hilmirp
Traveller
1 comments
Posted 13 years ago
Hi!
I am planning my first Interrail trip by my self at the age of 30... I am planning to buy the 10 days in 22 days card and my wish is to see eastern Europe, somewhat along the route said above. I am starting off in Stockholm and I know my first stop will be Berlin for easter, then the road, or the rail, is at my feet. I have a few questions -
I really don't know that much about what places are must-see, any suggestions? I plan to do some research on my own but some input would really help! My route is not finished yet, I am so ready to make changes, big or small. I could for example imagine a stop in one or two smaller towns, the big cities are only interesting if they are something worth seeing.
I love going to new places and cities, but the actual riding on a train-bit is something I look forward to just as much. What routes should I not waste sleeping on a night train?
Is it doable to have Istanbul as destination? I have to get back too! Advise on route back home to Sweden is most welcome!
Iris
Peter
Traveller
9337 comments
Hi Iris.
Just some thoughts including Istanbul.
Of course you can change the order or skip some cities. On your way down to Istanbul you either have to visit some cities twice or include some longer train trips.
Berlin - Prague - Bucharest - Istanbul - Sofia - Belgrade - Budapest - Krakow - Warsaw
Think about ending your Interrail trip in Warsaw and to continue on normal train tickets (or bus might even be cheaper) to Vilnius (Lithuania), then also by bus via Riga to Tallinn.
From there the direct ferry to Stockholm: [u]https://rail.cc/en/tallinn/ferry/c[/u]
All other connections should be mentioned at the railcc website:
[u]https://rail.cc/en/search-interrail-route[/u]
If you need more help, just let me know...
Peter :)
hilmirp
Traveller
1 comments
Thankyou so much! Excellent idea to go back via the baltic countries, i just might do that! The more i think about it though, maybe Istanbul is pushing it. I hear Bratislava and ljubljana are places worth seeing so i might tighten up the circle a bit. How does that sound?
Peter
Traveller
9337 comments
And to travel back via the Baltics isn't that expensive.
Here some more information:
[u]https://rail.cc/en/poland-lithuania-latvia-estonia-finland-bus-train/f2330[/u]
Bratislava is okay for a day trip - but stay overnight then either in Budapest or Vienna.
Ljubljana is okay as well - if you think about extending your trip to Slovenia, have a look as well at Lake Bled. :)
rihana
Traveller
7 comments
I agree that there is not so much to see in ljublbjana and bratislava... May I suggest you to go to sarajevo or mostar in Bosnia (maybe instead of beograd, if you don't especially wish to go there)? it's really beautiful and different from the other european countries, plus Bosnia has been influenced A LOT by turkish culture..
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
[quote]
I love going to new places and cities, but the actual riding on a train-bit is something I look forward to just as much. [/quote]
Berlin - Prague: The Elbe valley between Dresden and Decin (roughly) is really nice - take a seat on the left side of the train! Also, if you want, leave Berlin early and stop at Dresden for a short visit, it is really worth it! :)
Instead of Bratislava I'd suggest to go to Wien...the former capital of the old Danube monarchy is often reffered to as the gateway to the Balkans
If you want to go to Ljubljana afterwards you would go via the Semmering railway, one of only three railway lines included in the UNESCO world heritage list (and you'd pass Graz, my city) ;)
Like Peter said, a visit to Lake Bled, would be interesting too...possible as a day trip from Ljubljana as well.
Then, there are two options: Either head straight to Istanbul via Belgrade - Sofia (make sure you travel between these two cities during the day to see the beautiful Nisava gorge between Nis and Dimitovgrad.
The other option which requires more time would be to go via Zagreb to Sarajevo, then Mostar - Ploce and along the coast by bus via Dubrovnik and Kotor to Bar/Podgorica and then by train again to Belgrad. From here to Istannbul as above.
Have a look at the railway maps here :arr: [u]https://rail.cc/en/maps[/u]
However, this longer route would already require ~8 of your travel days...
Istanbul is certainly possible to get to but it is quite a distance...probably the best option would be to head to Istanbul as quickly as possible first with only one or two stops along the way and then work your way back with your remaining travel days.
Flo 8)
amelie4321
Traveller
2 comments
Hi :)
I think thats great idea, i went maybe four times to Sarajevo and i think its wonderful! their life is so much different because of mixed cultures; in the area of 200 meters you have three nations, three religions: orthodox, catholics and muslims. in the same area you have 4 different temples: mosques, catholic church, orthodox church and eve jewish. i think its beautiful and worth :) and i definitely recommend zagreb and beograd! you can see all of three in one day, because the distance between them is small :D
Flo
Traveller
10724 comments
[quote] and i definitely recommend zagreb and beograd! you can see all of three in one day, because the distance between them is small :D [/quote]
Definitely not by train... :|