Summer 2026 Trip Help

My first thought is that this is very late in the game to be planning a trip for this summer (or did you mean 2027?). Probably what I would do is start working on accommodations before you book anything. Check for hotels and all the places you want to stay in and see what you can find. You will especially find it difficult in areas along the NIN route. From other posts that have appeared here on the forum, it looks like Flam is already booked solid for this summer. Of course you could always do it in one day.

For what it's worth, I did enjoy Vienna and Prague, but they are not two of my favorite cities. One visit was enough for me. I loved Budapest, though, and really hope to get back there in the near future, and I loved Salzburg. Really, both selections would be worth a visit, but I'd be very concerned about finding accommodations at this late date.

So you are not going on the trips you asked about previously (Switzerland, Paris, Spain)? If you're going this summer you may well be out of luck in the Norway itinerary just because many of the things like the ferries/historic trains sell out way ahead of time. I don't know your budget but you may not find affordable hotel options either at this late date.

Your stated interests (city vibes and scenery) are covered by both options, but you'll have to decide for yourself what itinerary ticks the boxes for you and your travel companion.

@cl - thanks for pointing out the track record for asking for help for an assortment of trips & reasons, but no feedback from the OP for replies and no indication prior questions about trips were for trips ever taken or "planned" beyond a quick post here.

https://community.ricksteves.com/users/936992/posts

@ruka could really help by spending time following up on prior posts and explaining if any past advice has been used or helpful, and if any trips have been taken related to earlier posts.

Just did what you listed in Itinerary #1, have done #2 previously. I think, being young and loving nature, Itinerary #1` might be best. I would definitely add time for the Norway in a Nutshell - I did one night in Aurland and two nights in Flam and loved it. Also, I met travelers who were excited about kayaking in the fjords. BUT agreed, probably very late to try to get reservations for this year.
The two trips are very different.

Hi everyone,

First, I want to apologize for not responding to everyone individually. The feedback I've received on my previous posts has been incredibly helpful, and I truly appreciate the time people take to share their advice and experiences.

Originally, I was excited about planning a trip to Spain and Portugal, but after reading many of the comments here and doing more research, I realized that August may not be the best time for us to visit because of the extreme heat.

As for Switzerland and Paris, my family of nine had been planning a trip there, but unfortunately we had to cancel due to some unexpected expenses. Because of that, I'm now re-planning a more modest trip for just my sister and me. She recently graduated, and I'd really love to treat her to a memorable trip within the budget we can comfortably manage right now.

I genuinely enjoy this forum and have used it to help plan previous trips, including visits to London and Interlaken. I've learned so much from the collective knowledge here, and I always enjoy reading the discussions, even when I'm not actively posting.

Thank you again for all of your advice, patience, and willingness to help. It is greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for the feedback and suggestions. After looking at the logistics a bit more, I think Option 2 may be the better fit for us given the time constraints.

That said, I still love the idea of Option 1, especially for the scenery and fjords, so I'm hoping to save that itinerary for next summer when we can give it the time it deserves. Thank you all!

Thanks for the follow up on your evolving plans. Before you buy your plane tickets for your option #2, be sure to check accommodation availability in your chosen cities. Summer is peak travel season and you'll want reservations that suit your budget. If you have specific questions about destinations, you might want to post those separately under the corresponding country subforum as we have experts on all of those locations that may not read this general post. Best of luck on your planning.

For 'Option 2", be sure the lodgings have A/C.

The Wachau Valley is on my list, so I vote for that. Also, Bratislava is only an hour or so by train from Vienna, on the way to Budapest. A friend recently stopped off there for 1 or 2 nights and really enjoyed it. I don't want to add more to your already busy itinerary, but maybe a day trip there instead of Salzburg.
Vienna is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, BTW, so staying in Bratislava would almost certainly be less expensive. In any case, accommodation is going to be your biggest challenge at this late date. I would set the map wide on your favored accommodation site and see what is available that fits your needs and budget.

Not having seen much of your Option 1, my comments aren’t going to be worth much. The prices there alone sort of rule it out for po-folk like me. One could say it will be cooler in the Summer but Summer runs from June 20 to September 20 give or take a few days so even that is subjective in that it might be a bit too cool in one or not too hot in the other.

So, Option 2: Your description sounds very “responsible”. Sorry, I don’t know what word to use, I just remember what I was doing on holiday in Europe when I was 20-something. You sound more like me at an older age.

Nature, scenic landscapes:
- Well, you have chosen major cities. Not a lot of either in any of
them. A bit in the Wachau Velley I guess and a bit around the
Pannonhalma Archabbey. Oh, and yes, on the way to and from Salzburg
… but … too far. If this is a primary objective then head for the
Balkans (Option 3). Drop dead stunning, great food, great culture,
great prices. You can do 4 star for 3 star prices in Austria.

Walkable cities:
- Given the size of the Prague Old Town, very walkable (in a few
hours). Same with Vienna in the Ringstrasse. Budapest has very
walkable districts where the sights are found, but because of the
size of the city you get to enjoy the old tram system as well. I
think they are a kick in the …. You know.

Cafés:
- the Austrians are going to argue with me, but at best it’s a tie
between Vienna and Budapest.

Local culture:
- I will say a tie again with Vienna. For Haut de Gamme you go to
Vienna, while for more accessible you go to Budapest. I also think
because the cultural activities don’t attract as many tourists that
they have the opportunity to be a bit more authentic in Budapest.
But just a personal perception.

When to go:
- As early in June or as late in September as you can.

Saturday: Arrive in Prague (9 AM), Sunday: Prague, Monday: Prague

For me, the right amount of time in Prague given the full length of your trip. Nice city. Very aesthetic. If you were me in my 20’s I would say “a lot of good pubs”. In the summer there tends to be a lot of college kids on short city breaks which might give you an opportunity to meet some with something in common.

Tuesday: Train to Vienna, Wednesday: Vienna, Thursday: Vienna
(possibly a day trip to Wachau Valley), Friday: Vienna (or day trip to
Salzburg)

Wachau Valley, a nice daytrip. Depending on your date it might be a bid crowded but its pretty. An option to that would be to stop in Gyor and the Archabbey at Pannonhalma on the way to Budapest. It’s on the trainline so no detour and no back tracking. Google and look at them.

Day trip to Salzburg, well, first its too far for a good daytrip, second its not that exciting in my book and third you are a day short in Budapest.

Saturday: Train to Budapest, Sunday: Budapest, Monday: Budapest

Like I said above, you are are a day short when the stops are compared to the total time you have.

Favorite Tourism Video of Budapest https://youtu.be/1nd5AtZIrTk?feature=shared AND Bourdain on how visually pleasurable Budapest is https://youtu.be/0nd9DuDGCz0?si=aa0c19KaJHEtabkX AND Bourdain’s full show on Budapest https://youtu.be/17ollavKuNM?si=5afHpsSxQlrWoU73

Tuesday: Fly home

Both options good.
Regarding Norway, been there twice and the best trip was a cruise visiting six Norwegian ports all the way to the North Cape.
We saw AMAZING fjords. Oslo is great, but do the cruise.

Thank you all so much for your feedback. Norway has been a dream destination of mine and that cruise sounds amazing. But I believe everyone is right it may be too late for me to book accommodation and the Norway in a nutshell.
I was also very interested in the Balkans but I would be relying on public transportation. I was thinking to spend 3 nights in Dubrovnik, 3 in Kotor, and 4 in Sarajevo but my biggest concern is getting from Kotor to Sarajevo.

Rula, if the train from Prague to Vienna costs 60€ for 2, and the 3 star hotel near the Ringstrass in Vienna costs 800€ for 4 nights, then your trip to Vienna has cost you 860€.

If your private transfer from Kotor to Sarajevo costs you 300€ for two and the 3 star hotel in Sarajevo Old Town costs you 560€ for 4 nights your trip to Sarajevo had cost you 860€. And we havent discussed the two stops along the way to see some of Montenegro's and Bosnia's wonders or the cost of food.

If you are a city person, then Central Europe has some of the best value. If you want nature, the unexpected, ancient and natural beauty ... same price as Central Europe but more value and a little higher quality in the Balkans. I live in Budapest and visit the Balkans once or twice a year and its how I see it at least.

I have an idea that ticks two boxes. Nature and city. Fly into Budapest for not less than 3 full days. Then take Wizzair to Podgorica, Montenegro and tour Montenegro for 5 or 6 days. Then on to Dubrovnik for 3 days, then fly home. I've done this a few times.

I've also done Podgorica to Dubrovnik to Mostar to Sarajevo. The airport in Podgorica is pretty centrally located and you get a number of choices of where to stay along the coast.

I was also very interested in the Balkans but I would be relying on
public transportation. I was thinking to spend 3 nights in Dubrovnik,
3 in Kotor, and 4 in Sarajevo but my biggest concern is getting from
Kotor to Sarajevo.

Ruka, I know you have many hard decisions to make in a very short period of time, but I strongly suggest not complicating matters by adding yet another option. If you intend to travel in August you have no time to waste. The other places will still be there for trips in the future, so set them aside for now and concentrate on planning the best trip you can for you and your sister. Good luck!

Thank you Mr E and CL for your thoughtful responses!! I really appreciate it. CL, you are right I think I've planned about 5 trips over the last week and my brain feels totally scrambled. I have to choose one and stick to it. I think I've finally found a trip that will work at such late notice. I am planning on flying into Zagreb and spending 3 nights there with a day dedicated to Pltvice Parks and then taking a train to Ljubljana and spending 5-6 nights there with various day trips. I believe this will give a good blend of city and nature.
I hope I can use the advice shared here for future trip planning as I loved the feedback I received.

Thank you all so much for all the advice, it is much appreciated!!

Oh heck, I only booked my July flight to the US and Spain 45 days ago. My early August trip to Uzhhorod (not that it far from here) I only booked the room and transportation a few days ago. I have four trips planned for the same dates in September.

• Odesa
• Montenegro
• Bosnia
• Montenegro and Bosnia
• Bucharest

Wait, thats five. Then I answerd a question about Sofia the other day and I sure do miss Bulgaria, so maybe six. If I can find a really wonderful resort hotel with a beach at discount because of the war .... might be where I end up. Of course thats the idea with Odesa too.... Montenegro and Bosnia and Bucharest I have contacts so I just show up and they tell me what to do. That makes planning much easier.