Next summer I am backpacking Europe solo for two months. Before I start my trek, I will be with my choir in Italy, and per the tour company's rules for trip extension, I must fly out of Rome at the end of my stay in order to keep my financial deal with them.
I've already been to France, so I would rather not spend time and money there when I can be exploring new places. That said, can I still visit Spain within reasonable time and cost, or should I set it aside for now and hope I will return?
"Next summer I am backpacking Europe."
By backpacking do you mean carrying a tent, sleeping bag, etc in a backpack (the usual meaning of the word backpacking), or do you mean something else?
By backpacking I meant hosteling and traveling by train. I am in my mid twenties, so I want to take advantage of all Europe has to offer while I am still a youth. Thanks for asking me to clarify!
You're asking a question, the answers to which involve some complexities. No simple answer. Probably in the end no one here can tell you (yes or no) whether you can do this "within reasonable time and cost."
First, the meaning of what is a reasonable time and cost to you hasn't been defined.
Here are some tools that will hopefully enable you to answer at least some of your questions.
The cost and time of train travel in Europe:
The best train schedule is this oneuser friendly for travel timesNotice that a train from Rome to Madrid takes about 24 hours or more, one way.
The above site doesn't give you cost because it's outside of Germany.
Here's an Italy train site that will give you costsclick here
Your being locked into leaving from Italy and returning to Italy does have the effect of complicating the time and cost requirements.
Another question is whether the 2 months includes choir time or is the entire 2 months after your choir duties are over.
Here are schedules for Spain railhttp://www.renfe.com/index.html
Hope this helps.
Thank you for the information. These links will be very helpful. The two months does not include choir time, so really I will be in Europe for about 10 weeks. My goal is to see as much of Europe as possible without being too ambitious (I understand this is something only I can measure for myself, but advice from experienced travelers is invaluable). I already visited France, Greece, the UK, and Ireland, so I don't need to see them on this trip (I just mentioned France in my question because it separates Spain from Italy, instigating my question in the first place). I want to utilize my time and budget wisely and am open to any veteran traveler's advice. Thanks!
What exactly does "next summer" mean? Personally, I don't much enjoy traveling to hot countries during the height of their summer, so if you were thinking of Madrid in August...I'd probably go to Scandinavia instead. Just one more factor to weigh. Honestly, it sounds like you have plenty of time, it's probably just a question of what areas interest you the most.
Yes you can see Spain. Take a discount flight from your Italian city or nearby to a Spanish city. ck www.whichbudget.com for an airline and departure/arrival airport. Buy a bus pass for Spain and stay at hostels in Spain so you can meet up with like travelers. enjoy. In general Spain is much more reasonable than Italy could ever be.
Spain and Portugal are great countries to visit. I say go for it if your timeline works. I've been to each only once and really want to return. I'd love to see the northern part of Portugal (where I've not been), and the south of Spain (where I have been).
Just do it. Straight and simple.
Thank you for your responses. Even though Spain and Portugal are far from everything else I am hoping to see, they appear to be worth the slight travel inconveniences. You and my friends all speak so highly of those two countries! Heat does not worry me - I live in Southern California where all summer we survived soaring triple digits. I will just be excited to explore new lands.
