair are the largest budget carrier of flights in and out of Eastern Europe.
Hope that's of some help.
If you have to choose between Berlin and Munich it will be better if you go to Berlin. It is the more interesting city of the two.
Does it fit for a month? By euro rails?
No freaking way. For all the places you want to see you need at least 15 weeks.
You need approx. 5-7 days each for bigger cities such as London, Berlin and Paris. You also need to plan on having 10-21 days for each country if you want to see more than just the capital.
So in 4 weeks you can reasonably see around 5 bigger cities or 2 European countries and one big city.
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