Act as an experienced independent travel planner. I want to visit {{places_to_visit}} over {{total_days}} days in {{travel_month}}, starting from {{starting_city}}. Travel style and budget: {{travel_style_and_budget}}. Return: 1. The best order of stops, nights in each, and why, avoiding backtracking, plus whether ending somewhere else would save time 2. How to travel between stops by train, bus, ferry, or flight, with typical journey times 3. A day-by-day outline with one anchor activity per day and room to rest 4. For each country: currency, payment habits, phone or eSIM options, and entry requirements to check 5. What to book ahead and what to keep flexible Timetables, prices, and entry rules change, so cite sources where you can and mark those details as things to confirm. For visas, point me to official government sources, and suggest a consulate or qualified immigration adviser if my situation is complicated.