Hi everyone! I am looking for some help with my itinerary for backpacking Europe this summer from the end of May through the beginning of July. My boyfriend and I are going for exactly six weeks and I am a little concerned that we are trying to fit too much into a too short amount of time. We are flying into London on May 29 and flying out of Milan on July 10, so those are set in stone.

I would love any advice you have on if this is feasible or too much, where we should spend more or less time or where to perhaps cut entirely, best transportation options, good hostels, your favorite places, or really anything you think would be helpful! Thanks so much for your help! It’s very appreciated!!

So far, our tentative itinerary is:

Tues, May 29-Fri, June 1: London, maybe day trip to Cambridge. We are planning on staying in the Astor Hyde Park Hostel.

Sat, June 2: Morning train from London to Edinburgh. I am wondering if the train is the best way to get to Edinburgh and if it is an enjoyable or scenic ride.

Sun, June 3-Mon, June 4: Edinburgh. We are planning on staying in the Art Roch Hostel.

Tues, June 5: Midday flight from Edinburgh to Paris

Wed, June 6-Fri June 8: Paris

Sat, June 9: Morning train Paris to Lucerne or Bern. Is one easier to get to than the other from Paris? Is the train the best option?

Sun, June 10- Tues, 12: Lucerne or Bern, with a day trip to the other or another place nearby (suggestions?)

Wed, June 13: We are planning on going on the Black Forest Railway to get from Switzerland to Germany by going Lucerne/Bern—> Singen—> Offenburg—>Ulm or Nordlingen (spend the night there). Has anyone been on the Black Forest Railway? How is it?

Thur, June 14: day in either Ulm or Nordlingen, afternoon train to Munich. I am having trouble deciding between Ulm and Nordlingen.

Fri, Jun 15-Sat, 16: Munich. I am wondering if we should allot more time to Munich.

Sun, Jun 17: Morning bus to Cesky Krumlov. Is the bus the easiest way to get there?

Mon, Jun 18-Tue, 19: Cesky Krumlov

Wed, Jun 20: Bus from Cesky Krumlov to Salzburg

Thur, Jun 21: Salzburg, late afternoon train to Ljubjana

Fri, Jun 22: Ljubjana, late afternoon bus to Bled

Sat, Jun 23: Bled, late afternoon bus back to Ljubjana

Sun, Jun 24: bus or train from Ljubjana to Divaca, tour Skocjan caves in Divaca, take train or bus to Koper

Mon, Jun 25: Koper or Piran

Tue, Jun 26: Koper or Piran, afternoon ferry to Venice. Has anyone taken the ferry from Slovenia to Venice?

Wed, Jun 27-Thur, 28: Venice

Fri, Jun 29: Train or flight from Venice to Rome. Which is best?

Sat, Jun 30-Mon, July 2: Rome and Vatican

Tue, Jul 3: Mid-morning train to Florence

Wed, Jul 4-Thur, 5: Florence

Fri, Jul 6: Mid-morning train to Riommagiore (via La Spezia)

Sat, Jul 7-Sun, Jul 8: Cinque Terre

Mon, Jul 9: Train from Monterrosso to Milan, overnight in Milan

Tue, Jul 10: Milan to Boston

I would love any advice into our time in Slovenia. I am not sure we even want to go to Ljubljana (is there a lot to see there?), but I am having a hard time finding transportation within Slovenia that doesn’t use Ljubljana as a hub or point of transfer. I would love any insight into the Skocjan caves (if they are worth going to/how they are) and the Lake Bled area. I wouldn’t mind cutting out Ljubjiana and going straight from Salzburg to Lake Bled and then to Divaca and Koper or Piran.

I am also specifically wondering about Salzburg. I hear it is expensive and there is not a ton to do, though I am still interested. Currently, I haven’t allotted a lot of time to do and am mainly using it as a stop between Cesky Krumlov and Slovenia, but am open to cutting it entirely if there is a better way from the Czech Republic to Slovenia.

If this seems like too much to do, I am hoping for some suggestions on what to cut and where to add my time/where I have not allotted enough time.

Thanks so much for your help!