Swabian

"That is why he wants me to include Switzerland this time since Switzerland is just nearby."
Looking at a map of Europe it seems as if the distance between Salzburg and Zürich could be covered in a short time. Because of the difficult topography in the Alps this is not the case, at least as far as ground travel is concerned. The fastest trains (without changing) take a little less than five hours and a half from Salzburg to Zürich. I would never ever go to Titisee from Zürich, especially if you have been to the Alps before. That would be a big disappointment. Rhine Falls okay, because they can be easily reached from Zürich by train. But for anyone who has seen the Niagara Falls or similar falls in South America or Africa, the Rhine Falls would be a big disappointment, too.

neckervd

Hallstatt - Zurich takes 9 hrs by train. Therefore I suggested the overnight train solution with departure in Austria after dinner and arrival at Zurich after breakfast (served usually in the sleeping car).

Rhine Falls: during the snow melting period in the Alps (April - May) there is usually more water than later in the year. But there is no doubt that Victoria Falls are much bigger.

Titisee is usually esy to reach from Rheinfall. But it seams that DB will close the line Donaueschingen - Neustadt (probably for works) just at OP's dates. Therefore he will have to pass through Basel and Freiburg: that takes more time.

PalenQ

5/5 Day tour to Rhine Fall & lake Titisee. Back to Zurich and take a train to Lucerne in the late>

Even on a guided tour sounds exhausting and IMO you can find more awesome places in Switzerland. Lake Titisee is a lovely lake but unless you have a whole day there to hike around it just another lake- Lake Lucerne IMO is lovelier.

neckervd

There are tons of guided bus tours from Black Forest to Switzerland (during the season), the there are NO guided tours fom Switzerland to Titisee or other places in the Black Forest.

PalenQ

Going on your own would take ages to those places.

PalenQ

5/6 Vienna head to Salzbury but day trip to Hallstatt. (What mode of transport should we take?)>

day trip from Salzburg or stopping in Hallstatt en route to Salzburg - latter is poor idea because Hallstatt would be a major detour off Vienna-Salzburg route but day trip from Salzburg by train would be great but better stay in Hallstatt and soak up dreamy Alpine picdture.

Great day trip from Salzburg - goes to the famous Lake District east of Salzburg (a k a Sound of Music Country) - to say St Wolfgang - postal buses from Salzburg take just over an hour - have a boat ride on the gorgeous lake St Wolfgang sits on and or take the steam train up a mountain.

If staying in Hallstatt and going to Salzburg you can go by train to Bad Ischl then buses thru Lake District to Salzburg.

https://www.google.com/search?q=aust...w=1920&bih=949

hits20

Merry Christmas everyone...

It was a great time to meet up with friends and family for the jolly season. We had fun and hope than you are having a splendid time too.

Once again, thank you so much for all your feedback which makes us look into and plan our itinerary.

Here is the "fresh from oven" itinerary of ours. (Please give us your two cents worth after reading it.)


4/23 Malaysia - Singapore - London
4/24 Arrived in Heathrow, London at 5.55am.
4/24 London to Berlin (British Airway - depart at 10.40am)
4/24 Arrived in Berlin - Day #1
4/25 Day #2 in Berlin
4/26 Day #3 in Berlin
4/27 Taking the early train to Prague
4/27 Arrived in Prague - Day #1
4/28 Day #2 in Prague
4/29 Day #3 in Prague (Taking the night train to Budapest)
4/30 Arrived in Budapest early in the morning - Day #1
5/1 Day #2 in Budapest
5/2 Day #3 in Budapest
5/3 Day #4 in Budapest
5/4 Budapest to Vienna by train - Day #1
5/5 Day #2 in Vienna
5/6 Day #3 in Vienna
5/7 Vienna to Hallstaat - staying in Hallstatt
5/8 Hallstatt to Salzburg - day trip
5/8 Hallstatt to Zurich - night train
5/9 Zurich - Lucerne - Day #1
5/10 Day #2 - Lucerne (visit Mt Pilatus - taking boat via Alpnachstad in the morning and in the evening off to Mt. Rigi)
5/11 Day #3 - Lucerne (Mt Titlis and Interlaken)
5/12 Day #4 Enjoying Lucerne town (Anymore suggestion where we can go?)
5/13 Lucerne - Zurich - London - Singapore - Malaysia

We will miss Rhine Fall and Lake Titisee this time. We thou of spending more time in Vienna instead.

How do you guys and gals thou of this itinerary? Do you think it works??

We like to thank everyone of you who give us your feedback. It's the best Christmas present you gave us. We hope that you have a wonderful and joyous Christmas as well.

Regards,
Steven

hits20

O... One more question, please.

I am actually travelling a week ahead than three of them. I'm heading to Ireland. Can anyone tell me how I can spend my 5 days in Ireland? I wanted to go to Cliff of Moher.

Still figuring how to spend this 5 days before meeting them in Berlin..... please help again!


Thanks


Regards,
Steven

kja

Again, it depends on what you want to see and experience! For my tastes, you have too little time in each of these locations, but your interests could easily differ from mine.

Please note that you don’t really have as much time as you seem to be suggesting in most places. For example, you don’t have 3 days in Berlin – by the time you reach Berline, get to your hotel, and get settled in, you have at most 2.5 days. Etc.

hits20

Hi @kja...

We just like to do some sightseeing, visit some places of interest. We are not into museums kind of person. We cannot spend more than 2 hours in a museum. I know we have 2.5 days in Berlin. I think it's enough because there are 3 places that interest us and we doubt that we will spend more than 3 hours in one place. Out of 4 of us, I am the arty person but I am only interest in theater and music. The other three only wanted leisure and visit places.

Thanks @kja for your input. Merry Christmas to you.

kja

Merry Christmas to you, too, and Happy New Year!