Hello all, I am having a hard time choosing how long I should plan on being in certain countries in Europe.
I am touring through the following countries and would welcome any tips on countries that will only need a few days vs countries where I should plan on spending some time to soak it all in. I had sort of loosly planned it like this:
United Kingdom-three weeks (Five days to visit a friend in Wales)
Netherlands-Five Days
Belgium Five Days
Denmark-Three Days
Sweden-Four days
Norway-Two weeks
Finland-Two weeks-day trip to Estonia
Germany-One week
Switzerland- One Week
France- One week?
Italy-Two weeks
Czech Republic-One week?
Slovakia-Not really sure?
Hungary? Not really sure if I'm going here
Greece-Three weeks (Rest after the Europe leg of my trip before flying to South Africa, maybe rent a villa somewhere)
I admit that this is a very loose time frame for the purpose of this question. My question I guess is, is it necassary to spend Two weeks in a country? The reason I ask is I enjoy doing outdoor adventure so I would like to do a week of outdoor adventure and a week of city's and culture with a few days of room to explore things I hear about on the way. I would like a relaxed trip vs a whirlwind marathon. Tips are most welcome thanks. My budget isn't exactly bootstrapping but I don't want to waste it all in Europe if I can avoid it, thats part of why I would like to camp where possible. Thanks
Reply to this Hello Ryan 😊
I think as a guideline be sure to spend 3 to 5 nights in every place you stop. In Europe the countries are so close together and you dont have to wrestle with visas for each so it does not much matter how many countries you hop in and out of.
Just choose what attracts you in each country and go see that. Nobody else can tell you what that is or how long it will take for you to see it.
You can also sleep on trains when covering long distances to save you some time.
Mel
Reply to this Thanks Mel, I read so many threads and blogs about people rushing here, rushing there and feeling really burnt out that I wanted to make sure I have a relaxed trip! In the planning stages its really hard to gauge distances and travel times. I want to make sure I have enough time to see what I want to see but check out the things I find out about while I'm there. Cheers
Reply to this I would check out ricksteves.com for travel time and train routes I would plan my trip in logical progression based on the availability of trains...I would also figure out how much you want to see in each country and base how long you stay on that list. If you like outdoor adventures I would plan on spending plenty of time in the alps.
Reply to this I agree with Mell - stay at the VERY min 3 nights in one spot without moving (5-6 is better if you want more than just a passing idea of a place and esp. if you want to rest a little). Having traveled extensively through Europe myself, I can assure you that the most tiring thing is when you are just getting a little relaxed in one place (which takes at least 2/3 days min) and then you have to pack up and move again. And switching places always takes longer and is more tiring than you think it will be when you are just planning the trip.
So if you want to spend 2 weeks in Italy for example, then I would only plan on seeing 3, max 4 spots in Italy.
Good for you for planning such a long trip! It is sure to be an experience!
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