Four Week Trip Around Europe.

[richb2004]

We are looking to go to Europe in May for four weeks, and do a bit of a tour.

We will spend a few days in Uk before getting a cheap flight to Ireland. Travel around Ireland for a week before another cheap flight to Amsterdam. Once there we will use a 2 zone train pass to travel around Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I am not sure in what order and for how long in each place.

Has anyone done any traveling around Europe recently and if so do you have any tips or even recommendations for a good route? We are looking to economise on accom. but se as much as possible.

Thanks

[Levent]

Hi there,

Here are some ideas for visiting two places per country you mention:

Holland: Amsterdam (canals) and Maastricht (oldest town in Holland)

Belgium: Brussels (market) and Bruges (market, beer)

Germany: Cologne (cathedral) and Munich (old town)

Austria: Salzburg and Vienna (both beautiful)

Switzerland: Zurich and Geneva

Your routing could be: Amsterdam, Maastricht, Bruges, Brussels, Cologne, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Zurich and Geneva.

Assuming you are flying back from London, you could get a cheap easyJet flight from Geneva back to LON. Or you could do Switzerland first and then Austria and fly back with Ryanair from Salzburg.

Try www.octopustravel.com for accommodation.

Hope this helps!

[joinme2leave]

imho, u should choose EITHER austria OR switzerland. Landscape is about the same...cities aint. Thinking about this years Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 250th birthday celebrations I would recommend austria (and, as stated previously definitely SALZBURG + Vienna), rather skip Switzerland and choose Italy (Milano, Firenze, Venice) instead. Not that far from Salzburg to Italy whereas Salzburg-Geneva is quite loooong train trip.

Anyway, have fun and enjoy.

[leisurely]

Consider Youth Hostels for your accommodation. Don't roll your eyes and think strict bedtimes in prefab huts, some are really quite gorgeous and very very cheap.

[richb2004]

Thanks for the advice. I am still considering a route and will bear your advice in mind.

What do you think about using the train? It is 295 pounds for a 22 day 2 Zone ticket.

We have never done this kind of thing before. Would you recommend pre-booking or do you think we will be ok to find accommodation as we go?

[camble]

I've done Europe 5 times on a 30 day Eurail Pass. Great way to see the country. Never booked any hotels ahead, prefered flexibility over convenience. Pay a small additional surcharge for a sleeper berth, then awake in a new city. Saves money on hotels and allows you to visit more places within your limited time. Once took a private room from Lisbon to Madrid equipped with a bathroom, telephone, and even a hot shower.

Edited February 11, 2006 by camble

[Girlfrombar]

just my preference,

if u go to germany, dont miss BERLIN

and i think,

to hop around europe, maybe by low cost flight is also a good idea

and quite save both time & budget!

try

http://www.transavia.com/

but tripping by train is also quite different mood!

Edited February 11, 2006 by Girlfrombar

[GuestHouse]

Just do Italy and skip the rest.

[Nordlys]

Just do Italy and skip the rest.

Agreed.

http://mct.sbb.ch/en/index.htm

This site was very helpful in making us plan our train trip in Europe last year. You can buy Eurail Pass at Diethelm Travel in Kian Gwan 2 Bldg. on Wireless Rd. (next to Sarasin Rd.) where you can also make advance booking (advance reservation and booking fee required for all Eurocity and Inter-city express in Europe if I remember correctly). Believe TV Air Booking also sells Eurail Pass. We bought Eurail Saver Pass which gives a bit of discount provided you always travel to the same destination in pair. Diethelm Travel contact address below.

DIETHELM TRAVEL ASIA LTD.

140/1 Wireless Road, Kian Gwan II Building 12th Floor, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Tel: (66) 2255 9150-70 Fax: (66) 2256 0248-9 E-mail: [email protected]