Hi linds, your trip itinerary sounds very good. Don't forget to post a trip report when you come back! ;-)

I hope it works out for you.

Our only major train trips will be from Venice-Munich and Munich-Paris. Do you think we'll be able to get away with booking tickets when we arrive in a city and book our tickets a few days before we leave?

Normally yes - unless there is a
World Cup Soccer game in one town

But for the Munich to Paris train you can save a lot of money but nabbing the online discounts at www.bahn.de - maybe saving $100 or more for a couple over regular fare that you would buy in Munich

seems hard to get online discounts on the Venice to Munich train so just buy tickets at any Italian train station. Or try www.trenitalia.com - a very very fickle site to actually book on however - very very very frustrating to most.

"I haven't booked a tour of the Vatican yet, we're hoping to get there early to beat the crowds. I think the Rome pass is a good option but unfortunately I don't think it can be used for the vatican."

I'm pretty sure someone would shoot me for saying this, but my husband and I went two years ago and had GREAT luck going AFTER the crowds. We didn't roll out of bed until 11am, but when we did, we headed straight to the Vatican. We went into St. Peter's first and THEN hit the museum. Because we went just a couple hours before they stop letting people in, we virtually walked right in. Within 20 minutes we had our tickets and were making our way through... If you don't need to be there for hours, I highly suggest going later rather than earlier!

Early or late, you are still at the mercy of the crowds or events at the Vatican,

All I know is, our Icon Tour guide got word of the pending previously unscheduled closing of the Sistine Chapel. Without a knowledgeable guide we would have missed the most important venue of our trip. Plus, we had a very pleasant and educated english speaking guuide. Our group was small --- about 10 of us. I still STRONGLY recommend Icon Tours to anyone wanting to see the Vatican. Just my humble opinion.

Bob

Last time i did the Vatican Museums there were three routes outlined - one going by everything and another pointing to an express route by major works and to the Sistine Chapel - if short on time take the express route to the Chapel and then work you way back - don't miss the large courtyard by the Sistine Chapel - a place to relax and some stuff out there too.