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Need advice on both itinerary and transport plans

Posted by on

Hello everyone,
I'm leaving on a backpacking trip around Southern Europe in a week and I need some advice. This is my swan song to my 2 year visa living in London and as I haven't booked my flight home I don't have much of a time limit per say. I'm a 25 year old female and plan on staying in hostels to keep costs down. Solo traveler but hoping to meet people along the way.

My basic itinerary plan so far is as follows:
(Flying from London to Spain, Valencia)

Spain - Valencia - 4-5 days

Spain - Barcelona - 1 week

Switzerland - Zurich/Interlaken - 1 week

Italy - Como - 4 days

Italy - Florence - 5 days

Italy - Rome - 5 days

Italy - Naples - 5 days

Greece - Athens/Greek Islands - 2 weeks
(Looking to fly out from Athens)

First of all, is this a reasonable plan? Have I made it too jam-packed. Should I be cutting down on some areas and increasing time in others? Or skipping an area all together?

Secondly, for those in the know, is this the type of itinerary that justifies a 4 country select Eurail pass or is it going to be cheaper just to buy point-to-point tickets?

Thirdly, I've heard a lot of hype about Cinque Terra. Is this worth the visit or is it just a tourist trap? Must see or avoid at all costs?

I realise I've left this right until the very last minute (doh!) so any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Posted by
20980 posts

Actually looks like a cool trip, plenty of time at each stop. Don't do Rail pass, use point to point. I'd also fly Barcelona-Geneva on EasyJet to get to Interlaken region. For Lake Como, might check out Menaggio by taking the bus from Lugano. Lots of ferry options to Belagio and Varenna. The rest is easy rail connections through Italy to Naples. You can fly from Naples to Mykonos on EasyJet on Tuesdays and Fridays starting July.

Posted by
15773 posts

First of all, I think I'm a teensy bit envious. Well, maybe not teensy :-)

Spain - I haven't been to the places you list, but I loved spending 3 weeks in Andalusia - which is the warmest, driest part of Europe. From other posters my impression is that 4-5 days is plenty for Barcelona.

The Cinque Terre are lovely, IF the weather is good. There's nice hiking and it really is picturesque. Sounds like you get to the area around the beginning of May. Just check the weather reports.

If you love Renaissance art and architecture, 5 days in Florence is excellent. If not, consider staying in Siena instead, to explore Tuscany and take a day trip to Florence to see the highlights.

Instead of Naples, I'd head for Sorrento as a base to tour the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii.

Posted by
33558 posts

As a British resident for 2 years you will be ineligible for Eurail passes.
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When you get to the Bernese Oberland in mid April what do you hope to find? Snow or dry walking paths? It is likely that you will have neither. Mud is more likely as April is not a good month in that area.
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If you turn your itinerary upside down and go the warm areas first you will wind up in mid May in the Berner Oberland and may be disappointed to discover so much animal sewage spread on the fields as fertilizer, the same muddy trails, and many things closed between the seasons including the sprint maintenance closures of transportation.
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Unless you are mad for Italian Renaissance art you may find 5 days in Firenze quite a lot.
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Unless you move very quickly you may find 5 days in Roma a bit short.
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No Venice?
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Where is home, ari?

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