Blwetorch

@ capxxx..thanks, I shall seriously consider your points. I want to cover Geneva, Berne and Zurich as day trips...and as entry/exit points of Switzerland. I shall divide my stay there into Lucerne and one small town in the BO area( Lauterbrunnen preferably).
The Florence cathedral dome designed and built by Brunelleschi is the signature of Florence and a favorite amongst architecture students. I shall surely try to read the book, that you have recommended.
If you have seen my original tour schedule....let me tell you that I am trimming a whole lot from it. For example, I shall have only London and Paris on my first leg.

The 2nd leg is ofcourse Switzerland/ Fuessen, Mittenwald/ Austria..............and the 3rd leg remains Italy.
I am trying to beat it into a realistic shape.

nspotz

If Pisa is something that really interests you as an architect than go for it! We all have different "must sees" on our list. I was just suggesting that a typical tourist may want to use the time elsewhere.

suze

To your original itinerary... I don't think seeing 27-29 diferrent cities, in 9-11 countries, on a 25 day trip is a reasonable plan! I'm not sure it's even possible. Especially when you're wanting to stay in farm houses and small towns. You'd certainly spend the largest percentage of your time on trains and in train stations, going to and from your lodging, instead of seeing the sights in your various destinations.

Even moving at a breakneck pace, I think something like 10-12 places is max. for 25 days.

Blwetorch

@ suze...yes you are right. I have realized that, after getting all the feedback from here.....and I am curtailing my destinations accordingly, while increasing the tenure to around 33 days. The downside is that we have to carry 33 days worth of luggage.
Now, it will be around 10-11 cities/ towns of 6 countries in 33 days.

swandav2000

Hi Blwetorch,

I think you have the wrong idea about packing.

You don't pack 33 days' worth of clothing. No matter the length of the trip, you pack five days' worth of clothing and then plan to do laundry. Really, folks won't know/care if you've worn that shirt once or twice that week!

You can also buy basic toiletries on the way if you run out.

s

Blwetorch

@ swandav......yes, you are right. We shall have to optimize on the number of clothing items/ spares.........that is for sure. I was just worrying that, even that can end up as a substantial load.

suze

<The downside is that we have to carry 33 days worth of luggage>

Like swandav already pointed out... You just pack for 1 week, then find a laundry matt or service as you need it. You do NOT want to "carry 33 days worth of" anything(!) on a backpacking trip! Make sure everyone has good shoes.

Bon voyage. Your new 33 days with 10 stops is a much better plan!!

PalenQ

Take half as much luggage and twice as much money - the old adage is still as true as ever!