Quick Itinerary Feedback, Please - 2 Week Summer Trip

Many people will likely say too much, too fast, too much time spent moving.

That doesn't bother me so much.

What I don't like is that the trip has no focus. I would say pick a country or a region or a culture, and focus on that, moving from place to place as much as you like, but not so far. Then assume there will be other trips in the future where you will then focus on a different country or region or culture.

Than makes each trip distinct and memorable, not a haphazard collection of places that sounded interesting.

We did Great Britain one year, Scaninavia the next, then France & Switzerland, then Germany & central Europe. In the future we will do Italy, then Portugal/Spain/Morocco, then eastern Europe, then southeastern Europe (Croatia to Greece).

I would not like to travel in scattershot fashion. But maybe that's just me.

You're not crazy, but I'm guessing you've already gotten the response you expected--too much in one trip. On the other hand, what's important? "...seeing the places we really want to see on one trip." It is possible to do, of course. On an RS tour (other than city tours) they move that frequently. But remember, they have all the transportation and lodging pre-arranged. Be prepared for the time involved taking care of those things on your trip.
Have a great trip.

Gio,

The trip looks feasible although somewhat "busy". A few thoughts (please clarify if I've misinterpreted anything).....

The trip from London to Hallstatt (via Vienna) will probably take the better part of a day. Although it's a fairly short flight, the time to & from airports and then the train to Hallsatt will take some time. You'll probably have to change trains in Attnang-Pucheim and there could be a "layover" there of an hour or more. I'd recommend getting your tickets from Hallstatt to Salzburg at the start in Vienna, as the station in Hallstatt isn't manned.

Which method were you planning on using for the day trip from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden? I used Bob's Special Tours and quite enjoyed the day. The stop at the Documentation Centre above town was very interesting (especially touring the Bunkers).

I'd probably drop the 4-hour stop at Innsbruck, but if that's important to you it's feasible. Hopefully one of the others can confirm the luggage storage options at the Innsbruck station.

As someone else suggested, staying in Castelrotto might be a better option. Check the Guidebook for transportation between these locations.

You might consider dropping one night in Bolzano / Castelrotto and spending at least one night in Verona. It's a beautiful city and I really enjoy wandering around Piazza Bra and Piazza Erbe at night (they're quite lively even in the evening). You could also visit the fictional Romeo & Juliet garden, the Roman Amphitheatre, Castelvecchio, etc. That would also provide you with a somewhat shorter trip to Milan for your flight to Paris.

If you haven't been to Paris before, it would be great to find at least one extra day for that as there's LOTS to see and do. If you're planning to visit any of the major Museums, a two-day Paris Museum Pass would be good.

Good luck and happy travels!

I'm like Randy; I prefer to stick to a region. However, I think this trip is pretty well laid out, and if they are places you are dying to see, I think you will have a good time. My only suggestion would be to skip Paris, which will give you two days to add to one or two of your previous destinations. You will really have only one day in Paris, which is just not enough and may be a lot more frustrating than satisfying.

I agree with most of the others- doable, but you will come home feeling scattered, not rested. Personally, I'd drop Italy and Paris. Focus on London and Austria. Next trip, do Paris or Italy, then other on the next.....

Thanks! As usual, this site is very, very helpful. I guess the unifying theme for us here on this itinerary is a sampling of the real diversity of the places Europe has to offer...the rich differences, if you will, between our desired locales (some of which we've been to before). But your advice is sound: we're going to drop Paris here, and either add a day to Italy and London OR add 2 nights in Vienna upon arrival there from London, to break up that long journey from London, England to Hallstatt, Austria. Still can't decide if Verona is a day trip or an overnight for us, although the point that an overnight there reduces our travel time to the airport in Milano is a great one. Thanks, again.

Gio,

Besides the fact that one night in Verona will reduce your travel time to Milan, you might enjoy a night in Verona. It's a beautiful town and might be a good "rest stop" for a night.

Cheers!

I'm with Randy: The trip doesn't really seem to have a focus. It's rather like "Do all of Europe in 7 days" or so. You're just going to run around Europe collect photgraphs and then, when you're back home, start your real vacation by looking at them trying to remember what they were, when they got taken and where (and why) etc. Northern Italy is definitely worth an entire trip. So is Austria/Bavaria. I think adding one of the giant cities (Paris or London) to a trip is more than a normal person can take. Again, my opinion...