First Time In Europe - 14 Days (+2 Days Travel)

Fly into London? It might be possible to see London and Paris (Eurostar) in 7 days. Then you've got 7 for Germany and Switzerland. It's 10+ hours to Rostock. Let's hope Rostock gal can meet you somewhere so you don't have to go there too. Trier (Germany's oldest city, near the Luxembourg border) is 3 hours from Paris and a logical destination with interesting Roman history (compensates a tad for Italy?) and great scenery nearby - spend 3 nights there and do an outing to Luxembourg and another to Cochem (old-world village, Burg Eltz Castle or Reichsburg Castle.) Then hop a train for the Bernese Oberland (Interlaken? Lauterbrunnen?) for 2 nights. Spend a final night in or near Zurich and fly out of ZRH.

It would help to know your priorities. You have some really great destinations on your list and some lesser ones. Seeing that it is tempting to say, skip (say) Belgium and Luxembourg. Or save Switzerland for another trip. Here's one possibility: 4 days & nights London, 5 days & nights Paris, 2 days & nights Berner Oberland in Switzerland, and the rest (just two days really, if you take travel time into account) in Germany. If that is not enough time for Germany, then I'd skip Switzerland. Skipping Switzerland means you are spending about 11 hours in transit from place to place over 14 day (plus day trip), which is not bad. With Switzerland there is probably another 7 or 8 hours. And Switzerland is expensive. Do you want to start in Rostock, or end there? If the former, do some research to see which is cheaper, flights from Hamburg (or Berlin) to London or to Paris. Or, if you are determined to keep Switzerland, to London or to Zurich. Whatever you learn could be the next stop on your itinerary. Connect between Paris and London by train. (If Swizerland is in the mix, check out fares to Zurich versus London. You'll either go Rostock > London > Paris > Switzerland or Rostock > Switzerland > Paris > London.) If you want to end in Rostock reverse the order. In any case fly open jaw. I don't really feel that I've been very helpful, but I hope this gives you more to think about.

Unfortunately, my advice is that you have to give up something. As you have already figured out, you simply cannot see everything on your list in the time you have. I agree with posts above that with limited time, you should look to eliminate either B-list places (like Luxembourg) or geographic outliers (like Switzerland). You can always make another trip for these. If these are musts for this trip, you will have to eliminate other places to make this work. Since you already have one geographic outlier - Rostock - as a must, you really must make the rest of the trip flow smoothly. This means you can see London (with daytrips if desired) Paris (with daytrips if desired), and Germany (ending in Rostock, or Berlin), without too many contortions. Much more than this, and you're just checking items off - fine for a bucket list, but not so good for an enjoyable trip. If you drop London, that gives you more time for the Continent. To research train schedules, look at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en. This will show you how much time is actually involved getting from place to place.

Eric, Since Rostock seems to be the crucial part of the trip, it would help to have some idea how many or your 14-days you plan on spending there? You may find that you want to spend more time there than originally planned. Also, would you prefer the Rostock (visit with the Tour Guide) at the beginning or end of your trip? Also... > Are you planning to use open-jaw flights? > You're NOT going to have time to visit seven locations in 14-days (you mentioned "Paris, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Germany, and of course London"). Which locations are you willing to skip? You'll need to prioritize and above all plan for adequate travel time between locations. As this is your first time in Europe "on your own", I would recommend reading Europe Through The Back Door prior to your trip. It provides a lot of good information on "how" to travel in Europe. You can use the country-specific Guidebooks to plan sightseeing, Hotels, transportation, etc. Good luck with your planning!

Hey everyone, I want to say, "THANK YOU!" for all of your help, and quick replies. You've given me a lot to think about. I like Russ' itinerary of 7 days in Paris/London and 7 days in Germany with day trips to Switzerland. Rostock is important, yes, but she will be living in Hamburg at the time, which means we could either meet in the middle, or she could come to Berlin perhaps. After talking with my companion today, I asked her if she would prefer more time in Germany or time in Switzerland. I advised her of the cost of Switzerland. Her response: "Well, I'm German, so there's your answer." If I do as follows, will it flow smooth? London (4 days), Paris (4 days), Trier, Germany, (4 days), with a day trip to Luxembourg and a day trip to Cochem, then ending in Rostock, Germany. With this itinerary, where would the best place be to fly back home from? Hamburg? Berlin? Also, would I be correct in assuming it would be best to "puddle jump" so to speak from Trier to Rostock, or take the train? Russ raised a good point that there are Roman influences in the architecture in Trier, plus, Trier is a World Heritage Site (bonus). With its close proximity to Luxembourg, I feel I'd be able to see Luxembourg on a day trip. I've been obsessed with Luxembourg since I've been about 12 or 13 - always wanted to go there. Thank you, Ken, for your book suggestion. I will find that book Monday and start reading. Thank you again everyone for your advice, and look forward to conversing with you more. Sincerely, Eric

Hi, I suggest skipping Switzerland and probably Lux. as well. The best way for you to get to Rostock is to take the Paris-Berlin CNL night train. Then within three hours or so after arriving at Berlin Hbf., you'll be in Rostock. Take the Regional Bahn to Rostock. Given the time constraint of this trip, just focus on London, Paris, and Germany.

Alright, #2: This is where I'm at so far with my itinerary: March 1 (Friday) Fly to London March 2 (Saturday) Arrive at London Heathrow Airport 1:35 PM BST Heathrow Express into Paddington and check in Stylotel March 3 (Sunday) London March 4 (Monday) London March 5 (Tuesday) London March 6 (Wednesday) Depart London for Paris - EuroStar Train Ride - 2 hours and 22 minutes Arrive Paris and check into Les Jardins De La Villa March 7 (Thursday) Paris March 8 (Friday) Paris March 9 (Saturday) Paris March 10 (Sunday) Depart Paris for Trier, Germany Train Ride - 4 hours Arrive Trier and check into Hotel Deutscher Hof March 11 (Monday) Trier March 12 (Tuesday) Trier - Day trip to Luxembourg?
March 13 (Wednesday) Trier - Day trip to Cochem? March 14 (Thursday) Depart Trier for Rostock My question arises now, what is the best way from Trier to Rostock? Is it as Fred stated? Trier > Berlin > Rostock? Thank you once again for everyone's help!

Your last post shows that you have worked hard and made logical choices. For you, that is an excellent plan. But not for me. I wish I thought Trier and Luxembourg were as important as you do. You are right to give so much weight to your friend's preferences. But I would have asked the friend what parts of Germany she hasn't seen. There is tremendous variety, and if she hasn't been to the Black Forest or NR Westphalia or Bavaria, or Dresden, you could enjoy those areas for weeks. I think it's too late to re-do your plans, but if you're trying to cover new places (for you) in Europe, you've overlooked Czech Republic and Austria, which are closer to Rostock and incredibly rich destinations. (And Czech R. can be very cheap, too.) There is more to see in Belgium than in Luxembourg, and I wonder why a young person (?) like you hasn't been to Amsterdam yet.

@Tim, Nothing is set in stone, and nothing has been purchased yet. I have found out my friend in Germany will be living in Hamburg at the time, which means, Rostock is no longer a necessity. I am open to suggestions, and am thankful for everyone who has given me ideas. This is only my second time in Europe - so I'm still new. I'm not much into the party scene anymore (I'm 36, though don't look it), and prefer heritage and history over pubs and pints. I'm sure my itinerary will evolve over the next few weeks. Half the fun it seems is planning and dreaming!

Various comments - Heathrow Express is kind of expensive. Unless your hotel is right next to Paddington, it's probably better to take the tube, since you should be getting into town before rush hour. While the Stylotel is very close, it may not be your best option - see next paragraph. Eurostar sells discounted tickets - no exchange, no refund - a very low prices. I believe they go on sale about 120 days in advance. There are a limited number, first come, first served. The train leaves from St Pancras station and you need to be there about an hour before departure, so best to take a train that doesn't have you going to the station in rush hour with your luggage. If you're close, a taxi will not be expensive. According to London Transport, from the Paddington rail station to the St Pancras rail station, the best option is a bus and a 35 minute journey (not in rush hour). Les Jardins de la Villa is pretty far from the sights in Paris. I'd look for something in the Marais or Left Bank (4th, 5th or 6th arrondissement). You don't want to waste time traveling back and forth.

Various comments - Heathrow Express is kind of expensive. Unless your hotel is right next to Paddington, it's probably better to take the tube, since you should be getting into town before rush hour. While the Stylotel is very close, it may not be your best option - see next paragraph. Eurostar sells discounted tickets - no exchange, no refund - a very low prices. I believe they go on sale about 120 days in advance. There are a limited number, first come, first served. The train leaves from St Pancras station and you need to be there about an hour before departure, so best to take a train that doesn't have you going to the station in rush hour with your luggage. If you're close, a taxi will not be expensive. According to London Transport, from the Paddington rail station to the St Pancras rail station, the best option is a bus and a 35 minute journey (not in rush hour). Les Jardins de la Villa is pretty far from the sights in Paris. I'd look for something in the Marais or Left Bank (4th, 5th or 6th arrondissement). You don't want to waste time traveling back and forth.

Also, you said your Rostock guide is in Hamburg or could meet you in Berlin. I haven't been to Hamburg, but Berlin is fascinating. I'd give up Cochem to spend the time in Berlin.

Eric, "where would the best place be to fly back home from?" You'll probably find the greatest availability and best prices from Frankfurt, as it's one of the largest "hub" airports in Europe. I haven't checked flights from Berlin, but there may be some good prices there also. Another option you could check is an EasyJet flight from Hamburg to London Gatwick, and connect with a flight to California from there. Which websites are you using to plan your rail journeys? It appears that you're getting accurate information. Regarding your trip on the EuroStar, you might find it helpful to have a look at This Excellent Website. Note that you'll have to go through airport-style security and French Passport Control in London, and you MUST check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure. As your friend prefers to stay in Germany, Berlin would be a good choice for sightseeing. There's a LOT to see there, and it's an easy 1H:40M via direct train from Hamburg. The new Berlin Hbf is massive and VERY impressive! If you need Hotel suggestions for Berlin, check the Guidebook or post another note. You could also ask your friend if there's a place that she would be especially interested in seeing. Cheers!

Eric, Since Rostock is no longer a "necessity" that's even better. You can take the ICE to Hamburg from Berlin, less isolated than Rostock and going by the RB. Yes, you can do Trier to Berlin Hbf. I would time it so that you have a leisure transfer in Frankfurt.

@Ken - for trains, I've been using http://www.bahn.de Thank you again everyone for your responses. To those asking about my friend who is traveling with me - she has never been to Europe, so I am the "official tour guide". Planning a trip can actually be quite addicting. In other news, I'm slightly OCD... Hopefully I can meet my tour guide friend in Hamburg, or perhaps convince her to meet me in Frankfurt or Berlin. Berlin would make a logical ending spot, as I can then fly out of Berlin back to LAX. I'll do some more "virtual traveling" today, and post more soon. Eric