dw627

Hi,
Currently visiting friends in Regensburg, Germany. Considering options for a 3-4 day solo excursion. Maybe Wed-Sat or Thur -Sun. We have done Salzburg and Munich. This is my first time to Europe and don't want to feel crazy with travel all over the place, at the same time I'd like to see some of sites and experience new locales. In our conversations, we've narrowed it down to Vienna or Venice by train or hope a flight to Paris. What do you all think? In terms of what I like to do: I do enjoy the fabulous history and architecture, but also enjoy a bit of shopping, a bit of relaxing and a peek at the local lifestyle. I'm not the tourist with the checklist of seeing everything in the guide book. I like a balance of interesting sights with local flavor.

I welcome your insights!

DonTopaz

The good news is that with Venice, Vienna, and Paris as your options, you cannot possibly make a bad choice. I've been to all 3 many, many times and for the OP's situation, I'd recommend Venice as the best choice.

Venice is a magical place, pure and simple. It is a tourist paradise: small and compact, limitless places to stroll and explore, and no shortage of hotels and places to eat.

The main difference with Paris and Vienna is that they offer a *lot* more options (especially cultural), but they are also much bigger cities. It's fairly easy to undertake Venice with only the smallest amount of planning, but getting the most out of Paris and Vienna really requires a bit more upfront work.

Don

qwovadis

www.venice-tourism.com most magical in terms of history

and ambience personally would go for that and Paris of course.

Vienna has an ornate wedding cake central area surrounded

by aa ring road high rises just not as attractive for me.

ricksteves.com virtualtourist.com good info for you.

Happy Travels,

Cowboy1968

You probably already noticed that Regensburg isn't exactly a major transportation hub in Germany.

The most convenient destination would be Vienna. Several direct ICE trains from Regensburg go to Vienna in 4hrs.
bahn.com
Vienna has more palaces, churches, at least a dozen world-class museums, etc., i.e. more than you could squeeze in 2 weeks. Don't get stuck in the historic "first district" only, lots of sights are also in other parts of town. Just few foreign tourists know or bother (except for Schönbrunn palace and the ferris wheel in the Prater maybe).

Venice is 8.5 - 9 hrs and more by train. So is Paris.

Check airberlin.com for flights from Nürnberg to both Paris and Venice. Since this is high season, I doubt you can still find anything for little money. Or check whichbudget.com to see if there are competing low-cost carriers from Nürnberg.

An alternative could be Prague.
Train/coach from Regensburg via Nürnberg in appr. 5hrs.

ira

Hey dw,

It doesn't matter.

CUFFLNX

Vienna; Venice deserves a trip all its own, let the French wait until they like us better.

adrienne

3-4 days is not enough time for Paris. It's too far to Venice - 8 hours by day would take half of your time. The night train makes too many stops and and there's that nasty transfer at 4:00 am.

I vote for Vienna or Salzburg.

Percy

dw627 has already been to Salzburg !!!


I just got back from Vienna and Prague last month.

I like the Prague option that cowboy1968 mentions.

You can walk anywhere from the Charles Bridge in Prague.

My second choice is Vienna .

( Venice is too far away from where you are). ( Nice place but not right now,save it for another time)

Besides the Hofburg Palace Complex, Albertina, The Opera House, Parliament, City Hall,St.Stephen Cathedral

..... which by the way are all within walking distance of each other..

I would go the Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, spent the whole afternoon there, just touring the Palace and walking the grounds

which are truly lovely and expansive ( not expensive !!).

Google and aerial picture of Schonbrunn Palaceand you will see what I mean.

adrienne

<< dw627 has already been to Salzburg !!! >>

I guess no one would ever repeat a destination!