Eren, no need to be sorry about Milano. Of course it's preferable if you can save time by flying, and I, too, don't think Milano is worth going from Rome to Paris by train ONLY to spend one night in Milano (not because of the sights - but the city is just lacking charm). I just thought that IF you are stopping there anyway, it would make more sense to stop for a night rather than just a few hours...

As for Bratislava, this has become a very charming and likeable small city over the last years; as far as sights, it's only in the Munich league (if at all), but it's really nice, at least with nice weather; when I saw Bratislava the last time, it was in summer, and the was much outdoor life (dining, drinking, sitting...) throughout the center. All in all, a pretty baroque city (or rather a town), but don't expect first-rate sights.

And as for your question about booking a flight on short notice and still getting a good price, no that's not possible with budget airlines. As a rule of thumb, it's mostly safe to assume that the later you book, the more expensive will the tickets be.

All in all, I for one think it's a great itinerary now. And I don't think it's exhausting if you don't MAKE it exhausting by trying to see "everything" in the cities you're visiting. If you just know that of most places, you'll only get a first impression, then it's more than doable IMO: enjoyable.

Thank you again for all your replies.

I posted this topic on another travel forum. After reading all the replies here, there, and doing research on the internet, this is what I've come up with:

London: 3 days*, 3 nights.
Berlin: 3 days, 4 nights.
Vienna: 1 day, 2 nights.
Salzburg: 3 days*, 3 nights.
Munich: Day trip from Salzburg with de facto overnight stay. If Munich's nightlife is any good I'll probably be up all night anyway. Return to Salzburg at whatever time I feel like the next day.
Venice: 3 days*, 3 nights.
Rome: 3 days, 4 nights.
Paris: 3 days, 4 nights.
Brussels: 1 day, 2 nights. Day trip to Bruges upon arrival, full day in Brussels.
Amsterdam: 2 days, 3 nights.

Hi er,

Still tiring, possibly exhausting, and doable.

Take lots of pix. You aren't going to remember much. :)

((I))

Enjoy your trip! And after coming home, don't fail to tell us how you liked it (if you post a note on this very thread, you make sure that all who have contributed here will notice).

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately the trip isn't until late summer so most of you will have probably moved on by then. However, I am sure it will be a blast.

Hey eren,

We never leave. :)

Just post your trip report here.

((I))

Indeed, Eren. We don't move anywhere (travels apart). This is not one of THOSE boards. Just click on the user names, and you'll see how long everybody's in. And in particular, I think the editors would rather shut this whole forum down than let ira move on. Fodor's is unthinkable without him!