Could we please get some feedback on this itinerary? This is a first draft and by no means set in stone. The only "must-dos" are SOM tour for me and the conference for my husband, and he really wants to do the Bernina Express. We will be traveling in June. Our main interests are music, scenery and photography, a little hiking, good food, beer/wine, some museums/history. Would love to attend some concerts and do the SOM tour in Salzburg, and opera in Vienna. We would like to attend Mass on Sundays at churches that are known for their choirs...suggestions on this? This itinerary is 20 nights including the overnight flight going over, and 3 nights for a conference at the end of the trip. We could possibly add a couple more nights. The part I am most struggling with is working in the Bernina Express. Thanks in advance.
Overnight Nonstop flight ATL to Milan
arrive Milan, train to Varenna
2 nights Varenna (been there before but loved it--open to suggestions)
Morning train to Tirano and take Bernina Express to Chur. 1 night Chur (or is there a better place to get off instead of going all the way to Chur)
Train to Fussen, 2 nights Fussen,
(rent a car, castles, Weiskirche, Ettal Monsatary, Oberammergau)
Train to Munich, 3 nights Munich (beer garden, Mass at St. Michael's Church, not sure what else)
Train to Salzburg, 3 nights Salzburg,
day trip to Berchtesgaden, SOM tour, Mozart house, concerts in evenings
Train to Halstatt, 1 night Halstatt (could be optional, just go directly to Vienna?)
Train to Vienna, 3 nights Vienna with day trip to Melk
If in Vienna on Sunday either Mass w/Boys Choir OR Mass at Augustinian Church
Train to Rothenburg 1 night (been there before but loved it), Nightwatchman, Christmas ornaments shopping. Any other tours similar to the Nightwatchman in other towns? Questioning if we should go somewhere else since we have been there before. Add extra night somewhere else and skip Rothenburg?
Train to Mainz, 3 nights at conference (daytrip to Cologne Cathedral? Easy?)
Return flight Frankfurt to ATL nonstop