I am new to this forum and so far I am pleasently overwhelmed by all the information here. My husband and I have just decided to take 10 days off from feb 23 to march 4. This mini holiday is going to be really special because it is the first time we leave our kids behind. The last few years our holidays includes going to only one city and taking things easy with alot of parks and child friendly activites. I know most of you would not advise on this but we would really like to see 2 different countries in these 10 days. My husband thinks we ought to do Lucerne, Interlaken, Lugano and Venice. In the otherhand I am thinking of Florence, Venice, Salzburg and Vienna. We both love road trips and trians that take us to beautiful scenary and looking at historical buildings and museums.Also, we understand that it will be cold but we actually love that because we live in a warm city that hardly has winter. Since this is a sort of 2nd honeymoon we have decided to splurge on 5 star hotels.

Hi hashra,

We did this trip some years ago.

Fly into Munich - overnight.
Train to Venice (Lovely ride over the Alps) - 3 days
Train to Vienna (Another lovely ride over the Alps)- 4 days (daytrip to Salzburg)
Return to Munich
Fly home.

In Munich, I suggest the Hotel Uhland.
http://www.hotel-uhland.de/enwelcome.html

You can buy your tickets from Munich to Venice and Venice to Vienna at www.trenitalia.com/en

Frankly, I'm not usre what "the question" is?

First of all, both itineraries can easily be done by rail.

You do not say where you would be flying into (if you are even flying..an assumption) which might be helpful to know.

Are we to help "convince" you that your itinerary is "better" than your husband's?

Is the question road vs. rail?

Assume you also want hotel recommendations.

Help!!!! Hard to advise you unless we know what you want!

Even though you are splurging for your second honeymoon, no need to break the bank. Try Priceline (research the hotels available on www.biddingfortravel.com or www.betterbidding.com) for 5* hotels -- you should be able to get them for $200 a night including taxes.

Well, We have not booked a flight since we still have to decide on the cities so we are flexiable about the airport we arrive and leave from. As for the transportation between the cities we mentioned we will be taking the train everywhere.
My comments was not actually to say one idea is better than the other. It was simply to ask which is more practical. Also, since it will be in winter will there still be much to see in both trips? SInce we both do not ski will we still enjoy switzerland?

I don't ski and I enjoyed my visit to Switzerland. Stunning scenery. You can easily do 2 countries in 10 days. Switzerland and Italy are 2 pretty good choices. It will give you a nice overview and give you some ideas of coming back and spending more time. Enjoy your trip.

It does sound like alot of moving around for only 10 days especially if you are flying transatlantic which loses you a day. but you can certainly do it.

Well, this is your first trip without the kids so what is the purpose of the trip? To relax and enjoy each other - romantic dinners, gazing into each others eyes and reconnect? Or see as much as possible in 10 days and come home worn out?

I think both itineraries sound great. Do keep in mind, though, that you will loose most of the first day (travel time and jet lag), along with partial days when traveling between the cities and checking into hotels, etc. While I think 2 countries is good, if it were me I would limit it to perhaps staying in 3 places instead of 4. However, since you aren't trying to go to places too far away from each other, both itineraries are doable. I think it just depends on how relaxed you want to be.

We went to Florence and Vienna in March of last year and had a great time. Vienna was definitely on the cold side but the city itself was wonderful. The weather in Italy was great, especially when compared to Vienna and home (St. Louis).

Good luck in your planning. You'll have a great time regardless of which trip you decide on.

Tracy

Since the two choices seem to be Venice (and other "nearby" Italy?) plus "x" versus the same plus "y" - - I wonder if you think Slovenia or Croatia might appeal to you. I know you say that you wouldn't mind cold weather - - but I would favor traveling in a more southerly direction, rather than north - - traveling in Feb/March.

Best wishes,

Rex