I have kind of spur of the moment decided to take a three month Odyssey through Europe starting in September. I've traveled alone before, but never something of this magnitude.

I've been researching like crazy and have a tentative plan for my first month. I wanted to see if anyone had any feedback before I go much further with the planning since it's a big investment, and I don't want to blow it.

A little about me--I am particularly interested in ancient history, nature, and just exploring new places. I like old churches with historic art, but I don't love art museums. I'm not really interested in partying or expensive eating--I'm content sticking to myself and eating from local markets or street vendors.

I am pretty fit, and I love to walk. I was in Rome last year and walked 70 miles in three days--which pretty much captures how I roll. I also tend to get antsy staying in one place for too long. The three days in Rome was the perfect amount of time for me--by the third day, I was ready to move on even though I absolutely loved the city.

So far, I have been to London twice, and Paris and Rome once. I've also been to northern Scotland and all over Wales exploring with friends. I am most excited about exploring Ancient Greece and the Alps on this trip, so any advice would be appreciated!

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

• Day 1: Fly into Athens and get situated.
• Day 2: Athens--explore Acropolis and ancient site/muesums
• Day 3: Athens--explore western city center and any thing else left from first day
• Day 4: Athens--explore in the morning, then bus to the Temple of Poseidon and/or Lake Vouliagmeni.
• Day 5: Delphi--bus from Athens in the morning and explore ruins and museum.
  
• Day 6: Delphi--hike from the ruins to the Corcian Cave (Cave of the Muses)
• Day 7: Delphi--chill and bus back to Athens that evening (Not sure where to sleep this night given early flight next day)
• Day 8: Early morning flight to Santorini. Explore and hike to Oia for sunset.
• Day 9: Explore Santorini [Santorini cable car, Prehistoric Thira, hiking]
• Day 10: Ferry to Naxos (2-6 hours). Explore Naxos
• Day 11: Explore Naxos [Ancient temples, hiking, Νυμθσ]
• Day 12: Ferry to Mykonos (1-2 hours). Explore Mykonos. [Chill on beach]
• Day 13: Explore Mykonos [Ruins and beaches.]
• Day 14: Fly to Rome, hopefully with long layover in Bari giving time to explore there.
• Day 15: Rome [Chill and explore]
• Day 16: Day trip to Pompeii and hiking Vesuvius (90 minute train ride to Pompeii + 50 mins to Vesuvius)
• Day 17: Train to Florence. Explore Florence.
• Day 18 & 19: Explore Florence. [Famous buildings, see David, low key explore]
• Day 20: Day trip to Pisa [Tower and mabey bike riding]
• Day 21: Train to Cinque Terre. Hike/explore Cinque Terre
• Day 22: Explore Cinque Terre [Hike and low key explore]
• Day 23: Train to Venice. Explore Venice.
• Day 24: Explore Venice. [San Giorgio Maggiore, Doge's Palace, Grand Canal, St. Mark's Square]
• Day 25: Scenic train to Vienna
• Day 26-28: Explore Vienna [Famous buildings, musical history, looking for something with nature--hiking or biking perhaps]

Next up: Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, Zermatt...

Later: Milan, Monaco, French Riviera then maybe a taste of Spain or back to Paris--still deciding.

It seems like advance purchase transportation tickets is going to be far cheaper than a Eurail pass. The only advantage I've found for the Eurail pass is the flexibility it offers, but without it, even if I miss a train, I'd only be out of the <€50 I paid for it plus the cost of a new ticket. As long as I don't want to scrap my entire itinerary, I'm not planning on going with the Eurail pass.

I welcome any and all feedback! Places in these cities that I don't want to miss? Cities along the route that I'm missing?