Pat_in_Mich

Husband and I are considering going to Europe for the first week of October. We'd leave Detroit Friday evening and return the following Sunday, so we'd actually have 8 days including that first jet-lagged day. We've done this type of trip before and it works well for us. This time we're not sure where to go.

We've been to London, Paris (also Normandy including Mont Saint-Michel, Bayeaux, and Honfleur), Rome, Berlin, Munich, (and a few other stops in Germany, that was a 2 week trip), Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges.

We really like art museums, historical and cultural sites, and walking tours. We're willing to rent a car but would also be happy not to.

Some places we're considering are Ireland, returning to Normandy to see more World War 2 sights, Prague & Vienna (does this make a good trip for a week?), and Florence and Venice.

Kind of a vague question I realize, but any suggestions would be much appreciated.

china_cat

I think Vienna plus one other location would be great. I did Vienna and Salzburg with 8 nights (6 in Vienna and 2 in Salzburg) and thought it made a great 1 week trip. Since you like art museums, you would need at least a 4 days in Vienna, and could easily fill more. There's also the option to daytrip places like Melk Abbey.

I think Vienna and Prague could work too. I just know for me, I'd probably like more time in each place.

You could also probably consider Madrid plus another location.

thursdaysd

Vienna and Budapest - very easy train connection, loads to see in both. Art museums are better in Vienna, but Budapest makes better use of the Danube - and has an unusual and excellent museum of Asian gold artifacts. Both are good for architecture and cafes. Both have good public transport, and there's a current thread here about day trips, although you won't really have time - you could easily spend all your time in one or the other.

PalenQ

In October I would eschew Prague and Vienna because of oft dismal weather there - rainy and cool - Venice and Florence would be sweet at that time of year - no summer crowds and still pleasant weather. Anyway if going by train check these sites for relevant info - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download the latter's free online European Planning & Rail Guide for suggested rail itineraries in lots of countries.

Taking a train between Venice and Florence is a snap - just about 3.5 hours or so and in Florence easy to do a day trip by bus to an iconic Tusacn hill town like Siena or a train to nearby Pisa for the Leaning Tower experience!

Pat_in_Mich

Great answers already, thanks all!

PalenQ that's good info re weather in Prague and Vienna. On our Germany trip a few years ago it rained 13 days out of 15. It became very discouraging.

thursdaysd

I checked Weather Underground for Vienna for October for the last five years. Two of those years the month had zero rainfall. The most was 1.46 inches. Perhaps PQ is thinking of November.

Michael

Venice (the city is a museum) and Rome would be a good choice – an open jaw ticket from Detroit and the train between the two cities.

Or if two cities are too much, land in Rome, pick up a car at the airport for a small tour of the area north of Rome (Tarquinia, Orvieto, Siena), return the car in Orvieto and take the train to Rome for your last days before returning home.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...914974923/show

PalenQ

I think those railfalls are an anomaly at least IME of seeveral Octobers in this general area - could be fine but could be rainy - maybe not that much total rainfall but a misty overcast dark gray short days - anyway the weather in Venice and Florence is guaranteed to be nicer though it could rain there too. Venice more a problem of flooding as the fall goes on.

PalenQ

I checked Weather Underground for Vienna for October for the last five years. Two of those years the month had zero rainfall. The most was 1.46 inches. Perhaps PQ is thinking of November.>

No October - November would be even grimmer and darker and danker... thank God for Christmas Markets to light the gloom - anyway average figures show that Vienna and area is wet and grim in October.

http://www.holiday-weather.com/vienna/averages/october/

Well the average weather in Vienna in October is usually pretty grim - rain on 43% of days - windy 29% of days - cloudy 38% leaving sunny days at 19% or so - pretty grim weather IMO and IME.

thursdaysd

Venice may be slightly warmer, but it's also much wetter. October average total rainfall for Venice: 5.21 inches, for Vienna: 1.83.

PalenQ

Does it rain 43% of the days in Venice - total rainfall is often not a good harbinger of how many days may be wet - Rome I understand gets more annual rainfall than London but has a whole lot more sunny days.

http://www.holiday-weather.com/venice/averages/october

Venice 70 mm rain in an average October (Vienna only 41 mm) - 10 days or 30% chance of rain vs 43% for Venice - temps warmer. Fewer rainy days by far in Venice and for the tourist it don't matter whether it is a light or hard rain it sucks. Venice though gets more rain has more fair rainless days.

PalenQ

But northern Italy yes does get rain at that time - I was there once and it rained for days on end - go further south in Italy to get guaranteed better if not drier weather.

nytraveler

I wouldn;t get all exorcised about rain in Oct. You can get it anywhere - and unless you are planning on camping or beach time it's rarely enought to ruin your plan.

I would focus instead on what places you want to see the most and which ones you can get convenient flights to.

PalenQ

I disagree heartily on the rainy, gray, overcast, dark days - I would much rather be in a place with better weather though Venice can also be wet at least it won't be cool too. But in the earlier you go in October the better -month averages are averages with the early month being better of course.