So I'm going to start this off by saying I haven't actually beento Europe quite yet. BUT I have been planning my trip since.. er... last October-ish
and I've done way too much research, and have gotten lots of fantastic advice! I was lured to your post since it's very similar to my trip plans --> I leave Aug 28 & travel til the end of October(Bath/London-Brussels-Amsterdam-Northern Germany-Prague-Vienna-Munich-Italy-Barcelona-Provence/Paris-Ireland)
So.. my comments on your proposed itinerary:
- Scandinavia & Switzerland are definitely "higher ticket" places (i.e. more expensive!)
--> Norway & Sweden are big & pretty pricey, and maybe a bit out of the way of your trip;
--> Copenhagen is not too much of a jump from Northern Germany but I've heard that it's not too different from a lot of North American cities (though I originally also had it on my itinerary because I wanted to see Christiania - the hippie enclave!);
-->Switzerland I would have had on my itinerary despite the price to see the Alps in an awesome location... but I just saw the Rockies and I'm good for a few more years!
- If you want to save money, the East apparently can't be beat (this thread seems to be especially recommending Bosnia, and I've been hearing more and more good things about it!)
- I've heard that the Dalmation Coast (Croatia & Montenegro) is beautiful, as well as the Cinque Terre (Italy)
--> Other big places to visit in Italy seem to be the great internationally recognzied cities (Rome, Venice, Florence.. etc)
- I've been hearing pretty often that Nice is not that nice... (except from one friend who loved it - but she's the "comfortable" living type who won't drive anything but a BMW. Even though she's still only 22!)
- If you do the North, a possible order is Hamburg-Copenhagen-Norway&Sweden-Berlin-Prague-Vienna
- It looks like Greece may be a little out of the way for this trip, but Spain could be stuck in there with France if you want
- Keep in mind that the more countries on your Eurail pass doesn't always equal the best deal! (I found my best deal in the 4-country pass)
And.. yep! I think that's all the comments I have. Sorry they are a big all over the board, but I do hope they helped.
