Would like additional input/comments/suggestions on our europe itenery. Plan 30 days. Fly to Brussels, train to Amsterdam. Fly to Berlin. Train to Dresdin/Meisen,cruise to Prague, trains to Vienna, Budapest, Venice, Florence. Fly back to US from Florence. Is this duable? Can I fit in Switzerland? Anyone gone from Budapest to Venice by train, how long? Thank you so much for any input. Judi

Hello Judi, That is quite a trip. Given <BR>30 days--you do not say when--I would try to save some time in transit. So, I <BR>would include and exclude as follows: <BR>EXCLUDE: Berlin, Dresden, Budapest <BR>INCLUDE: Brugge,Munich,Salzburg,Siena <BR> <BR>Also, do you know you can fly out of <BR>Florence--it is a very small airport. <BR> <BR>It is only my opinion, but I would start <BR>in Munich and do Prague, Austria, Italy, <BR>the Swiss Alps, and fly home from Zurich. You have alot of geography here.

To answer your question about the train from Budapest to Venice, the best runs times are the least convenient! <BR>The fastest time is 12 hours and 30 minutes, but you travel overnight and arrive at 4 AM! <BR>The most convenient schedule in terms of time leaves at 7:50 and arrives at 21:35 -- nearly 14 hours. This particular schedule involves no changes. <BR>One of the problems with the trip is that for some of the schedules you must change train stations in Vienna. <BR>You either take a taxi, or the tram (street car). Vienna trams are fine, and move quickly, but still you have the problem of wrestling luggage. <BR>The train between Vienna and Venice stops frequently, which is one reason the trip takes so long. <BR>As for the rest of the itinerary you describe, I have no real comment. <BR>I think you need to decide what you want to see and stick to your schedule. <BR>The previous post recommend several amendements. <BR>Salzburg and Brugge are interesting cities to visit. <BR>I would suggest that you spend time in Vienna. I found it to be a most interesting city. I think you will read mixed comments on Budapest. <BR>As for Switzerland, I like the mountains and have spend quite a few days truding the trails. It is an all day trip from Salzburg to Interlaken, one that takes you through Innsbruck, Zürich and Bern. <BR>To see the mountains you must continue on to Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen, or Lauterbrunnen, all south of Interlaken. <BR>Or continue to Zermat, which is reachable by train. <BR>(We did the trip in reverse this past summer, Interlaken to Salzburg. <BR>We left Interlaken about 9:45 AM and got to Salzburg about 7:30 PM.

I respectfully disagree with Bob the Navegator re Budapest. It is one of the most beautiful cities that I've ever been to with much to do and see. I like Munich but would choose Budapest over it. Definitly include Salzburg in your plans. Budapest to Vienna is only a 3 1/2 hour trip down the Danube by hovercraft and is a beautiful trip, than catch the train from Vienna. <BR>Sounds like a great trip. I wish I could take 30 days. Have a great one. <BR>Art <BR> <BR>

Judi, have to agree with Art re Budapest. It is a beautiful and different city from the others. Don't leave out Berlin--a truly remarkable city with all the history of the 20th century, culture, friendly people. Dresden is interesting because of the complete rebuilding after the war and on the way between Berlin (2-hour train ride) and Prague (2 1/2 hours from Dresden). If you need places to stay: in Vienna, try nethotels.com; in Prague, try avetravel.cz; in Budapest, we stayed with Dr. & Mrs. Walter Fleps, Bogar utca 20b, 1022 Budapest, Hungary (email me for his phone number if you need it). It is doable but you won't be able to stay any one place long.