Jean thank you for the information. I saw that on another thread and thought my dd would enjoy it there.

MDDT:

I asked about dh because you had said he wanted to go to Sicily. But that's beside the point if he may not come.

I guess the question is: what would your daughter enjoy? Has she expressed an interest in Spain? Returning to Paris? Longer stay in London or the English countryside?

What does she like to do? I think that's where I would be focusing for that week.

I cannot wait on him. I know that might seem cold but I cannot get him to commit and I totally understand certain aspects are a little up in the air for him.

She would LOVE to go to Spain.

Remember how I mentioned I am a nervous nelly? I am afraid of Spain. shhhhh I know it might be silly but I have read it is not the "safest" place for me to be alone with my dd? Any truth in that??? Or I am just being my freaky self??

I thought the English Country side would be dreamy... but I am an English Lit lover and know that time of year might not be the best there?

Now you have it down to a single question: Is Spain safe enough (where?) and what would an 11 year old enjoy?

Post a new thread for that specific info. Good luck! And remember...the stress level goes down considerably once you've nailed down the itinerary!

JeanneB - you have been more then kind and patient. Many thanks

Hi Dawn, I don't want to give you more hives but I have a question. Have you already booked your flight into Rome on Oct. 4th?

Unfortunately yes Love Italy.

Live and learn.

Ryan Air.

What did you have in mind? I was thinking of calling and trying to change it... not sure what to though.

I feel SO blessed to be able to go on this trip but just feel SO all over the place and frankly just a little scared.

It looks like Ryan Air flys into Pisa from Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) ...
Hamburg Lübeck (LBC) ...

Right now I have reservations in Baden Baden until Oct 4 - My apartment stay begins on Oct 5 in Florence.

I could shorten my time in Baden and travel to Hamburg or Frankfurt - I do not know what is in those areas or how long the train ride is.

Or if I can even change my flight. Is that what you were thinking?

It appears to be pretty easy to change your flight on Air Ryan...

Can I change a flight date, time or route?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes you can change your booking online up to 12 hours prior to scheduled departure of your first flight. Between 12 and 4 hours prior to your scheduled departure you can change your booking by contacting your local Ryanair reservations centre, subject to call centre opening hours, click click here.No changes to the flight date/times/route can take place once a passenger has checked in for a flight online.

<i> ...and know that time of year might not be the best there?</i>

If you don't mind the rain,or at the very least, the constant drizzle, then I guess its OK.

Can I be a little frank (tough love) with you since I have followed your saga, more or less?? I think you got a little carried away booking this 5-week trip. IMVHO, since this is a first trip for you and your dd alone, it would have been more prudent to do it for maximum of 3 weeks. I say this for a couple of reasons:1) you wrote that you are a bit stressed being away from your husband &amp; family for that length of time and 2)you seem at a lost finding places to fill up your dates, and you end up all over europe going from a to b to c then back to b then to a.

Since your daughter is not in a structured school environment, I am definitely sure, both of you can do this trip again, the next year. I think making it simple is the key. Spend your 2 weeks learning Italian in Florence and another week going to either London or touching BENELUX countries. Then next year, do another 2-week lessons, then touch Germany &amp; environments.The more trips you do, the more experience you gain. I also think financially, you can afford another trip.

Just my 2 cents.

Ryan Air flies Salzburg to London...

With the places of interest you've mentioned, plus the fact your daughter may tire easily due to her foot, etc., here's what I think I would do:

London- 1 night

(train to Brussels and Brugge)

Brugge- 4 nights

(train to Amsterdam)

Amsterdam- 4 nights

(fly to Florence on Meridana)

Florence- 2 weeks

(train to Venice)

Venice- 3 nights

(train to Villach)

Villach- 3 nights

(train to Salzburg)

Salzburg- 4 nights

(fly Ryan Air to London)

London- 1 week

I arbitrarily stuck in Villach because it breaks up the train ride between Venice and Salzburg. A quick search revealed there is a fortress/castle there, and that it's an easy daytrip to Lake Bled in Slovenia.

Anyway, just throwin' it out there. I love your idea of staying two weeks in Florence, what a treat! You guys are going to have so much fun on this trip, don't worry because you'll get things nailed down soon and whatever your final itinerary you'll both have a wonderful time.

I also have been following the saga from afar, pitching in now and then (like against the train ride after the overnight plane flight, way back up the thread!).

When I read &lt;...could shorten my time in Baden and travel to Hamburg or Frankfurt - I do not know what is in those areas or how long the train ride is.&gt;

Why have you chosen to go to these places if you don't know anything about them? Why not continue to condense your stops into longer stays in each place (and less places). 5 weeks is a LONG time to be on the road even for experienced adult travelers.

Suze - I have not choosen to go to them. LI asked if I had purchased my airline ticket and I had - I went back to AirRyan to see if they flew from Germany to Pisa and the only cities they do are Hamburg and Frankfurt - thus my comment about the two cities.

Sorry for the confusion. I was trying to eliminate a one night stay in Rome. It turns out by train that Frankfurt is less then 2 hours from Baden Baden but I have not made any changes yet - as I need to sit on this for a few days and try to sort through.

Trust me, I know my trip appears like a train wreck waiting to happen. If feels like one from here as well.

I think that Dionysius might be right. It is simply too long. I was over ambitous as we had the time, I thought that dh would be able to join us for a portion and I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity that we have.

I also appreciate what Apres_Londee shared and I am going to look into it. I do not have any reservations that cannot be changed/canceled at this time other then my 2 week stay in our apartment in Florence which I am honestly thrilled about. That brings me comfort.

I must say again, I know that I am frustrating as I am frustrated myself and I do take every word under advisement and consideration and have ammended things based on what people have suggested/shared several times.

I do appreciate all the feedback and time.

You indicate in your previous post that Frankfurt is less than 2 hours by train from Baden Baden,so you could change your flight.

Be aware that Ryan Air flies out of &quot;Frankfurt - Hahn&quot; Airport - something of a misnomer as it is about 100 km. from Frankfurt and not accessible by rail:
http://www.hahn-airport.de

It would be easier to just take your flight from Baden Baden to Rome and continue on to Florence the same day. Once you get to Rome Termini rail station, express trains only take about 1:40 hour to Florence.

Thanks for the heads up Lovisa - that is the kind of information that proves invaluable!

That is an excellent idea Dawn, when you arrive in Rome take the train to Florence. If you can't stay in the Florence apt. the night of the 4th just get a hotel in Florence for that night and move to the apartment the next day on the 5th. At least to me that would seem easier then staying the one night in Rome.

And please, this is only May, you will get this all worked out. Maybe just take a couple of days without even thinking about the trip. Give yourself a mental break. You do not have to figure this out within the next couple of days, honest. And personally I think having the five weeks in Europe with your daughter is fantastic! I would just like to see you not run yourselves ragged jumping around to too many places as tempting as it is. And your 22 inch suitcases, I am impressed. That will make moving around so much easier. Just take my word on this, your beautiful trip will all get arranged properly.

LoveItaly I think I might just fly up north and hug and thank you personally.

You always manage to bring a smile to my face.

Good advice. I need to step away from the computer planning for a few days.

I am really liking Apres_Londee (it was one day short I think when I did it on a calendar but I might be wrong).

Thank you again,
Dawn

Dawn, give yourself some props! What you are doing is *hard*! Planning a trip, especially one that's so long and so varied, is hard.

I've had trouble following all the details, but I will put in my two cents.

1) If you have already booked airfare to Europe, plan some long stays in a few towns, rather than short stays in several towns.

2) If you haven't booked your airfare, shorten the trip. Don't exhaust yourself.

3) If DD would like to see Spain, see Spain. Does she know any Espanol? Just to be able to read a billboard or a menu will please her. Although, as a Anglophile, I can certainly understand your attachment to England. Since they speak the same language (almost ), you both might feel more comfortable there.

4) Give yourself some &quot;days off&quot; when you travel. Sleep in, do the laundry, send some e-mails to friends and family, call your DH, eat some American food, watch some dopey American TV show.

I hope this is a wonderful trip for you and DD, and only the first of many similar journeys.

Ah Dawn, I wish I could give you a hug and your dear Tess also.

I just read Merseyheart's post..and I so agree with her thinking. In fact Dawn that is why I like the idea that you are having five weeks. With that length of time you two can when in the mood sleep in, laze around, maybe sit in a park and have a picnic, read a book, watch some TV (Italian TV is hysterical LOL) and just relax. When one is on a short trip it is hard to just take a break from the &quot;vacation&quot; as time is short. Yes, just back away from the trip planning for a few days. Give your self some &quot;time out&quot;. Hugs!

Mom: One thing I would do soon is book you Eurostar tickets to Brussels/Brugge.

The advance purchase price (nonrefundable) is not too bad. The price just goes up as you get closer to your dates. If you wait too long it could be a very expensive ticket.