Best of Europe: need sample itineraries for 30+ days around May

Many people find that they get the most effective input on itinerary if they post their initial plan and include information regarding interests, preferred modes of transportation, and any special locations they have always wanted to see.

Unfortunately, nobody has figured out the perfect trip for you. You've gotten quite a few suggestions on your previous thread, and you will just have to sit down and figure out an itinerary that suits you.

Here's some itinerary planning help on this site:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/itinerary-tips

You need to prioritize making your own itinerary ASAP so you can book your flights and accommodations. Many of us make those arrangements 9 months before our trips. Many sites, especially the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, require advance reservations. Since Covid, it seems that everyone is going to Europe-and not just in the summer. Decide what you want to see and do-do not just follow the itinerary in the Rick Steves book. For example, are you more interested in scenery or museums? Group your desired locations geographically and plan your trip for locations that are close together. Switzerland, Germany and Austria? OR England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland? OR Greece and Turkey? OR Spain and Portugal? Rick has sample itineraries for countries in the "Explore Europe" section of this website(go to the country, and then the "Plan" section) and in his books.

I guess I'm a little confused, because first you say you are following Rick's BOE plan (for the most part), but then ask for itinerary suggestions. His BOE tour itinerary is listed in the Tours section:: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/europe/europe-21-days

However I would never suggest that anyone try to follow a tour itinerary DIY. You just can't do it in the same time without having your transportation, attraction entrances, walking tours and meals arranged for you. LIZinPA has given you a link to a very good guide to itinerary planning. Hopefully it will help you narrow down your choices of places to visit. My only suggestion is that you not try to cram in too much, and end up hitting the wall long before the end of your trip. Don't overlook Rick's advice to build in some down time. You'll need it, if only to do laundry occasionally.

CJean the OP says the iteniary in the book is not the same as the iteniary that the tour takes. Dont know. Never bought a RS book. Tried googling it, but ............... So unless the OP wants to provide the starting iteniary .... cant help.

I have the Best of Europe 2nd Ed.

This version does not have an 'itinerary', but rather a section outlining the sights to see, hotel and restaurant suggestions, for each of the following cities/areas:

London/Paris/Provence/French Riviera/Barcelona/Rome/Florence/Cinque Terre/Venice/Swiss Alps/Munich/Rothenburg/Rhine Valley/Berlin/Amsterdam ( listed in that order)

Unless/until OP tells us what they plan in between Amsterdam and Barcelona only the psychic contributors will be able to provide helpful replies.

I think there used to be a suggested itinerary based on number of days you have in the Europe Through the Back Door books, not sure if it's still there though. You might want to try building your own itinerary based on your interests and the places you've always wanted to go. Use these tips from the RS website for planning your own itinerary. And then come back here with specific questions to help with the implementation or just for some advice and recommendations on your choices. This forum is especially helpful with timing of your trip, transportation navigation between locations and within cities, lodging recommendations, etc.

Thank you, Everyone!

I was just looking to see if someone wanted to share their itinerary of a trip they loved. I've done that—given my itinerary to someone and others have given theirs to me. The details are very helpful, such as, we flew in to XXX and stayed in XXX for XXX days at XXX hotel and then took the train (which train, how many hours, etc), etc. It's really fun to share and add comments about what you'd do again and what you wouldn't.

Because Rick Steve's advice is fairly outlined, I thought there might be quite a few people who planned their trip based on it just like I am.

I've used Rick Steve's books before and planned our own trips. His books are fantastic. And his recommendations superior. As I noted, I know his tour Best of Europe itinerary and the book itinerary are different--but so lovely that he outlines what he thinks is best. And I'm obviously late in planning, but it's totally doable. It just always feels a bit overwhelming to start, especially because my trip is soon. And so I thought I'd reach out.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful responses! I truly appreciate your perspective and time.

Deborah

Ok. It seems like I should add specifics. Here's what I have so far.

We want to see Amsterdam, Berlin(?), Rhine Valley, Rothenburg and the Romantic Road, Swiss Alps: Berner Oberland, Cinque Terre, and Barcelona. 30 and maybe a few more days, beginning around May 1, 2024. (Note: we've been to London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome, and the French Riviera before so that's why we aren't going there this time). This list is based on Rick Steve's Best of Europe. We've followed his advice before and it's been great. So, we are following his lead. He really does provide everything you need to know. But if you've been and you'd recommend somewhere else near these places, I'd love to know.

It seems that flying into Amsterdam would be obvious, but Rick Steves stated that flying into Frankfurt and staying the night in a Rhine village would be an easy start an less expensive - and he's correct! Plane tickets are at least 1/2 the price (We are traveling from San Francisco) if we do that. But then, do I then go up to Amsterdam and Berlin and then back down again? The flight savings might not be worth it, but I understand one option is that you can get 7 days of travel on the train, so the train cost is not a factor for that scenario.

We are retired and our dates are flexible. I chose to start in May for the flowers in Amsterdam, and this seems a great choice-though the hotels are pricey. Anne Franke's house, important to me and a huge draw, has tickets available 6 weeks in advance. So, no worries there. And the hotel I want (RS recommendation) in the Swiss Alps opens in mid April so we are good there.

I have tons of research to do, I know. Luckily, we are not bound by a time frame in terms of exact days to go.

Questions:
1). Is Berlin worth the trek? I would see Dachau (Oops. It's in Munich) and the Wall, but also visit some pubs, etc. We could also fly in to Berlin and then go to Amsterdam and then down to the other destinations.
2). We love learning history, of course, and will get plenty of it, but we are also craving culture, art, and live local music (not concerts). Not just museums (although Van Gogh museum is on my list). Not "nightlife" per say, but just getting to know the people and the culture. And I'd love hear some Spanish guitar.

What do you think?

Deborah

Berlin is definitely worth a visit. Local transportation is very easy to use. There is lots of history to absorb. Get tickets if you can for the Reichstag/Bundestag tour, available six weeks prior to your date and go very fast (check their website to be sure my time is accurate). Topography of Terror is also a must see for history; walking distance from Checkpoint Charlie which is now a tourist photo op.

Dachau is just outside of Munich which is also worth visit. But it sounds like that's heading you away from the direction you want to go. I'd save Barcelona and Italy for another trip if you want to concentrate on northern Europe.

I'd suggest you get a map to lay out your destinations in a logical sequence. Then use a calendar to plan how many nights you want to stay at each stop. Use the guidebooks, this website information and planning tools plus the web for ideas. Use booking.com for hotel ideas and Rome2 Rio for distance and transportation ideas. Book everything with the providers, no third party bookings.

According to your profile, you've planned trips before so this should not be new or difficult for you. 2024 is going to be a busy travel year, so you need to get planning and booking ASAP. For example, I booked my RS tour (Village Italy) in August 2023, my three independent hotels (Venice, Florence and Rome) in November 2023 and roundtrip flights also in November. As soon as sight and venue bookings are open, often 60 days from entry date, I'll buy timed entry tickets. My trip is 28 days in September 2024. I don't know if anyone on the forum plans their trips using RS's itineraries, probably not many.

After you plan a rough itinerary, come back to ask for help, ideas and clarification.

The tulips in the Netherlands peak in April. In early May, you will see some, but the optimal time is April, per my readings.
Have a great trip!

Horsewoofie, you will be going on my favorite tour! We went about 5 years ago and David Tordi was our guide. He's the one who was on the Festival of Europe Italy show with Rick on Tuesday. Watch it on video if you didn't catch it live.

Deborah, you said you don’t want to go on a Rick Steves tour, but it could be an answer for part of your trip. All the planning is done for you. You can travel independently pre- and post-tour to see more of what you want.

An idea: Consider flying into Amsterdam. See the sights and surrounding area for a week. Then go on either Germany, Austria, Switzerland tour or Best of Germany tour. Afterwards spend another week going more places you want. I’d still leave southern Europe are another trip. Or do southern Europe this trip and Northern Europe on the next trip. Regardless of what you choose, as mentioned above, you need to be booking ASAP if you want places to stay. There are several threads about airfares skyrocketing.

Disclaimer: I have not been on either of those tours. Village Italy will be my fourth RS tour. I use the tours to see places that are off the main transportation routes or as a means to get from Point A to Point B. Plus I add solo independent travel pre- and post-tour.

If you want an already established itinerary, RS does have a Best of Europe 21 day tour that’s outlined in the Rick Steve’s tours section. I guess that could be some place to start with and add to. If you’re looking for complete details and personalization, you're going to have to roll up your sleeves and do the work, hire a travel agent or go on the tour and add on before or after.

Sounds like a lot of good advice here, especially to choose either a northern or southern emphasis. (Will also help you with packing choices) Since you want time to enjoy a culture rather than just check boxes, having more time in each location should be a plus. Allow yourself time to discover once you are in a location. The list of locations you shared would make me feel overwhelmed, also. Fewer locations should help with that because you can build in time to catch your breath and absorb. So much to decide.

Or, as has been suggested, see if you can still get into a tour and just plan for time on either side.

Have fun!

Thank you! Such great information!

I love the idea of splitting time on our own coupled with a Rick Steve’s tour. Excellent idea! Thanks for that advice. That would be our preference, although some of the tours are sold out for when we will be there. We may do a tour of Ireland. I’ll do some more checking. But we are stoked at the idea of meeting and mingling with other travelers.

Also, your advice on skipping southern Europe and staying north to central are great ideas. We will do that and plan to go south on our next trip in a few years.

So….with your help, we are moving right along in our planning. It’s such a process!

Is anyone familiar with flights on Condor? They are always the cheapest flights. I have read bad reviews though. My preference thus far is Lufthansa. But Condor consistently comes up. Or KLM? Any opinions? Also, does it make a difference if Condor is “run by Alaska Airlines”? Which is more preferred? The airline or who it’s run by?

Thanks so much! You all rock! 🦋

Ireland would be a great choice! My husband and I have done both 2-week and a 3-week trips to Ireland. There is so much more I'd love to see and experience there.

does it make a difference if Condor is “run by Alaska Airlines”? Which is more preferred? The airline or who it’s run by?

Alaska Airlines operates only in N. America. I suspect what you are seeing is a domestic leg on Alaska to somewhere to get the intercontinental Condor flight. What website has the Condor-Alaska mix?

Kayak.com. But you’re right. That flight was from San Francisco to Seattle I think.

Regarding Condor Airlines-they are one of Alaska's mileage program partners. I've flown Condor from Portland to Frankfurt using miles, in their version of "upgraded economy" one way and regular economy on the return trip. It was definitely worth the upgrade for more legroom and a more flavorful meal. Since a checked bag was included I opted to do that. I traveled in a group of four and we all retrieved our bags easily. I think that my preferred Delta has a little more overall space and more attentive customer service, but I was satisfied with my experience on Condor.

Good to know, Den -

Many reviewers urged readers to never fly that airline. They were pretty passionate and they spoke of legitimate issues. Condor's prices are 1/3 of the others. I'm not sure how they do that.

In any case, thank you for the information. It's very helpful.

Deborah

We’ve flown on Condo twice in the last year from Seattle to Frankfurt. Both times we were in economy and paid extra for the emergency row seats. We were on the newest planes. All the flights were fine: on time, no luggage was lost. That’s about as much as you can ask of an airline nowadays! The biggest downside is they have a very small carryon size restriction and they will weigh and measure your carry on suitcase at the gate (but they don’t weigh or measure backpacks).

Our last flight was in December and we used Alaska Airlines miles for the trip. The flight was not full and we were able to check 1 extra bag for free. They were offering upgrades to premium economy at check in for 99€, when it would have cost hundreds more originally. The upgrade from Premium Economy to Business Class was 400€.

We've decided on our trip. Thanks to everyone who responded here.
Here's the final outline:

Fly to Zurich, travel to Bern
6 nights in Switzerland (begin in Bern with day trips to Luzern and Lausanne; and then stay in Murren with jaunt to Gimmelwald (or vice versa). We may skip Lausanne and spend that day in Lauterbrunnen.)
Travel to Basel and embark on Viking Cruise, Rhine River (https://bit.ly/3Sl7jT8)
7 night/8 day cruise on the Rhine River to Amsterdam
4 nights Amsterdam/Haarlem
Travel to Belgium
5 nights in Bruges with day trips to Antwerp & Brussels)
Travel to Bayeux, France
5 nights Bayeux (WWII, D-day and more)
Travel to Paris
4 nights Paris
Fly Home

We are flying Condor. Thanks for the recommendation @Den. Without your comments, I wouldn't have considered this airline. Condor was formerly owned by Lufthansa, it's been around a long time, and I feel comfortable with its standing. I reserved excellent seats even this close to our trip. And secured an excellent price for economy premium. :)

Our flights are set as is our River Cruise. The cruise allows us to traverse the Rhine River area and make our way north with no lengthy or cumbersome bus rides. And the river cruise is a bucket-list item anyhow! We love that it allows us to makes friends and socialize, too.

We are still finalizing our hotels and details using using Rick Steve's guidelines of course. He's never failed us to date. This will be our third European DIY trip.

Suggestions, kudos, or "what are you thinking?!" comments welcome!