Okay, I've got the trip figured out (I think).
June 1 Leave for Europe
June 2 arrive in Prague (10:30amish)
June 2-7 Prague (train at 10:30am on 7th for Vienna)
June 7-10 Vienna (train late afternoon on 10th for Salzburg)
June 10-12 Salzburg (train late afternoon on 12th for Munich)
June 12-15 Munich
June 16 Travel back to US, morning flight

So what you think? is the timeline in each city enough time? too much time? Since we've never been to any of these places we're just going by the guide books and what we think we want to see.

Also, how difficult is travel on the trains? We've been to Europe before but haven't tackled trains yet. We did a train from Rome to Pompeii but that was without luggage.

Thanks for your input,
Amy

PS: We just added Munich because that's where we have to fly out of to come home. So any info on Munich hotels would be great!

Personally, I would add in a stop in Cesky Krumlov- a small town about 3 hrs south (i think) of Prague. It is a charming little town and very inexpensive. It would also add a little something different since your other stops are 4 major cities, which can get tiring! I would stay 2 nights, arriving late afternoon and leaving 2 days later in the morning.

To get these 2 nights, I would take one night off of Prague and one off of Munich. We spent 4 nights in Prg. and thought it was a perfect amt. of time. We also spent 3 nights in Munich and it was my least favorite European city of all. But that's just my opinion!

Train travel is pretty simple, you can research times/transfers etc. at www.bahn.de (look for intl. guests)Make sure that you know which station the train leaves from (most cities have several). Also, sometimes the name of your next city may be referred to in the language of the country you are in, so check that out ahead of time. We printed out all of the departure times for the day we were travelling.

Also, I noticed you have a lot of late trains. That may be kind of a pain b/c hotel check out is usually early and you will have to either leave your luggage then come back for it later or store it at the train station. We've usually found it easier to get up and go. Good luck!

Hi Amy-- this sounds like a great trip to me. We did a very similiar trip a couple of years ago over the Christmas/New Year's holiday. I'll tell you what we did and what I concluded afterwards about our planning.

Arrived in Munich
Drove to Oberammergau (Bavaria) - 3 nights
Drove to Salzburg - 4 nights (including Christmas)
Train to Vienna - 3 nights
Train to Prague - 3 nights
Train to Munich - 3 nights
Flew out of Munich

We had visited Oberammergau, Salzburg and Munich several times before. It was our first family trip to Vienna and Prague. Our itinerary was specifically designed to put us in Salzburg over Christmas-- second time we've done this.

My reflections--

- We had one destination too many. In our case I probably would have omitted Prague and put that time elsewhere.

- We spent too much time on the trains, getting to/from the stations etc. (We did most of our train travel in the morning.)

- The blend of city and countryside was ideal. We wouldn't have wanted to see only cities.

- We love the flexibility of having the car in Bavaria. And although we had to pay to park in Salzburg, our wandering day in the Salzkammergut was one of the best days of the trip.

- We should have considered an open jaw arrangement like you propose. (Our Christmas timing was a complexity in doing this.)

- We had too much luggage to manage easily on the train, especially after the shopping in Prague.

I think your timeline is proably okay, though if you want to see the countryside around Salzburg (you could even do a day-rental of a car), you could use another day there. In July 2005 we returned to the Salzburg area to spend two weeks based in St. Gilgen, about 30 minutes away. It is absolutely gorgeous that time of year and there is so much to do. See some photos here: http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3588

We enjoy train travel in Europe and it's really quite easy. But be sure you can handle your luggage easily. You'll need to be able to get it up the steep steps of the train quickly and then down the aisle. By the way, you can check train schedules/length of trips at www.raileurope.com.

In Munich, we highly recommend the Hotel Acanthus, http://www.acanthushotel.de/main_ie.html a wonderful small hotel in a quiet and very convenient area. See my review here: http://www.slowtrav.com/other/hotels...l&s=munich (Mine is the second one)

My notes on what to see and do around Salzburg might also be helpful to you: http://www.slowtrav.com/other/notes/kd_salzburg.htm

Good luck with your planning!

Kathy

Visiting this region of the world about four times each year, I like your itinerary and also like the suggestions given above.

Take one day off Prague. It is truly the most beautiful city in the world, but you'll tire of it.

For that extra day saved from your Prague stay, you could take the train to Cesky Krumlov, as suggested. You change trains in Ceske Budejovice. I can't imagine you'll really need more than one night here.

The next day make your way to Vienna, which is fabulous with much to do and see.

Two nights in Salzburg is also enough. And I agree with the suggestion of cutting down (or out) with Munich.

Suggestion for that time: Visit Salzkammergut after Vienna for a couple nights. Maybe go to scenic Hallstatt, stay by the lake, visit the ice caves, etc.

Since I fly from Munich back to the States all the time, I never stay in Munich. I prefer to stay in Prien am Chiemsee ---- about 50 minutes south of Munich. Visit Herrenchiemsee (Ludwig's castle on the island --- his rendition of Versailles).

You can easily take a train from Prien via München Ost (Munich East train station) to the airport for your flight back. Munich is not a city I personally like. I think you'd do well to walk around Prien and down to the lake ---- just to unwind and rest from your busy trip --- before your long flight back. (Hotel Bayerischerhof is 100 meters from the train station and in the middle of the small town. Rates are very, very reasonable. You can easily walk to the lake from here. This also makes it easy to walk to the train station early in the morning to catch your train to the airport.)

Kathy - Your Salzburg list is fabulous! Thank you so much for posting that - I've bookmarked it and sent to my mother so we can be sure to take it along for our May trip!

Littlehouse,

I think your itinerary looks fine.

Make sure you pack as little as possible. Too many bags can make train travel a headache.

(BTW - we'll be in Munich the same time as you - look for a taller version of Robert Redford at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden.

I don't think you should leave out Munich. I'm surprised so many people are saying they dislike it. Do spend two nights in Munich. June is such a nice time for that city; you can go to the outdoor beer gardens, and the park will be beautiful. It has great museums and impressive castles (although they might pale in comparison to the ones in Vienna).

Your itinerary is pretty perfect; I only have two suggestions. I agree that you have one night too long in Prague. Cut one night out and use it for the small Czech town that was suggested. I think you should also cut one day out of the Munich part, and use it to add another day to Vienna to use for day-tripping. A day-cruise along the Danube, or a train ride to Durnstein and Melk would make a lovely day out of Vienna.

Thanks so much you guys!! I knew you'd come through.
Thanks Kathy for all your wonderful info.

I think I agree with you on your suggestions. We're looking at staying in Cesky Krumlov for 1 night and then taking 1 night off of Munich to use in either Salzburg or Vienna. Not sure where yet.

Thanks again!!!

Oh, Castleblanca. Would you suggest just going to Hallstatt for the day or staying 1 night there?

Thanks!

I've not been to Salzburg, but I'd suggest maybe leaving early on the 11th so you have a little more time in Vienna. I had four very 4 days there and still missed out on stuff I could have seen. I think you may need a little more time there.

I too was surprised at how many people said to take time from Munich. We spent 4 full days there and cant wait to go back

To answer your question about Hallstatt, I would suggest spending the night there. The reason is that the train ride is going to take several hours, so if you go there, take the boat from the small train station to the town, and then try to sneak in a cave or town visit before returning to the train station, well, it's not worth it. Spend the night, relax and see the sights, have dinner at a lakeside restaurant. In short, don't push yourself too much. Enjoy!

P.S. Be sure to sit on the right side of the train, as it goes toward Hallstatt. As you approach the town, you'll understand.

Thanks Castlebanca! We're looking forward to our trip!!