Comments on my Czech Itinerary
 

I have never planned an overseas trip. I've only been to Europe once(this past summer) and my companion did all the planning. I am focusing on the architecture, castles and chateaux. I've done a TON of research, and this is what I've come up with: <BR> <BR>April 17th: <BR>Arrive in Prague @ 8.00 <BR>18-Prague <BR>19-Train/Bus to Ceske Budejovice <BR>20-Ceske Budejovice-day trip to Jindrichuv Hradec <BR>21-Ceske Budejovice-day trip to Hluboka nad Vltavou and/or Trebon <BR>22-Ceske Budejovice-day trip to Cesky Krumlov <BR>23-Train/Bus to Breclav <BR>24-Breclav-day trip to Lednice/Voltice/Mikulov <BR>25-Breclav-day trip to Lednice/Voltice/Mikulov <BR>26-Breclav-day trip to Lednice/Voltice/Mikulov <BR>27-Train/Bus to Vienna <BR>28-Vienna <BR>29-Train/Bus to Prague <BR>30-Flight home @ 12.40 <BR> <BR>I am considering staying in Breclav and day-tripping to Vienna 27th & 28th(26th as well, if I've seen all of Lednice/Voltice/Mikulov at the leisurely pace I intend), to save myself the pressure of finding another great/cheap/central/safe hotel. I only recently decided add Vienna, and so far have only planned on seeing the Boys Choir, and a show of the Royal Lippazaner Stallions, the rest of the time in Vienna is still up in the air. I feel I am biting off more than I can chew here, as this is my first time planning. Maybe I should just stay put in Breclav and not try to negotiate another country/currency/big city? I anticipate the comments of all the well seasoned travelers on this board. <BR>Thank you in advance! <BR>Lisa

Lisa, Sounds like you have done your homework, all right. My only comments are that you don't seem to have any real length of time in any one place. <BR> <BR>For example, we were in Prague for seven days last month and there are at least five things that I can think of off the top of my head, that we did not do, but wanted to. If you are looking for architecture, then Prague is a great choice and the same can be said for Vienna. One day is just not enough. <BR> <BR>If you want to get acquainted with a place, get a good feel for it, then I would allow for more time there. It seems like you will spend your entire trip on a plane, bus or train. <BR> <BR>Maybe trade Vienna for Prague and take in Vienna and maybe Salzburg, etc. on a future trip? Just a thought...

I appreciate your comments, Lee, and I too, thought I was short-changing Prague. My day trips are from 10 mins to 1 hour by bus/train, not so bad, I thought. Not much I really want to see in Ceske Budejovice, but it is a "hub" for public transport to the other areas I am interested in, and I will avoid moving from hotel to hotel to cover this area by staying in C.B. <BR>Breclav is about 5 mins from Lednice/Voltice chateaux, 20 mins from the town of Mikulov. <BR>My longest travel days(one @ 2:30 hours, one @ 3 hours, and one @ 4:45 hours) end with no plans for the rest of that day in the arrival city/town, other than than to settle in, get situated, and relax. With early morning departures, that leaves most of my day free. Still sound like too much?

I would simply drop Vienna off this trip, you don't have any time there and you will spend too much going to and from there. Add the time to Prague. I've been through Ceske Budejovice, it's nothing much; I can't comment on your day trips, not knowing them except C. Krumlov, but maybe you could save another day out of those to add onto Prague.

Hi Lisa: I'm not familiar with many of the places you mentioned but will comment on the ones we've visited. <BR> <BR>This fall we flew into Munich, headed south to the Alps. Spent a few days in and around Oberammergau, Garmisch and went to Salzburg, (our favorite). Then went to Ceske Krumlov with the intent of staying there. It didn't particularily appeal to us so we drove on to Ceske Budejovice. Spent a night there and then went on to Prague for several days. I agree that Ceske Budejovice is nothing special. We liked Prague and would suggest a little more time there. We've not been to Vienna and it sounds cool. As mentioned, our favorite was Salzburg. In any case it sounds like a great trip. Enjoy....Paul J

It looks like you have 4 hotel moves(5, if you opt for a stay in Vienna) in a 2 week period of time, that's quite reasonable. If I'm correct, the small town of Breclav is about an hour by train to Vienna, so, yes, you could do Vienna as a day trip, but I'd stay at least 2/3 days. Add more time to Prague, you'll regret it if you don't! Enjoy your trip.

Lisa, I am also doing the Prague/vienna trip and would be interested in corresponding with you on your plans. E-mail me at the above address if you are interested in sharing more of your intinerary. I am traveling alone so I cover alot of ground and like to move around alot. I think whether you include Vienna is as much a personal preference on how you like to travel. <BR> <BR>Thanks!