Eastern Europe/Mediterranean Itinerary help!

I recommend you allocate some more time for the outdoors and nature in Austria and/or Slovenia. You'll be in the Alps but not venturing out of built-up areas at all. Hallstatt and Bled are both relatively urbanised areas, if in a wonderful setting. I can only recommend places in Slovenia, but if you wish to experience the outdoors, venture further out to Lake Bohinj or rent a car for the day and do the Julian Alps loop over Vrsic Pass and into the Soca Valley or drive to the somewhat remote but incredibly scenic Logar Valley.

Furthermore, you have not allocated any time to travel at all, which can significantly affect the amount of time you have in each place. For example, Budapest to Ljubljana by train (the best option) will take around 8 hours, not counting the packing, checking out, getting to the station and then the same procedure in reverse when arriving, effectively wiping out a whole day of sightseeing. Expect some of the other transfers to take up half a day or more, too.

While you do have 2-3 nights in almost every place, you are doing this for a solid month. I think that about the three week mark, you will need a serious break from all the moving around.

Thank you for the feedback!!! Is there a certain place anyone recommends for us to add on some time to get a break from the moving around? Or are any of these places possible day trips from other places nearby where we don't necessarily need to move hotels and can just drive for the day and back? For instance, we have considered staying in Dubrovnik and only taking a day trip to Kotor to avoid the move to stay in Kotor. We just want to make sure we are giving the places adequate time and not cutting out nights in places where we needed them.

Thanks!!

Do you plan to use public transportation or rent a car? I wouldn't attempt this itinerary in the amount of time you have unless I had a car (and even then, I wouldn't try to move this fast), and I'm afraid you'd be looking at a very costly drop charge for a one-way rental.

I agree that moving from place to place is going to cut seriously into your sightseeing time. Packing up, checking out, and checking in is unproductive time. As already noted, 6 weeks is a long time to move at the pace you are planning. After a few weeks traveling more slowly than you plan, I begin to drag a bit and find myself getting started later in the morning, and I end up feeling as if I'm leaving a lot of towns one day too soon. Late starts are especially problematic if you are depending on public transportation.

If you're planning train and bus travel, I urge you to research schedules now. BusCroatia seems pretty good for information on buses in that country. You can start with Rome2Rio.com for other trips and follow the links to the individual bus companies' websites. Rome2Rio isn't terribly reliable about critical details like bus frequency and ticket prices.

If you intend to drive, use ViaMichelin for estimated driving time. Understand that VM does not allow for any stops at all, so increase those estimates substantially.

If you especially want to get all the way down to Dubrovnik and Kotor, I'd consider cutting Krakow and Auschwitz, postponing them till a later trip when you have time to see more of Poland and perhaps eastern Germany. It's a long way from Krakow/Auschwitz to Prague.

The Istrian interior is really lovely, but you're not going to have much time to see it (probably no time at all if you're not renting a car). I'd add at least one day in Rovinj for that purpose. If you will be car-less, explore your options for side trips as soon as you can. The coastal cities of Porec (touristy but colorful, with a completely different look from what you'll have in Rovinj) and Pula (ancient ruins) are accessible by public bus. It's hard to visit the interior by public bus. In 2015 there was a once-a-week bus tour of inland Istria that worked very well for me. Two key interior towns are Motovun and Groznjan.

For Plitvice, be sure to spend the night before your visit near the park so you can get an early start and beat the day-trippers onto the trails. This will make a huge difference in your ability to enjoy the park. That's my #1 recommendation for this trip.

I've not been to Krka National Park and have no idea how long it takes to really appreciate that area, but driving times are such that I think you might be able to see it en route from Zadar to Split. That would cut out one hotel change.

With a car Mostar seems to be about 4 hours from Hvar (more by the time you arrive early to queue for the ferry, etc.) and 2 hours from Dubrovnik. You've tentatively scheduled just one night there. If you're thinking of spending less than a full day in Mostar, it might make sense to do it as a day-trip from Dubrovnik, cutting out another hotel change. There are multiple 4- to 6-hour options for traveling between Hvar and Dubrovnik, including a ferry/bus combo that crosses Korcula.

Kotor can be blitzed by large cruise ships, so as with Dubrovnik you should seek out the port schedule and try to avoid the busiest days. I liked Kotor a lot on days when the monster ship wasn't in port, but Montenegro is a strikingly beautiful country with many other interesting cities and some very dramatic scenery. It's small, so you can see a lot in a fairly short period of time, especially with a car. I managed to see quite a bit via bus. For nature lovers, it seems a shame to see only Kotor. I'd think about holding off on Montenegro and including it on a later trip, perhaps combined with Greece. (Personally, I wouldn't try to see Greece for the first time from a cruise ship.)

Thank you for the feedback!!! Is there a certain place anyone
recommends for us to add on some time to get a break from the moving
around?

Budapest seems to be about the mid-point and you can easily spend a week there without getting bored.

Having said that, if it were me I would get so tired of checking in and checking out every three days and packing and unpacking I would go mad. I would rent an apartment in three of the cities and do day trips and overnight trips; even two night trips but at least have a home to come back to.

Of the places I have actually been these are what I think the ideal times are for a first visit.

Prague 5 nights including some day trips to see the castles in the countryside.
Vienna 5 nights including day trips to Wachau Valley and Melk at the very least
Dubrovnik 3 nights with a day trip to Mostar
Kotor 1 night (actually I would make it day trip. the best things are on the road between Dubrovnik and Kotor)
Budapest 7 nights including over night trips to Eger and Pecs and a day trip to Szentendre or Tihany

Places you are passing by that I enjoyed are
Gyor / Pannonhalma Archabbey
Melk Abbey
Wachau Valley
Pecs
Eger
Perast

You say Kotor is the end of your trip. Where are you flying out of? Kotor to Titograd and then fly to Belgrade.

Thank you again to everyone and the feedback!!!

I have tried to incorporate feedback and establish a home base with day trips rather than jumping around! I made Split a major home base for the sights in Croatia (rather than staying in Split and then staying on the island). I did the same with Dubrovnik and Salzburg! Please share any additional thoughts on planning in regards to: homes bases, where to allocate time, and daytrips worth doing/skipping! We do plan on having a car in certain areas when necessary. I even thought about renting a boat for the 4 island hopping days (if I can fit it into the budget). Lastly, I did add some days to give us more time but if you think I have too many nights somewhere, please let me know. The trip has gotten a little longer than I intended!

Thank you for your advice and tips!

Leave August 16
Arrive August 17
Aug 17- Arrive/Sleep in Krakow, Poland
Aug 18- Day/Sleep in Krakow, Poland
Aug 19- (tour Auschwitz) on way sleep in Prague, Czech Republic
Aug 20- Day/Sleep in Prague, Czech Republic
Aug 21- Day/Sleep in Prague, Czech Republic
Aug 22- Sleep in Prague, Czech Republic (possible day trips TBD)
Aug 23- Day in Cesky Krumlov on way, Sleep in Salzburg
Aug 24- Day/Sleep in Salzburg
Aug 25- Day/Sleep in Salzburg
Aug 26- Sleep in Salzburg (day trip St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, Gmunden)
Aug 27- Sleep in Salzburg (day trip to Hallstatt)
Aug 28- Day/Sleep in Vienna, Austria
Aug 29- Vienna (day trip to Melk/Danube/Wachau Valley), Austria
Aug 30- Day/Sleep in Vienna, Austria
Aug 31- Day/Sleep in Vienna, Austria
Sept 1- Day/Sleep in Vienna, Austria
Sept 2- Travel to sleep in Budapest, Hungary
Sept 3- Day/Sleep in Budapest, Hungary
Sept 4- Day/Sleep in Budapest, Hungary
Sept 5- Day/Sleep in Budapest, Hungary (day trip to Szentendre?)
Sept 6- Travel day; (on way stop in Tihany?) Sleep in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sept 7- Sleep in Ljubljana, Slovenia (day trip to Lake Bled and Bohinj)
Sept 8- Sleep in Ljubljana, Slovenia (Day trip - Julian Alps loop over Vrsic Pass and into the Soca Valley)
Sept 9- Sleep in Ljubljana, Slovenia (Drive to the Logar Valley)
Sept 10- Day/Sleep in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sept 11- Travel to sleep in Rovinj (Istria), Croatia
Sept 12- Sleep in Rovinj (Istria), Croatia (day trips TBD)
Sept 13- Sleep in Rovinj (Istria), Croatia (day trips TBD)
Sept 14- Sleep in Rovinj (Istria), Croatia (day trips TBD)
Sept 15- Travel to sleep in Plitvice lakes, Croatia
Sept 16- Day in Plitvice lakes; sleep in Zadar, Croatia
Sept 17- Sleep in Zadar, Croatia (day trip to Dugi Otok)
Sept 18- Travel to and Sleep in Split, Croatia
Sept 19 - Sleep in Split, Croatia (day trip to Krka National park)
Sept- 20- Sleep in Split, Croatia (Day trip to Trogir and area)
Sept 21- Sleep in Split (day trip to Vis)
Sept 22- Sleep in Split (day trip to Hvar- Stari Grad?)
Sept 23- Sleep in Split (day trip to Korcula Island)
Sept 24- Sleep in Split (day trip to Brac)
Sept 25- Travel to/sleep in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Sept 26 - Sleep in Dubrovnik, Croatia (day trip to Mostar)
Sept 27- Sleep in Dubrovnik, Croatia (day trip to Montenegro- Kotor and Perast)
Sept 28- Sleep in Dubrovnik, Croatia (day trip to Mljet)
Sept 29-Day/Sleep in Dubrovnik, Croatia (day trip to Lokrum)
Sept 30- fly home from Dubrovnik

My only thought is that you have an extremely large number of one-day trips to Croatian islands. I've only been to Rab (not on your list) and Hvar, so I'm not speaking from experience, but I'm afraid this may get pretty repetitive unless you are able to arrange a boat rental. There will be a lot of ferry time. It will help if you figure out some island walks/hikes that get you out of the port towns, I think.

It would be interesting to hear from other travelers who have done a similarly island-intense trip.

I also thought it was a lot of island hopping and might be a challenge without a boat! After posting this update, I started researching boats. I found a 7 night Sail Croatia option where we would basically be on a cruise instead for these nights. It would re-arrange a few things but not eliminate any places! This might be a more productive way to cover all the islands! If anyone has any suggesting on the sailing idea or good companies to travel to use, please let me know! I have been looking at sail-croatia.com.

Thanks!!

Aug 17- Arrive/Sleep in Krakow, Poland
Aug 18- Day/Sleep in Krakow, Poland
Aug 19- (tour Auschwitz) on way sleep in Prague, Czech Republic

A day and half (I'm assuming you'll lose a half day on arrival) for Krakow seems a bit rushed considering it's not the most straightforward place to get to. I would definitely add another day here so you can fully enjoy the city. (I think you can take that extra day out of Dubrovnik which really doesn't need three days (it's tiny)...or even Kotor, also tiny). Also, combining Auschwitz with getting to Prague in one day makes for one rather long day (doable but a long day). They are 5 hours apart at least and I would assume you'd spend at least half a day in Auschwitz. Maybe you should spend the night on the way in a place like Brno and then head on to Prague the next day (by the way, how are you doing this? car? public transport? if car, then how will you return it without facing steep drop-off fees?) This is just one example, there are others...but your first stop already sets a tone of a rushed trip.

In general, this is a really complex and long itinerary...I don't think you'll get comprehensive comments because it's just too much for one person to go through (with a fine tooth comb, which is what you need). You should sit down and go day by day how this itinerary will feel like. You don't have any detail as to how you'll make connections between these disparate places - in some areas, maybe flying would be best, in others a car would be best, in others you could use public transport. In any case, you have to put on paper how many km you're covering and how long it will take and how that will impact each location. Only then, you may realize you need to cut some things (and you'll be able to tell which ones).

You're going to need a vacation after this "vacation". :) Far too many 'travel days' for my taste.

I've been to most of these places. But I'll just skip over those I don't know.

Aug 17- Arrive/Sleep in Krakow, Poland
Aug 18- Day/Sleep in Krakow, Poland
Aug 19- (tour Auschwitz) on way sleep in Prague, Czech Republic

One day in Krakow is not enough. 2 minimum, 3 is better. I used to live there. Lots to see/do. The "cloth hall" is a must if you're an art lover. Trying to see Auschwitz on your way to Prague is asking a bit much. You need a minimum of 2 hours to see it properly. A half day is more realistic. And the emotions afterwards... I wouldn't want to be travelling so far afterwards. Perhaps a night in Brno or Olomouc, on the way?

Aug 20- Day/Sleep in Prague, Czech Republic
Aug 21- Day/Sleep in Prague, Czech Republic
Aug 22- Sleep in Prague, Czech Republic (possible day trips TBD)
Aug 23- Day in Cesky Krumlov on way, Sleep in Salzburg

You can see the main sites in 2 days. This seems realistic. The crowds in August will make you want to leave after more than 2 nights anyways. I'd leave the late afternoon of the second day and spend TWO nights in Cesky Krumlov. This is my current home. Most view it as a day trip. It's not. I would say minimum 3 days to really get a feel for the place. You can do it in 2 though.

Aug 24- Day/Sleep in Salzburg
Aug 25- Day/Sleep in Salzburg
Aug 26- Sleep in Salzburg (day trip St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, Gmunden)
Aug 27- Sleep in Salzburg (day trip to Hallstatt)

The day trip to Hallstatt is perfect. After an hour or two, you'll want to leave anyway. Beautiful, but SO MANY TOURISTS...

Aug 28- Day/Sleep in Vienna, Austria
Aug 29- Vienna (day trip to Melk/Danube/Wachau Valley), Austria
Aug 30- Day/Sleep in Vienna, Austria
Aug 31- Day/Sleep in Vienna, Austria
Sept 1- Day/Sleep in Vienna, Austria

You may be a bit bored of Vienna by then. Great city, but you'll probably find one area and return to it often.

Sept 2- Travel to sleep in Budapest, Hungary
Sept 3- Day/Sleep in Budapest, Hungary
Sept 4- Day/Sleep in Budapest, Hungary
Sept 5- Day/Sleep in Budapest, Hungary (day trip to Szentendre?)
Sept 6- Travel day; (on way stop in Tihany?) Sleep in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sept 7- Sleep in Ljubljana, Slovenia (day trip to Lake Bled and Bohinj)

Be sure to have a 'cream cake' (sorry, I don't remember what the locals call them. TASTY is what I call them.

Rest of trip itinerary looks really good! I'm jealous...

Scott

Sept 6- Travel day; (on way stop in Tihany?) Sleep in Ljubljana,
Slovenia

Interesting idea; the train does stop in Balatonfüred, then you would have to take the bus to Tihany (I love Tihany), it’s a 3 hour trip. The problem is, the trains on to Ljubljana all run in the morning. You would have to spend a night in Balatonfüred or Tihany.

Slovenia is just such a stretch from the others I would save it for a future trip from Slovenia to Montenegro and really enjoy it; but, you are going to do it so: There is a direct Budapest to Ljubljana train that takes a mere 8:15 hours; more like 9:00 by the time you get to Déli station on the outskirts of Buda.

Sept 5- Day/Sleep in Budapest, Hungary (day trip to Szentendre?)

With only 3 full days in Budapest, make it a half day trip. Spend the morning in Buda maybe, then the commuter train to Szentendre after lunch. Then take the boat back to Budapest. I think it leaves Szentendre about 5pm.

You may be a bit bored of Vienna by then. Great city, but you'll
probably find one area and return to it often.

Vienna is an interesting city, but my tolerance would be 2 days plus a day to Melk and back. If you wait and buy your train tickets in Vienna then if you get bored you can move on a day or two earlier. I am pretty biased but there is never enough time for Budapest. But that's just my personality.

Sept 20 - Dubrovnik, Croatia Sept 21- Dubrovnik, Croatia Sept 22-
Dubrovnik, Croatia Sept 23- Kotor, Montenegro Sept 24- Kotor,
Montenegro

I cant imagine spending three days in Dubrovnik. Its wall to wall tourists and its small. Arrive late one day, spend the next day and leave early the following day and you have seen it all.

Kotor just isn't worth the trip. Its lovely if you are already in Montenegro or in route someplace else, but its just a small Dubrovnik, but not as good.