Europe by Train -- Looking for Suggestions
 

Some background -- Wife and I live in Florida, USA -- Both recently retired. In our early 60's, reasonably healthy/fit. Have traveled to Ireland every year since 1999. Have also made brief visits to Cotswold's (4 days), Amsterdam (3 days), Edinburgh (3 days), Paris (2 days), Bruges (2 days) and Brussels (1 day). Have traveled via train in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Paris to Bruges (Thalys) and in Belgium. Wife is 'Iffy' about the Eurostar, though, as she has 'Tunnel' issues -- even in cars. Not opposed to occasionally renting a car for SOME of the trip -- if appropriate.

Have been thinking about flying into Europe and 'Sampling' major destinations by train. Looking for route, itinerary and time table ideas/suggestions/advice: i.e., "Fly into Hamburg, spend 2 days, train to ... ???"
Will also be incorporating 4-6 day visit to Ireland, so flight will Definitely be Open-Jaw / Multi-City.
Have NO set preconceptions -- Include Denmark/Norway/Sweden? Spain?
I'm thinking of 20+ days -- ON THE GROUND -- Budget of $&-10,000 -ish.
Am thinking Vienna, Venice, Rome, Turin, Switzerland, Berlin and Budapest are likely candidates. Don't expect to see EVERYTHING -- looking for a 'Check The Box' SAMPLING, to get a feel as to what 'Grabs' me, once I'm there -- if that makes sense???

Appreciate any and all help.

Bob

Basic train research:
www.seat61.com
www.bahn.com
You can Google to find the train sites for individual countries, helped by Seat 61's advice.

You'll really want to re-post over on the Europe forum. There are tons and tons and TONS of threads about train travel.

seat61 is a fabulous site . . .

The other planning site to visit is Rick Steves. http://www.ricksteves.com/
I have watched many of his shows on PBS "Europe through the Back Door" where he and the cameraman and producer have ridden trains in Europe. You can also book your train travel through his website.

Rick Steves site has <i>nothing</i> like the detail/help one gets on seat61.

Time on ground listed would EXCLUDE Ireland. Plan is for September, but EVERYTHING is 'Negotiable'. Trip could wait until next Spring even, if consensus was that time would be more enjoyable.

I'm looking for suggestions / recommendations on WHICH destinations to see.

As in, WHERE would YOU go?

Thanks,

Bob

Why do you think that where <b>I</b> would go is somewhere <b>you</b> would like? We are probably completely different people with different likes and dislikes.

You have told us NOTHING about your interests and tastes (and please stop shouting). You need to visit your library, or hang out at your local bookstore, and spend quality time with the illustrated travel guides (Insight, DK, Exploring, See It) and pick what appeals to you.

But, if you really want to know where I've been, try:
http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/
http://www.wilhelmswords.com/
or click on my name for my profile here.