Hello, I have never been to Europe and I am currently living in North America. For January, I have booked my return ticket to Amsterdam. I will be in Europe for 8 days. Here is itinerary- can someone advise on the itinerary: Day 1: Land in AMS Day 2, 3: Prague Day 4, 5: Vienna Day 6: Munich Day 7: Innbruk Day 8: Berlin Day 9: Amsterdam or Day 1: Land in AMS Day 2, 3: Prague Day 4, 5: Vienna Day 6: Salzburg Day 7: Innbruk Day 8: Munich
Day 9: Amsterdam I am unsure if I should go to Berlin or Salzburg for a night. Apparently Salzburg would be great spot if I was in to Mozart or Sound of Music (I am in to neither). What do you suggest? I dont mind the cold. Also, a very ignorant question- I am racially a minority, do you think I could have any issues in any of the places i have mentioned above? Thanks,
Posted by
Malaga, Malaga, Spain
410 posts
I would imagine that you will spend the majority of the time travelling between all those cities. While it may be possible to do it, and see some of the cities, I am not sure trying to see 5 cities in several different countries in 7 days is sensible, but only you know your travelling style. While you say you don't mind the cold, the daylight hours will be extremely short. You will see very little of Amsterdam, which may be OK for you but it is a wonderful city - and one where almost everyone speaks English - which can be helpful for a first time traveller to Europe. Without checking the travel between the different places, I would omit Germany and Innsbruk and focus on Prague and Vienna. Most of these cities are extremely multicultural and Europeans are by and large very tolerant.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
This is way way way way too much. Both itineraries. Why are you flying in and out of amsterdam if you're not going to spend any time in or near there? are you planning on taking trains everywhere? i added this up and we're talking over 35 hours just on the trains if that's the case, and that does not factor in transit time from hotel to train stations and back, arriving at the stations at least 20 minutes early, and so forth. this is totally insane. here's a revised itinerary Day 1, Land in AMS, fly to Prague Day 2, 3: Prague train to Vienna Day 4, 5: Vienna Train to Munich Day 6, 7: Munich (possible side trip to Salzburg but probably not)
Day 8: Fly to Amsterdam, enjoy a bit of Amsterdam It's still a ridiculous schedule but one that means you might be able to see some stuff instead of just sitting on a train. I can't speak for Prague or Amsterdam, but urban areas like the ones you're going to in Germany and Austria are surprisingly diverse. You probably won't have any problems.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Good rule of thumb for planning trips: never stay less than 2 nights in any destination you haven't been to before. if you're only going to stay one night, reconsider why you're even going there. could it be done as a day trip from somewhere else on your itinerary? (like Salzburg is doable as a day trip from Muinch. ) Changing hotels is time consuming and if you're in a major city, two nights is really the minimum you need just to see the basics. I would revise this trip in a way so you spend at least 2 nights in every destination.