Don't know about buses, but you need to stamp regional train tickets. (Not tickets that are only valid for a specific train.)

For the major places you plan to visit, I recommend Rick Steves' books for the novice traveler.

No one here ever advised anyone to be walking around with "thousands of dollars". Just because you use a debit card at a bank ATM to get cash, instead of a credit card for daily expenses, doesn't mean you are "carrying around a wad of cash".

I am surprised that apparently no one here uses an ATM or cash when they travel.

I think we all use ATM and some cash. The OP thought she might have bad luck “carrying thousands around in Europe, esp Italy.” No one had suggested that, it was mis-read advice, I think. She also questioned using a Master Card.
As was suggested, a basic guide book would address many questions.

I rarely use more than $300 in cash for ten days and that is for three of us (Italy, France, Spain).

Several posts that wandered off topic into a discussion of ATM fees have been deleted.

There is no point in responding further, OP has had enough time to find out whether she was scammed.

7.7k is an impressive amount of "views" for a Europe forum thread. Hopefully Lilly found the guidance and support she was seeking.


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No person ever turned their back on a train wreck.
​​​​​​​Ever.

dobbie the turtle

Ah yes, the beloved Dobbie.

Update:

Sorry to be MIA, some of these comments were very disheartening and cruel, I needed a minute before responding, and I have been trying desperately to pull the trip together so last minute. Thank you for those of you that genuinely wanted to help and provided valuable information.

==>> My purpose for this post was purely to see if anyone had experience with THIS company or if anything like this had happened to them. This was a First for me, however, I did get multiple Private messages that others had similar experiences with what they thought was the Lufthansa website, not this particular company.

I am not sure how it got to insulting comments towards me and people fighting over ATM charges (removed comments) !!!! I’m not sure what you gain from sitting behind your keyboard and making fun of someone in a difficult situation. I thought traveling to other parts of the world was supposed to make one more open minded and understanding.

=>There is a lot of misunderstanding on this thread mainly due to not reading responses correctly. Not that I have to explain myself, but hopefully it will be humbling experience for those of you that are posting horrible comments, and will prevent you from continuing this behavior to others struggling.

-First of all - AGAIN, I have used direct websites, Expedia, and booking.com only to make reservations, including numerous mulitcity reservations! YESSS, I do know how to do this!!!! I book our trips all the time on my own, and only come on here every few years, when I’m truly stuck or it’s last minute (hence the urgencies).

-I have never gone through another 3rd party in my life, not even cheapoair. I have checked my history and I still only see the actual Lufthansa website, I have no idea how this call came through. The officer mentioned this is happening more and more, so did the Lufthansa and Delta agent!

Reason for the call - part of my flight was Condor, the system would show the flight but would not allow me to mix it with the Florence flight as a multi city. The same thing happens on the Condor website. However, according to Condor the only way you can make this type of reservation is by calling them on the PHONE, or booking two one ways which was costing more on Lufthansa. Again this was happening to this particular flight that was at 10:30 am!!!!

How I got in touch with these people ->>> I have No idea. I was extremely sleep deprived with getting about 2 hours per night and may have clicked on the wrong thing.

No I am not a troll, nor unsophisticated. I’m overworked in every aspect of my life — and due to unexpected circumstances fell extremely behind with my planning

I just do not have the time to do this research or properly make these arrangements - because this trip was booked for later and was moved up due to a family emergency and other circumstances, because some things occurred unexpectedly and made me fall behind in my planning and because I am working full time and taking care of my household, family, my mom and crises she is going through. Yes, I have more on my plate then an average person. When I am on the computer - trying to do the research and planning I am being pulled in multiple directions.

And YES, it is Best to put this trip off for when I have more time to plan it or less on my plate pulling me in all different directions. If it was not for the situation with our family, I would have cancelled it, as it’s been extremely stressful. At this point I am getting on the computer every minute I get and truly struggling to pull it together. I literally feel The clock is ticking. At this point I'm usually doing the trip shopping and packing - not looking for hotels, itineraries etc.

I do not usually recommend using a travel agent, and haven't used one myself since 2000, but it sounds like exactly what you need. If you don't have time to plan properly, and are otherwise already overloaded, pay someone to take care of the planning for you. I do the planning myself because I enjoy it, and because I have the time. You are not enjoying it and don't have the time, stop trying to DIY.

@Sassafrass You Nailed it - I was very stressed and extremely exhausted so I was not thinking clearly. I wish I could pass this to my DH, or at least have him help with one aspect of this complicated trip. He is not the type to know how to do it and refuses to anyways. He actually throws obstacles my way by flipping out over every little thing.. so as much as I need the help. In my situation they all just pull at me without any help. I wish I knew of a travel agent that was familiar with these areas and could just take the burden off a bit. I can't get through to any agent, they are exceptionally booked out.

I found flights from Florence - with a 3 hour layover - had to $$$ more but I just can't rely on those tickets.

My question is -- I booked non stop flights from Zurich to Florence at $1700 total for 3 of us and my husband says we should take the train with one change (20 min to do so) in Milan, even though we have big luggage and I have mobility issues because the total is $700 and we get to see the scenic route (I am not sure if a high speed train would allow you to see scenic routes). I'm sure the train station would be packed, and I'm not sure how delays and cancellations would go. I cancelled the flights before the 24 hrs and have to quickly decide on this - Your suggestion?
P.S. thank you for being so wonderful

Credit Card Update
- applied for a card with no exchange fee was accepted, waiting for them to come in.
- the charges on one of my cards given to these people was about $800 - I have never received any tickets at all and they did not pick up the phone.
- I put in the dispute with the credit card company - the woman on the phone said it was too early to dispute because they could still give your tickets to you by July. I asked for a manager - he said the same thing, until I asked him when do you generally get your tickets emailed after providing a credit card -- he said less then 5 minutes. So he finally agreed to put the dispute through. Now they have to do their "research".

You will not save time taking a flight from Zürich to Florence. In fact, only a few Swiss would choose to fly due to the cost. However, only you can decide what is best for you.

The fast train from Zürich to Florence goes through the NEAT basis tunnel, which means you won't be going over the alps but it cuts the journey by one hour. There is some scenic parts (especially between Zürich and Erstfeld) along the way but not as much as you might hope. My biggest concern is: 1) the amount of luggage you are taking (although it should work somehow) and the short layover time in Milano, especially considering your mobility issues. I'd try to take a later train from Milano to Florence, which will give you more time in case the train from Zürich is late as well (which happens on this particular stretch).

thursdaysd I enjoy it myself too when I am not in this situation. Problem is I have tried calling ALL travel agents in our town all the way to many states away and Toronto, No One has availability. They can Not help me at all. They said usually summers are crazy busy but this summer they are seeing quadrupled travel due to restrictions being lifted. I have probably made over 20 calls and emails and had no success in finding someone.

kleeblatt Oh it doesn't go through the Alps and the Lugano (sp?) area ?

Yes, we will have 2 big luggage and 2 carry ons (family stuff and medical supplies) - I can't walk fast.

Thank you so much for your input - Since you have experience would you please help me with these questions:
1. is there a place to store these luggages? obviously they don't fit on the top
2. Could you elaborate on not saving time by flight ? because it says it's a 1 hour 15 min flight and I was told we would be at the airport an hour before for in Europe flights. Also no connections - If it makes it a less chaotic day or if the train would be a night mare with the luggage - it maybe better to fly. However, the cost is a ton more and we have seen pictures of trains in Switzerland and it looks like such a nice ride, but not sure these are the same trains. Additionally, I'm not sure if a fast train lets you really see anything .

3. Lastly - to eliminate a connection to Florence and possible delays or cancelations - I was thinking of maybe hiring a transport to a train station that would be direct to Florence from another City or Country close by Switzerland but I could only find Milan (that's too far of a drive).

Get a AAA travel agent to help you plan your trip, or if you can, simplify it a bit. It all seems a bit too complicated to do it by yourself.