Europe - Must See / Do?

PinkLipgloss

Hi all,

I'm going backpacking around Europe in summer 2009 for my honeymoon.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I have a copy of Lonely Planet's "Europe on a Shoestring" and there is soooo much stuff I'd love to see/do, I was just wondering what you guys recommend?

We'll be travelling for approx 8 weeks.

C_Ronaldo

Some of Goudis(is that the right spelling) work in barcelona,

alchemista

That's a very hard question, there is so much to do. I guess it depends what your interests are. You will have plenty of palaces, churches, castles, museums, if you like that. If you're looking for unique spots, that's also a bit hard as I find a lot of Western Europe to be similar, then you have some variations in Central and Eastern Europe.

I second some of the Barcelona architecture, and the Muslim influence. Paris has a nice feel to it. Rome is historical and lively. I've loved everywhere I've been in Italy. The Alps regions are nice, you can combine the northern Italian lakes with some time in the Alps, or you can go into Switzerland and Austria for the alps. The Netherlands has some pretty windmill scenes, tulip fields, and live sex shows if you're into that. Lots of people like Prague, I like almost all the central/eastern european cities (Prague, Budapest, Krakow). The Greek islands are very nice if you're going that far. Istanbul has some beautiful mosques that are very unique. Romania has some very natural regions and pockets of 19th century culture. Scandinavia has some beautiful fjord areas.

That's a quick summary, probably doesn't help

poe.tuesday

which route are you planning to take?

If it's taking the cheap option then go eastern bloc way, I would suggest that if you are going this route that you get a cheap flight to somewhere like Germany to get you started as you will probably spend the same amount on the ferry just to get you over the channel as you will on a cheap flight

I interrailed several times back in the late 80's and found that travelling overnight was the best option as it was cheaper to get a couchette than a hostel and you woke up in a new place each morning

Places like barcellona are wonderful but they are always going to be there and not change, I would suggest leaving these for weekend breaks where as places like Poland, Romania, Hungary etc will change and I would suggest you get to them whilst they are cheap and you can always head down towards to Dalmation Coast if you want some beach life etc

The route we did through eastern europe was to fly to Frankfurt then onto Prague, Budapest, Buccarest and then into Spohia (that was somewhat dodgy at the time) then back to Germany, we stopped off on route whenever it took our fancy

PinkLipgloss

Thanks everyone,

I've obviously got a lot to think about!

knightstyle

Quick reply Open air opera at Verona, Paris, Mont blanc go up from Italy, were the highlights of our trip but we didn't go to Eastern Europe.

kay41_2

Wow - what a great idea. I agree with Italy and Greece - the Greek Islands are amazing, especially the smaller ones and you can while away days travelling on the ferries. Or how about travelling through France, Spain, over to Morrocco then back via the Balearics and then maybe over to Corsica, Sardinia, Italy then Croatia and Slovenia, perhaps over to Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, then you could catch a boat all the way back to the UK from Poland - that would be pretty amazing. Personally I would avoid the 'expensive' countries like Italy, Germany, Austria and stick to the cheaper ones.

123oleary

ive found german cities sucvh as munich and berlin are brilliant - history culture nightlife, great food and drink and also a little bit off general tourist routes.
as already said eastern europe for architecture etc also very cheap.
also austria has some stunning scenery.
where are you from by the way and what type of things are you looking to see /do on your travels?

Overthetop

Italy- the Amalfi coast, simply wonderful.

Have fun

blue_haddock

I'd recommend getting better guide books. I have a europe on a shoestring lonely planet and it only covers the major points in the big towns. You will miss a lot of potential treats by sticking to things covered by it.

poe.tuesday

the other must have book is the european train timetable book, Thomas cook used to do it, it includes all the ferries too