First time solo travel itinerary

Just a note: I answered this post before I saw your other post in the Italy section.
You'll want to consider travel times, these can be figured out by researching train schedules. As a general rule of thumb, 1 full day of seeing and doing things takes at least 1 hotel night and maybe 2 nights.
Salzburg is roughly on a line between Prague and Italy. But in your other post you mention Munich and not Prague.
If you're able to clarify your number of days and objectives, we can probably be more helpful.

Good point- I should be more clear. I'm taking down my other post to keep it less complicated!

I mentioned Munich in my other post since it seems to be the nearest main hub from Salzburg if I were to opt to fly into Italy instead of taking a train (but not planning on staying in Munich). And I have 14 days overall (but then of course subtracting a day on each end for traveling back to the US), but I wanted to set aside about 6 days to devote to Italy, as that was my initial motivator for planning this trip!

I guess my biggest concerns are the traveling between Czech Republic and Italy- is it "worth" it to try and fit something in on this route (such as salzburg)? And then the actual choices within Italy...since I've never been!

Ok, 12 total days, including 6 days in Italy.

First, in Italy. Main destinations for many travelers are Rome, Venice and Florence. Also Cinque Terre. You're probably going to need a minimum of: 2 days in Cinque Terre and 3 days in Rome. Those are minimums
You'll want to research the train schedules on Trenitalia.com for the purpose of getting a rough idea of travel times. Travel times consist of station to station train times; then make some allowances for the time it takes, once you're at the train station, to get from the train station to the hotel, check in, unpack, and then do the same things on the way out to the next destination.
So it looks like your 6 days in Italy, when travel times are considered, would be sufficient to do any 2 of the 4 possible destinations: Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence, or Venice.

Now about the other 6 of your 12 days "on the ground." You can fly into Munich. Munich is fairly close to Salzburg. Now, to go from Munich to Prague involves going in the opposite direction from Salzburg, then doubling back. You'll have to study train schedules and take into consideration travel times, to see if you want to do that.
Some travelers like to spend time exploring Munich and/or Bavaria.
Rick Steves has a book that might help you think about all this, called Europe Through the Back Door, a Europe travel skills handbook.

18,

.......... And I have 14 days overall (but then of course subtracting a day on each end for traveling back to the US), .....

you loose one day going to Europe, but you should arrive home the day you leave as long as you dont have any overnight connections or long layovers going home.

one thing, my geography sucks. what i find helpful is a map in front of me where i can place dots on where i want to stay/see things.

Also, you can if you care to, look at rome2rio.com you can plug and chug cities and see how long it takes to travel between them. I dont consider it gospel but it gives me an idea on what I'm facing, travel & time wise. there is also seat61.com too.

happy trails.

Allison,
Given this fact;

I wanted to set aside about 6 days to devote to Italy, as that was my initial motivator for planning this trip!

Why not spend your 12 days in Italy?

If you decide to do this, then you will have time to visit Cinque Terre &/or the Amalfi Coast too!

I don't know where you are coming from but you may consider getting multi-city flight tickets
and that way you won't waste time backtracking.

So... you could fly into Venice & out of Rome.

Your itinerary may look something like this:

Venice (2-3 nights)-> Florence (3N) -> Cinque Terre or Amalfi Coast (2-3N) -> Rome (4N)

Something else to consider : Italy is less expensive than Austria.

Happy planning!

I agree with Priscilla. Italy is a trip to itself since there's so much architecture, history, art, food and culture to see.

Rome by itself is worthy of half of your visit.

Florence and Venice are also must see's and could take the other half of your allotted time in Europe.
It's about 150 miles to Naples by fast train, and the Amalfi Coast is beyond that. A trip down to the coast would also warrant seeing Pompeii and that'd take 2-3 days of your time.

Munich, Salzburg, C/K and Prague would make a great itinerary on your next European trip.

A grad-school breather sounds perfect!

I would also suggest staying in Italy, or skipping it for your other destinations. Check out travel times/distances/means of transportation and you will see how time-consuming it can be to get from place to place.

Fly into Venice and out of Rome, as suggested. Many people manage to live happy and successful lives without visiting Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast in the same two weeks, so I would suggest you choose one and save the other for another trip. I prefer the Amalfi Coast, but that's just a personal preference.

18,

there are many ways to travel. It comes down to time, $$ and how you want to do it.

You can easily spend 2 weeks in any one country but it all depends on - do you? Everyones travel eyes are bigger than their time & $$ wallet so many people end up like you are doing now.

i choose (my decision) to travel by taking in one (1) city per country and move on. That doesnt mean i will not go back, but i choose to do it that way to see more in the time i have. More variety for me. The draw back is that i spend more time traveling (moving) and also probably more $$ doing so. But in my planning i try to find adjacent (nearby) cities to visit or try to minimize my travel time. Sometimes its not possible, but its my informed choice and how i like to travel - so far.

If you want to hop around alot, just know what you are doing and the +/- of doing so. also, if you think like youre not going to go back, you will drive yourself crazy and probably be too tired to enjoy where you are going. Just realize you cant do it all in 2 weeks and go for whats important to you.

Regarding transportation. I love the train system over there, but you will need to figure out whats the best ($$ or time or a combo) for you.

just a personal note. Italy is on my plan for my trip this Sept. I am not going to spend all of my time there and will only be going to Rome, Pompeii, Naples and Herculaneum. Maybe one other place if i have the time. Anything North of Rome is not in my itinerary. I will go back maybe next year, maybe not, but i will go back. I may also go back and visit things south of Rome to and maybe some of the islands. But for my limited time, i have to pick and choose.

happy trails.

Thanks for the input so far everyone!! I definitely have some thinking to do as to which region/modes of transport I want to stick to.

I did consider spending the whole time in Italy...I guess what was deterring me was the fact that I was reading how many Italians are on vacation/holiday in August. For those that have visited during the middle weeks of August, did you find Italy to be at all lacking or feel like it was different with people out of town?

I just ordered Europe Through the Back door, which I'm excited to start reading.

If you decide to fly to Italy, it would be faster to backtrack from Cesky Krumlov to Prague by the direct Student Agency bus (then transfer to the airport) than to move on to any other city. See www.skyscanner.com for flights. How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.

Allison,

As you're travelling solo, you may get a few good tips by having a look at http://solotravelerblog.com/

Allison, I'm so very excited for you and I want to welcome you to the life-changing experience of travel.

Most of my travel has been done solo and I have never not had a wonderful time. I agree with Priscilla and David. If Italy is your focus, spend your time in Italy. Assume you will be going back, which you most likely will.

Be aware that street harrassment can be more pronounced in Mediterranean countries, but don't be frightened of it. Ignore it and move on.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.