What & where to go for 15 days in Europe free time

Posted by prosserone on 10/08/25 11:03 AM

My partner & I have 15 days between a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest before we embark on a Mediterranean Cruise from Rome
We wanted to do Croatia Slovenia & Switzerland but from many reports Croatia as beautiful as it is, it’s getting a reputation as one of the most expensive places in Europe food, accommodation, travel, which is a real shame, we are open to what ever is thrown at us, we probably will stick to one or two country’s thinking maybe 2nd country being Italy as we depart from there but throw any great ideas at us
Wanting to stick to southern part of Europe
Things we DONT want to do or see
Overcrowding areas  shopping 
lounging on the beach
Mosques /Temples

We definitely want to see the
Must See places,
scenery,
Great local food ( don’t we all )

Edit dates is from 19th June
So being summer we realise it’s going to be hot 🔥

Posted by geovagriffith

10/08/25 11:49 AM

9311 posts

Consider Romania, we did a six day bus tour there after out Danube cruise last year and it was great and not expensive.

Take a look at Gate 1 Travel, they have great tours with low prices. Perhaps they have a tour that would include Croatia and/or Slovenia.

Posted by TexasTravelMom

TX, USA

10/08/25 12:10 PM

5652 posts

How long are you planning to stay in Budapest following your arrival? It’s worth at least 4 days of your time before heading off.

The rest of any suggestions I might make would depend on time of year.

Posted by Mr Ê 🇺🇸 🇺🇦

Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest

10/08/25 01:20 PM

24012 posts

Look and see which locations share Wizz and Ryan service from Rome.

For instance Wizz and Ryan both fly Budapest to Malta, and Ryan flies Malta to Rome.

Better for my taste, Budapest to Podgorica on Wizz (thursday and sunday), then Dubrovnik to Rome on Ryan.

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

10/08/25 02:50 PM

1412 posts

Or instead of flights, you could look at what cities you can get to by direct train. Here is the info from Budapest:
https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Budapest.htm

Posted by Cat VH

London

10/08/25 02:54 PM

763 posts

I find it a little odd to call out "mosques/temples" as something you don't want to see, particularly when there aren't a huge number of these in Europe compared to other regions.

Posted by Mr Ê 🇺🇸 🇺🇦

Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest

10/08/25 04:24 PM

24012 posts

Better for my taste, Budapest to Podgorica on Wizz (thursday and
sunday), then Dubrovnik to Rome on Ryan.

You didn't give dates did mention summer and this works best May through September. im with you. Avoid Croatia in thr high season.

The implied suggestion since you mentioned Croatia but wanted better costs and fewer tourists was to spend the time in Montenegro, which is sort of like Croatia before the tourists swarmed it. You end in Dubrovnik that despite the tourism and price is every bit worth it and has the flight to Rome.

Between Podgorica and Dubrovnik you travel the coast from Ulcinj to Stari Bar to Budva. Maybe run up to the Tara River Caynon to see thr deepest canyon in Europe and cooler weather, zip line across it, raft thr river. Then down to the Ostrog Monestery built into he side of a cliff followed by views fom the best restaurant deck in the Balkans. Finally, over the mountain and down to the city of Kotor, then along the bay to Perast, Herceg Novi and on to Dubrovnik.

There is another post right now where I believe the OP is contemplating 12 days across Croatia in a rental car, which I believe will cost him $1000 to $1500. You could hire a private driver in Montenegro for what i just described for less ... I'm pretty sure.

I will be back doing something similar, Montenegro trip 5, in the spring.

I use travel videos to help decide where I want to go. This one has links to Montenegro videos. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/montenegro/podgorica-to-dubrovnik-by-car