My latest (but not my last) Europe itinerary

This question hasn't gotten any replies. Looks like she has 37 days on the ground, a longer trip than most. A few one nighters but not too many. Traveling by train. Anybody out there with advice for her?

Natalia: I was waiting for some other clues. I cant figure out what you like and dont like. I am guessing you havent been to Europe before. Cologne, Bacharach, makes sense- going South down the River. I cant see how you get to Munich- nstead of jumping to Munich, I would travel down the Romantic Road (starting in Wiesbaben or Wurzburg) stopping at least two nights in rothenberg (or rothenberg plus one); to Munich (3 nights, lots to see) and possibly doing the castles from there. I dont see how Berlin fits in (i am not a fan); Vienns, Salzburh makes sense; then Switzerland, Innsbruck, Lauterbrunnen: (i am inclined to stick in Lucerns one night, but cant argue with the Alps). Paris (5 nights easy), London ( 5 nights good). Lots to see in and around Paris and London. I think the number of days you have [INVALID]ed makes sense in all locations except Bruges- I would cut it down to one or two and spend the other nights in Brussels, but definitely worth seeing Ghent. From Amsterdam, I would choose Delft over Haarlem. Romantic Road should be done by car (or even Europabus to get a feel for the villages)(Europabus used to be better than recently). Frankfurt is an alternate start for Europabus, but to me Wurzburg or even Wiesbaden is more charming. Now let the experts take a shot. Also need to hear from Natalia

The cruise isn't the only thing to do on the Rhine. I suggest you take the train from Cologne south to Bacharach, check in and [INVALID] bags, then take your Rhine cruise from Bacharach (11:15) north through the most scenic section of the Rhine to Braubach (1:20) where you can tour Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine Castle never destroyed by the French, with an excellent tour. Then return by train via Koblenz. www.marksburg.de www.k-d.com/englisch/index.html

Thanks to Brian and Russ for giving their opinions on this.

Hi, thank you for giving your opinions, I was beginning to think nobody would. Brian, this is my first time to Europe. I don't have a particular interest, I actually wanna go everywhere, see everything, but of course I had to limit my self. I started cutting off Italy; I'm optimistic and I believe I'll go the next time. I ended up [INVALID]ing countries I am most interested in. I expect to have a wide range of experiences, from big cities, to small towns, beatiful landscapes, old buildings, etc.. My boyfriend in particular is very fond of beers, and he's looking forward to visit Belgium, Holland, Germany, Czech Republik, for that reason. This is how I thought my days in Germany. We would arrive in Cologne from Amsterdam; since is a long journey I thought of spending the night there and get around a little bit (I wanna see the famous Cathedral). The next day I would get to Bacharach down the river, visiting a couple of the medieval castles and spending the night there. The next day I thought of making the Romantic Road in our way to Munich, so I would spend the whole day touring the area (probably by bus), arriving late in Munich. Does this make sense? I know Berlin gets out a little bit, but I really wanna go there. I actually have some family in Erfurt, I could visit them on my way. I like the idea of staying three nights in Bruges, because of what I heard about it; anyhow I would take one day to visit Brussels and another to visit Ghent and/or Antwerp. Russ, thank you for your advice, I'll have it in mind; I haven't really thought of the specifics yet. Well, this is pretty much all for now, hope to hear from you again!

I forgot to thank you Kent. thank you!

I saw it languishing near the bottom of our first page, and wanted to save it from dropping off the first page (after which questions are never seen again). I'm just glad Brian and Russ came to the rescue.

Natalia. thanks for the response. My thoughts were: Bacharach to Munich in one day to me is too fast you cant experience the Romantic Road that way. Personally I would travel from Bacharach to Mainz or Wiesbaden up the Rhine by train or boat and spend the night (probably in Wurzberg, which is worth seeing). Start first thing the next morning along Romantic Road. Spend at least one night on RR (Rothenberg is my choice) and then go on to Munich arriving in late afternoon/evening. You dont want to rush the Romantic Road. Lots of interesting villages worth at least an hour or two. Then try and squeeze at least three nights in Munich (at least two days to roam around Munich and one trip to the castles ) and back to Munich (or elsewhere) for the night. Neither Romantic Road or Munich should be rushed. Not trying to push you to my choice, just giving you my reasons. Otherwise I like your plans, I think you will have a great trip, packing in a lot of my favorite places

I think your trip looks balanced, though you may want to add a day onto Berlin. There is so much to see there and it is a good place for side trips to Potsdam or a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

"The next day I thought of making the Romantic Road in our way to Munich, so I would spend the whole day touring the area (probably by bus), arriving late in Munich. Does this make sense?" It really doesn't. The Romantic Road bus operated by Europabus is a 9-hour bus ride from Frankfurt to Munich that doesn't let you off the bus anywhere for enough time to see or enjoy any of the towns. It's basically a boring bus ride. This bus is one of the worst ideas in the history of tourism. And it leaves from Frankfurt at 8:00 am! If you don't stay over in Rothenburg or elsewhere on the Romantic Road, you could maybe take an early train from Bacharach to Munich. You can probably stop for 2 hours in Würzburg (use lockers there, see the Residenz palace) and 3 hours in Rothenburg and still get into Munich before 11 pm or so. But the smartest thing to do is to make a stop in Würzburg and then overnight in Rothenburg, thus stealing a night from Munich.

I am not sure where you are flying in and out of, but we did a trip a few years back that went Frankfurt - Berlin - Warsaw - Auschwitz - Krakow - Budapest - Vienna - Prague...the point being that I got tired of flying and hired a car and driver to take us from Prague back to Frankfurt. Besides the fun of the autobahn, the driver stopped in Pils, Czech Republic at the Pilsner Urquell factory. Almost the mother lode for some beer drinkers. Might want to see how Pils fits with your boyfriend.

Thank you all again! Now that you explained it again, I see your point Brian, and Russ seems to agree with you. I really want to enjoy my time visiting the towns of the Romantic Road, so I'll take your advice and spend more time in the area, probably staying the night in Rothemburg. Thank you so much for giving your opinion, it's really useful to me! Daniel, Pilsner Urquell is definitely in my bf's list! We'd like to visit at least one beer factory,we'll have to choose between the too many we'll come around!

Message for b/f: fun part of Germany is that virtually each town or area has its own beer. So for each meal there you can (and should) try the local beer. And collect their beer mat. I do envy you your visit to Pils. I never made it that far.