Some cash (in local currency) is always a good idea, PalenQ. You never know when the nearest ATM might be down, your card not accepted, whatever.

Yes I meant to say that - take dollars and exchange them for euros at airport (much better exchange rate than here usually) - be sure your ATM card is in good condition - I had one with a strip rather worn and worked here but not in some ATMs there- try to have more than one.

"I forgot to mention that we have a rental car, the only extra travel we need is the flight from Paris to Amsterdam."

It sounds like you might benefit from another tip or two...

"Why Zurich?"

Good question. Very pricey. And why bother to go there for one night anyway?? It distorts your driving route enormously. It's easy to take a drive into the Alps, if that's what you want to see, from Munich. Try Garmisch/Oberammergau/Mittenwald.

http://requisitosparavisa.com/wp-con...tenwald_-3.jpg

http://hastingshouse.typepad.com/has...vel_in_europe/

Munich accommodations are exceptionally pricey as well during Oktoberfest. No room yet? Try Augsburg for your dates and travel in by train if you can't find something reasonable. You can get to Garmisch/O'gau/Mittenwald easily by car from there as well.


Driving into Paris isn't suicide but it's a bad idea. Are you flying into MUC or elsewhere in Germany? Then you are likely paying a ridiculously pricey foreign drop-off fee if the plan is to drop the car in Paris. Better IMO to drop it in Germany and take the train to Paris. Offenburg has rental outlets. Then you take the train to Paris via Strasbourg.

Ditch the car all together if just going to cities listed. Save lot of money. But if wishing to meander between those places car is great but not for just going pt A big city to another big city.

Paris can be easy to drive into on a Sunday.

Put the $8,500 in a travel account accessible with your debit card. Use your credit card whenever possible. Chances are that you will spend less.

We spent $10,000 for six weeks of travel, including the plane fare from the West Coast to Europe (shoulder period). You might want to take a look at my Denmark trip report to get an idea of how we spent the money; click on my name to find it.