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Four weeks in Europe in late summer: Greece, Istanbul, Budapest, anything else???

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

Hi guys, I will be heading to Europe this summer, from August 18th-September 15th (Returning to the US via Amsterdam) and am in need of some itinerary advice, specifically for the last half of my trip. Besides roundtrip airfare, no other flights have been booked.

Some background on myself: Busy grad student in my mid-twenties looking to make the most of my month-long break from school. Have spent time in England/Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy (my favorite). Not looking to go back to any of these countries during this trip. Enjoy an array of activities while traveling (cafes, museums, outdoors, bars) and like a moderate-fast travel pace.

The first two weeks will be spent with my sister in Greece (the crowds, the heat...we know. However, her school schedule requires Greece to be our first stop). Our itinerary is getting along nicely for this part of the trip. We have been talking about a few days in Athens with a day trip to Meteora and Delphi, perhaps Nafplio, and then time on Hydra and Santorini. Really not too concerned about this portion, but feel free to give feedback.

This is where I need the most help. The next two weeks (from approximately September 1st-15th) I will either be traveling alone or preferably with a friend. I really want to hit Istanbul and Budapest, but am not sure where to go from there. Since I am departing from Amsterdam, I thought briefly about spending time in the North (Sweden, Finland, Denmark), but feel this might be better suited in a different trip when the weather is a little nicer and am not on a student's budget. Have heard some recommendations for Prague and Vienna. Croatia would also be nice, but it seems difficult to reach, esp when I feel a little short on time.

Here is what I have roughly been thinking about, starting from Sept 1st (when I would likely be leaving Greece) to when I depart from Amsterdam on the 15th (15 travel days).

  • Istanbul 3 days
  • Budapest 4 days
  • Vienna 2 days
  • Prague 3 days
  • Amsterdam 3 days (two days, departing early on the 3rd)

What would you change? Skip? Add in? Highly recommend???

Posted by
7175 posts

The increasing uncertainty in Turkey with the authoritarian regime detaining journalists, academics and members of the armed forces would rule out Istanbul for me.

Fly from Athens to Budapest - 4 nights
Train to Prague - 3 nights
Train to Berlin - 4 nights
Train to Amsterdam - 3 nights
Depart Amsterdam

Posted by
8406 posts

Istanbul is great, but you will have to decide for yourself if the risk is too much.

I presume that you will fly from either Greece or Istanbul to Budapest. I would spend three days each in Budapest and Vienna. You could stop off in Salzburg for a night as well. I don't think you need three nights in Prague.

Posted by
9 posts

I would go to the Lake Balaton in Hungary... scenes, water-skiing, lovely hungarian countryside....

as you said, Nordic countries are at their best in June - August OR mid-winter.. With just one exception: FALL FOLIAGE is at it´s best in Lapland (northern part of Sweden, Norway, Finland) This is both my experience (lived there for some time) and "official" knowledge, too (see eg. http://glampingfinland.fi/planningguide.html or http://www.visitfinland.com/autumn/ )

That would be real nice and different. Of course there are nice fall foliage scenes in the Alps, too, but maybe a bit later and....if you are done with Switzerland, already.. :)

Posted by
7054 posts

Istanbul is a mega-city - it is HUGE - in comparison to the other cities you listed (so I wouldn't give it the same number of days as, say, Prague). Although most tourists stick to the Old City (which is a sliver of the whole city), I would say that 3 days is too little given the sheer size of the place and the many attractions (I spent ~ two weeks there and still didn't get to everything). I would cut out one of your cities altogether (probably Vienna, which you gave only 2 days) and give more time in Istanbul. You'll get plenty of warnings not to go there, but decide for yourself. The one advice I would give is that you should prepare to dress more conservatively there than other places, so packing clothes that are cool but still cover may be a bit of a challenge.

Posted by
28370 posts

I've always thought of Hydra as the island for people who don't have time to get farther from Athens. I dont doubt that it's attractive, but I think there are better options for you. Nafplio is on my definitely-yes list for my next trip to Greece. It will be far less intensely touristy than Santorini.

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