Traveling in Europe for 3 weeks-how many countries can i see?

Doesn't sound too bad to me.. I assume you are going to fly open jaw into London and out of Rome right?

Amsterdam doesn't require 4 days but Paris needs more.
Sounds great. Have fun wherever you go.

I'd say start with your plan as a general guideline. Then, when you decide what you want to see in each city, you can add or subtract days as needed.

Remember, people will give you their opinions on what THEY like, not what you're interested in. Only you know that.

Remember that each travel day will take up a lot of time. In general consider every on the road a travel day. If you see any sites on those days, it's more of a bonus than something to count on.

Amsterdam is good for 2 days max although there are lots of nice smaller towns in the area that are worth some time. If I were to skip something, Amsterdam would be it.

As a general guideline this outline for your trip is feasable. However, once you start looking at it more closely you need to realize how traveling times fit in. If you add up your days IN those cities you are up to 20 days. That leaves ONE day of your 21 days for transportation between all those places. And that is impossible. What it means is that you have to be aware that those "4 days" in Paris or Rome aren't 4 full days but more like 3.5 days or even less depending on how long the travel, check-in time in hotels etc. will take up.

As others have mentioned, scheduling an open-jaw flight and maybe cutting the time in Amsterdam would give you that extra time for transportation.

You are giving yourself plenty of time. I'm actually surprised you're not more "trying to see everything" in a whirlwind because it's your first time (and I don't think there's anything wrong with that either for people who want that experience). However, I really don't think you need 4 days in Amsterdam. I suggest 2 instead and a 2 day stop in Brussels/Bruges on your way to Paris. But I definitely do not think you are trying to see too much in that time period. You can always go back to your favorites later on for more time.

I would note that your schedule has only major cities. Europe is more than London, Amsterdam, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome; France is more than Paris. Unless you already have reservations to fly back from Rome, skip Italy entirely. Spend time in Belgium (Brussels, Bruge), western Germany (middle Rhein, Mosel, maybe the Schwarzwald), rural France (say Burgandy or the Alsace) and Swizerland, instead.

Maybe go from Amsterdam to Brussels,Rhein, Schwarzwald, Switzerland, Baune, then fly back from Paris.

I think your itinerary looks really good. My only suggestion would be to maybe forego Amst and either 1) spread those days out on your existing itinerary or 2) give those 4days to the south of France. Most of what I see about Amst seems to be pretty lukewarm. My opinion would be to read about S France. Maybe a wine tour in Burgundy. Maybe beach time in Nice. I think you will be happier spending more time in France rather than Just Paris and gone.

Mary,

Given that this is your first trip, my initial suggestion would be to read Europe Through The Back Door. It's an essential pre-read before a first trip IMHO!

Your Itinerary looks reasonable although I believe a few changes will be necessary, as I don't see much allowance for travel times between cities. With such a short trip, careful planning of transportation links will be essential!

If I were planning this trip, I'd probably structure it somewhat like this:

• Day 1: Flight to London (you'll lose the first day in flight times and time zone changes)

• Day 2: Arrive in London

• Days 3-5: London (plan your touring very carefully. I'd pack along a copy of the London Guidebook as it will be good reference. Be sure to do some research on getting around via "The Tube" as it's by far the easiest method. Check the Guidebook regarding which area of London to stay - I prefer the area around Victoria Station).

• Day 6: Travel to Amsterdam (you could go via rail, however it's about a 6-hour+ trip with several changes. You could also consider budget airline. For example, EasyJet from LGW to AMS. Depending on which flight you choose, fare could be as low as about £26. Keep in mind with budgets that tickets are usually non-refundable & non-changeable once booked & baggage limits can be VERY restrictive! If you decide to stay in the Victoria station area, LGW is a good choice as you can take the Gatwick Express to the airport).

• Days 6-8: Amsterdam

• Day 9: Travel to Paris via train (there's a direct train, 4H:09M)

• Days 9-12: Paris (again, plan your touring carefully. If you're planning to visit any of the Museums, a Paris Museum Pass would be a really good idea, perhaps the two-day version. You might want to pack along a copy of the Paris Guidebook).

• Day 13: Travel to Venice (budget air would be my choice. EasyJet flies from CDG to VCE (I believe flight time is about 1H:40M).

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Continued -

• Days 13-14: Venice (You should have at least part of the day of arrival to tour Venice along with the following day. You could possibly get a bit of touring in on your departure day and leave for Florence in the afternoon as it's a short trip. A copy of the Italy Guidebook would be good reference for Venice, Florence & Rome).

• Day 15: Travel to Florence (I'd recommend taking a "fast" train, which will require a reservation. Depending on which Hotel you choose, you may be able to walk from Firenze SMN to your Hotel).

• Days 15-16: Florence (You should be able to do some touring on your arrival day, depending on which train you choose from Venice. If you're planning to visit the Uffizi or Accademia, reservations are HIGHLY advisable. There's information in the Guidebook on how to obtain these, however your Hotel may be willing to do this for you. You might consider the Hop On/Hop Off Bus tours - as I recall those in Firenze depart from the station area and have two routes, one of which goes to Fiesole, which is beautiful. I believe one ticket allows you to travel either of the routes within the validity period of the ticket. Also in Florence, watch your valuables!).

• Day 17: Travel to Rome (via train): Depending on which train you choose, the trip will only be about 1H:36M via EuroStar Italia to Roma Termini. You could possibly do a bit of "light" touring in Florence on your departure day, and then head for Rome in the afternoon?

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Part 3 (at last!)

• Days 17-20: Rome! (I'd allow a bit of extra time here, as there's so much to see! Again, plan your touring carefully. The Metro is a good way to get around, but watch your valuables & wear a Money Belt! I find the Hop On/Hop Off Bus tours is a good way to get a general "overview" of the sights. Check the Guidebook for details on routes and prices. Be sure to check the tips in the Guidebook regarding buying a "combo ticket" for the Colosseum on Palatine Hill, rather than waiting in the long queue for tickets. I'd highly recommend the "official" tour inside the Colosseum, as it's very reasonably priced and the Guides are excellent. If you want private tours of any historic sites, for example the Capotoline Museums, the Jewish Ghetto or other sites, I'd also highly recommend Francesca Caruso (she's listed in the Guidebook).

• Day 21: Off to FCO for the flight home. Take the Leonardo Express from Roma Termini (about 30 minutes to the airport - don't forget to validate your ticket in the yellow box!).

There are many ways a trip like this could be structured, but this is the way I'd arrange it. I would most definitely NOT skip a visit to Italy (you may find that it's the highlight of the whole trip!).

Good luck with your planning!

thanks so much for the advice! i have the trip in better perspective now. i think we'll lessen our stay in amsterdam, and i forgot about brussels.. we'll want to see belgium too (for a day, or day trip?) i feel better about being able to see what we want to see and not having to downsize too much. yes open jaw trip start in london then going on from there. i'll be posting again im sure, once more of our planning comes together. thanks!

When you say "2 days" I think you really mean 2 nights which means you would only have the day in between for seeing the sights, particularly with the distances you'll be traveling.

I think you're trying too hard to maximize the number of countries without taking the time to enjoy where you are and relax a bit. If it were me, I'd focus on London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels/Bruges on a first trip, even with 3 weeks.

Shorten Amsterdam. Lengthen Italy.

2-5 days per country is very reasonable.

Pete

Mary I'm really glad you decided to fit Brussels in. It is extremely convenient if you are already going to Amsterdam and Paris, and well worth the stop. In Europe Through The Back Door 2009 in the Bruges chapter Rick calls La Grand Place in Brussels "Europe's greatest city square" and I agree - it is absolutely breathtaking. Bruges is only an hour away if you want to day-trip it. Have fun!