Going to be arriving in Frankfurt (if you can think of a better hub, please let me know) as part of a RTW. Will be in Europe for 1 month...not including the 1 week I will have spent in Istanbul prior.

How many countries do you think is a good number? I absolutely have to see Italy, and would like France...I'm going to eliminate the UK and north europe because of costs, right off the bat. You think I could squeeze something like Germany, quick stop in Austria, Italy, France, Spain in, in 1 month?

You have a month. Don't overreach. Depending on the size of country, I usually aim for 2-4 weeks each. Italy and France are both sizable (France in particular), so I'd normally only plan on visiting one of them in a month. If you really want to see Italy, maybe just pick 1-2 places in France, spend a week there, and then have 3 weeks for Italy.

Don't waste time in Frankfurt, and I wouldn't try to fit much in in Germany at all given the priorities you've mentioned.

Germany, France and Italy - that'll be already almost too much for a month. France is the most expensive country - I'd just pass through and concentrate on Italy.
If you want to think budget, Spain and Portugal are the best value (for Western Europe) - both inexpensive and lots to see. Beautiful architecture, great food and wine, and you'd still catch some sun. In central and northern Europe the weather can be miserable this time of the year.

Timewise - to put you in the picture, I just spent two weeks in Spain, and visited only cities 0.5 to 2 hrs by train or bus from Madrid. It was my 6th or 7th visit to the country, still a lot of places that I want to visit.
Maybe you'd like to take a look at flights to Madrid, as an alternative.

I'll be there in and around May..so the weather SHOULD be good all over I'm assuming..

Just a few other things...I am aboslutely obsessed with food, so would like to visit places that have really good food. I'd so much rather have 6 solid meals (dont have to be fancy restaurants) than go to a museum all day...just walking around the city, going to markets, etc. is more than enough for me. Thats why I feel like I MAY be able to squeeze an extra country into the month I'm there. Say, 8 days in Italy, 8 days in France, 8 days in Spain, 8 in Portugal? What do you think about something like that?

Frankfurt sucks, but it's a convenient starting point. Just don't hang out too long.

I'd shoot straight across to Munich, then possibly to Prague from there. As incredible as Greece is, you probably won't have time.

I loved the Delmatian Coast in Croatia, Northern/Central Italy is delightful, Austria is gorgeous.

I agree with the other posters...don't try to do too much. I wouldn't do more than 3 countries and I feel that might be pushing it too. That way you can have time to really explore and get to the places instead of just rushing between train trips

Hi,

Like the other posters, I think you should not plan on visiting too many countries in a month. May might still be a bit early for northern Europe, if you're after good weather. An option would be to focus on the mediteraneen coast, starting in Spain (Grenada, Sevilla and Barcelona), then Southern France (Perpignan, Marseille, and the French riviera), and finally the Italian Coast all the way to Rome.
That way, you'll have a glimpse of those three countries, with sunshine and amazing food.

yanks26dmb wrote:I'm going to eliminate the UK and north europe because of costs, right off the bat.

You do know that given the current strength of the Euro, it's actually rather more expensive to visit Euro zone countries than it is the UK and others that are not in the Euro zone? Coming from the UK myself, it's now very expensive to take a trip to Europe since it's almost 1-1 between the pound and the euro, when it used to be as low as £0.67 per euro. The dollar is even weaker so it might be quite a shock when you get to Germany.

That said, Scandinavia is, and has for a long time been, very expensive to visit. Southern Europe would certainly be cheaper.

Ljubljana Darling!

The true "Universal Theatre" experience.

Slovenia upholds its traditions and culture; strongly and passionately. This has helped Slovenia forge its own unique cultural identity. From music to architecture examples of Slovenia's proud heritage can be seen on every corner of Ljubljana. The theatre scene of Ljubljana is no different.

The Slovenian National Theater is called DRAMA. It has two stages; a main stage and a studio stage. Drama can be found on one of the largest roads in the centre Slovenska cesta so it is easily located. The National's season so far for 2009 has been an array of world theatre giants from Shakespeare to Beckett to the more unknown but never the less impressive plays of Milena Marković and Slovenia's very own new talent Andreja Kopač. Most evening performances can be found on both stages usually starting at 7:30 on the main stage and 8:00 in the studio, but do check performance times before attending. An evening spent at DRAMA competes with any night in the West-End.

Glej can be described as the Royal Court of Slovenia. To say it is the place you will find some of the newest, most experimental, and authentic Slovenian theatre in Ljubljana. With its own new playwright program, an audience member is given a unique insight into the Slovenian mindset of today. Glej also works with international partners to bring experimental theatre from around the world. Glej is a relatively small theatre and as such it has one stage, but with a full program for November advertised there is sure to be a jewel to be found. Glej can be difficult to find however having found DRAMA cross the main road Slovenska cesta heading south find the first road on the left called Gregorcieva Ulica and on this road is Glej. Glej is worthy of this search.

Now one for the children! Slovenian puppetry has long been part of Slovenian tradition. Putting a 'Punch & Judy' show to shame is the world renowned Ljubljana Puppet Theatre. The puppet theatre can be found on the same square as the lift to the castle. The square is called Krekov. The main theater is often visited by tourist passing to the castle for its clock which strikes the hour with a musical clock that figurines appear from. Although this is a nice attraction - a venture into the theatre itself reveals some of Europe's most impressive and influential puppet performances. Combining traditional puppet performances and contemporary works I am sure adults and children alike will be entranced by the magical art form often over looked by American and British theatre. The Ljubljana Puppet theatre has four venues, so there is always a wide choice of shows and also houses a puppet Museum. A must day out for a family in Ljubljana.

One must be aware before going to see any show that most productions are in the Slovene language. This can be a unique opportunity I believe to experience perhaps what Peter Brook was trying to achieve in his 'universal theatre'. I myself don't speak Slovene and yet can not get enough of this type of experience. When watching theatre in a strange language one is forced to look at other elements within the play to find meaning. This can result in a unique exploration of the plays theme but also the results can be revealing of ones self: the true purpose of drama.

However if theatre performed in a different language concerns you then why not search out the latest production from B.E.S.T. However B.E.S.T is a small company and productions can be thin on the ground at times. To find out of current try their website www.bestheatre.com. B.E.S.T also offers corporate and private Murder mystery nights, which is a relatively rare style of entertainment in Slovenia.

Patrick Byrne
For more information on Ljubljana visit: www.inyourpocket.si
Copyright 5th of November 2009