Baltic Sea "Loop" – Suggestions welcomed
 

I am now in the *very* preliminary stages of preparing a 2-3 week Europe trip for late 2006, focusing on Austria, a few Baltic nations and (if possible and not too difficult), limited areas in Italy.

My rough plan at the moment is to do an open jaw from Seattle to Vienna then train into and around Slovenia (principally Ljubljana and Bled). From there, train again into Croatia, and go as far south as Dubrovnik. Here's where Italy enters the picture. If possible, go directly from Croatia to….Rome? Naples?

Here's where the questions arise: Is a direct path from the west side of the Baltic (Slovenia, Bosnia, etc.) to the eastern shore (Italy) possible by ferry or cheap flight? Are there other Baltic countries worthwhile to spend a few days? Does this clockwise direction make sense, or would it be easier to go counterclockwise (start in Italy, leave for home from Vienna)?

Has anyone made this "loop"? Is there an itinerary you'd recommend that would minimize transit time and maximize time to visit interesting spots?

All suggestions welcomed.

Fritzrl

One of these days, I'll learn the difference between 'east' and 'west'. Why just the other day, I finally managed to get 'left' and 'right' figured out, but only by writing an "L" on my left wrist with magic marker.

Do you suppose this east-west thing explains why I'm always getting on the wrong train?

Sorry for the backwards directions, folks. :)

Fritzrl

fritzrl, I'll leave out the obvious which could humourously add to your self-deprecating comments on confusion, but I think you mean the Balkans. Or maybe not.

And I think he's talking about the Adriatic Sea.

So, lesson learned: never again try to put a quick posting together while rushing off to a meeting. Eeeeee-gad!

In fact, I may just start over...no one will ever be able to decipher this as it is, I'm afraid.

But, yes: I did mean "Balkans" and "Adriatic".

Chalk it up to rushing, rain and a reaaaaal bad case of the "Fridays". I'll wait a decent interval (cowering in chagrin all the while), and renew my query later.

[Somebody oughtta pull my Fodorite license]

Fritzrl