Seven Country Trip Itinerary!

Delayed 2020 Trip Finally Happening

Our family is ready to hop back on a plane after a long school and work year. We are now travelling with 15 and 17 year olds with many opinions. They are excited to have more independence on this trip and have some travel goals of their own. I'm so happy they are just as eager for this long family vacation as their parents!

We are leasing a car and will be driving a loop through seven countries. Here is a quick glimpse at our ambitious itinerary.

Days 1-2: Dornheim, Germany.
Here we will visit family who we haven't seen since 2019. We have missed them!

Days 3-5: Fussen, Germany.
We will explore the mountains of Germany hopefully luging, summiting Zugspitze (weather permitting), hiking, and wandering around picturesque villages. We finally get to stay in the apartment we had originally booked (and paid for) in 2020.

Days 6-9: Campitello di Fasso, Dolomites, Italy.
I have been eager to explore the Dolomites for at least ten years! I can hardly wait to use lifts and gondolas to hike and explore these craggy peaks.

Days 9-11: Venice, Italy
The girls have been begging to see Venice and poor DH has only been there in the rain. Crossing our fingers for good weather and manageable crowds. Luckily our only goals are to wander the city and ride the vaporettos (water buses).

Days 11-13: Karst Region, Slovenia
We will be staying at an ecotourism farm near some of the best cave systems in the world. We will explore the caves, a cave castle, and hit the nearby beach. First time in Slovenia for all of us!

Days 13-14: Radovljica, Slovenia (near Lake Bled)
We will drive through the Soca River Valley and Julian Alps to finally see the iconic Lake Bled. We are staying in a hostel for the first time!

Days 14-17: Ljubljana, Slovenia
This is supposedly the most underrated capital city in Europe. We are eager to explore it using the city bicycles.

Days 17-19: Pecs, Hungary
I have heard great things about this college town in southern Hungary. DD#1 will be visiting the University of Pecs. This trip will also serve as our college tour through Europe as she decides whether this could be an option for fall 2023.

Days 17-18: Timisoara, Romania
We will finally make our way to the long-awaited Romania! I am most excited to explore the cities and villages in Romania. We will be staying in the city centers for such affordable prices.

Days 18-19: Sibiu, Romania
Another town with striking architecture most known for their buildings with "eyes".

Days 19-20: Somewhere along the Transfagarasan Highway
DH is especially excited to experience firsthand what has been called the greatest driving road in the world. We are staying in a pension near the end of the twisty road.

Days 20-23: Brasov, Romania
We will be moving briskly around Romania but picked Brasov for a three night stay. There are nearby castles, a nice looking old town, and nearby mountains with hiking.

Days 23-24: Sighisoara, Romania
Sighisoara is supposedly the fairy tale town of Romania. It will be a short drive from Brasov with some fortified churches/castles to visit along the way.

Days 24-25: Oradea, Romania
I have heard that driving around Romania can be a slow and maybe challenging endeavor. We are making this last stop on the way out of the country both to break up the drive and to check out a waterpark in yet another charming old town. We will also visit a salt mine amusement park along the way!

Days 25-28: Eger, Hungary
As we circle back to Germany, we decided to slow the pace down a bit with three nights in a small town known for wine and thermal spas. Sounds like a little vacation in middle of the vacation!

Days 28-30: Bratislava, Slovakia
DH and I spent one night here back in 2003 and have always wanted to return. I predict that much has changed in the last twenty years in this capital city.

Days 30-33: Prague, Czechia
We have spent more time in Prague than any other European city and can't wait to return. It is arguably the most beautiful city in Europe. This time, the focus will be touring three different universities, two in Prague and one in Brno. Czechia is high on the list for possibile places to earn a bachelor's degree in Europe. We are staying in the outskirts of the city this time so hope to experience things more like a local.

Days 33-35: Prosslbrau Adlersberg, Germany (near Regensburg)
We are returning to a brewery inn that we stayed in during our first family European trip in 2011. We plan to slow down the pace, check out nearby Regensburg, and transition from Czech to German beers. Ha!

Days 35-37: Bogel, Germany
On these last two nights, we will stay with family once again just outside of Frankfurt. This location is near the Rhine River where I'm sure we will do a bit of exploring.

I will be updating the blog as we travel so please subscribe and follow along. I find myself wondering if I'm always this excited before a trip. I think the anticipation gets harder each trip as we eagerly count down the days! This one is years in the making and countless hours of travel planning. Let's do this!