I am planning a 25 day trip to Europe and I need help! I know that I want to start in Amsterdam and stay for about 4 or 5 days, taking side trips to Haarlem and to see the flower fields (as I will be going in mid April) then taking the train to Bruges, where I might stay for 3 nights, making a day trip to brussels . from there I want to train to Bavaria,where I intend to spend the bulk of my trip, and from Munich train into Interlochen and Grindelwald from there. Here is where I have the trouble. I know that I want to see rothenburg and eventually Munich but are there any places that I should see along the way? I wanted to see some castles, churches, museums, and stuff of that nature, but there are so many options that I am having trouble deciding what is realistically possible given my time frame. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Also this is my first time traveling abroad alone so I am unfamiliar with the train systems there.
Posted by
Green Bay
21107 posts
You can look at all the European rail schedules at www.bahn.com. You can also buy tickets for trains in Germany and that begin or end in Germany. You should look at flying into Amsterdam and home from Zurich using the airline's multicity function. As far as what to see, get some guide books. A lot of people like to throw in a Rhine cruise on their German trip. K-D runs frequent boats in the popular Rhine gorge area with lots of castles on view. Cologne will be on your route with its cathedral and Roman Museum.
So many sites, so little time, so get your list together and then start cutting until you have a practical itinerary.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3277 posts
Are you sure younwant to to to Grindelwald at the end of April? It will be post-ski season, some snow left around and also mud. Lots of places will be closed and lifts (other than the Jungfrau train)will likely not be running.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Also in April, that's when the farmers "fertilize" the pastures (the same pieces of land used for skiing in the winter). They use a delightful slurry made of liquified manure, applied via a powerhouse. The hills smell quite fresh, you might say.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Wow I didnt even think about that. Thanks for the heads up! i suppose I'll have to rethink the last leg of my trip.. maybe Paris? I'm not sure. Anyways thanks for the useful information!