First time in Europe - The Usual Questions

Lot of train time!

Maybe cut Brussels and another stop.

DB Bahn website is helpful for train planning.

How many days total?

Hotel de Sainte Croix isn't near as expensive as the one you were just told to stay in, and to be honest there are many other places in Bayeux that are perfectly beautiful and which will not cost 120 € per night.

We loved this place and highly recommend it. The breakfast is about the best I have ever had. Decor is splendid and the rooms are large and very comfortable. I have recommended this hotel to others here on the forum and had great feedback from them. They all enjoyed it just as much as my husband and I did.

http://www.hotel-de-sainte-croix.com/index.php?page=single_article&name=accueil

I'm confused- you are spending a month in Europe but only a day or two in Paris and each place? It sounds like you are only spending about a week and a half in Europe based on your itinerary, so I must be missing something.

I think this is not an unusual first draft for a first timer. I do think you should consider refining it, and doing some research. Rick's Europe through the Back Door is tailor-made for newbies.

You have a lot of train trips and not all of them are straightforward. Getting to Brussels from Bayeux, for instance, will probably mean doubling back through Paris.

It sounds as though you are traveling on a budget; one way you can economize is to drop some of your destinations because getting there (a) costs money and (b) takes up a day of your trip on the train. Over-achievers spend more and see less.

If you do spend a third day in Paris or a second in Amsterdam or Berlin, you won't run out of things to do that are worthwhile, so why flit off to someplace else?

What to cut is really up to your and yours--it's helpful to read a few guidebooks and be brutally honest about what is most important and what can be skipped.

I also suggest arranging your trip so that you can fly home from your final destination, not having to return to Paris.

Once you have a definite itinerary you can tackle the rail pass issue; many people find that second-class tickets make a better choice.

I've toured with Contiki (when I was younger), and they do mostly 2 night stops in each city. I don't feel this is enough time - 3 is a minimum, and for most large cities such as Paris, 5 is even better! However, it is all up to the individual traveler. But personally, I would spend at least 3 nights in a larger city, and 2 in smaller cities such as Bruges.
I'll be in Europe all of September myself and will be staying in: Amsterdam (1 night at start of trip,
2 nights at end); Berlin (3), Dresden (2), Prague (5 as this is my first time there), Cesky Krumlov (2), Vienna (1, only because I had trouble finding cheap accomodations and decided to spend my other 2 nights in Grunau im Almtal instead), Salzburg (2), Munich (3 during Oktoberfest), Paris (3), and Bruges (2). I
wish I had more time, I would spend 5 nights in Paris
but alas, I must return home - it helps to have already been there and done a lot of the 'touristy' things so now I can concentrate on just enjoying this lovely city, one of my favorites in Europe. Anyway, I hope you have
a really enjoyable trip!

Thanks for all the tips!
I know it seems like too much to tackle and Poland seems like the logical thing to cut.
It might also sound absurd to some, but I don't really want to spend a very long time in Paris. Of course I'd like to see it, but I'd rather spend a few hours on a train going to somewhere like Brussels than a few hours in line at the Lourve. Places like Bayeaux, Brussels, Krakow and Munich are places we picked because there are specific things there we want to see. On the other hand Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin are places we're going because they are in between other places we want to see so we will probably spend less time there. I know to expect the unexpected and if we don't make it to all of these places, then thats ok. I'm also ok with not seeing everything. I fully intend to go back at some point so this is just a bit of a taste test. I'll know for next time!

If you are wanting to keep your accommodation costs down, you may want to avoid Munich during Oktoberfest. I booked a trip to Paris for this fall and then found out Oktoberfest was on during that time, and tried to find a decently priced spot, it was tough, I ended up deciding not to go. Expect hostels to be fully booked. A friend of mine's boyfriend ended up in Munich last year not knowing it was Oktoberfest, and ended up sleeping on a park bench because he couldn't find a hostel that had space. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will be tough

If budget is a concern and you want to see a large German beer festival, consider Stuttgart's Cannstatter Volksfest instead of Oktoberfest. It takes place at around the same time as Oktoberfest, but is far less known outside of Germany... hence, less idiotic drunken (usually American, I am ashamed to report) college students present. I think Wiesbaden and Mainz also have large autumn festivals.

Yes, it was completely an accident that we were to end up in Munich during Oktoberfest. For this reason we may end up going to Munich from Paris at the beginning of the month and then on to Krakow, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, etc. Is this a better idea??

You might be better off flying into Munich and working your way back to Paris, in that case, flying home from Paris.

That saves you the long trip from Paris to Munich.

We already have our tickets. In and out of Paris.

G,
By the look of your itinerary it sounds like you're interested in military history. Are you planning on going to the Eagles Nest while in Berchtesgaden? Munich is rich in German military history as well. If you could squeeze a day for Nurnburg you'd love that too. I've been to both and spent quite alot of time in Munich. Great city.
Have fun,
Bob

Yes, you caught me! I am interested in military history! I'd love to do Nuremberg, but there is just not enough time, we've already had to cut some places and are thinking of making further reductions. Also, I have to keep my traveling partner in mind, not as keen on these things as I am. His willingness to accompany me to Auschwitz means a lot. There is a good chance we will stay in Berchtesgaden as opposed to Munich. Any recommendations for things to do in Munich? (Besides beer halls, which we will obviously be experiencing!)

I second the Nurnburg recommendation. There is a lot to see there, but if Nazi era sites are an interest, it blows away Berchtesgaden (which could be socked in on a cloudy day).

I credit the local authorities for not tearing down the Rallying Grounds, the congress hall, etc... It is really spooky to see the remains. Almost chilling in fact, especially if your are a student of history.

I think Nurnburg is a really underrated place to visit. If you stay in Munich, you could even do it as a day trip.

EDIT: I should have said the Eagles Nest could be socked in, not Berchtesgaden.

Well, why didn't you say you were interested in and are a student of military history!!! Just on WW II or a more comprehensive treatment of the subject?

I would suggest going to Warsaw to see the military history/army museum there and while in Brussels the Royal Army Museum...the same for Vienna. To get to the HGM (the army museum) take the U-Bahn to the South Train station which is being demolished. The signs direct you from there, about a 10 mins walk or so. I saw this again in May 2010.

A very moving memorial in Krakow, which I saw in 2001, is the one for Katyn.

You asked about Munich, aside from the good beer, go to the Feldherrrnhalle, a monument to Bavarisn generals who fought against Napoleon (after they switched sides) and the site of Hitler's Putsch to seize power and the ensuing shoot-out.

I found the website below after my first visit to Germany. You might have already stumbled upon it. It shows before and after photos of various cities Germany during WWII.

http://www.thirdreichruins.com/