I just recently found out I have some funding to have some work presented in Vienna, which will be my first time out of North America. After my events in Vienna I figure I have about 10-12 days before I have to fly back to Canada. I want to maximize it all -- who knows if I'll ever be able to afford to come back! I figure I should fly home from somewhere else--- should I travel by train to Salzburg, Munich, Zurich, with stops on the way, and fly home from Paris? But I want to see Prague too, and it would be great to see Berlin. Any suggestions, on where to go and good routes and means of transportation? I'm a culture nut, especially related to classical music and art and architecture, and also a nature nut.

What time of year are you travelling?

Which airline will you be flying? You really should look at an open jaw ticket, if work is paying for the ticket and you must fly a specific airline you'll be limited that airline's destinations in Europe.

All of the cities you mention in the op can't be seen in 10 - 12 days.

You need to consider what your flight options are and which cities appeal the most.

10 days: Prague & Berlin with a stop in Dresden.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57623230920764

Hi Zoe,

To begin with: what RJames said. It's common for first-time travelers in Europe to underestimate the time that's expended (ie. lost!) when you relocate from one city to another. We usually figure it's pretty much a full day that's taken up between checkout in one place, travel to the airport or train station, the voyage itself and then arrival and travel/check-in at the next place. You're at the mercy of everyone else's schedule.

Keep in mind too that it takes 2 nights in one place to give you one full day of experiencing that city and its culture - not much if you want to see more than one or two specific things and get a sense of the place. For that reason we find it easier to plan our trip using "X nights" available instead of the number of days.

Re. the number of places to visit, with 12 days I'd limit it to 3 cities max. With 10 days, 2 cities. Seems like a lot but it's not much time at all when you're talking major European cities and run the numbers on how much actual time on the ground you'll have in each. The thing that always helps us in our planning is the idea that this won't be our last trip over there - and the planning and budgeting for the next one starts soon after we get back home. It's that addictive.

As far as recommendations for places, I like the idea of ending in Paris as there's simply no other place on earth like it. And it's big enough that you could spend a month there and still be fascinated every day. It's an easy flight from Prague to Paris Orly which will put you relatively close to the center via the metro. And then there's the Vienna-Salzburg-Munich train combined with a Munich-Paris flight...

Amicalement!

Some suggestions if you are coming to Vienna between now and December:

September to mid-October: Enjoy Vienna for a couple of days; Prague for 3 days, then Paris for the remainder. The weather will likely be kind.

Mid-October through November: Enjoy Vienna for a couple of days, Prague for 3 days, then Berlin for the remainder.

December: Overdose on Christmas markets in Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, (and maybe Nurnberg?), then wrap up your trip with Paris.

Thanks everyone, this is very helpful! I didn't realize that I don't get notifications about replies so I only noticed the replies until now.