[turbulentfurball]

I've got a week off work in January, and I haven't been away anywhere for a while, so I'm planning a little trip. I've done some pricing, and I think I can do the following:

Sunday 18th January - Fly from Edinburgh to Berlin at 6am. £26
Tuesday 20th January - Berlin to Milan 11:25am €22
Wednesday 21st January - Milan to Bratislava 8pm €33
Friday 23rd January - Bratislava to Edinburgh 9:50pm €31

I make that £96 including taxes and fees, but not credit card charges. I guess it'll come in under £150 anyway. All with Ryanair.

I'll stay in youth hostels for cheapness.

That gives me all of Sunday and Monday in Berlin, Tuesday afternoon and most of Wednesday in Milan, Thursday in Vienna (a short distance from Bratislava), Friday in Bratislava then fly back home.

If one of the flights gets cancelled, I'm kinda screwed. Delays won't be a problem though, since there are no same day connections.

Am I crazy to want to do all of this at once? I think it'd be quite exciting and a relatively inexpensive way to see some of Europes finest cities. I'll worry about the carbon footprint later

[thegeriatric]

No. Sounds like fun, you only live once (as far as we know) so enjoy it while you can. Have fun. Pics on your return would be nice.

[jdcfsu]

Yeah, sounds like a good plan and a really great price for all the traveling you'll be doing. Enjoy it!

But, Bratislava, really?

[Swox]

I prefer spending longer in one place than seeing a lot of places quickly, but that's just a personal preference. I haven't been to any of the cities you're going to, so I'm not sure if you need more than a day of two to see the most exciting places (I found that I needed about 10 days to see most of the really awesome places in Paris, while places like Pisa and Ravenna only needed an afternoon, for instance).

It sounds like a neat trip, and I don't see any obvious problems in your planning.

[turtle]

For the price and experience that you'll gain I'd do it. In fact it sounds like it would be an awesome adventure. Do it and post pics of it too.

[Moogs]

Yah why not... as long as you have someone to travel with / share the adventure it should be all good.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by turtle2472 For the price and experience that you'll gain I'd do it. In fact it sounds like it would be an awesome adventure. Do it and post pics of it too.

Seconded. It'd be a hell of a fun week, I think. Go for it!

[judeobscure]

Go for it!

[Souflay123]

ever since the movie, the idea of hostels terrify me

[PB PM]

I knew some guys that spent a month in Europe and other than a few days at their uncles in Germany there were in hostels the entire time without issue. Don't let a movie scare you.

[turbulentfurball]

Originally Posted by PB PM I knew some guys that spent a month in Europe and other than a few days at their uncles in Germany there were in hostels the entire time without issue. Don't let a movie scare you.

Not scared by that the thought of hostels at all.

Anyway, it's all booked! I consulted with my Dad and he thought it was a great idea. Lots of research to do now to find places to stay and things to do. I'll also be taking a german text book from uni to bed with me to do some brushing up for when I'm in Berlin and Vienna. My Slovakian and Italian leave a lot to be desired though

[turbulentfurball]

Originally Posted by turbulentfurball I'll also be taking a german text book from uni to bed with me to do some brushing up for when I'm in Berlin and Vienna.

After an hour or so reading last night, I feel like I've forgotten everything. Wie Schade.

[turbulentfurball]

I've sorta curtailed this trip since the Euro is at a scary strength just now. I'm now just going to Berlin for 4 days. Hotel/hostel booked, and I've just picked up €210 (for £205... waaaahhhhh) and my flight is on Sunday. Anyone got any off the beaten track kinda things to do in Berlin, or know of any free Wifi in the city centre?

[Dorian Gray]

Originally Posted by turbulentfurball I've sorta curtailed this trip since the Euro is at a scary strength just now.

My final credit card payment on my final credit card (UK bank) is being paid this month. That strong euro feels good!

Originally Posted by turbulentfurball Anyone got any off the beaten track kinda things to do in Berlin...

Maybe not terribly off the beaten track, but when my girlfriend was in Berlin a few months ago she went on a three-hour free tour of the city which she raved about. It's nice to tip the guides as they're brilliant, and the tour stops at bars and cafes along the way so do bring a few of those precious euros. My girlfriend took exactly one minute and ten seconds of video during the entire walk, all of which I put on YouTube for you here as a taster. Either she chose a particularly good moment to hit record or that guy isn't half bad.

Originally Posted by turbulentfurball ...or know of any free Wifi in the city centre?

Yeah, there's always AppleNova.

[artesc]

Originally Posted by turbulentfurball I'll stay in youth hostels for cheapness.

Speaking of hostels, I stayed in one for a couple of nights in New York this past Christmas. They're just about what you would expect, that is, a bare room with a bed and a light bulb hanging from a string. Just make sure to lock your door and sleep with with all your valuables... Seriously, it wasn't half bad, I mean, the room will probably be kind of shabby but clean, warm and safe. Just a place to sleep really; I highly recommend hostels for the price, I am looking forward to staying in one again. I've been thinking of doing a tour of Europe just like you're planning, just longer. I look forward to hearing how your trip goes; it sounds like fun. Good luck!

[turbulentfurball]

Originally Posted by Dorian Gray My final credit card payment on my final credit card (UK bank) is being paid this month. That strong euro feels good!

Ugh. I hate you!

Originally Posted by Dorian Gray Maybe not terribly off the beaten track, but when my girlfriend was in Berlin a few months ago she went on a three-hour free tour of the city which she raved about. It's nice to tip the guides as they're brilliant, and the tour stops at bars and cafes along the way so do bring a few of those precious euros. My girlfriend took exactly one minute and ten seconds of video during the entire walk, all of which I put on YouTube for you here as a taster. Either she chose a particularly good moment to hit record or that guy isn't half bad.

Wow, he's enthusiastic! The hostel does it's own free walking tour every day, which I might go on.

Originally Posted by Dorian Gray Yeah, there's always AppleNova.

Well, I'm actually planning on documenting the trip by uploading pics to facebook via the iPhone app, and maybe twitter. And AppleNova.

Originally Posted by artesc Speaking of hostels, I stayed in one for a couple of nights in New York this past Christmas. They're just about what you would expect, that is, a bare room with a bed and a light bulb hanging from a string. Just make sure to lock your door and sleep with with all your valuables... Seriously, it wasn't half bad, I mean, the room will probably be kind of shabby but clean, warm and safe. Just a place to sleep really; I highly recommend hostels for the price, I am looking forward to staying in one again. I've been thinking of doing a tour of Europe just like you're planning, just longer. I look forward to hearing how your trip goes; it sounds like fun. Good luck!

Yeah, for city breaks and the like I'm just really looking for somewhere to sleep. I don't care how many stars it has, so long as it's clean and safe. I'm staying here. Seems like a huge place. Not totally central, but the links are good. You can see it from the nearest S-Bahn.

[wecallitfall]

great idea! i want to visit germany later this year, possibly for Oktoberfest, those cheap flights are great. who are you flying with?

I look forward to reading about your experience, enjoy!

[AWR]

Good video, DG! That guy is hilarious.

Also congrats on the credit card bill!! I remember the days when I paid off major debts (cards, school loans...) fondly!!

[turbulentfurball]

Passengers are being warned of delays at Edinburgh Airport after heavy snow forced the runway to close for almost two hours. Three planes were diverted to Glasgow Airport while seven other aircraft were unable to take-off following the closure at 1130 GMT on Monday.

I'm glad my flight was at 6:15am!

Taking some time out since the battery in my camera is unable to keep up with my incessant picture taking.

So far, I've been into the Reichstag building. It's quite spectacular once you get up to the dome. It looks entirely different inside from what you'd expect from the exterior; very modern. I've also seen the Brandenburg gate, the memorial for the mudered Jews of Europe, been to Checkpoint Charlie, and then to The East Side Gallery which contains the largest remaining section of the Berlin Wall. There's no museum or anything there, but it's very haunting nonetheless.

In an hour or so I'm heading out again to go up the Fernsehturm for sunset. I hope to get some great pictures from there.

Tomorrow, I'm going to head to the Ku'damm to check out some of the shops, and some other sights on that side of the city. Not been out there yet.

[turtle]

I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your trip! I'm looking forward to getting some more fun traveling in too.

[turbulentfurball]

Click for MobileMe picture gallery.

[AWR]

Nice. Thanks. Looks cold!

[turbulentfurball]

There's also this picture I took with my iPhone on the Berlin Wall at East Side Gallery that was somewhat appropriate for the day: