75 Nights - 18 Cities - looking for some thoughts

From Barcelona I highly recommend Girona if you haven't already seen it. A lovely, lively historic district, a walkable wall, two historic cathedrals and a nice, not-too-large museum. Friends really liked the Dali Theatre and Museum in Figueres, which I missed. I found Cadaques fun to wander around, and someone has posted instructions here on how to manage both in one day from Barcelona.

Mainz 3 - our base for visiting a few villages along the river -

I like Mainz for a visit but not as a base for the Rhine villages - there'd be too much shuttling back and forth. Stay in a Rhine village. Boppard is great. St. Goar is also convenient for train users who want to explore the towns of interest on the opposite river bank (Braubach for Marksburg Castle, Rüdesheim; use the ferry, then the trains over there,) and Rheinfels Castle is right there. Bingen is less interesting despite its scenic location. From St. Goar you are only a few train minutes from the other west-bank towns of interest (Oberwesel, Bacharach, Boppard)

Amsterdam day trip: Zaanse Schans, take the train to Koog-Zaandijk station.

Mainz 3 - our base for visiting a few villages along the river - thinking Boppard & Bingen - any suggestions?

Rather than Mainz, why not stay in one of those Rhine villages. My preference would be Boppard or St Goar, as they are within the VRM transit district and you can get day passes to use all the trains and buses in the region all day long for one price. I see there is a wine festival in Cochem that week end.
http://www.mosellandtouristik.de/en/wine-cuisine/wine-events/wine-festivals/ev/20170824/Heimat-und-Weinfest_Cochem/deskline.html
These Mosel Valley wine festivals are a lot of fun.

Epernay-visit historic Moët Chandon cellars.
Amsterdam-day trip to Leiden and Delft. Same train line.
Kraków- day trip to Auschwitz. Free walking tours meet in main city square. We took the excellent Jewish Ghetto tour. Pay with a tip to guide. Dinner at Pod Aniolami.
Visit da Vinci's exquisite painting "Lady with Ermine". A must see!

Hi,

A week in Berlin..fantastic, all the more so staying at the Marriott.

On Warsaw: if you are into the heavy duty history, there are certain recommendations I can make, ie the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Uprising memorial, the Polish Military Museum, numerous statues of Polish historical figures in the old town and center. the Jewish Ghetto Uprising Memorial, and esp, the memorial to Katyn, same as in Krakow...both very poignant.

I don't have any fabulous suggestions, but I just need you to know how jealous I am! And I say that as someone who's been managing an annual trip to Europe recently and headed to France for 17 days in a month and Germany in fall. Livin' the dream, Christi.

I'd love to hear more about how you bring your service cat. Does she/he travel well? Our two non-traveling cats do not seem so compatible with our travel plans...

Hi,

This can be done as a day trip from Krakow (although shorter from Katowice) depending on how long you are willing to ride getting there...the town of Pszczyna to see the famous chateau....a very historical site.

Wow - great suggestions.

@ac - Girona looks wonderful! A place we can wander. We have been to Figures - loved the Dali museum there.

Anyone stayed at the Hotel Rhienfels in St. Goar? It seems I picked Mainz because I was having a hard time finding hotel that takes pets , in my price & comfort range. Would love to stay in smaller town though.

@Sam - we will definitely make the wine festival! Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks Suki - I'll look into the walking tours - those are always good - especially in a new city

@Fred - I will be on the look out for those. The castle in Pszczyna looks wonderful - maybe cut Prague to two nights and two nights there.

@Chris - yes - this is indeed the trip of a lifetime. Its a post cancer (hubby) victory tour! Our cat travels very well - most people say they had no idea she was on the plane/train/boat/hotel. She weighs in at 7 lbs so she is pretty easy to carry - she has a soft carrier that looks like a gym bag.

Hi,

That chateau in Pszczyna is also connected to US history in WW 1. At the time the chateau served as HQ for the German Army High Command on the Eastern Front (Oberste Heeresleitung-Ost). In anglophone historiography the town was known then as Pless in Upper Silesia (Pleß/Oberschlesien).

Yes, a day trip to Luebeck is a good idea. Love the red brick Hanseatic architecture. Less than 45 minute train ride,

Hi,

Based on your comment above on Berlin that you have an itinerary pretty much set, I would suggest also in case you want vary the theme. Go out to the less frequented places if they are cultural or history sites: The Resistance Museum (Gedenkstätte deutscher Widerstand), a few minutes walk from the HI hostel on Kluckstrasse, the sign there indicates how many meters to reach the Museum. Have beer afterwards at the hostel, it has a bar.

Also, the traditional Jewish cemetery at Weissenfels in Berlin-Pankow, it's huge, the largest in Germany, Berlin is replete with monuments and statues on Prussian history, such as Freiheitsdenkmal celebrating the ouster and final defeat of Napoleon, before which they were being beaten over and over, located Kreuzberg in the famous park.

Do you plan on getting a rental car on a day earmarked for day trips? That's absolutely necessary to go out to the old, traditional Prussian villages in the old Mark Brandenburg in the Gross-Berlin area. The estates of the von Zieten and von Hardenberg families in Wustrau and Neuhardenberg are open to the public, (I've been there), both having historical museums on the Resistance and Brandenburg-Prussian history....enlightening, revealing and poignant.

Congratulations on your husband's recovery and what a lovely trip you have planned. I hope it turns out to be everything you want it to be for both of you. Some suggestions regarding your request for input.
!. Day trip from Amsterdam, Marken and Volendam, (spelling on both may be off). Quaint villages showing Dutch life in times gone by. These are open-air museums and I quite enjoyed them.
2. Krakow - the Oscar Schindler factory museum is definitely a must see in my book. I spent a few hours there last year and did not get to see all that I wanted to. I could go back and spend another day. Tour of the underground salt mines, truly incredible but the tours book quickly so you might want to make reservations in advance. Also, the underground museum that is directly under the main square. Historic digs of medieval Krakow.
3. Berlin, I know you said you had your plans pretty set for Berlin, but a nice daytrip is to Potsdam.
Have a wonderful trip.

Amsterdam, went to delft, markem, Volendam but we liked Haarlem and Edam the best. Wednesday is cheese day in Edam and it was a wonderful morning. Everyone is costumed in national dress, there is a band, stalls selling food, cheese stores galore. Get there early for a front row seat in the shade. You can do markem and Volomdam afterwards, all in one day. Check out localbus.nl for route, one ticket. Haarlem is a quick train ride. Nice small city, make reservations for the Corrie Ten Boon museum. Nice church with a dome climb and the Frans Hal museum.

In Vienna, Schronbrun (spelling?) was only a half day trip for us - try the strudel demonstration, it was fun and delicious.

Have a wonderful and safe trip, send reports when you are able!

Keep 'em comin!

@Hille - we are looking forward to Lubeck

@Fred - there is so much to see in Berlin - I know a week is not enough! No car planned for here - just where the train goes!

@lisa - Thanks! Marken & Volendam look lovely. Lots of ideas for Krakow. We are definitely spending a day in Potsdam.

@Barbara - if there is cheese I'm there! Alas - we depart on Wednesday but I expect one could find cheese there on a Tuesday too.

Hi Christi... Just want to say it looks like you are going to have a fantastic holiday through Europe! We did something a little similar back in 2013, spending 88nights travelling over there. Some absolute memorable times staying that length of time... So good on you...

One thing we did was the use the DB Bahn web site to look up all our train travels as we only travelled by train as well. This web site is linked into all the other countries trains so its a one stop place to search for possible train times. They also have an iPhone app that we used extensively as well while on the road...

Re: hotels on Rhine, I recommend Rheinhotel in St.Goar. Right across from the KD boat dock. Lovely proprietor and excellent breakfast. Splurge for a river view room. The Marksburg castle in Braubach is excellent. Look at other posts regarding trains on the Rhine and be sure to get on the one that goes with your ticket (lessons learned!)

Re: Copenhagen walks - I haven't done the walks, but if you're able to bicycle, I recommend Bike with Mike. A unique and different perspective on the city.

Re: Berlin - book a guided tour of the Budestag (parliament). You have to register ahead of time and bring your passport for security. I also recommend any/all of the wall oriented museums (most are free).

Re: Krakow - assuming you're going to see Auschwitz (a must). I really enjoyed the offbeat Crazy Guides tour. Ride in a Trabant (and in my case, push start it!)

Re: Prague day trips. I did a day trip to Kutna Hora to see the bone church. Lovely train ride and interesting little town to roam around.

And: jealous! What a wonderful trip.

Hi,

More suggestions: This one gets you away from all the tourists, if any, they will be some German tourists. Take the S-Bahn to Berlin-Köpenick, the stop before Karlshorst. The Schloss (chateau) Köpenick is well worth seeing. In 1999 I was there but didn't have time since I had spent too much time visiting the Rathaus in Köpenick.

I recommend the Rathaus too, there is displayed in the main hallway a photo taken at the turn of the century prior to WW1 which you might find intriguing esp the caption underneath. Rathaus Köpenick is the site for the plot of the film, "Der Hauptmann von Köpenick" (The Captain from K) based on the play, hilarious at times but basically a sad film at the turn of the century.

I love that you are travelling with your cat; more than anything I miss my two something fierce when gone for 2 weeks.

Prague--I was only there for 4 days and it kept me plenty busy, but I had researched day trips to Terezin and Kutna Hora, which I will do when I return.

Krakow--really loved spending time in the Rynek Glowny as there's a huge market with incredibly delicious and cheap food, interesting crafts and music. I did a day trip to Auschwitz, also enjoyed visiting the Schindler museum, Wawel Hill, exploring the Kazimierz district and there's a great little ethnographic museum (Etnograficzne, on plac Wolnica) if you enjoy seeing beautiful examples of handcrafts and learning about the cultural traditions, worth it for the pysanky eggs alone, they fill an enormous wall and are quite stunning. The old town is a lovely compact area that's perfect for wandering, and if you get too hot just step into the planty that encircles it, greenbelt of grass and trees.

Warsaw--I made a long day trip to Gdansk one day, spent my other 3 visiting their wonderful National Gallery on Jerozolimskie, the Castle, Museum of the History of Polish Jews and just exploring the reconstructed old and new towns. I did visit the Marie Curie museum, it's very small and probably not worth it, but there's a fabulous mural on the outside of the building in which she was born that I just loved.

Thanks Gary! We are over the moon about this trip. This will be at least our 12th visit but the longest by far - last one was 30 days plus an 11 nt cruise over. We are veteran riders - love the DB site!

@CL - Wow - tons of great stuff! I looked at that hotel - it was either booked or did not take pets (the EU does not recognize any service animal except registered dogs). The Marksburg Castle looks great. Sorry - no Auschwitz for me - it would crush me emotionally - not a vacation. Crazy Guides looks right up out alley.

@Fred - a fountain of info as always! Schloss Kopenick looks lovely. The whole neighborhood looks great.

@christa - tons of ideas for Krakow - it looks like a great place to wander. Gdansk would be long day trip. The National Museum looks like a place to visit as well.

While in Prague , a day in Karlovy Vary - about two hours from Prague , go early by bus from Florenc Bus Station , not train ( Thanks , Ilja ! ) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karlovy_Vary and in Vienna , Klosterneuberg Abbey , The Verdun Altarpiece is breathtaking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klosterneuburg_Monastery

Hi,

If you get tired of all that walking in Berlin and zipping back and forth on the S-Bahn, say from Potsdam to Berlin-Mitte, I heartily recommend the river cruise on the Spree, called "Spreefahrt." The Spree is the feature in numerous traditional Berlin songs, songs from the turn of the century focusing the city's location, ie, Berlin an der Spree. Literally, you'll see Berlin from a different angle.

In terms of cuisine there are plenty of places where you can get traditional German cooking in Berlin, if you want that. Restaurants in the Berlin-Alexanderplatz area plus those on Danzigerstrasse offer that. Take the S-Bahn to the east to the station Jannowitzbrücke, cross the street, down a block or two, you'll see traditional German cuisine eateries. Where I stay close to Savignyplatz in Berlin-Charlottenburg are also restaurants serving traditional old time Prussian-German cuisine.

@steven - Karlovy Vary looks positively picture book! We''ll be sure to take the bus - the train must be a milk run? I have heard about the Verdun Alterpiece - looks like the trip is worth it.

@Fred - I'm a sucker for boat ride! We will definitely be looking for some traditional food - thanks for the tips!

Hi,

Berlin is very likely (along with Frankfurt) the most cosmopolitan city in Germany as regards to food. You'll see restaurants/eateries offering Greek, Mandarin Chinese, Thai, French, Shanghai, Japanese, Czech, American, Turkish, Austrian, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Italian, and so on, plus die gute alte deutsche bürgerliche Küche. (traditional German cooking). You'll see restaurants or eateries indicating this out front with "bürgerliche Küche" or "deutsche Küche"

I just want to add to the chorus suggesting that you take a guided walking tour of the Jewish quarter in Krakow (along, of course with a visit to Auschwitz on a different day). These tours should inevitably take in Schindler's factory.

Krakow is one of my favorite places -- the Rynek Glowny is spectacular, as mentioned above, as is the Wawel castle complex.

If you're going to Melk, why not take the boat down to Krems afterward, then you can get a postbus or train that will take you to Schonbrunn (or back into town).

What a trip!! Hope you're able to find a place in one of the Rhine villages for you all and your cat!

Vienna - Schonbrunn is actually in Vienna, well within the city limits so not really a "day trip" although you could spend the day there for certain. It is on the subway line, so I am not sure what the previous poster means by getting a train or a bus to Schonbrunn from the Wachau?

By your dates, I am estimating that you will be in Vienna in late September, is that right? I would note that there are many festivals at that time, specifically harvest festivals and wine festivals, which can be a lot of fun. If you can share your anticipated dates, I can get you some links.

A day trip to Bratislava and the Wachau (Melk) make sense to me. For me, the highlight of the Wachau are the villages of Spitz and Weissenkirchen. Duernstein is a bit overrun, but hiking up to the castle ruin is worth it for the view.

While in Vienna, I recommend heading to the Alte Donau and renting a motorboat or visiting the Donauinsel where you can rent bikes. The river is something that few tourists see in Vienna, but with your length of visit, you have time. Both are easily to access on the U1 subway line. You could also take a tour of the UN complex while you are in that area or visit the Donauturm.

Another Vienna highlight is a walk through vineyards and a heurigen visit. I like to take the 38 A bus to Kahlenberg from Heiligenstadt (end station of the U4 line) and walk down the hill to Nussdorf. Stopping at Mayer am Nussdorf for a glass of wine and snack is lovely on a sunny day. You should also drink Sturm (young wine) while you are in Vienna as it is only available for a short time in September.

Markets will be in full swing. Avoid Naschmarkt which is becoming less authentic by the day and head to Brunnenmarkt or Karmelitermarkt for a true market experience. Go on a Saturday and have breakfast at one of the many excellent restaurants which encircle each of these markets.

Visit the Belvedere, Albertina and Leopold museums if you like art. Take the elevator to the tower of Stephansdom. Go to Julius Meinl am Graben for a gourmet grocery experience. Wait in the long line for ice cream at Eis Greissler on Rotenturmstrasse. I suggest the pumpkinseed oil flavor. Visit Cafe Neko, Vienna's cat cafe (but don't bring you cat as outside animals are not allowed). On a related note, do you plan to bring your cat with you everywhere you go? In Vienna, as people brings dogs EVERYWHERE, this might create some commotion.

Epernay Stay in Reims and and day-trip to Epernay, that's what I did. There are more sights in Reims (cathedral, basilica, Museum of the Surrender) and most of the cave tours are there along with many restaurants, though the Mercier tour in Epernay is the most fun. While all, or nearly all, the champagne houses have their HQs in Epernay, there's not much else there, though the city hall is worth a short visit (and free toilets). Most of them got started in Reims and that's where they do the tours and tastings. Of course, you can drink champagne everywhere by the glass. I toured Tattinger, who were pretty stingy with the tasting, but to be fair they do pour their top wines, and Martel, who were most generous with their pourings. I wasn't there long enough for more. The TI in Reims will help you arrange tours. There's one at the train station and a larger one at the cathedral.

Berlin One of my favorite museums was the DDR, across from Museum Island. It's hands-on and gave me a good understanding of what life was like in the eastern bloc. OTOH, I thought the Checkpoint Charlie Museum was way overpriced and disorganized. I got more information from the bilboards outside along the site of the Wall. If you like palaces, visit Charlottenburg. My biggest regret was that I didn't get to Potsdam.

Prague Have you been to Terezin? Like you, I don't want to visit Auschwitz (I'll be in Poland about the same time as you), but Terezin was really interesting and nothing like visiting one of the death camps.

Italy If you aren't so keen on Florence or Venice, then choose Bologna. It's not touristy and it's a train hub, so you can get in and out on the fast trains. And there are lots of great day trips: Ferrara, Ravenna, Padua, Modena to name a few. Are you flying from Naples to Barcelona? Be sure to allow plenty of time to get from Sorrento to the airport. In other words, don't take an early flight ☺

London Kensington Palace would not be on my list. My faves are the theatre and the British Museum.

Southampton It's a long drive, but Chartwell and Hever Castle would be a good day trip. Salisbury Cathedral is pretty close.

@Fred - Funny - before our first trip to Berlin we'd heard from several people to look for everything but German food in Berlin! I am looking forward to finding some good German food there too.

@Kim - the Rynek Glowny looks like a place we will enjoy more than once! I will look into the boat from Melk - again love boat rides! I did find the Hotel Rheinfels in St Goar - I booked it but am not sure if I will keep it - still need more research.

@Emily - wow - thanks for all the info. We will be in Vienna 9/28 to 10/5 - we are staying at the Imperial Riding School Renaissance - free - love points. Any festival info would be appreciated. I think I planned a half day at Schonbrunn, a heurigen or two is a definite - thanks for the suggestions -I will be sure to look for Sturm - hopefully it will still be available. A market visit will be a highlight and a great place for a few picnic supplies. Our cat travels in a soft sided carrier (looks like a gym bag) with one way windows - unless you tell people they never realize we have a cat with us. She will stay in the hotel while we are off exploring - she is quite content to stay behind and sleep!

@Chani - my thinking with Epernay was after Paris a smaller town would be nice and Reims is only a 30 minute train ride away - perhaps a re-think. The DDR Museum is on the list as is Charlottenburg, we are looking forward to Potsdam - we were there very briefly (long story) in 97.

Never thought about Bologna- have to do some looking.

On vacation we don't do an early much of anything!

The fashion exhibit of Princess Diana looked worth seeing. We were leaving Paris on a night train the night she was killed and were in London for her funeral (all by happenstance) - I guess that has given me a connection to her. Tough time to visit London. Well we decided to revisit - September 2001 - yes we were in the middle of a 3 week UK trip on the 11th. I am counting on the third time being a charm!

Hever Castle looks like a great day - we live in Texas - a 2 hr drive is like going 'round the corner here!

From Nottingham I'd look at some sights in the Peak District ...
• Chatsworth House
• Kedleston Hall
• Hardwick Hall
• Haddon Hall
• Bidulph Grange Garden

From Southampton, the standout is the Isle of Wight with Queen Victoria's Osborne House.

Another vote for Chatsworth House , stunning grounds , and the house and architectural follies are notable . The story behind this place is fascinating - watch this documentary to whet your appetite ! https://youtu.be/VMTjdOzUUmo

@David - That's the best reason for these types of posts - I never even considered Isle of Wight - even though it stares right back at you from the map! I will definitely do some research on the Peak District.

@steven - thanks for the link to the documentary - I eat that stuff up - now I have my evening tele!

I just reread your OP , given your husband's attraction to Vienna , this magnificent documentary by Joseph Koerner of Harvard University has long been one of my favorites . When you can , this will enrich your return there immeasurably . I hope this isn't overload - https://youtu.be/AFZBOTgL_Hk

Hi,

Keep in mind that Schloss Charlottenburg is on the other side of the city from the DDR Museum, ie going from west to east..

@steven - no overload - at this point we have nothing but time so distractions are welcome!

@Fred - I always have my trusty google maps with me - no getting lost - unless we want to!

Hello
Sounds like an amazing trip! A few recommendations. In Vienna, I second the recommendation of checking out the Danube River. Both Melk and the towns of the Wachau valley wine region are lovely and well worth a visit. Vienna is a beautiful city!

In terms of places near Prague, I highly recommend Cesky Krumlov - it is one of the most picture-perfect places in Europe. It could be a great place for a night to two.

Happy Trails!

Hi,

"...to look for everything but German food in Berlin." You were blatantly misinformed. If you do go out to Berlin-Köpenick and see the Rathaus, like other Rathäuser I've seen (Bremen, Munich. Lüneburg) you will find meals served there, say for lunch, ie, offering traditional German cuisine, maybe a Berliner Spezialität or two.

@tm - Thanks, we are definitely doing the Danube and the Wachau Valley. CK looks lovely - so many lovely places in Czechia - its hard to choose!

@Fred - I love to find some traditional foods of the places I travel - I found this site to help guide me in Germany

https://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/german-regional-food-specialties/

Hi,

Thanks for the link..very useful, informative.