Planning multi country trip October-November 2027

Posted by Laura (Blaine WA) on 08/22/26 04:08 PM

We have big plans for a trip in the fall of 2027. We have already paid for a Viking ocean cruise - Athens to Venice October 26-November 4th.
Right now we are thinking about flying into Prague 4 nights, train to Vienna 3 or 4 nights and then fly to Athens ,stay 2 nights prior to the cruise. 1st 2 days of the cruise are in Athens, and Vienna is optional.
We were in Italy in 2015, we plan 2-3 nights in Venice, then train to Florence. We didn't get Florence in 2015, hope to stay 4 nights.
Then we are pretty open. We like staying in small towns, and will really want that experience by this point! We will probably rent a car at some point.
We want to travel up to Germany for the start of the Christmas markets. My husband has German heritage and a cousin in Dusseldorf that we will visit. Fly home from Germany in early December.

Yes it's a big trip! We have been guardians for our granddaughter , and she graduates from high school next spring! We are celebrating a return to out empty nest.
Any advice , or suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks.
Laura

Posted by geovagriffith

08/22/26 04:23 PM

10378 posts

Doing a cruise and planning pre-cruise touring and post-cruise touring is good planning.
We did that a lot, or did all our touring pre or post cruise.
Now we largely do group tours, we have done so many cruises, except we are planning a Western Caribbean cruise to visit ancient Mayan sites.

Your plans are clearly viable. You do need at least 3-4 days in Athens, don't miss the New Acropolis Museum and the Athens Archaeological Museum. Also, trips to Delphi and Sounion to see the Temple of Poseidon. Also, the Corinth Canal and Corinth are interesting. The Parthenon is amazing.

Going to Europe in October/November is not so bad in the Med, but the weather will be cold in Northern Europe.

Not sure what you are paying for your airfare to fly to Prague, then fly from Vienna to Athens. You may be spending a lot for airfare. Check to see if it is cheaper to fly direct to Athens. We have on occasion been able to include a lengthy stopover on our flights, but much of the time, the cost can be a bit much.
You could go direct to Athens then do Prague and Vienna after the cruise. The high speed train from Venice to Florence is fast and a great convenience.

We lived in Germany (Augsburg) from 87-91 and always enjoyed the Christmas Market in Augsburg, but didn't love it enough to travel to see other markets. I understand the one in Nuremberg is one of the largest.
We never like touring much in cold weather. In December the days are short and cold.

Posted by Andrea 🌎

Sacramento, California U.S.A.

08/22/26 07:30 PM

11715 posts

December days are cold and short. That comes with the territory for Christmas markets. I did a Christmas market trip in December 2023. The German markets are really good. On that trip I visited my cousins in Cologne (close to Düsseldorf) and they had some good ones. We also went by train and then taxi to a castle that had a market. It rained pretty hard that day, but the rest of our 2 week trip the weather was cool, but tolerable with the appropriate clothes and outerwear. There are other good markets as well. If you do a search for the forum you will see recommendations.

It sounds like a wonderful trip.

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

08/23/26 05:24 PM

2121 posts

I don't know if you typically fly out of Vancouver or Seattle, but neither has a direct flight to Prague, so I would look into where you will have to change, which depends a lot on your preferred carrier, I guess. I don't like having to connect after my transatlantic flight, so I try to plan some time in or near the city I can get to most comfortably (without breaking the bank). Since you want to fly out of Germany, a round-trip ticket to Munich or Frankfurt might make sense. Both Seattle and Vancouver have direct flights to both cities, and there is a direct train to Prague from Munich (not from Frankfurt).