cmeyer54

We're two 50-ish moms looking at a girl's trip to europe in late January-early February 2005. Have both already been to Germany, France, UK and Rome. First idea is to fly into Munich (I've been, she hasn't) and start from there. Thinking of Venice, Florence, Budapest, Prague as one route. Another would start in Frankfurt and go through belgium, netherlands and alsace region. We're good with trains and all sorts of public transporation. She speaks fluent french, I stumble through German and Spanish. With a travel day on each end, we'll have about 12 days to just sight see. Input, ideas, anyone else done something like this???

Shanna

Hi - I'm not doing this but wish I were. My friends are either broke or scared of flying. Anyway, the only thing that jumps out at me is the weather and limited daylight - less than 8 hours. It's cold, even in Italy, at that time of year. Northern Europe could be frozen solid. One of your options will involve the Alps - I'd be jittery about that in winter. I've been to Germany in December for ten days and saw the sun once. The amount of clothing I took to stay warm was unbelievable and I stayed in only one hotel - didn't have to haul luggage anywhere. You don't say what interests you but for that time of year you may want to have specific indoor interests defined before you go. Big cities would be warmer. Brrr . . . I'm cold just thinking abou it - so thanks for the post - it's a big improvement over the hot flashes - hah hah!! Have fun whatever you decide.

WillTravel

I think that Munich, Venice, Florence, Budapest, Prague all by train is too ambitious for 12 days. I suspect the other itinerary is as well. It's possible certainly but you would spend an awful lot of time in transit.

dln

I don't see why you couldn't do it. My mother took my sister, her daughter, and my daughter, to Italy with her and lived to tell the tale! (and they all had a blast) Their ages? Respectively, nearly 70, nearly 40, and 13 and 12 years. The two of you at 50-ish? A piece of cake.

cmeyer54

Agree with the amount of transit time - probably getting 2 days in each city and doing trains overnight if possible. I'm not sure which route we'll end up with but the time of year is one reason we're going - kids don't have graduation, state meets, etc until later. The daylight issue is one I hadn't thought of so thanks! Also - we're the museum, church, types with some walking around. My other trips have been in July and August so this will be very different. I also looked at Munich, Austria, Hungary and Prague as one other possibility. Netherlands might not be as cold. DH works near Heidelberg most of the year and hasn't had brutally cold there. we'll see - any other comments??

WillTravel

My usual advice: when planning a trip like this, try a few sample itineraries in which you determine precisely what trains you would catch and what hotels you would stay at and allow lots of extra time for stuff like getting to the next hotel and settling in. Keep in mind shortened winter hours and you will get a realistic expectation of how many hours you will have in each city. I think 4 cities is a lot better than 5, but I would personally feel rushed and frazzled.

cmeyer54

Good idea - think I'll spend some time on the raileurope website and figure out the train connections this weekend.

ChatNoir

Sounds like a grand idea, but do yourself a favor and limit the trip to three cities, maybe four at the most.

Riffic

I highly recommend the 1st itinerary over the 2nd. Main reason being netherlands and alsace are more 'outdoor' places...I've been to both in summer and early spring, and the difference is like night and day.

Florence, budapest and prague, on the other hand, are fun any time of year. Visiting these cities will be tight in 12 days, but could be done with a combo of night trains and low cost airlines. For example, take the night train from Munich to Venice, then it's only about 3 hours to florcen (I've actually done it the other direction from Munich) and then you would need to take a flight to prague or budapest. As tragic as it may sound, I'd seriously consider dropping one of the cities (perhaps Budapest, since the Munich/venice/florence route works pretty well and Prague remains my favorite city in Europe).

One of the best things about the time of year you're traveling is flexibility in flights, trains, hotels, etc., bc it is considered low travel season.

Good Luck!

cmeyer54

After looking at rail schedules, I agree that Budapest might be out of the question. However, my DH is determined to take me to Prague as he spent a 'magical' weekend there by himself last spring. So, if Munich is the in and out spot, we may end up doing Budapest instead with Florence and Venice. Of course, we're also getting plenty of input about Switzerland with northern italy....too many choices!!!

mikemo

cmeyer54,
As much as I love Alsace and the Moseltal, it may be pretty frosty in/near the Voges/Eiffel at that time as Shanna and Riffic have mentioned.
M

ira

Hi cm,

>fly into Munich (I've been, she hasn't) and start from there. Thinking of Venice, Florence, Budapest, Prague as one route.<

We did this in the Spring a while back.

We spent 2 days in Munich at the Uhland (http://www.hotel-uhland.de/enwelcome.html) and took the train over the Alps to Venice.

From there we took the train over the Alps to Vienna and then on to Prague.

Flew home from Prague, but you could do it from Munich if you have to.

Loved the train rides through the mountains.

cmeyer54

Dates are getting set between Feb 5-17th. Looks like the first cut itinerary will have us flying into Munich, staying there two days, train to Venice for 3 days, train to Florence for 3 days and the train back to Munich. We will probably add a side trip on to Neuschwanstein at the back end. All in all, this appears to a decent trip. The trains to and from Munich are 7-8 hours each so that is a full day basically of travel. Oh well - the scenery will be great regardless. Next step will be determining hotels - suggestions welcome. We're both pretty basic types - clean, comfortable, ensuite bath and safe area. thanks!

RufusTFirefly

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but the Venice Carnivale is Jan. 28-Feb. 8

shellio

Why go all the way back to Munich to fly home? Get an open-jaw that lets you fly out of Rome and save that 7 hour train ride. Or take a train up to Milan and return home from there, seeing the Duomo and the Last Supper as long as you're there.

cmeyer54

I looked at the routes and we will probably fly into Milan, sightsee for a day or so, then start the florence-venice loop and back to Milan. My travelling friend really hates connecting flights but in this case, I think a connecting flight beats a long train ride and basically knocking two full days off the trip that could be used more productively.