Forward planning - Itinerary advice please
Apr 27th, 2014, 06:56 PM
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Forward planning - Itinerary advice please
Hi everyone - We are forward planning a 4 week trip to Europe next year, possibly August/September. The first 2 weeks will be in the UK and we are fine with our itinerary for there. We are thinking of doing something along the lines of this
Fly - London - Berlin (Arrive around midday)
Berlin to Prague - Train
Prague to Munich - Train
Munich - Vienna - Train
Vienna - Fly Home
We anticipate we will have a total of 14 days on the ground including the flight into Berlin. Flight back will be day 15.
Questions are
1 - Is this feasible - Train times seem to be around the 4 hour mark ?
2 - Is this the best order to see these cities?
3 - Are there places to stay on the way that are worth stopping for a night?
4 - How long in each city?
We are quite comfortable using the trains, and dont really want to hire a car.
We are interested in most things, and never discount any suggestions on sightseeing, as some of the best things we have seen/done, were things that haven't immediately appealed to us. Although, we are not interested in hiking/bike riding. Particular interest is beer/brewing, modern history, culture (interacting with locals). Some museums etc OK, but despite our interest in history, we tire of museums quickly. Same with art galleries.
On our last trip (21 days UK and France) we went with a plan of 1 major tourist type attraction/day, usually in the morning, then wing it for the rest of the day. We never planned to do specific things before hand, we had a list of priority things to see, and went along with how we felt, weather conditions etc. We will do this again this trip. We don't mind if we miss something, as long as we enjoy what we are doing on the day.
I know that this is a fair way ahead, but I like to lock things away early, and not have to worry about last minute bookings.
Thanks for any help/advice
Dags and Moo
Fly - London - Berlin (Arrive around midday)
Berlin to Prague - Train
Prague to Munich - Train
Munich - Vienna - Train
Vienna - Fly Home
We anticipate we will have a total of 14 days on the ground including the flight into Berlin. Flight back will be day 15.
Questions are
1 - Is this feasible - Train times seem to be around the 4 hour mark ?
2 - Is this the best order to see these cities?
3 - Are there places to stay on the way that are worth stopping for a night?
4 - How long in each city?
We are quite comfortable using the trains, and dont really want to hire a car.
We are interested in most things, and never discount any suggestions on sightseeing, as some of the best things we have seen/done, were things that haven't immediately appealed to us. Although, we are not interested in hiking/bike riding. Particular interest is beer/brewing, modern history, culture (interacting with locals). Some museums etc OK, but despite our interest in history, we tire of museums quickly. Same with art galleries.
On our last trip (21 days UK and France) we went with a plan of 1 major tourist type attraction/day, usually in the morning, then wing it for the rest of the day. We never planned to do specific things before hand, we had a list of priority things to see, and went along with how we felt, weather conditions etc. We will do this again this trip. We don't mind if we miss something, as long as we enjoy what we are doing on the day.
I know that this is a fair way ahead, but I like to lock things away early, and not have to worry about last minute bookings.
Thanks for any help/advice
Dags and Moo
Apr 27th, 2014, 08:40 PM
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You can check the train times on www.bahn.com . Just check times for trains about a month out from now to get approximate times. Plot the cities on a Google map to see if that is the right order to see them in.
Apr 27th, 2014, 08:44 PM
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Feasible? Yes of course it is feasible. Whether it is a good idea is the question really.
You say you like to wing it but contradict that by planning an itinerary. Why don't you try actually winging it?
Book your flight to Berlin and first night there. Then start winging it all the way from there. No reservations, no plan whatsover.
You can't wing it if you 'lock things away early'. You got a taste of semi-winging it and admit that some of the best experiences were not anticipated at all. Maybe it's time to try really winging it.
You say you like to wing it but contradict that by planning an itinerary. Why don't you try actually winging it?
Book your flight to Berlin and first night there. Then start winging it all the way from there. No reservations, no plan whatsover.
You can't wing it if you 'lock things away early'. You got a taste of semi-winging it and admit that some of the best experiences were not anticipated at all. Maybe it's time to try really winging it.
Apr 27th, 2014, 09:26 PM
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Hi DagsNMoo,
You'll be able to take advantage of great train discounts if you purchase all your tickets 92 days in advance. So, I would advise you to lock those in. The only bad thing about that is that once you purchase your ticket, it is only valid for that train at that time.
You can see the difference in fares if you check a fare for, say, tomorrow, and then for 92 days from now.
Have fun as you plan!
s
You'll be able to take advantage of great train discounts if you purchase all your tickets 92 days in advance. So, I would advise you to lock those in. The only bad thing about that is that once you purchase your ticket, it is only valid for that train at that time.
You can see the difference in fares if you check a fare for, say, tomorrow, and then for 92 days from now.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Apr 27th, 2014, 09:47 PM
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Thanks for the replies.
dulciusexasperis - When I said wing it, I probably should have said, once we reach a destination, we dont mind if we "wing" our activities there. As far "Lock things away early" I was thinking mainly about our flights - cant wing that sort of thing really.
We are nearly 50, and sleeping in a hostels/winging accommodation is not on our agenda anymore. Sorry for any confusion and thanks for your suggestions.
Andrew - I have done both of your suggestions, and once again maybe not explained well enough. It looks possible to do from both google maps and the train site. But is it the best (once again an ambiguous word) or easiest for travel,order.
While this is only my second post, I have done some research, and am only putting feelers out information. We realise that we cant see all of Munich in 3 or 4 days, or all of Prague in 3 days, but we can see some of it. Nothing wrong with short (highlights) visits, is there?
Cheers
Dags N Moo
dulciusexasperis - When I said wing it, I probably should have said, once we reach a destination, we dont mind if we "wing" our activities there. As far "Lock things away early" I was thinking mainly about our flights - cant wing that sort of thing really.
We are nearly 50, and sleeping in a hostels/winging accommodation is not on our agenda anymore. Sorry for any confusion and thanks for your suggestions.
Andrew - I have done both of your suggestions, and once again maybe not explained well enough. It looks possible to do from both google maps and the train site. But is it the best (once again an ambiguous word) or easiest for travel,order.
While this is only my second post, I have done some research, and am only putting feelers out information. We realise that we cant see all of Munich in 3 or 4 days, or all of Prague in 3 days, but we can see some of it. Nothing wrong with short (highlights) visits, is there?
Cheers
Dags N Moo
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