Nectarmagique
Traveller
1 comments
Posted 11 years ago
Hello,
I'm thinking of doing three weeks. Is this route feasible?
Rome (2-3)> Florence (2) > Bologna (short stay, to visit a friend) back to Florence (1-2) > Genoa (2) > Milan (to visit or possibly just pass through) (1-2) > Zurich (2) > Freiburg (2) > Frankfurt (2-3) > Cologne (passing through) > and this is where it gets complicated. Is it worth staying anywhere around here? I know I have to go to Eindhoven then Amsterdam anyway. Amsterdam (2-3) then my plan is to get to Brussels then Ashford (I'm from the UK). If time permits I would like to stop by Rotterdam but it's not obligatory.
I reckon that would take in 21 days at a squeeze, I'd just need to be in Brussels to catch the Eurostar, I've been there before I have no desire to sightsee just passing through. Please let me know what you think because I can't decide if this is too ambitious or not! They say one country a week, this is potentially five in three! Although I guess Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands are quite wee and it's all << en route >> as it were... Hmmm :?: :(( :?:
Thanks,
Magique
nltrainer
Traveller
1404 comments
you counted the days-the traintrips are mostly only 3-4 hrs each, so to me it seems perfectly feasible.
I also do not see at all what the prob might be around Koeln. There are 2-hourly DIRECT ICE trains Koeln-AMS, no need to go via Eindhoven (though this summer they will be rerouted via that Philipstown anyway-trackworks).
Have your IR end in BRU-simply buy the cheapest EUR** ([ux]https://rail.shop/beurope[/ux]) onward-cheaper as IR is worthless on that train.
In fact I wonder if a full 21 day IR is worth it-using the fairly cheap local trains in IT and the various Landestickets in DE and the odd advance buy long distance may save money.
anonymous
Traveller
2469 comments
Hi, that's a nice route! I've got some suggestions for the italian part of it (I'm italian):
-Rome, the perfect amount fo time to pass there is 4 days, and then you can move to other cities;
-Florence, 4 days, I suggest a daytrip in Siena, you can reach it either by train or bus, but bus is much better because costs less, stops in the center of the city and takes less (Firenze-Siena trains are less frequent than buses, cost more, and the only train station in Siena is quite far from the city centre). Florence bus station is close to the Santa Maria Novella train station, and you can easily buy the ticket there.
-when travelling from Florence to Genova I suggest you stop in Pisa and La Spezia (also because there are no direct trains between Florence and Genova and you have to change in one of those two cities). Pisa is a very nice city, famous for its tower, and La Spezia is famous for Le Cinque Terre, a wonderful part of the coast with amazing sights!
-Genova actually is not a nice city, I suggest you stop there for just one day.
-Milan is an orrible city, don't even stop there!
Have a nice trip!
Meddle 8)
Peter
Traveller
9333 comments
Hi.
And after Italy which explained Meddle ;) , go to Switzerland this way: [u]https://rail.cc/en/train/milan-to-zurich[/u]
More photos and information here: [u]https://rail.cc/blog/zurich-milano-albula-bernina/[/u]
From Freiburg to Frankfurt, think about a stop in Heidelberg. Nice nightlife on weekends (students) and only one hour by train to Frankfurt.
I recommend this hostel: [u]https://rail.cc/en/heidelberg/lotte-the-backpackers/l448[/u]
And for the late night this place: [u]https://rail.cc/en/heidelberg/cave/l40[/u]
Peter :)
Nectarmagique
Traveller
1 comments
Thanks! Very informative. I'm glad it looks like it won't be too much.