kcbEuroTrip

Hi!

I am new to the forum and am trying to plan a trip for my husband and I for our one year anniversary. We are thinking May 2 or 3, leaving May 19. I have been to Italy in college for 5 weeks, but my husband has not been anywhere in Europe. He's Italian, so Italy is high on his list. I would never complain about going back, but of course I'd love to see new places. Oh and as far as interests--we want to see beautiful sights and eat amazing food. Not super into hiking--would rather a tram or gondola if possible. I hiked Cinque Terrae about 6 years ago, and I struggled haha

1. I know I am biting off more than I can chew trying to squeeze all this in with my dates. If I could get any suggestions on what to skip, what to do, and/or how many days to allot for each place, that would be great!

2. Considering the locations and amount of time we will be in Europe (and insane flight costs), is $10,000-11,000 an unrealistic budget? We want safe, clean, and air conditioned hotels. Hoping to use points to cover some of our flight costs.

Here is my wish list:

1. Fly into Munich, Germany (Dachau is a must; Neuschwanstein day trip would be amazing)

2. Salzburg, Austria
3. Switzerland (I'm flexible on locations--still in researching process. Was thinking just one or all of these if possible--Interlaken, Zurich, Grindlewald, and Lucerne)
4. Venice, Italy
5. Florence (This is the lowest on my priority list)
6. Rome (This is highest on my husband's list)
7. A day trip to Pompeii; sleep in Piano de Sorrento; a day in Capri

Then fly out of Rome.

I realize that Italy and the other countries should be broken into two separate trips, but if there is a realistic way to do a little mix of Italy/other countries, I would be so happy. I've been trying to look up travel times, but I feel like you all have more experience with this and can give me a better timeline.

Thank you in advance!

Dayle

My opinion for what its worth. May is a wonderful time to visit Italy. You have time to do a nice trip to these destinations. This a little quick, but I think it would still be enjoyable.

Fly in to Venice, 3 nts
Fast train to Florence, at least see David, pick up car and drive to somewhere in the Tuscan or Umbrian countryside, 4 nts
Rome, 5 nts
Amalfi Coast, 5 nts, no car needed and time to stay overnight on Capri
Fly home from Naples if possible

If not, go to Amalfi Coast, then Rome

Save Germany, Switzerland, Austria for another trip, may be later in the summer.

Sue81

Hi, good that you are planning way ahead. First I'd suggest that if you fly into Munich, and I agree on Dachau,(only about 20 in ride from Munich on train) that you fly back out at a different place/Rome?. I would consider scratching one city to make the trip more enjoyable. I'd probably scrap Salzburg, and head for Switzerland, and I'd pick Wengen, which is near Grindlewald in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Awesome place with lift up to the Mannlichen. Lovely little village. Trains are easy to use in Germany and Switzerland. The mountains over Wengen are spectacular, Jungfrau, Monch (sp), and Eiger, just amazing. lifts to other villages as well as mtn trains. I'd also suggest that you fly back out from more Southern city to avoid backtracking which will add much expense. Venice is unique and a one of a kind city. Zurich I found is pretty expensive, villages usually less so. Have fun planning. I was in Wengen/Zurich in July. Sue Less is often more when traveling.

Jean

First of all, at that time of year, I'd start at the most southern point and then work northward. If you can land in Naples, great, otherwise land in Rome but head immediately to Sorrento. FYI, if the seas are rough, the ferries to/from Capri will not be operating. And, I wouldn't go to Sorrento and not see the Amalfi Coast towns.

But I think even putting the Grindelwald/Interlaken area into the second week of May would be too early in the year. In the mountains, they call May the mud month, and I think many/most hotels would be closed.

You need to lay out your itinerary day by day and note the train travel times between destinations. For example, Rome to Venice is about 4 hours, Venice to Luzern is at least 6.5 hours, Luzern to Munich is about 5 hours. Alternatively, Venice to Salzburg is 6.5 hours, Salzburg to Munich 1.5 hours.

If it was my trip, I would leave Switzerland for another trip at a better time of year and then add some time in the Italian countryside between Rome and Venice.

KTtravel

I always think it is helpful to think in terms of days you have to spend in each location knowing that you'll lose about half a day moving from place to place.

Are you flying from the US? If so, leaving on May 2 means you'll likely be arriving May 3 and most of that day will likely be mostly spent getting settled in your first location.

One possible scenario:

May 4, 5, 6 Munich
May 7, 8, 9 One location in Switzerland
May 10, 11, 12 Venice
May 13, 14, 15, 16 Rome (I would actually end in Rome and fly out of there but listed it here for simplicity.)

You have two days to spare for one other location: Florence, Salzburg, or the Amalfi Coast.

Sue81

Probably good advice above, I was there in July, lovely/Wengen. Sue

kcbEuroTrip

Thank you all SO much for the advice and tips! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. We are flying from the US.

We are flexible on time of the year. I was trying to get good, warmish weather without hitting a peak time. But I don't want to go if things will not be operational. I had no idea that the ferries to Capri would be closed for rough waters! When is the best time to see the Blue Grotto? Last time I went in late June, and the tide was too high.

Also, any honest opinions on a $10,000-11,000 budget?

kja

IMO, what you can / cannot fit in is truly a matter of personal preference, but I’ll share a perspective, a suggestion, and a few comments.

First, my perspective: Rather than trying to cram it all in (my take on your initial question), I aim to maximize the time I have to actually see and experience the places that I choose to see, while minimizing the time spent traveling between places (unless, of course, the point of the journey IS the time in transit). Rather than skimming the surface and spending time getting from place to place, I choose to skip some places entirely, even if I am sure I would enjoy them. I’m most likely to skip or skimp on places that have international airports, because those are the ones that I can most readily visit again. I’ve also realized that if I can return to a region, the LAST thing that I am likely to want to do is spend my time re-tracing all that extra travel time so that I can go back and finally see the things I skipped the first time. In fact, I might end up not returning specifically because it would mean wasting so much time going from place to place!

Now my suggestion: Get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library) and plot your wish list on a calendar. Each time you propose to change locations, pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting lost/oriented, etc. Then see how things fit together. To use this strategy most effectively, you really need to look at specific things you want to see and do in each location, check their opening / closing times, etc.

As others have noted, May is a delightful time to travel in Europe – but where to start and end depends not only on latitude, but also altitude. For example, May could be too early for much of Switzerland (as others have already noted). Once you have an itineray, then you can consider sequence. JMO.

And BTW, I’m one who recommends laying itineraries out by night rather than day, as it focuses attention on the time lost to transit. Again, JMO.

While it depends on what you choose to do, costs are generally lower if you spend more time in areas rather than going from place to place – transportation costs add up!

Please consult a few good guidebooks and think about your priorities.

neckervd

Fly either into Zurich or Geneva and visit the Swiss Alps on your way to Italy or fly to Munich and visit the Austrian Alps or the Dolomites on your way to Italy.
You will not have time for all this zigg-zagging

neckervd

If Dachau is a must, Munich - Salzburg - Zell am See/Kitzsteinhorn - Felbertauern - Lienz - Toblach - Cortina d'Ampezzo - Venice - Florence - Rome - Naples....
would probably be one of the better solutions.

Southam

As a newbie, you might be able to use these basic tools:

www.skyscanner.com -- for Europe's no-frill airlines. It links to the airline sites for purchases.

www.seat61.com -- Everything about rail travel.

www.bahn.com -- German trains, plus schedules but not tickets for other countries.

www.trainline.eu -- Tickets for European trains on a very easy-to-use site. Seat 61 has other suggestions.

One general comment on your possible schedule: Each time you change locations you lose at least a half-day for packing, unpacking, going to and from the transport, etc. And each move adds a cost. Better to settle down for a few days and get to know one place better.

fourfortravel

It is not my intention to pile on, but kja and Southam are wise. Why make an anniversary trip an escapade into packing, schlepping, and unpacking every few days?

I am presumably older, though not necessarily wiser than you. Still, if it were *my* first anniversary holiday, I would spend two weeks in Italy. Begin with Rome and work your way north to Venice or Milan. Rent lovely apartments, and take time to savor and enjoy each destination.

kcbEuroTrip

Thank you all for taking time to offer honest and thorough advice! I have definitely been battling with accepting the fact that we can't see and do everything. I know deep down that Italy should be it's own trip. Since I have already spent five weeks in Italy, I was hoping to see some new countries, while also giving my husband the opportunity to experience Italy. I may just choose one location before heading to Italy.

If we did stick with multiple countries, I was thinking we would get a Eurail pass. Is that the best way to get around economically and efficiently?

KTtravel

There are many cheap flights now between cities so it is hard to know what transportation option would be best until you narrow down your itinerary.

PalenQ

For lots on trains and booking discounted tickets for Austria and Italy check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

No to Eurailpass and yes to Swiss Pass probably with discounted point to point tickets Austria to Switzerland and Swiss border to Italian points. www.seat61.com tells all about that.

StCirq

A Eurrail Pass is unlikely to be worth it, so do your math and check out the difference between a pass and point-to-point tickets.

As to your budget, it comes to about US$600 a day. For me, that would be excessive. I travel well for far less than that (though I rarely venture into Switzerland, which is expensive). But if that's your standard level of travel, then sure. It would also be good to know what you mean by "insane flight costs." From what I've been seeing, airfares are suddenly a lot more reasonable than they have been in recent years.

PalenQ

Yes No to Eurail but Swiss Pass...

3. Switzerland (I'm flexible on locations--still in researching process. Was thinking just one or all of these if possible--Interlaken, Zurich, Grindlewald, and Lucerne)

Depends if just one location maybe a regional pass just for that area or none at all - depends on how much you move around - if all or most then a definite yah to Swiss Pass - there is also the Half-Fare Card - when decide you exact plans come back and we'll look at it.

AnnJK

Hi,
If you had to pick one country apart from Italy, I would pick Switzerland. We covered Austria and Switzerland together in 10 night trip and Italy on another trip exclusively. For more details,
Check out my blogs at
https://www.diyfamilytravels.com/category/switzerland/

cheska15

I too would keep it to Italy Switzerland is incredibly expensive and beautiful. Have an all out trip to one place and do special things. We stayed at Bellagio earlier this year and hired a private guide that took us to Switzerland for the day. we were travelling with family who would never get the opportunity to do this again. It was expensive at 600 euros per couple but it was worth every bit to see the joy and delight on their faces.
Whatever you decide to do I hope you have a wonderful trip.

mnag

We covered N Italy and Switzerland in one trip. About 14 days. One day Venice (not our thing), 3 days lake Garda, 3 Days Ortisei/Dolomites, 2 days Lake Como, 5 days Wengen Switzerland. From the US we flew in to Venice and out of Zurich. A bit fast paced but not too bad (and we did this with 3 families in tow). No car in Venice or Lake Garda. We rented a car for Dolomites and Como and took the train from Milan for the Switzerland leg of the trip.

We found the drive to Como long/excessive but otherwise it was a smooth trip. I would not be too concerned about switching hotels...my rule of thumb is 3 nights is plenty in one hotel/place. Particularly since its just the two of you. I know this is contrary to other views but in my experience there is no way to cover and see all the places on my list unless we are prepared to move. Also if you have been to Italy I would do the same - skim Italy to give your husband a flavor and hit new places particularly on your first anniversary trip. Btw we absolutely loved the city of Salzburg so if you plan on Munich then I would not miss Salzburg.

Overall I like neckervd's suggestion above. However, the key point for you to assess is whether or not to skip Interlaken/Grindenwald considering the time of year.