Check out the train time from Prague to Wengen---it may take a full day.

Well, not too good. The best connection actually takes 14:36 and arrives about midnite after 3 train changes. I would think about that and do your mountains in Austria.

hamburger - I am staying in the Latin Quarter in a few weeks in an apartment with our children. I am happy to report back when we get home.. it will be after 1-2-09

Momddtravel, thanks. Would love to hear as we are looking at renting an apt in the Latin qtr:).

Bobthenavigator -- I'm sorry, I must have missed something. What is Wengan, the train station in Berlin? Or, is it in the alps somewhere. I scanned the prior posts but must have missed it.

Thanks all.

Hamburger - I will gladly let you know. The apartment is 3 bedrooms -not sure you need something that big? We have 6 people going with us...

momdd - yeah, there will only be the four of us, so a one or two bedroom would do it. But, let me know how it goes anyway. I was thinking the Latin Qtr is the best place for us, but not sure:)

Bon chance:)

MomDD, not sure how Wengen first came up, but its a small town in the Swiss Alps, nearish Interlaken, Lauterbrunee, Grindelwald. We started in Interlaken, took the train to Wengen, the lift to Mannlichen, walked to Kleine Schedigg and cog railwayed to Grindelwalk, trained back to Interlaken. Fantastic day.

Hamburger, It is the pritine village in the Berner Oberland that you should have had on your radar. Just above Interlaken and better than Gimmelwald---I was just jumping ahead to your eventual choice after doing the homework. However, it is all too far for you. You should plan a tighter itinerary.

How about choosing Venice over the Cinque Terre? It is somewhat closer to the rest of your route. You might consider staying in the Lautenbrunnen valley and taking day trips and hikes from there -- we enjoyed it as a base for exploring that beautiful region.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Hello everyone,

I´ve read all of your suggestions and tips that have been posted. And I have to say that they have been really helpful.

I will have to agree with a post made by a certain user. I agree that you need to plan and organize your trip in such a way that would make you fully experience and enjoy your trip.

List the things that you really enjoy doing and plan your trip around these activities and theme.

I can however give you some tips regarding the cities that you plan to visit on your trip.

Particularly, the city of Berlin and Paris. Regarding accommodation,

For Berlin:
www.all-berlin-apartments.com

For Paris:
www.all-paris-apartments.com

I´ve booked through these websites before and they have proven to be a breeze. This is especially important for your situation, you would want to stay within the city in order to fully maximize your experience and stay.

Visiting the Fernsehturn is absolutely a must while you´re in Berlin.

In Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower is probably no surprise but, you will not regret taking a boat tour through the beautiful city. Preferably at night!

hola everyone. After looking at the train schedules and costs/timing, we are probably going to rent a car in Prague on our last day there to take us through the alps on to Cinque Terre on the Italian coast. Bob, your suggestion of staying in Val Gardena in the Dolomites is one we are currently pursuing . . . it looks great for hiking and relaxing and is right on the route from Prague to CT. Thanks for your details on car rentals, and, Atltravelr, thanks for the Michelin link -- it really takes the guess work out of car travel times etc.

Question on car rental -- the one way drop charges (or, should I call it, penalty) are astronomical -- of the $1,500 quote to have the care for 4 days to get from Prague to La Spezia, about 2/3rds of it is this one-way drop charge. Any suggestions on how to get around this, or, a car rental place that serves Prague and Europe at a lower rate?

Thanks:)

Really there is no way to get around it unless you were staying longer and could do a lease-buy back.

The only other way is rent in one country and drop it off as you leave that country - take a train to the next country and repeat . . . .

That's why flying or trains are usually cheaper for long, linear itineraries.

Prague - we stayed at the Lida Guest House in September. It is the best place to stay in Prague. The host is very helpful. You can read the reviews on tripadvisor. We scheduled a taxi with the guest house to meet us at the airport. It is quite a reasonable rate and well worth the cost.

We booked via email directly with the guest house.

Thanks Brats and Beer. I'll check it out. Can't tell from web site, but is this guesthouse in Old town or across the river nearer the castle? Thanks:)