European Trek – weeks 8-16

Here is the summary for our travels for weeks 8-16.

Train Travel

We purchased Eurail passes which allowed us to take the train for 15 days during a 60-day period. I think we got our money’s worth as we used all 15 train days. We rode the train through 16 countries*, were in 44 different train stations, and traveled 5,645 km (~3,500 miles). We saw a lot of Europe and enjoyed the relaxed mode of travel which always delivered us to the city center of our destinations.

* – Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway

Cities & Stays

We have been using a “rolling” plan for our trip meaning we are specifying our itinerary and booking accommodations about 2-3 weeks in advance. Our primary tool has been booking.com as well as the other tools I noted in the summary post for SE Asia & India.

Of course, the entire trip plan, budget, and actuals is being recorded in my trusty Excel spreadsheet. As I reviewed that spreadsheet, I was surprised at how many places (23) we have been in over those eight weeks. Here is the list:

• Netherlands
  • Holiday Inn Express – Sloterdijk (Amsterdam)
  • Hotel Alkmaar
  • Hotel Marktstad (Schagen)
  • Hotel Lands End (Dan Helder)
• France
  • Les Cachettes (apartment in Avignon)
  • Hotel Le Glacier (Orange)
  • Domaine de Cabasse (Seguret)
  • Chateau de Mazan
  • Domaine de la Petit Isle (L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue)
• Switzerland
  • Nyon Base
• Italy
  • Martina’s grandmother’s apartment in Laives
  • AirBnB in Florence
• Slovenia
  • Apartment Vila Pavlovski (Lake Bled)
  • Meta & Samo’s apartment in Koper
• Croatia
  • Apartment Andreja (Opatija)
• Austria
  • Voco (Villach)
• Hungary
  • Parliament Suite (Budapest)
• Slovakia
  • Crown Plaza Bratislava
• Poland
  • MUSE – LoftAffair Collection (Krakow)
  • oompH Wroclaw Ruska
  • oompH Warsaw Big Apt
  • Holiday Inn City Center (Gdansk)
• Germany
  • in port at Greifswald aboard the Marysol (Thomas & Fritzi’s boat)
    

Budget vs. Actual for May-Jun

May was right on budget, but June was our first month over budget (by 4.2%). We did have some unusual expenses which contributed to the overage. The unusual expenses – doctor visit in Warsaw to get prescription refills (~$145 for both if us) and a private tour and transportation from Gdansk to the Wolf’s Lair (~$330). Overall, the budget seems adequate but will be tested in July and August as Scandinavia, Ireland, and UK are more expensive areas.

• May
  • Budget $10,300
  • Actuals $10,261
  • Under $39

For anyone interested, we are happy to discuss any trip details.