Now I got it: This itinerary is not about sightseeing or a vacation, this is about travelling!

So, why not visiting London and Prague? Why not take another overnight train to those places?

Or Iceland, what about Iceland?

Or Portugal? Why do you miss so many places that are worth a couple of hours?

<we enjoy travelling on such tight itineraries and I put lot of efforts on planning them>

I took that comment to mean she HAS planned these fastpaced trips before, done them, and enjoyed it.

If that's so we should leave off the critiques and try to find her some Indian and vegan restaurants near the train station or airport in each of those cities!

If he/she/they put so much effort in planning their tight itineraries, why come here and ask for advice? No Google in India? Insert "city" and "vegan" / "Indian" and "restaurant", and that´s it.

Again, I insist on visiting Prague.

If you want to enjoy Barcelona, don't stay on Las ramblas.

I really like the burst of everybody's opinions and feelings, and thanks for that. It is making even my planning enjoyable.
Now vegetarians by birth means, we were born in the families where non-veg was never cooked, and now it is too late to try it out. As far as planning is concerned, we are ready for surprises, adequately insured and have alternatives ready. And in Europe, numerous options are available. The flights being cheap, it won't hurt much if alternative like train or bus are required to be taken.
Annheg, I have seen people travelling in India on the mad itinerary given by you, and also who have gone mad, inspite of perfectly peaceful holiday plan, for not being ready for surprises.
grrr, you are right, we are travel freak. Prag, london and east European cities and of course, Portugal are on our next year's plan. And the next next year is New York, Washington alongwith helicopter trip over Niagara fall.

Love your reply, angel1.

Have you considered Poland, Latvia and Russia? Would nicely fit in if you make a stop over from India to the US next year.

grrr, good idea! I will think about taking some rest in Moscow. We like combining trips. Last year we were to Malasia, singapore and bangkok tour which we combined with Trivandrum and Kanyakumari in India. This is year Goa and Europe is combined. I am sure you all would like to hear our experiences.

giving up.

Is this a menu based itinerary?

I would definitely have a snack bag full of protein bars, dried fruit and nuts to keep you going just in case. I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian and also diabetic so it takes a bit of effort to find the right food at times. Happy travels!!!

This will be my last post on your thread because it is clear you know what you want to do. But I have to give it one more shot-- wouldn't have a clear conscience w/o at LEAST trying.

"<i><blue>As regards the itinerary, we enjoy travelling on such tight itineraries . . . . Europe being far away and super-expensive for us, we want to just get glimpses of historical monuments and famous places . . . in Europe. . . . it is fun rushing around here and there, and I feel proud on saving lot of money as compared to organised tours.</blue></i>"

Your plan will essentially not give you much if ANY free time in the vast majority of your stop overs. Many airports are an hour from the central tourist areas. By the time you get your bags, travel into a city, find your hotel and check in -- it will be 2 to 3 hours after you landed. Then the next day you usually must leave the hotel a minimum of 3 hours before your flight out, and 4 hours is more typical.

An organized tour could manage this difficult itinerary because it takes care of your transport, luggage, meals, etc. But even on an organized tour you would not get inside more than one site in any of those cities -- the rest would be drive by's on a large coach (and in some cities you wouldn't go inside anything). This would be a nearly insane guided tour - and next to impossible trying to manage everything independently.

You are right - it is expensive to travel from the subcontinent to Europe -- all the more reason this is a hot mess. You will spend a near fortune to see almost nothing but airports, airport transportation, and a few hours in hotel rooms. And all the extra travel/stops just increases your costs w/o giving you time to <i>see</i> anything much.

you seem to be dwelling on your dietary issues -- finding vegan/vegetarian meals is the VERY LEAST of you problems.

I wish you luck . . . .

oops --one more post: Meant to add . . . ipod_robbie's post was <i><u>satire

I think it's time to declare an all-time prize winner in the Itinerary From Hell Sweepstakes.

AMEN.

Might starve to death before the itinerary is completed, though.

And the next next year is New York, Washington alongwith helicopter trip over Niagara fall.
_________________________________
Please let me know when you do this, so I can go to my roof and throw you some carrot juice.

(I really do not want this topic to end.)

All kind of satire is welcome! It is the same feeling we get when see people spend their hard-earned money for lying on the sand the whole day. It is all relative and understable.
Flanneruk, I think you could understand a problem somewhat. When my mom was in a small coastal tourist place in Spain few years back with her German lady friend on holidays, and when her friend wanted to try out a typical spanish dish (two-three meat pieces with strawberry sauce), the waiter (probably the owner of that small restaurant) was taken aback when only salad was ordered by my mom. And her friend was upset and felt insulted because of my mom's vegan status. Since then we travel on our own. I would be thankful if anybody can give me names of some carry-on food which can be bought in supermarkets. And we have decided to travel without check-in luggage.
Jubilada, any reason why should we avoid hotel on Las Ramblas? then which alternative can you suggest?

Las Ramblas is the world centre for olympic standard pick pocketing, its busy and pretty much the party centre. Too many people there are lots of nicer places to stay. On the other hand it may be perfect for you with lots of open shops and very international crowd. Loads of bus stops at the top of the hill

I know several people who joined a Rick Steve tour and stayed at one of the hotels at the top of the Rambla, by the Catalunya Plaza ... they loved it, great location. We were up and down the Rambla in May (had an apartment in the Barri Gotic) and were very comfortable, but always on the lookout for pickpockets.

Las ramblas is a large tourist trap. You can be better served by a hotel near Placa Catalunya.