kdziewior

My husband and I have booked a last minute trip from Chicago flying to Venice,Italy on the evening of December 25th and a return frlight from Prague on January 4th. Our initial plan is stay a couple days in Venice then take a night train from Venice to Vienna for a couple days, followed by another train to Prague for 3-4 days. Should I book the train ahead of time? If so, where?

I am also looking for recommendations on how long we should stay in each city. From what I have read 3 days in Venice 2 in Vienna and 4 in Prague should be fine. We have not been to any of these cities and would like to see all the main attractions. Also, will most of Venice be open on December 26th when we arrive knowing that it is a holiday?

Lastly, we have miles for hotels in Vienna and Prague. However, the hotel doesn't have locations in Venice. The only option would be in Mestre Marhera. is this too far? Is it best to just splurge to stay in Venice?

Any restuarant recommendations are welcome as well!
Thanks,

glenmd

1. If at all possible, try to find a place on the main islands of Venice. It is worth it to be able to take an early morning stroll before all the tourist come out. sigh - I miss Venice.

2. 2 days isn't a lot of time for Vienna. However, never having been to Prague, I can't comment on the value of switching a day from Prague to Vienna.

3. Certainly, for the overnight train from Venice to Vienna, advance booking is a good idea, sooner rather than later I would think, given that the Christmas period is a busy time of year. I think (not sure, check yourself) you can only purchase tickets about 2 months ahead. Use the Austrian Rail company's website:
http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
You could also use Trentalia's website (the Italian rail company), however the last I heard, they had a lot of problems accepting North American credit cards.

november_moon

Of those cities, I have only been to Prague and I think that 4 days there would be most excellent. However, if you feel that you are shortchanging Vienna, you could take a day from Prague and still be alright.

Jean

You don't have enough days for 3-Venice, 2-Vienna, 4-Prague. You'll lose a day training from Venice to Vienna (8+ hours) and at least half a day training from Vienna to Prague (5 hours) and end up with 2-Prague. If you do 3-Venice and 2-Vienna, you'll be training to Prague on New Year's Day. I don't know whether that's a good plan or not.

If you choose to 'save' a day by taking the overnight train from Venice to Vienna, be aware that the option that does not require changing trains does make at least a dozen stops between midnight and 7:00 a.m. I hope you're heavy sleepers.

FYI At that time of year, the sun will not be fully up until 8:00 a.m. Sunset in Venice will be about 4:30 p.m. and in Vienna and Prague shortly after 4:00 p.m. Those are very short days.

Why not pick destinations that are closer together? And maybe head south rather than north...

FWIW, I wouldn't stay in Mestre if I was going there to see Venice. IMO, 2-Vienna and 2-Prague is at least one day short in each place. Four days in each place would be even better.

Jean

This is how your original itinerary lays out:

12/25 Arrive Venice in the evening
12/26 Venice
12/27 Venice
12/28 Venice
12/29 Venice to Vienna (8+ hours)
12/30 Vienna
12/31 Vienna
1/1 Vienna to Prague (5 hours)
1/2 Prague
1/3 Prague
1/4 Depart Prague

nytraveler

Have been to all of those cities several times and you really don;t have the time to do them all justice. For a first trip I would want 4 full days (5 nights) in any of them. And although I find Vienna somewhat triste, and Prague more lively, there's no doubt the Vienna has a wealth of great sights - way more than 2 days worth.

I think the only way to decide is to get a couple of good guide books and figure out which cities have the most things that you can;t bear to miss.

Oh - and forget Mestre. It's a terrible, industrial place and if you're not gong to actually stay in Venice I wouldn;t go. (And that means don;t stay on the Lido either.)

esm

I have traveled to all three and would suggest you drop one location for this trip. If you've already bought the tickets to Venice and back from Prague, then leave Vienna for another trip.

Delaine

I have traveled to all 3 as well, 3 times to Venice and twice to Vienna. I would skip Vienna to devote more time to Venice and Prague.

I heartily agree with those who say avoid Mestre. You would spend (i.e. waste) a lot of time getting from there to Venice. Also, part of the charm of Venice is just being able to wander about at will in the early morning and evening after the daytrippers have gone. Splurge! The only place I would consider staying that is not in the heart of Venice is the Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca because they have their own private shuttle to Piazza San Marco; however, that is not a place to stay if budget is a consideration.