My friend from work and I are planning a trip to Europe. I've been there before (mostly Germany & Austria) but it's her first time. I've been tossing around ideas for an itinerary and I think I've got one that works. I'd appreciate some comments and other ideas if people have them. Tentative dates are 9/21 to 10/1 but they are really tentative right now. We're also looking at open jaw ticket prices (which will really determine our dates). I don't particularly like night trains either - cant seem to get to sleep, thus the stop in Innsbruck.<BR><BR>9/21: Fly into Munich.<BR>9/22: Munich<BR>9/23: Fussen (Neushawnstein & Linderhof);Train to Innsbruck<BR>9/24: Innsbruck<BR>9/25: Train to Venice<BR>9/26: Venice; Train to Florence<BR>9/27: Florence<BR>9/28: Train to Rome<BR>9/29: Rome<BR>9/30: Rome<BR>10/1: Fly home from Rome<BR><BR>Thanks again for all your help <BR><BR>

Skip Innsbruck. Go back to Munich for the night of the 23d, then take the first train to Venice on the 24th without stopping at Innsbruck.

to the top<BR>

Only one day in Venice and one day/night in Florence- hardly enough to skim the surface!!<BR>Concentrate on Italy alone and relax,take it slowly, drink in the pleasures otherwise all you'll remember is the inside of a train carriage

I particularly enjoy train travel because you see a lot of a countryside from the train; not just the cities you stay in. However, I think it's really valuable to stay at least two nights at every destination. The train thru the Alp is incredibly beautiful but you won't get to Venice until evening. You need an entire day in Venice. Same with Florence. And you'll have jet lag in Munich and won't be up to speed yet. Why not fly into Milan and focus on Venice, Florence and Rome?

SJK,<BR><BR>I agree with the other posters. Unless you desperately need to save money by traveling every night on a night train -- and given that you have seen parts of Germany and Austria already -- I would focus the 9 days on Rome, Florence and Venice. I think doing what you currently are planning will be tiring and leave you without a good experience.<BR><BR>If you need to fly into Germany, I'd focus on seeing parts of Germany and Austria that you have not seen and/or exploring northern Italy (Dolomites, Lake Garda and Venice are all nice options).<BR><BR>Hope this helps.<BR><BR>john H.

Go to Spain. You'll never regret it.