Itinerary Help Germany to Italy in 7 days - YIKES !

Lori, can't help, but I can say hubby used Tuifly and thought it was a great airline, but strict on luggage weight.

Are you flying to Venice from Heidelberg or from Stuttgart? That is what it looks like from your plan. It really seems rushed. You arrive in Stuttgart, rush off to Heidelberg the very same day, then to Venice at which point you then train to Florence. Then back to Venice again. Then you fly to Stuttgart and the next day train to Rothenberg and then back again to Stuttgart. I know it looks like I have just repeated what you wrote, but man, it just looks so busy. You say you do not want to be rushed as you do not enjoy yourself. Wouldn't you husband like to relax a bit. Is there a reason for the hectic Venice and Florence trip instead of just seeing some places in Germany?

or, take the TGV (fast train) from Stuttgart to Paris, rent an apartment and spend the whole time there!

It does look hectic ! We both have always dreamed about visiting Italy and don't know if we will ever get this chance again. Our other option is to just stay in Germany and enjoy ourselves a little more!

Hi Lori,
You could go directly to either Venice or Florence from Stuttgart (fly or take a long train ride) and divide the time between the 2 cities. Then return to Stuttgart. Since it's your first trip get a copy of "Europe Through the Back Door" to help you with the logistics.

I understand that you really want to see Italy. Totally. However, I'd cut out Florence and Rothenburg ob der Tauber for this particular itinerary. It's just too much time on transportation and then also some back-tracking on that last little bit there. You'll still get a good taste of Germany and Italy without all of the frenzy if you just scale it back a little bit.

I'm just making this comment as if I were looking at this itinerary for myself, after traveling most of the legs of this trip within other trips before.....

The best thing about these kinds of things is that whatever you decide to do, it should still be a great trip, full of great memories :) have fun!

Hi Lori, You must be so excited! We live in germany and my husband was deployed last year at this time. While he was deployed I planned a driving trip from Bavaria all through Tuscany. He was all for it before he came home for R & R. But he was so tired and just seemed to be decompressing the whole time. I realized somewhere between Venice and Cinque Terre that I was just dragging him around. So we cut our Florence trip :( and some of the beautiful hill towns and came home to Germany to rest before his return to Afghanistan. Now that he is home we are planning a trip this summer to Florence and I think he will actually be awake to enjoy it. I think the Rottenburg trip should be cut. It is a cute town but not worth a separate trip from Stuttgart. Whatever you choose I sure it will be a memorable time. Christie