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Can't Wait! Second time to Europe: Itinerary Advice

Since traveling to Europe the first time last summer with advice from this forum, I've gain more experience traveling abroad. I explored five major Mayan ruins, Merida, Cancun, Mexico City, and San Francisco in 17 days last winter and Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, and Mumbai in 9 days last month.

Needless to say I prefer / enjoy face paced visits, but also, I'm a fan of museums, cities, and historical ruins. I will again be backpacking alone to Europe this summer. To avoid the usual dropped jaws when discussing the amount of destinations I have planned, I will just bring up the places I still need to make decisions on (The first and last part of my trip are planned)...

*Athens 3 nights including a day trip (Delphi ?)
*Istanbul 3 nights
*2 Nights set aside to travel to and from Ephesus
*5 Nights traveling the suggested plan of Munich / Bavarian castles / Rhine Valley / Rothenburg

So I would likely fly into Athens very early (I won't be tired) spend two days sight seeing then take a day trip the third day. Is Delphi my best option?
Again I travel fast so especially with Ephesus I'm trying to simply get there (by plane) and back to Istanbul and then fly back into Europe as quickly as I can after (if I can make it work).
Last, lots of help with the tentative route through Germany. Other than connecting flights this will my first time in Germany, and I'm hoping to see something memorable, but I'm very open to suggestions.

Obviously I need to finalize things soon. So as always I'd be very appreciative for any advice!

Thanks Again,
David

  • Update. After the suggestion about going to Ephesus before Istanbul, I think now my only hang up is my tentative plans for Germany. Is this the best route for a first time visit there? I always like to feel sure about my destinations. Want to make sure it lives up to expectations. I could save Germany for another time and go the way of Poland, South Eastern Europe or Ireland instead for possibly 5 days, which ever is better...
Posted by
985 posts

David - we watched Rick Steves' this weekend and as part of his day tripping from Athens he went to Hydra - looked marvelous! Sorry I can't be of help with the Germany part.

Posted by
2065 posts

Why not fly from Greece to Izmir (close to Ephesus) and then fly into Istanbul? Might be easier on time.

Posted by
72 posts

I remember Hydra being discussed in the same breath with Athens before--would anyone recommend Hydra over Delphi. Are there better options of going from Hydra to Ephesus if so?

Posted by
6430 posts

A day trip from Athens to Delphi and back will be mostly highways. Delphi is a wonderful destination but I'd save it for a time when you can spend the night. If you want a day trip from Athens, I'd suggest either Hydra or Aegina, both easily reached by ferry from Piraeus and a welcome contrast to the big city. Or, you could easily fill three days in Athens sightseeing. Post you questions about Greece in the Greece forum and you'll get more focused answers (like from Janet and Alan). Likewise the other places you're considering.

Posted by
72 posts

Slightly late but thanks for the advice. When my crazy world slows down a bit In going to help others with the knowledge from my experiences traveling.

In TWO MONTHS this past summer I traveled to:
Stockholm
Helsinki (day trip)
Tallin (day trip)
Oslo
Copenhagen
Berlin
Venice
The Cinque Terre (hiked the trail too)
Pisa (side trip)
Florence
Rome (day trip) *my 2nd trip
Athens
Istanbul
Selcuk / Ephesus (Day Trip)
Barcelona
Montserrat (Day Trip)
London *another 2nd trip
Antwerp (where I commuted to Boom everyday during the three day Tomorrowland music festival)

So I managed to do a lot : )