Update to Europe question

Mrs. TLC

So I think DH and I have decided to do two weeks in Aug 09. I really want to see Rome, so i think we will fly into Rome, stay a couple nights at the Daphne Inn, then take the train up to Venice or Milan for a day or so. Then we'll follow the itinerarry here http://goeurope.about.com/od/suggesteditineraries/l/bl-amsterdam-italy-itinerary.htm (but going backwards) so we'll end up in Amsterdam and fly home either from there, or take the train over to Hamburg  and fly home from there (that flight is $100 less per person)..... (we may end up cutting out a day or two from the itinerary in that link if it doesn't appeal to us and to save time/money) the flight i am looking at has us stopping over in london on the way to Rome (for 8 hours) so we will hopefully be able to do some quick sight-seeing there (we've both been there already).

 

For those of you who have done a similar itinerary, any suggestions?

Jacki05

My exchange student is from near Hamburg.  So, flights from there are cheap?!?  We've been throwing around the idea of going to visit him next summer.

 

He says if there's one thing you have to see in Hamburg, it's the Harbor. 

KappaUCF20

Ok, please don't take this the wrong way because I'm just trying to be helpful, but I honestly think that itinerary is way too ambitious. The main problem is that it doesn't seem to take into account all the time you'll be spending in transit... By the time you get to each place (which can take hours upon hours) and settle into your hotel, etc., that barely leaves you with any time to actually do anything worthwhile.   Is it doable? Yes, but do you really want to feel like you're constantly in a rush?  Based on my experiences, I personally think it would be better to reign it back a bit so you can actually slow down and enjoy things.  My first trip to Europe was on a singing tour to Italy... We saw 8 or 9 cities in about 11 days.  It was completely insane!  I had some fun of course, but it sucked having to constantly pack and unpack like every other night.  That isn't the best way to travel IMO. When my FI and I went backpacking over there for a few months, we made it a priority to spend at least 3 days in each city and let me tell you... It was like night and day compared to the tour (which is essentially what that itinerary is like).  I feel like I experienced so much more.

I know you guys want to see as much as you possibly can but if that's the case, then you would probably be better off doing a cruise because it's like a floating hotel... at least you wouldn't have to worry about wasting time catching trains and lugging around suitcases.  You should post this on the Travel board because you'll get more opinions on there.

p.s.  Stresa is one of my favorite towns in all of Europe. I'd highly recommend it. Northern Italy and Switzerland could be easily done in the same trip.

KappaUCF20

Sorry, one more thing I forgot to add- August is the month that most Europeans (especially Italians) go on vacation so you may run into some issues with restaurants being closed down and limited operating hours for certain sites.  It's also unbearably hot in some areas.  I'm sure you would still have a good time, but I thought I'd tell you that just in case.

mojoark

Me and the hubby just got back sunday night from our delayed honeymoon where we went backpacking through europe.  Despite everyones advice, we had a very ambitious iteniary. 

 We had a lot of fun, but we have sworn that on any future trip, we will have at least 2 nights, but primarily 3 nights in each location.  We missed a lot and felt most of the places we went to got short changed.  We still had an amazing time, but it took a major toll on us to lug around backpacks (and a suitcase each after a week into the trip due to our wine addiction ). 

 We wouldn't listen to anyone, but please give yourself plenty of time in each place. You will enjoy it so much more.