Itinerary First Draft

Wow, this looks like the trip of a lifetime! What a great itinerary!

Usually people try to cram too much into too little time, so it's great to see someone allowing lots of time for each destination.

I haven't been to all the places on your itinerary, but of the places I've been, I'd say you need more time in Florence (maybe two more days) and less time in Vienna. Since Vienna isn't that far from Budapest, maybe add Budapest to your itinerary for a few of those days. Or there are other parts of Austria worth seeing, which you could easily do with the car while you are spending time in southern Germany. And you might also consider dipping south of Austria into Slovenia, which has some of the prettiest Alps around.

Just one other thing: take me with you! :)

Thanks Lane - We've been to Florence before - basically we're stopping there to break up the travel from Munich to the Amalfi Coast and so I can have pizza at a place I remember as having some of the best pizza I'v ever had!

Any particular place in Slovenia?

Only curious why start is Amsterdam-Paris-Berlin, whereas flying to Paris then Amsterdam-Berlin shortens your train journeys by a lot.

Sam - The only real reason it is much faster from the airport to hotel in Amsterdam than in Paris and by that time my cat will have been in her carrier for 9 hours or so and be really ready to get out. I figure Amsterdam would be almost an hour faster.

Since you seem to prefer staying in one place as opposed to moving around a lot, I'd recommend staying in Ljubljana as your base in Slovenia. You could take a day trip to Bled and Bohinj, and you should definitely through the Julian Alps. You can do a loop from Ljubljana to Kranjska Gora, then over Vršič Pass to Kobarid, then back to Ljubljana. It's a long day trip with stops, and a better option is to stay in Kobarid for a couple of nights.

You'll need a car for this part of the trip. I'm not sure how easy it would be to get there, but I don't know anyone who's been to Slovenia and hasn't loved it.

1. Why not fly Paris to St Petersburg, then Moscow to Berlin? Get to Russia a week earlier, and eliminate the long Paris - Berlin train journey.
2. Berlin > Dresden > Prague > Vienna > Budapest is a popular route to travel. Have you previously visited Prague and Budapest?
3. With your car in Germany, why not opt for a one way rental from Munich to Frankfurt, then fly to Florence?
4. Make sure you jump through all the right hoops and give yourself plenty of time to organise Russian Visas. My passport arrived back in the mail on a Friday, before travel on the Monday.

David, I may be wrong but I think Christi is traveling with a cat and wants to minimize flying time, on the train she can keep kitty with her and it's not as traumatic.

I think it's wonderful, I want to come too - I'll cat sit.

Well as you know, here in Australia, we don't like travellers bringing their pets in !!! lol

Hi,

Looks great as a first draft. I've done that route Paris to Berlin by day and by night. Unfortunately, the night train is no more, but if you tailor the routes you can still do part of it by night, all depends on priorities, time, and all that. Forget flying. The night route is a day/night combo, Take the Paris Est TGV to Strasbourg, (I've done that), change to the S-Bahn to Offenburg, ca 7 Euro. Take the CNL night train Offenburg to Berlin Hbf. That CNL train comes from Zürich.

The other route if you prefer by day I would do it this way: Take the early Paris Est ICE to Frankfurt Hbf direct. I prefer changing trains at Frankfurt Hbf over Mannheim Hbf. Have lunch at Frankfurt Hbf (better food court), then take the Frankfurt Hbf ICE to Berlin Hbf. Whether you change at Mannheim or Frankfurt, the entire day ride takes 10 plus hours. The first time I did this day route was in 1995, didn't know any better so I changed in Mannheim, too rushed. Now I change in Frankfurt. You should arrive at Berlin Hbf before. 19:30.

Howdy Christi,
Sounds like a great trip and I applaud the pace of your journey.
Two thoughts........
Please work really diligently to minimize the amount of luggage you will carry. Being a luggage mule can easily drain the life out of a journey. Keep in mind anything you need can be found over there.
Since you may be leaving the cat in the room while you sight see, I suggest printing (in the languages of your destinations) signs saying "cat inside. Please keep do not let the cat out!" And have these taped to the outside of your room door.
I must admit having never heard of a cat being allowed on a cruise.
Safe travels!

Christi,
It looks like a blast. Be sure you are aware of the requirements for bringing your cat into the EU. I've done it and it is particular and you must do all the exams and paperwork within 10 days of flying. I used a company called Air Animal to help me through the paperwork and relieve me of that stress.

The U.K. son;t be so easy with a pet. They have quarantine laws that may make it prohibitive. No idea about Russia, so maybe Air Animal can help.

If the Eclipse takes pets, I'd love to know the details. I know one of the big Cunard ships takes pets in their kennel, but I figured the hurdle of getting the pets into the U.K. to sail was a problem.

EDIT: Sorry, Christi, I just realized you have a seizure alert animal and have already researched the transportation/immigration issues. *Buona Fortuna!*

Thanks everyone for the input - this trip is going to be epic and a logistical challenge for sure! The good news is I have plenty of time for planning - no last minute Visas!

@ David - yes Nancy is correct - we are traveling with a service animal (which is why she is allowed on a cruise ship) and even though she can fly in the cabin we want to avoid flying when possible. We have been to both Prague & Budapest in 2013 and are not ready to repeat those,...yet.

@Nancy - If I ever win the lotto I'd take y'all along!

@Fred - I was also thinking about splitting that run - Paris to Berlin - any suggestions for an overnight stay?

@Marbleskies - we are veteran light packers - our last trip 42 days, 11 night cruise included, was done with one carry on each - I carried a big purse & hubby had a backpack. We plan to downsize the carry-on with light weight rolling bags that meet the smaller European Airline guides - that will be the challenge! Great idea on door sign! She usually finds a hiding spot when strangers are in the room but always good to take precautions.

@Laurel - Fortunately the UK no longer requires quarantine of animals. My plan is to visit a vet in the first country we visit and obtain an EU Pet Passport.

What a joy to have a service animal, a great companion. I am sorry if you were offended by my joking around.

Hi

Staying over night...Frankfurt or small town towards Berlin. I suggest Minden an der Weser towards Hannover

Not offended at all David. It was clear you were joking - well - except the part about Australia not letting critters in!

@Fred - I will check out Minden an der Weser

If you want to consider Ljubljana, I can tell you that it's accessible from Munich by bus across Austria (39 euros last year, perhaps 6 hours, but I'm not sure about the time) or by train to Salzburg then bus across Austria. To continue your trip, you'd probably want to take the bus from Ljubljana to Trieste, then use the train to Florence. Total time for that leg would be about 6.5 hours according to Rome2Rio.

Ljubljana has a very picturesque historic district built along a narrow river. Outside the capital, Slovenia has beautiful mountains, two visitable cavern systems (Postojna and Skocjan) and a bit of coastline along the Istrian peninsula. Distances are short, and it's easy to get around. Most day-trip destinations can be reached either by public bus or a combination of bus and taxi, though I'm not sure where you'd pick up a taxi for the final run to Skocjan. Taxis are comparatively inexpensive. Tourist office personnel are very helpful, and I was shocked at how well the younger part of the population spoke English.

You can bring cats in to Australia, there is just a lot of things involved to do so ...

http://www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs/step-by-step-guides/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-cats

I think the less than ideal public transport in Slovenia is why we have skipped it. It seems to be an area best traversed by car? But a couple nights in Ljubljana between Vienna & Munich could be done by train. (not a bus person - I don't even have any bus pants 😉 ) Definitely worth some thought.

@David - yes it is possible to take an animal down under but the 10 day mandatory quarantine is the deal breaker for me.

Hi,

This is the Minden option: It involves most of the day on the train> Take the direct ICE Paris Est to Frankfurt Hbf., the early one arrives just befor 11 am...perfect lunch time at the Hbf. Then take the ICE to Hannover, usually direct. No, I 'm not saying to stay in Hannover. Only for linguistic reasons, otherwise forget it! The change to Minden taking the IC or another train. Leisurely, you should arrive in Minden ca 16:30., a quiet town, not a big city with all the noise, hustle and bustle, crowds, etc. There is a 3 star hotel ca 3-4 from the station, which can be seen as you walk down (literally since it is a downward path) from the station.

Have you been to Venice? If not, I would sure include it in your itinerary.

@ Fred - Minden sounds lovely but a long travel day for the cat. I will keep it in mind for the next trip when we spend more time in Northern Germany. Any ideas for the south?

@yosemite1 = we were in Venice on our last trip - I am sure we will return - just not this trip

so many places...

Hi,

Aside from the MInden option, you can take the "central" which I call by going Paris Est to Frankfurt. Train wise both ICE and TGV go the Frankfurt Hbf. The southern route would be Paris Est to Stuttgart, did it once from Berlin to Strasbourg via Stuttgart.

Hi,

The projected ride on 10/1/2017 from Vienna to Munich: Since that is a Sunday and the first Sunday of the month, the big Army History Museum in Vienna is free on that day, ie, the first Sunday of the month. You could postpone your departure by one day...only a suggestion if you are interested, esp in Austria in 1914.

My point is since you're going to Munich, there will be an extensive border check at Salzburg during which everyone will have to get off, have passports/visas (for those needing one) checked (Paßkontrolle), then reboard. You can outflank this route by going south, then change for Munich, ie, avoid the Salzburg-Munich corridor. That's my plan this June.

Thanks for the heads up Fred. I will definitely look into the museum.

Hi Christi, would you share the name of the pizza place in Florence?

@ Tracy - Sure - It is La Bussola Via Porta Rossa, 58r, 50123 Firenze, Italy.