thursdaysd

Hello,

I usually hang out on the Asia board, but I'm planning a European trip for this fall, and I'd like some help with the itinerary. I'm flying into Budapest and out of Venice, and plan to travel through Austria on the way. This is what I have so far:

Oct 16 - arrive Budapest. This is my second visit, four nights were enough to tell me I needed to go back. I'm thinking six nights this time.

Oct 22 - boat to Vienna. Again a second visit, planning to stay six nights.

Nov 7 - train to Venice. First visit, unless you count three hours between trains to see if I'd fall in love with the place. I did. So, six nights Venice.

That leaves 10 nights. I'm thinking of splitting them between Graz, Klagenfurt and Innsbruck. I've been to Innsbruck before, but not the other two. I love the Tyrol, and the lakes, but I thought I'd take a look at SE Austria.

So, would you skip Innsbruck in favor of the SE or the SE in favor of the Tyrol? Is the SE worth the time? (I love mountains, architecture, food and wine, arts and crafts, not-too-strenuous hiking.) Should I add Villach?

Would you add more time to Venice instead of Austria? Budget is something of an issue, that's why I'm not getting to Venice until the hotel rates go down in November.

Thanks.

thursdaysd

ttt

treplow

Between Venice and wherever you wind up in Austria, you might want to spend a couple of days in Sirmione, Lake Garda. Read up on it; the town and others around the lake are worth visiting.

Generally, considering the money you are spending for your trip as is, pushing the trip to November just to save a few bucks in Venice I think is not wise. In November in Austria, you are likely to run into pretty miserable weather ( and you might find that in Venice as well). Besides, many lodging places will be closed. It is between seasons in Austria. So, if you have the chance, push your trip to the beginning of October, at the latest.

thursdaysd

Thanks for the suggestion. I loved Lake Maggiore,and expect I would also like Lake Garda, but I'm looking to see more of Austria on this trip.

Flying later in October, and waiting until after Nov 5th for Venice, makes a noticeable difference in the overall cost. But the weather is one reason why I was thinking SE Austria rather than Tirol.

BeniciaChris

Can anyone tell me how long the train ride is from Venice to Budapest???I just got confirmed for timeshares in June 09 (Don't laugh I plan ahead)Thanks.I have been on the Asia site recently as we are going to Thailand |& Bali in Octorber. I have also poked into the Portugal site as we are going there Sept 08. Thanks for you help=Chris

rialtogrl

Chris, the direct train from Venice to Budapest takes about 13 hours. I believe you can also go through Vienna, and that might be a bit shorter of a trip, but you'll have to change trains.

BeniciaChris

Hi-Thanks for the train info-I love train travel but since we have to check out of one timeshare & into the other it probably wouldn't work. Does any one know if you can fly from Venice to Budapest?? Thanks Chris

thursdaysd

Are you checking in the same day you're checking out? If not, you could take the night train - see bahn.de for the timetable. For cheap flights in Europe see whichbudget.com.

BeniciaChris

Thanks I noted both of those. Yes it is the same day.I checked the Venice airport on the whichbudget.com & they didn't show it even going to Hungary-things can change by the time we go-Chris

guideinhungary

Hi,
this is Andrew, a private guide in Budapest.
I would call your attention for the time-table of the h. boat from Budapest to Vienna: the boat line is stoped after the main tourist season (on 1st OCT.) ! see: www.mahartpassnave.hu
If you need any help, write to an expert in Hungary:
www.guideinbudapest.com
Regards,
Andrew

thursdaysd

Andrew - advertising is not allowed on this forum.

DDSG's timetable has the summer schedule running through Oct 28th. But after reading the reports on the hydrofoil on LP's thorntree, I've decided to take the train.