- I spent two weeks backpacking in Europe for the first time in 2022. I traveled to four countries.
- I visited six cities for short stays: Berlin, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Milan, and Zurich.
- I regretted packing six destinations into one trip because I didn’t have enough time in each place.
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This was back in October 2022 when I went backpacking through Europe for the first time. I spent two weeks visiting four countries and six cities by rail
I was headed somewhere new every 24 to 48 hours for the rest of the trip as I checked off the other cities on my list: Venice, Italy, Rome, Milan, and Zurich
On my way to each destination, the same question popped into my head: Is two weeks in Europe enough time to explore all these places?
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Back then, I wanted to see as much of the continent as possible. So I thought one or two nights in each city would help me make the most of my time abroad
But after three flights, 11 train rides, and 60 hours in transit, I returned home with only a sampling of what each place had to offer
I longed for more memories in Berlin as soon as I boarded my train to Vienna. When I headed from Austria to Italy, I felt I had barely gotten a taste of Vienna’s art scene
I spent a week in Italy, but splitting my time between three different cities Venice, Rome, and Milan left me craving more
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Narrow alleys in Rome.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderBusiness Insider USA
The ancient city of Rome blended old and new. I strolled down cobblestone streets with ruins on one side and modern buildings on the other. Seeing the dramatic exteriors of Renaissance museums had me longing for enough time to go inside. And seeing ruins from a distance made me wish I could see them up close
My last stop in Switzerland had my favorite landscapes of the whole trip, and after just two nights, I flew home wishing I’d made time for an epic mountain hike
A sunlit field in Roggwil, Switzerland.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderI liked Roggwil, a small village near Zurich, more than almost any other part of Europe I saw.I couldn’t help but think I would have never seen it if I hadn’t booked this specific Airbnb, which was a two-minute walk from the town’s train station.With so many crowds in the cities, I enjoyed experiencing the quiet, slower pace of suburban life while photographing landscapes in less-visited areas of Europe.Business Insider USA
From stunning architecture and rich histories to striking landscapes, these cities impressed me upon arrival
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However, with less than 48 hours to explore each destination, I could only hit the top tourist highlights, like the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Colosseum in Rome, and the canals in Venice
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderBusiness Insider USA
I didn’t have a chance to dive deeper into what life was really like in each city. If I had more time, I would have cruised on Lake Zurich, shopped in Milan, or spent a night in the Kreuzberg neighborhood in Berlin. Each day in every city, I walked past remarkable buildings and massive museums that intrigued me and thought, “Next time.”
So, no two weeks is not enough time to explore six European cities, and I learned the hard way
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Top Left: Berlin, top center: Vienna, top right: Venice. Bottom Left: Rome, bottom center: Milan, bottom right: Zurich.Joey Hadden/Business InsiderBusiness Insider USA
If you’re planning a trip to Europe, don’t make the same mistake I did
For a two-week trip, I recommend visiting one or two cities or towns and immersing yourself in their art scenes, neighborhoods, and history. That way, you’ll leave with a deeper sense of the destinations you carefully selected
On my flight back to New York City, I’d already started mentally planning to visit Zurich, Berlin, Rome, and Vienna again
So, on the way home, if you still wonder about a destination you didn’t get to, make sure there’s a next time
