Thanks to your help we have developed an itinerary for 30 days in Europe that we think will work. We are a young 50, like small towns and "local flavor" enjoy driving, dislike big crowds/big cities except for good entertainment & food, and enjoy limited amounts of museums/cultural. Special thanks to Rex and Wes. Here is our result. <BR>05/02 Arrive Frankfurt, pick up car, drive Assmannhaussen, overnight <BR>05/03 Tour Rhine, Mosel Valley, overnight Assmannhaussen <BR>05/04 Drive to Bruges, overnight <BR>05/05 Tour Bruges, overnight <BR>05/06 Tour Antwerp, Ghent MORE INFO.ON THESE TOWNS WILL BE APPRECIATED,overnight Bruges <BR>05/07 Drive to Amsterdam, stay with Rotary friends <BR>05/08 Amsterdam area, with friends <BR>05/09 Amsterdam area, with friends <BR>05/10 Drive to Strasburg France, overnight <BR>05/11 Tour northern Black Forest, Gengenbach, overnight Strasburg <BR>05/12 Tour southern Black Forest, overnight Strasburg <BR>05/13 Drive to Freiburg, drop car, train to Lake Como, overnight <BR>05/14 Tour Lake Como area, overnight <BR>05/15 Train to Cinqueterre, overnight Vernazza <BR>05/16 Tour Cinqueterre, stay Vernazza <BR>05/17 Vernazza overnight <BR>05/18 Train to Livorno,short stop to see ancestors grave in naval cemetary, on to Florence, overnight <BR>05/19 Tour Florence, overnight <BR>05/20 Tour Tuscan villages either by car or local tour, overnight Florence <BR>05/21 Train to Rome, overnight <BR>05/22 Tour Rome, overnight <BR>05/23 Tour Rome, overnight <BR>05/24 Fly to Athens, pick up car, drive/ferry to Poros Isl.,overnight <BR>05/25 Tour Poros, ferry to Pelopenesse, overnight Sparta <BR>05/26 Tour Pelopenesse, overnight Finikounda <BR>05/27 Tour Finikounda & area, overnight <BR>05/28 Drive to Corinth, overnight <BR>05/29 Drive to Athens in early AM (avoid traffic) drop car, tour Athens, overnight at BW Hotel Fenix <BR>05/30 Fly Home <BR>

Hooray, Blair. I know it will still sound like a lot to some people, but I think it is now a manageable and great holiday! So nice when someone listens to advice and modifies their plan with some sensible compromises. The only thing I find amusing is your "avoid traffic" comment about Athens. We took a taxi to the airport at 5 AM to leave Athens and we were almost stuck in traffic! Seems that's when all the clubs and discos were letting out. We couldn't believe the traffic at that hour! If you are still modifing -- I would personally reduce the stay in Vernazza to two nights and add the extra night to make it three in Lake area. Assuming you arrive in Vernazza fairly early, that afternoon plus one full day the next day to see all five villages is really probably enough. We spent three nights in Manarola, walked the entire distance and visited all five villages the first full day, and although we enjoyed our second full day, there really wasn't much else to do. On the other hand you could spend weeks in the Lakes area. One full day there hardly seems enough.

I agree with above on Vernazza. Frankly, I think the Cinque Terre area is a little overrated. We did the area with friends in Oct 99, then were back there on another trip in July, 00. Neither time made me jump up and down to go back. I would spend more time in the lakes area. It is beautiful. <BR> <BR>No time on the Bodensee?

OOps. Let me clarify. I do NOT think the Cinque Terre is overrated, especially if you want to do the hike through the villages. I truly loved it. It's just that with your tight schedule, I think two nights -- one full day will cover that area better than the same time would cover the Lakes.

WOW. Sounds incredible and a lot to do in that amount of time. Cinque Terre is wonderful. Have you thought about going to Tuebingen instead of Freiburg? Or both. Tuebingen is similar, but perhaps less touristy. You might want to spend more time in Florence and less time in Belgium. Just my opinion.

Thanks for your input again, and trust me, I will take heed of your advice. I think this is a doable itinerary, but if we follow it to the letter I will be disappointed. We tend to like some flexibility, and there is a very good chance that we will only spend two days in Belgium. I will look for some info on Tuebingen. We are not making any advance reservations except the hotel in Athens, I hope this will not pose any problems. <BR>Best Regards, <BR>Blair

&lt;&lt;if we follow it to the letter I will be disappointed&gt;&gt; <BR> <BR>No disrespect to friends and learned "colleagues" here, but you are showing at least as much "wisdom" and travel savvy as "us veterans" with these words, Blair. <BR> <BR>You have reached the point with this itinerary that your own discovery now becomes as important as any advice you can get here or in books. If we plan this trip for you and with you right down to "stay in this room" in this hotel on such and such-and-such a date because the sun goes down at such-and-such an angle - - well, I simply don't wish that on you. <BR> <BR>Many of us have these wonderful memories of some place we have stayed (Hotel Erasmus in Ghent) or eaten (Traube-Tonbach in the Black Forest) or driven (the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse) - - and if we knew entirely what it would be like, it wouldn't have been half as special! <BR> <BR>You're going to encounter quite a few people carrying Fodor's (and Frommer's and Eyewitness Guides) books in Assmannhausen, and Bruges, Vernazza and Rome. <BR> <BR>Here's hoping you find a place or two none of "us" has ever heard of! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Blair, <BR>I think you've now got something far more realistic and "doable" than your earlier posting indicated. I like the idea that you are willing to be flexible if you find something more appealing than your itinerary dictates. (Despite planning comprehensive itineraries for myself, I rarely find that I follow more than 60% of them. Too many unknown delights materialize that prompt adjustments.) <BR> <BR>The suggestion of Tubingen rather than Strasbourg or Freiburg is appealing for a couple of reasons. The city is about half the size of Freiburg and situated on the scenic Neckar river. Access to the Black Forest is as easy as from the other cities. By avoiding Strasbourg, you'll not have to deal with French currencies. <BR> <BR>The suggestion to defer one night in Vernazza and extend your stay in the Lake Como area is also compelling. If you don't, I'll bet that upon arrival in the lakes area, you'll swipe a day from Venice, Florence or Rome to extend your stay and your explorations. <BR> <BR>I'll have some info on Ghent and Antwerp to you in a day or so. One suggestion while it comes to mind. Since you'll be traveling in five or six countries for limited amounts of time, monitor your accumulation of loose change. It piles up quickly and is a nuisance to dispose of once you leave its country of origin.

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