I'm planning a 3 or so week trip to europe this August for myself and my boyfriend. We've both been to Europe earlier in our lives, but never without our families so I'm trying to be as prepared as possible. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to review my itinerary and see if it seems do-able or if any changes might be needed.

Our budget is up in the air right now. We're trying to get a feel for how much things will cost and then budgeting based on that. How much would you suggest budgeting (excluding flight) for transportation in Europe, lodging, food, entertainment/shopping/exploring?

I've been searching hosetlworld.com and looking for budget hotels. I've found some that seem nice and affordable, but if anyone has any suggestions as to where to stay (or places to specifically avoide) in the cities we're visiting, that would be greatly appreciated. I am also wondering what type of transportation you would recommend using with our time frame and such.

Finally, I'm wondering what you all would consider "must-sees" in the cities we're visiting or places you would highly recommend. We're really open to just about anything. Thanks for all of your help!!!

4 nights in Hamburg
4 nights in Munich
3 nights in Venice
3 nights in Florence
5 nights in Rome

We are very open to day trips to nearby towns or cool little places so feel free to suggest anything.

I have family in Hamburg and Munich so lodging will be completely free. I am considering taking one night out of Venice and adding it to Rome and perhpas doing a day trip to Pompei. Another idea I had was spending a night in Positano because this is a place my boyfriend always talks about and i think it would be a nice thing for him to visit again. Would either of these trips be do-able with the time alloted and transportation.

Thanks so much for all of your help!!

Get out into the Tuscan countryside - you will not regret it. It is beautiful. I would definitely sacrifice one Rome day for a day trip out of Florence to see the surrounding area.

Also, August is when all of Europe goes on vacation, so book everything well ahead.

PC

If it weren't for family, I'd do without Hamburg, reduce Munich stay, go to Venice and then to Tuscany. Rent a car and do Tuscany and Umbria, ending in Rome if you had to. (I am an avid Rome-hater), but the country-side of Tuscany and Umbria are gorgeous! There's also this very mountainous region to the South called the Abruzzo. No great towns or monuments, but the nature is incredible: big rock mountains (Gran Sasso d'Italia) with beautiful green foothills rolling down to the sea. If you ever saw any of the old Clint Eastwood Spaghetti westerns (Fistful of dollars, for a few dollars more,..), they were filmed in giant basin the national park. The Abruzzo is considerably cheaper than Tuscany or Umbria and the food is fantastic.

Make sure you spend a good amount of time in Tuscany! There is so much to do, and you won't be disappointed! Go wine tasting in Chianti, tour Tuscany on Vespas, visit museums and art exhibits, relax at the Terme(Thermal Spa) or the Maremma, sit at a concert and enjoy your favorite music. DO IT ALL! There is a wonderful website that helped me plan my trip to Tuscany, and it turned out extremely successful! I'll attach the link in hopes your turns out the same!

Check it out:
http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/

Good luck planning!

For hostel suggestions, in rome- the yellow is really good and in florence the ostello archi rossi is among the best in europe.