What’s your budget? Which 9 countries?

When are you going? Have you read the stickies at the top yet?

My budget is roughly $9000.00.
Ireland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Croatia, Austria, and Greece.

What stickies?

Croatia: Zagreb is boring, but definitely visit Split and Dubrovnik on the coast. Ferry from Italy will take you there, or go round over the top from Venice. I just returned and loved both places.

Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice, Siena, Lucca. Cinque Terre is beautiful, but probably not so much to do in winter months, but Spring, Summer, and Fall lots of great hiking, kayaking, swimming.

France: Paris, of course. South of France—Avignon, Arles, Aix, Nice.

Wow, that is great you have a nice-sized budget. Anyways, I recommend you go to Ravena in Italy. There is wonderful Mosaic work there and students from all over the world go there to learn about mosaics. There is also the beach you can visit. If you plan to go to Greece from Italy you might want to go by ferry. If you do you could depart from Bari. Its a very nice city in the south that is full of young people. The city is a beautifully historic town by day and at night it becomes a party! Check this out: Bari

Happy Travels

50 days should be good. 60 days even better.

Now try and do some research (online research, bookstore, library, Eurotrip Search function), and see what itinerary you come up with. We’re more than happy to tweak it for you, but coming up with an entire 9-country itinerary for you is very time consuming. I’ve done this for other people, but I can’t right now. (You should be able to find lots of excellent sample itineraries in past threads). Just take your time, and research, because you have ample time. Planning and learning before you go is half the fun.

Thanks for all the responses!!! Would combining a tour in with my trip be advisable?
I want to go with a tour company for Croatia and Greece because I think island hopping would get expensive fast. Is this a good idea?

I wouldn’t bother with a tour company for island hopping. The ferries run frequently in summer.
When are you going?

I agree with Cil, no need to go with a tour in Greece and Croatia…

We had serious time constraints when we visited Greece, so really couldn’t work out the logistics of the ferries. We took an Island cruise which was pleasant, got us to some islands we wouldn’t have gotten to on-our own and was relatively inexpensive. However, if you’ve got the time, I think on-your-own with ferries and hostels would be significantly cheaper and much more enjoyable. For me, cruises and tours get old quickly — even a 3 or 4 day cruise gets old by the second dinner.

Evenstar, have you figured out an itineray?

My friend and I are leaving June 1st.
We really aren’t doing an itinerary. We don’t want a planned out trip. We’re planning cities, hostels and our transportation.. that’s about it.

It appears that once you plan the cities, hostels and transportation you have yourself an itinerary. As fro a tour in Greece or Croatia, I don’t think that it is necessary.

That’s called an itinerary

Oh… I feel really smart right now

lol well, you don’t want an itinerary that’s too detailed, so you’re off to a good start.

Ooohkay! I know it’s been a very long time since I last posted, busy planning and all you know
I’ve come up with a rough itinerary and would love some help and advice, so here goes…..
7 days in Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Galway and Antrim Coast)
3 days in London (or 2 in Bruges with a day trip in Bari when I’m in Italy)
3 days in Amsterdam
3 days in Paris
5 days in Switzerland (Interlaken or Lucerne? Definitely Gimmelwald and Murren)
7 days in Italy (Cinque Terre, Rome, Sorrento! Possibly Bari as mentioned above)
4 days in Greece (Corfu)
4 days in Croatia (Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, and Plitvice day trip)
4 days in Slovenia (Ljubljana and Bled)
4 days in Germany (Rothenburg or Dusseldorf? and Munich)

Does that sound okay? Any tips would be great!! Also if I’m missing some wonderful cities or towns I would love to know about them