First time in Europe - Help needed

Adam,

As this is your first time in Europe, my suggestion would be to read Europe Through The Back Door as that has a lot of good information on "how" to travel well in Europe. It may not be too available in your area, but you may be able to download the E-book version. After that you can use the country-specific guidebooks to plan touring, hotels, transportation, etc. (or ask for suggestions from the group here).

I'm not clear on your reference to the "prior Itinerary"? The Itinerary you've posted above looks reasonably well sorted. You've got several days in each location which will allow you some time to look around each city. Each of the rail links you're using are relatively easy.

Especially coming from "summer down under", be sure to pack some warm clothing and items for "layering".

I would at least even out the number of nights spent between Ljubljana and Amsterdam. Amsterdam has more to see, especially if you're interested in museums, as well as more easy side trips (although you may not have time for any). Your arrival day may not be very productive if you haven't slept on the plane ride. If you do cut one destination altogether, then Lujubjana is the less blockbuster city, and probably has fewer choices of return flight.

If your "prior itinerary" means you'll be flying from Ireland to Amsterdam on Jan 7, then jet lag won't be a factor. But I agree with Laura that Amsterdam may deserve more than one full day and two partial days. I'd give it as much time as Prague -- but I haven't been to Ljubljana so can't make that comparison. Otherwise looks like good time allocation for these big cities.

Thank you for the responses.

Dick, your spot on. We are coming in from Ireland to Amsterdam so wont be jet lagged. I think its a good point to add some more to Amsterdam so I will look at doing that. I am flying out of Venice home, so Ljubljana is a good last stop. The prior itinerary was travel through Italy, France, and the UK. I will check out the book recommendation (I'm sure i'll fine it on the bookdepository) and I will be packing lots of warm clothing. I'm in Melbourne and it's pretty cold here before hand so I will be missing out on our summer but not too bothered there.

A Budapest option ??
7 Jan: Arrive Amsterdam
8 Jan: Amsterdam
9 Jan: Amsterdam
10 Jan: Amsterdam to Berlin
11 Jan: Berlin
12 Jan: Berlin
13 Jan: Berlin
14 Jan: Berlin to Prague
15 Jan: Prague
16 Jan: Prague
17 Jan: Prague to Budapest
18 Jan: Budapest
19 Jan: Budapest to Vienna
20 Jan: Vienna
21 Jan: Vienna
22 Jan: Vienna - Venice with night train

Thanks for the input.

You would rate Budapest over Ljubljana?

Also, I'm flying home from Venice, so it was quite close to jump to once we were done with Slovenia.

Heard great things about both but myself not been to either. Just an alternative suggestion.

I would say take a day from Berlin and add it to Amsterdam.

When traveling from Berlin to Prague, stop for a day in the incredible Dresden.
Budapest would be preferable to Ljubljana, as it's simply a world class city.

It's a shame you must go in January on your first trip. That would be a good time to limit your travels to the Meditteranean area--taking a cruise for part of the trip. January weather in the northern countries can be pretty rough.