BillT

We are off to Europe on Sept. 6. We fly from Houston to Frankfurt on Lufthansa (using United miles). The plane is an Airbus, the biggest one and we were able to snag seats on the upper level with a two seat configuration . From the Frankfurt airport we hop a train to Wurzburg. we spend 3 days in Wurzburg, then hop a train to Regensburg for two days. We train to Vienna for 2 days and then train to Budapest for 3 days and then fly home to Houston. We used our points to stay at the Vienna Plaza and Budapest Marriott. For Wurzburg we are staying at the Wurzburger Hof and in Regensburg at the ACHAT hotel.

Weather looks fine right now for temperatures but could be a bit rainy at times. We have been to Vienna on our first trip to Europe back in 1990. The other cities will be a first for us. We are taking one full size suitcase each as we are traveling a lot on trains we need to be able to move fast. I am using a novel approach to generating space so that we can shop in each city. My closet is full of clothes that I do not need or wear much anymore (the clothes are fine just have more than I use). So on this trip I am packing these and will discard them each day so as to generate room for our souvenirs and other items we pick up. I also bought a pair of light weight suitcases to use going forward on our trips. These weigh about 5 lbs compared to our other cases which weighed about 9 lbs . Others may suggest we do laundry or take fewer clothes but I like this approach as it's much easier. We also pack cans of coke on our trip. We have done this each time we travel to Europe as coke is expensive over there and in the evening when we want to drink one we have it. These are just a few tips that we share as some might find it helpful, now please no snide remarks.

nytraveler

Well I am in agreement that trying to stuff everything into a tiny wheeled carry-on is not necessarily the best way to travel. If people want to and are able - more power to them. But we are more comfortable bringing what ew feel we need - which usually means a 24 or 25" checked bag each - with the carry-on for toiletries, appliances/camera/kndle, emergency change of clothes and things we buy in the trip.

Must admit I don't understand taking Coke. I know it;s more expensive than in the US - but not SO much unless you have teens that are drinking 6 or 7 a day each. And we've found you can get soda in any market for a not bad price - so we carry (in carry-on) after we arrive - if there is any hotel that doesn;t have a fridge or bar in the room.

BillT

My wife drinks at least one can a day sometimes two. Going over we have the room in the luggage for the Coke so we carry it. We may not be near a local market to buy it over there so it's nice to have it handy.

bilboburgler

Crikey, I see there is strong correlation between high sugar and zero sugar fizzy drinks and type 2 diabetes, is this high consumption a good idea?

In terms of the holiday trip, chucking old worn out clothes is good idea, I do it on bicycling holidays but that is to keep the weight down.

Wurzburg is a lovely little city, the local Franken wine in the bocksbeutel is one of my earliest memories of German trips back in the early 80s.

Percy

Wurzburg
Regensburg
Vienna
Budapest

You will love all these places.

Do you have a list of what you want to see in each place.

nytraveler

Granted soda with sugar are extremely deleterious to the health - as well as often having huge amounts of caffeine. (There was one poster some years ago whose husband was having awful headaches while traveling in Ireland and asked for help. It turned out that at home he dranknumerous Dr Peppers per day - unobtainable in Ireland. So he was used to massive amounts of caffeine in his body and was having headaches from caffeine withdrawal.)

But there are a zillion sodas with no cals as well as flavored waters - fizzy or plain - that have no evil ingredients. Nether of us has had a "real" soda in at least 30 years. But we do like having cold drinks in the hotel fridge so we don't have to order room service all the time - or in the car (we buy small disposable coolers for road trips)

BillT

Percy- yes I have a list of must see venues in each city.

jo_ann

We are headed over in October for just over three weeks, and have the same concerns about train travel (we'll do Vienna to Prague, then the overnight set from Prague to Brussels and then to Bruges, and then Bruges to Brussels to Paris). I'm more frightened of overpacking than I've ever been! Laughing here, but seriously.....no real time to go sit at laundromats when there's so much to see, and it just seems that asking our smaller hotels to arrange laundry mid-trip is too difficult also. I've picked pj's and shirts on the same basis - I figure neatly folded and the staff can decide whether to pitch or keep. I've also narrowed in to 2 pairs of shoes, though we'll see if I can really keep it to that!
I'm very intrigued by the weight of your luggage. That sounds superb!
Have an excellent trip!

BillT

We have traveled a lot and what we realized is that we were giving a lot of weight away with the regular luggage. By going with the ultra light we are saving about 8 to 9pounds for the two of us. That is a lot when you think about it. Since we are using trains a lot we need to be able to move fast as these trains stop
Only for a short period of time. Also you have to find space for your bags on the trains, which can be an issue at times. All of that dictates that we each take only one bag, limited to 50 lbs (airline requirements). I do carry a back pack and on this trip and a very light carry on. We like to shop on these trips so generating space is important- we are to say not the Rick Steves type of travelers. We are more like Samantha Brown. Also we carry one of those luggage scales which is a nifty gadget all travelers should have.

BillT

Jo Ann - a three week trip and you are going with only 2 pairs of shoes- wow I am impressed to say the least!

bilboburgler

One of my nieces is the gatherer of diabetes research for the whole of the UK. It is zero cal with artificial sweeteners that worry her the most.

Anyway have a great holiday

BillT

Hmmmm, they say no sugar, eliminate artificial sweeteners, eliminate fat, don't drink, don't smoke the list goes on and on.......now the question becomes do you eat to live to eat to live!

BillT

That should read eat to live or live to eat!

annhig

One of my nieces is the gatherer of diabetes research for the whole of the UK. It is zero cal with artificial sweeteners that worry her the most.>>

bilbo - you don't know how it gladdens the heart of this middle aged over-weight woman who has never drunk anything zero cal [with or without artificial sweeteners] in her life to read that!

fourfortravel

Throwing in my €0,02. Why not "when in Rome...?" Here in Vienna, for the non-teetotaler, Almdudler is a Tyrollean herb soda similar to Ginger Ale, though not as sweet. Voslauer and Romerquelle are two local sparkling waters that also come flavored. Or, go plain and simple with Viennese tap water, rivaled in flavor only by Parisian water.

If you imbibe, you'll have no trouble finding a Grüner Veltliner, Zwiegelt or Blaufrankisch to suit your fancy.

fourfortravel

Whoops. I meant "for the teetotaler." Typing before coffee is a bad idea.

BillT

Wife will only drink coke when it comes to soft drinks, other than that she likes good coffee. Now I like the beers so I am looking forward to trying some when we get there.

Percy

BillT

I have to tell you to see the INSIDE of the Old Chapel Church at the Kornmarket Square in Regensburg.

It is about a block from your hotel there, walk through the arch into the Square and there are 3 churches here.

Old Chapel Church does not look that fancy on the outside but wait till you walk in.!!

Have a nice trip

BillT

Thanks, will do!

fourfortravel

BillT, another of my €0,02 comments. Skip the touristy Cafe Landtmann for coffee; it has become too chicy-michy, and they now charge for tap water.

Cafe Schwarzenberg is still one of my InnerStadt favorites to drop in at, along with Das Kleine Cafe (difficult to find a table, though). Cafe Maria Treu I have recently discovered, and enjoy when I am in that area. And, I can always be tempted with coffee (or a Gris Blanc) and the pear/almond tarte (and the beautiful setting) at Beaulieu in Palais Ferstel.

My guys laud the Czech Pilsner here, as well as the Ottakringer Helles (dark), and the Salzburg Stiegl.