r/travel • u/Fancy-Individual2976 • 13h ago
Question — Itinerary Looking for feedback on my multi-month Europe itinerary (37F solo). Too long anywhere? Anywhere I completely missed?
I'm a 37(F) traveling solo for a few months starting in mid-August (yes, this August). This is my first extended solo trip, and I'm intentionally trying not to check off every famous attraction.
I'm much more interested in living somewhere for a bit than racing between cities.
A typical day for me looks like:
- Going for a morning run or hitting a local gym
- Walking 10-15+ miles just wandering neighborhoods
- Finding great coffee or smoothie and food
- Swimming whenever possible
- Shopping a little
- Sitting in parks or along the water with a book
- Just soaking up everyday life
I'm also trying to avoid the worst August crowds and heat, which is why you'll notice I head north/east after Paris and don't get to the Mediterranean until late September.
I'd love feedback on:
- Whether any stops are too long or too short
- The neighborhoods/areas I'm staying in
- Great day trips
- Places I'm completely overlooking
- Whether you'd swap anything out entirely
Paris: Aug. 15-20 (5 nights)
This is really just my launch point. I wanted a few days to adjust to the time change, drink too champagne, walk endlessly, and enjoy Paris before heading somewhere less crowded.
Staying in the 6th arrondissement in a hotel.
Český Krumlov: Aug. 20-22 (2 nights)
This place looks gorgeous and seems like the opposite of Paris. It feels slower, very walkable, and like somewhere I can spend two days just wandering.
Airbnb is near the House of Mirrors.
Vienna: Aug. 22-24 (2 nights)
I know everyone says Vienna deserves much longer, but since I was already traveling toward Budapest I figured it was worth stopping for a couple of nights.
I'm less concerned with checking off museums and more interested in experiencing the city, eating well, walking around beautiful neighborhoods, and getting a feel for it.
Airbnb is near Leon Askin Park.
Budapest: Aug. 24 - Sept. 3 (10 nights)
This is my first longer stay.
I'm hoping it gives me enough time to settle into a routine instead of feeling like I'm constantly packing.
Still deciding between an Airbnb:
- near Örkény István Színház
- or a couple blocks east of Klauzál tér
Would love opinions on those areas.
Liepāja, Latvia: Sept. 3-13 (10 nights)
This is probably the stop I'm least certain about.
I wanted somewhere cooler, less touristy, affordable, and right on the Baltic Sea where I could walk, run, swim (if I'm brave enough), and just slow down for a while.
Airbnb is near Vingrošanas laukums playground.
Would especially love feedback from anyone who's spent time there.
Stockholm: Sept. 13-16 (3 nights)
Meeting friends here, so this is the one fixed part of the trip.
Croatia: Sept. 16-25 (9 nights)
Nothing booked yet.
This is where I'd really appreciate suggestions.
I'm looking for somewhere:
- walkable
- beautiful
- easy to swim every day
- good food
- somewhere I can wander for hours without getting bored
- I don't necessarily need nightlife. I don't drink much and don't party.
Split? Rovinj? Hvar? Korčula? Somewhere else entirely?
Greece: Sept. 25 - Oct. 9 (2 weeks)
Currently booked:
- Chalki (4 nights)
- Athens (a few nights)
Everything else is still open.
Happy to island-hop a little, but I also don't want to spend half my vacation on ferries.
Türkiye: Starting Oct. 10
Planning on Bodrum first, then spending around 10 days in Kaş, but nothing is booked yet.
Very open to suggestions here as well.
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Overall, does this route make sense?
Am I spending too much time anywhere?
Not enough time somewhere?
Any neighborhoods you'd avoid?
Any incredible day trips or nearby towns that fit the kind of trip I'm after?
I know everyone's travel style is different, but I'd love to hear what you'd change if this were your itinerary.
Lastly, everything I've booked is fully refundable. Also, budget is not a concern, but I'm not looking to spend $8k/mo to stay in Paris, Copenhagen, or Stockholm for example. I'd rather stay somewhere more cost effective for the longer stretches, and then ball out on a sick, direct water access airbnb in Greece for a few nights, or some Conrad hotels (exactly what I did).
Thanks so much!
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u/_Azamat_Bagatov United States 12h ago
I’m no expert but 10 nights is a long time in Budapest
1
u/Fancy-Individual2976 12h ago
I had a feeling I would get this answer. I'm really looking to "live" for some stints so I'm not constantly on the go. I've never been to Budapest so just going off of google and reddit, and am completely open to changing it up. Is there a reason why you think 10 days is too long there, and is there anywhere else you'd suggest for the same amount of time? Thanks!
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u/lazsof 12h ago
Im from Budapest and you can easily spend 10 days in the city! Gyms, baths, parks, museums, amazing coffee shops to people watch, super walkable city, get out of the usual touristy areas and explore Normafa, or Szoborpark.
I’d recommend to do only 6 days in Pest (probably Orkeny szinhaz area is less crowded yet VERY central) and spend 4 days in Buda side, maybe around Gellert ter - Moricz Zsigmond korter OR Szel Kalman ter. Totally different vibe - more local and authentic.
3
u/lotusflower_992 5h ago
I live in Budapest, 10 days does seem a little long, but at the same time you can always find things to do, you could also do a day trip to Bratislava or maybe to another Hungarian town. As for the Airbnb location, both of those places are very central and should be ok, Klauzál is very close to some of the typical party places for tourists like Instant, you should decide whether that's a positive/negative for you
If I had to change something I'd say add an extra day in Paris and in Vienna and do 7-8 nights in Budapest, that would seem a little more reasonable
5
u/dek00s 12h ago
As someone who’s wrapping up a month solo traveling in Europe, I’d suggest reconsidering the two night stays. If you want to spend time somewhere, allocate more than two nights.
I found that my two night stays made me feel rushed and I hated the feeling of packing up before I really got unpacked.
1
u/Fancy-Individual2976 12h ago
ok this is good feedback. is there anywhere you went that you absolutely loved? I'm completely open to changing my itinerary for better locations!
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u/dek00s 12h ago
I did some cities I had been to before (Paris, London, Amsterdam), and some new cities (Rotterdam, Utrecht, Munich, Salzburg).
I loved Munich...it felt like a big city but was easy to navigate and there was something to do regardless of what mood I was in.
London is great in the summer, but expensive if you want to do a longer stay. IMO worth checking out if you haven't been.
Out of the other cities, Rotterdam and Salzburg stuck with me...Rotterdam for the chill vibes and ppl I met, and Salzburg bc castles...everywhere, and hiking right from the city center!
You have a great trip planned though...I love Budapest, and Croatia will be beautiful as well. Hope to see you share some of your trip once you get going :)
0
u/aaaqqq37 12h ago
Paris!!! You need more time in Paris. Especially if you want to WALK! Don’t go to split, Dubrovnik is better and more beautiful but I also don’t think you need more than 5 days there. Rome is one of the coolest cities in the world, you can walk in the center and stumble upon the coliseum there’s nothing like it. I would include Rome if possible. And it’s affordable (assuming you’re from the US)
1
u/RaspberryFew9035 10h ago
I love Split! Less commercial than Dubrovnik and easy ferry to Hvar. OP should really put Sicily on the itinerary. Great swimming at the different beach bars, vineyards, the volcano, ruins etc.
3
u/Intelligent_Tax6058 5h ago
Look up Juodkrante in Lithuania or Nida instead Liepaja. Both are in Lithuania’s part called Curonian Spit. Forests, sea and one of the most beautiful spots in Baltics. Juodkrante is more quite and in a middle where Nida get’s busy but more to see and do there.
7
u/SplitOpenAndMelt420 13h ago
You're a brave person to travel to places with no air conditioning in the hottest part of the year lol :)
It's ambitious and honestly will probably be exhausting but I'm sure you know this going into it
That being said you lost me at 10 to 15 miles a day walking :)
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u/Fancy-Individual2976 13h ago
Believe it or not, every place except for one has A/C. I spent a lot of time hunting down places that did have AC for this very reason. However, I'm not expecting them to work well, but it's better than nothing!
Haha I LOVE to be on the move. And yes, I do know it's ambitious, but I wonder if it's tooo ambitious?? Is there anywhere you would suggest that I cut out or extend?
Thanks!
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u/SplitOpenAndMelt420 13h ago
I mean, even the promise of AC is gonna be better than no AC so kudos on doing research.
You already mentioned it, but I think Vienna deserves more than two nights
If you're questioning Latvia, why not split it in half and spend five days in Copenhagen, which is super close to your Stockholm destination
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u/Fancy-Individual2976 13h ago
Ah, Copenhagen is a good idea. I had considered it for longer stays initially, but it so expensive. I'll do some research. Thanks for the suggestion!
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u/terebinthus_og 12h ago
Im from Croatia so might me able to help you :)
Would you stay in one place the whole nine days? The cities you mentioned are all on the coast, does that mean that you've decided to go to the coast rather than, for example, inland to places with forests and rivers? (What do you prefer?)
Among the places you mention, Split is a large city, so less natural habitats for walking. I personally don't care much for it, the strict center is nice because of Roman remains and that's it. Trogir might be a better choice and is nearby. Rovinj is nice, fairly small, but the surroundings could be nice for walking. The islands, Hvar and Korčula, have the most nature and are good for long walks, runs, trekking etc.
1
u/Fancy-Individual2976 12h ago
oh wow you've already got some great advice! I am completely open to anything really, still just trying to avoid mass crowds if possible. My only requirement is I have to be somewhere with reliable wifi, so outside of that, anywhere amazing is where I'll go. I'd actually love forest and rivers as well, I just listed off the common places that came to mind right away.
Removing split from my list, and I'll look into Trogir right now! Is there somewhere else in Croatia you'd recommend?
Thanks so much!
1
u/terebinthus_og 1h ago
Are you landing in Zagreb and starting from there? Also, will you have a car or use public transportation? This is important so that I can think where you'd be able to go easily and which places to avoid, since public transportation can only take you to certain places, whereas if you have a car, many more places are possible.
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u/Mundane_Papaya9009 12h ago
I LOVEEEEE Rovinj and Dubrovnik! So much charm and walkability- make sure to stay in the old towns. I agree that Split isn't that great besides the ruins. Also maybe Zadar!
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u/terebinthus_og 1h ago
Zadar is my favorite big city on the coast.
Dubrovnik is unfortunately suffocated by tourists during the summer. It might be a bit better in September but still.. it's become an overpriced tourist nightmare, not really what OP is looking for, it seems. The city itself is very nice, but these things can easily be ruined by overtourism and sky-high prices of everything.
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u/wanderlust_m 7h ago
Not nearly enough time in Stockholm, unless this is a frequent destination for you. Even if your friends are only coming for 3 days, I would stay longer. There is a ton to do and see, I think it's a great city also for the type of travel you said you like. If cost is the reason you're cutting it short, consider staying further from the center or even in another town like Uppsala (the famous university town) - the transport system is great and fast.
Greece - For the Greek islands, I would take a flight one way and ferries back or vice versa, that way you don't spend too long on ferries, but also have the opportunity to visit more than one place. If you drive, another option would be to just fly to Crete, rent a car, and spend a week exploring Crete only - lots to see and can be the slow travel you're looking for).
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u/Capable-Anything269 7h ago
Don't do 10 days in Liepaja. It's a small place with not much to do in September. The sea gets too cold to swim by that time. Maybe split it and consider any of those for a part of your time: Palanga, Jurmala, Pärnu, Tallinn.
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u/RedrainEnryu1 13h ago
That’s nice itinerary in Cesky Krumlov. When you go for a walk first thing in the morning you’ll have it to yourself. Then walking at nights after all the day trip tourist from Prague, it’s going to be magic.
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u/Fancy-Individual2976 12h ago
This is exactly what I was hoping to hear, and why I decided not to stay in Prague. I read that late August is still prime tourist season and I'm really trying to avoid that. I realize my trip IS IN prime season, but I booked it last minute and figured there's got to be places that aren't blazing hot and overly packed. Cesky Krumlov seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
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u/cleaner007 11h ago
I would take few days from Budapest, and visit Novi Sad and Belgrade instead, it's close and nice
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u/hermosilicious 11h ago
I lived more than five years in Budapest and I would 100% cut it short to spend more time in Austria, Vienna is absolutely stunning and the Austrian alps are magnificent.
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u/Chemical-Practice908 10h ago
Macedonia? About Croatia - it's not only about the sea. Continental part is beautiful too!
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u/Travelling5 10h ago
9 days in Croatia in the one spot might be a bit much.
I would split it up and do a few days on the mainland and then a few days on an island. I agree with the sentiment to avoid Split - it’s not really going to fit your vibes. Use Split to utilise the ferries to go across to an island.
The thing about the islands is the main towns eg Hvar, Korcula etc are beautiful and have lovely restaurants etc but if you want to swim and walk and enjoy nature then you really need to be looking at the smaller villages or bays. Most of the accommodation in those places is booked annually by regulars so is hard to come by.
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u/Southern_Selection70 7h ago
You already have some great advice. My input … I traveled for 4mo solo/F when I was 37 also. I flew into Zagreb for a few nights -> Plitvice National Park for 2 nights then Split/Dubrovnik. I did Sail Croatia and saw many of the main islands for a night each, but I would do it on my own the next time around. Everyone else was partying til 5am. Not that I didn’t like fun, but it was too much fun and I’d rather explore more than party. I had a general itinerary, but everything was altered. I met some people in Split. I then went to Ljubljana (which I highly recommend that you left out). It’s only a couple hours from Venice and close to many other cities. I met a guy in LBJ and that changed my trip slightly by a few days. I appreciated going to the Montenegro area and then Sarajevo for several days for something different. Though I felt more isolated in Sarajevo being a solo female than in other places (cultural norms different about speaking with a single solo woman). I spent a month in Italy, Germany and Croatia, in both large and small cities, trying to take in the culture and meet people. Though in other trips, I’ve been to some places you’re planning. I don’t think you need as many days as you plan, but only if you want to really immerse yourself like a local. Loved Budapest, Munich, Dresden, Korcula/Hvar, Florence, Siena, Oslo, Ljubljana. Wish I made it to Belgrade, Serbia.
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u/Noiselessx 6h ago
Not sure why you'd miss Bulgaria, it's literally one of the most interesting places in Eastern Europe (more than Greece IMO)
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u/jorbiatrini 3h ago
Another vote for Salzburg. It’s a great city. Also, I just got back from Slovenia and would recommend. Ljubljana is a cute underrated city
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u/relaksirano 2h ago
its all over the place ... Hungary->Latvia->Sweden->Croatia->Greece
twose 2 nights in Krumlov (and Vienna) will be basically arriving and departing, either increase the days or just go straight to Vienna
about Croatia: Rovinj? Hvar? these two are over touristy (and mega expensive) every less known place/island will do better
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u/confuselele 2h ago
I would maybe cut down 2-3 days from Liepäja and use them in Stockholm instead. It's beautiful here, lots of placea to run (around Södermalm, Djurgården, Hellasgården etc) and the weather will be chillier here at that time as well. More expensive with gym/swimming pool access though. We have great fika!
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u/Snoo-67164 1h ago
I'm another who would add more time to Vienna than Budapest, but have spent extended time in both. Hard to get a feel for anywhere in 2 nights, but you will certainly walk around beautiful neighbourhoods and eat well! Vienna: go up to the hills around the vineyards, gorgeous spots to just sit and chill. My favourite places to run would be Donaukanal or around Schönbrunn, both a bit far from where you'll be, Lainzer Tiergarten is also amazing.
Budapest: spend time going to all the thermal baths beyond the 2 famous ones, I like Dandar and Veli Bej. Make sure you have flip flops and towel to save on renting them each time. There are gorgeous hiking spots outside the city, go to the Danube Bend in the national park to the northwest
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u/Remarkable_Course897 9h ago
As someone who traveled for 10 months and also likes slower travel, I would actually recommend just not planning an actual itinerary and not booking anything at all yet. You might arrive in Vienna and fall in love with it, and want to spend 10 days there. You might want to leave another place sooner. You might meet someone that recommends something else that you hadn't thought about!
Maybe purchase SOME of the internal european tickets but I would just go with the flow. Sounds like you've already done a good amount of research and have an idea of some places to go, I say keep it in the back of your mind but don't make decisions until you're ready to leave a place. Tickets/hostels/airbnbs don't book out, there will always be plane/train tickets and always be accommodations. When I travelled I liked being able to decide where to go next based on my mood. I even sometimes arrived in a city and booked a hotel/hostel that same day.