Hi again unonymus- I'm not much for standing in long lines for museums. So I just skip them if the lines are too long. I believe most would suggest purchasing a Museum pass in Paris. It allows you to skip the long lines but it is pricey. If you are in Paris only 2 days you might not want to spend a day traipsing around museums to get the most value for the pass. And if you want to go up the Eifel Tower an advance on-line purchase for a specific day and time saves a lot of time waiting. Of course you are gambling that the weather is good on the date of your ticket. The only other place that I remember skipping a museum because of a long line was in Florence. But that was a loooong time ago and I have no desire to return.

If you have some interest in visiting some museums google them to get information regarding details like days of operation, wait times, costs, advance purchases, number of hours to allot for your visit, interior maps, exact location, ways to get there using public transportation, , etc.

I believe the best way to get to Prague from Munich is to catch a bus. Only 4.5 hours and not too expensive. Check the DBahn site. I usually use trains to and from Amsterdam. But Prague to Amsterdam is a long day (or night) on a train.

I just looked at rooms in Munich for 26-28 September. Ouch- It looks like the only reasonable rooms are in Hostels- about $50/nite in a 6 bed dorm room. Towels and bedding and breakfast extra. I didn't realize it was that expensive. The only time I ever made reservations for the 'Fest this late I got a double with bath and breakfast about 4 tram stops from the'Fest for around $100/nite. It was small and a dump but we survived 3 nites OK. That same hotel is charging about $300/nite non-refundable for a single with private bath for your dates. So take Macross's advice and check some towns 1/2 to 1 hour away. I have stayed in Augsburg and Ingostadt (with a railpass) and trained in for the "Fest. Some folks suggest Landshut, Erding, and Rosenheim as possible locations. Be sure to select a location close to public transportation.

Have a good trip and ask any specific questions as you get more into your planning!!!

I might as well drink if I undertake all this hardship of getting to Oktoberfest.>

Prost!

<reduce a day each from Italy, Prague and Amsterdam and spend a day each at Vienna, Budapest and Brugge>

No, that doesn't make sense. You already have 10 places or more you're planning to visit.

You need to back up and add TRAVEL time into your schedule. You're completely missing that, and it's going to subtract substantially from your time in each place. Needs to be accounted for in planning.

The OP has already, wisely, dropped a bunch of places:

<<Cinque Terre, Vienna, Budapest, Bruges are out.>>

You want to visit some places ate VERY expensive times (Oktoberfest, La Merce, etc)

With your budget you might consider changing plans and visiting those cities after/before the festivities. I know, I know, those is <i>why</i> you want to visit Munich and Barcelona -- but honestly, you'll save hundreds of € and still get to drink lots of German bier

OK so I have dropped Greece from the trip. New plan is as under :-

11-16 : Italy - Rome & Florence
17-25 : Spain - Madrid, Granada & Barcelona
26-27 : Munich (Oktoberfest)
28-01 : Prague
02-04 : Amsterdam
05-07 : Paris

Hi
looks good. And don't forget that you'll get drunk at Munich, so leave your papers safely somewhere before going into the tents !
Enjoy.

That blog post whinging about Cinque Terre is hilarious. The writer clearly did no prior research - which would have informed her it is busy from March to early November and there is good food to be found if you do your research as well. The hyperlink to her 'u 'in discovered' Italy turns out to be a big spruik for a hotel in Cefalu - where she stayed for free so of course it gets a glowing revue.

OP- Cinque Terre is stunning if you go out of peak season and stay there in, say, Vernazza rather than visiting as a day trip.

Again - re that blog link - Any anyone who says 'Florence has the best Italian food in Italy' has absolutely zero credibility.

Please excuse my typos above but I think my meaning is clear.

Blueeyedcod, "Anyone who says 'Florence has the best Italian food in Italy' has zero credibility."
I have to back you up on that opinion!

Another confusion

Should i do Rome+Florence or Rome+Naples

I know Florence and Naples are very different places but Naples seems to be a interesting place with a lot to offer.

Please help

Most will say Florence but because they do not know much about Naples and to me it is a toss up having been several times to both but I guess Florence folks have been dreaming about going to for their whole lives.

Depends on your interests. If you love Renaissance cities, urban order, wonderful churches crammed with art, great museums, Florence.

If you love (as we do) urban chaos, archaeology, Greek and Roman ruins, probably the most beautiful Bay in the world, then Naples and surroundings.

While I'd go to either tomorrow if someone gave me time and money to do so, if I had to live in one or the other, I'd choose Naples despite the risks.

Buen viaggio

I'd choose Naples despite the risks.>

What 'risks'?

5 days in Rome and Florence isn't TOO bad, provided they are complete 5 days. 3 days in Rome and 2 in Florence.
Have a look at my blog page : https://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com...rence-tuscany/
I did several things cheaply in Italy(book your trains well in advance, use buses, it's not hard eating cheap in Rome).

Naples gets a lot of bad publicity for its 'risks' - pickpockets, garbage piled up, etc. But IME these are overblown and an alert traveler will not be easily victimized by crime - there are not folks lurking around every corner trying to rob you. Been there several times and never had any problems but yes be vigilant as always - Rome probably has a bigger chance of being victimized by street crime or scams.