The Benefits of Exploring Fewer European Countries and Cities While Backpacking: Discover the Secrets of a More Fulfilling Journey!

  • I had the amazing opportunity to backpack through four European countries for the first time, spending two weeks exploring.
  • During my trip, I had the chance to visit six different cities: Berlin, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Milan, and Zurich.
  • Looking back, I realized that trying to fit in so many destinations in such a short amount of time was a mistake. I wish I had spent more time in each place to truly appreciate and experience everything they had to offer.

Is it possible to explore Berlin, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Milan, and Zurich in just two weeks? That’s exactly what I set out to discover during my backpacking adventure in Europe in October 2022.

At the time, I was determined to see as much of the continent as possible. With only two weeks, I thought spending one or two nights in each city would allow me to experience a wide variety of places.

However, once I arrived, I quickly realized that I had underestimated the time needed to truly immerse myself in each destination.

From the moment I left Berlin and headed to Vienna, I wished I had more time to create lasting memories in each city.

Even during my time in Italy, where I spent a week exploring Venice, Rome, and Milan, I felt like I was only scratching the surface of what these incredible cities had to offer.

It was in Switzerland, my final stop, where I found the most breathtaking landscapes of the entire trip. Yet, with just two nights in Zurich, I left wishing I had planned for a grand mountain adventure.

A grid of six photos in two rows of three show: Top Left: Berlin, top center: Vienna, top right: Venice. Bottom Left: Rome, bottom center: Milan, bottom right: Zürich.

Top Left: Berlin, top center: Vienna, top right: Venice. Bottom Left: Rome, bottom center: Milan, bottom right: Zurich.

Joey Hadden/Insider


From their stunning architecture and fascinating histories to their captivating landscapes, these cities left me in awe from the moment I arrived.

Unfortunately, with less than 48 hours in each destination, I could only visit the most popular tourist attractions, such as the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Colosseum in Rome, and the canals in Venice.

I yearned for the opportunity to truly immerse myself in each city’s culture, like cruising on Lake Zurich, exploring the vibrant neighborhoods of Milan, or experiencing the vibrant art scene in Vienna. Each day, as I passed remarkable buildings and impressive museums, I couldn’t help but think, “Next time…”

So, to answer the question: No, two weeks is not enough time to fully explore six European cities. I learned this the hard way.

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, I urge you to focus on one or two cities or towns and truly dive deep into their art scenes, neighborhoods, and history. By doing so, you’ll leave with a much richer understanding and appreciation for the destinations you carefully selected.

As I boarded my flight back to New York City, I couldn’t help but start mentally planning my return trips. There’s still so much I want to see in Zurich, Berlin, Rome, and Vienna.

So, if there’s a destination you didn’t get to on your trip, don’t worry. Just make sure there’s a “next time.”

Reference

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