Thanks Kent for that site. ill check it out. Just seems a little overwhelming bc we cant guarantee where our start point is. Will be an adventure for sure! :)

Flying into Ramstein may work out best. I can't comment about Aviano, but I know that you can easily connect to the German rail network at the Landstuhl station, which is a quick taxi ride from Ramstein. While in Ramstein AFB, you could also check with the USO office (located in the air terminal) for information on cheap package tours, offered only to the military. If logistical issues force you to spend time in the Ramstein-Landstuhl area, you can make a day trip to Heidelberg. Landstuhl even has a small (mostly ruined) castle- Burg Nanstein- that you can explore if you have an hour to spare.

About your proposed itinerary: It's probably feasible. Because you plan to fly space available, it may be best to limit yourself to the four destinations you listed above.

Thinking over your plan a little bit further...

If you fly into Ramstein AFB, you might want to consider staying one night in the area before heading off to Munich or Switzerland. Reason: You will probably be quite jet-lagged when you first arrive. From Landstuhl, Munich is 6+ hour train ride, and you'll have to exchange trains at least two or three times. By the time you reach Munich (or Interlaken) on that first day, you won't know up from down, left from right. You could possibly catch a night-train from Frankfurt or Mannheim, but I've met few people who report a satisfactory night of sleep on these.

So, perhaps the best option might be to recharge yourself by spending a quiet first day near Ramstein. The military lodges are usually completely booked these days, but there are plenty of small German-owned guest houses in the area. Ramstein and Landstuhl aren't exactly tourist meccas, but they're pleasant enough for enjoying small-town German ambience.

Note that it will be "Shoulder Season" in the Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen Valley area. This is a period of time when many hotels and restaurants in the area will close as they begin their transition to summer from winter. Still, many places will still be open. Expect snow in the mountain villages. However, don't be discouraged. If this is the special time you have, you must take the opportunity to visit. It will be cold so you will need to prepare. You might want to contact any hotels at which you intend to stay to make sure they are open. I'm sure several in Interlaken will be open. By all means, try Muerren. It's so scenic. Take a look at www.muerren.ch. You might get some tips there.

Note that it will take you about 7.5hrs-8.5hrs to take the train from Interlaken Ost to Monterosso in the CT. Several train changes as well.

CLICK HERE for a sample train schedule from Interlaken Ost to Montetrosso in the CT

Actually, by April, most of the snow on the lower slopes of the Schilthorn (where sit Gimmelwald and Murren) has melted. And having been there during this time period, I can tell you that nearly all businesses in both towns are closed. You can hike along the main road, but trails through the mountain pastures are very muddy with snow melt-off... and, um... "natural fertilizer". The area is still worth a visit, though, at any time of year.

I feared that about things being closed in April. :(

Went to website for the Schilthorn cable way (http://www.schilthorn.ch) says its open the whole year, besides revision of the cable car: 21st April to 25th April 2008. We would avoid that.

I will contact some places directly, but it's still worth it right? These dates in early April are really the only time we can go.

Thanks for the help so far!!! Really good advice from all.

For Italy visit Venice. It's a one of a kind city.

Flying into Ramstein and out of Aviano or vice-versa is perfect (it may be good to get on the wait list for both and sign up for the wait list home when you land as an option even if you plan open jaw).

Skip London. The travel time to the British Isles from the continent is prohibitive.

For London, you need more than a couple days to see it well, same for Rome.

CT is nice but out of the way, check the train schedules.

From Munich area, Salzburg is a great stop. A lot to see and beautiful.

Some time on the Rhine before Munich is a good idea.

Switzerland is very expensive by everyone's standard.

My wife and I have flown Space A, will do more after retirement (I'm Air Guard). It's much easier outside of school vacations (when is spring break?). With Space A, always have a Plan B. Once planned a trip to Sydney. With so many people waiting for Hawaii, we ended up backpacking in the Sierras.

On the gondola to Muerren, there are two. One from across the street from the Lauterbrunnen train station and one about 4 miles away in Stechelberg. The one from Lauterbrunnen goes up to a point where you transfer to a cog train for a short ride to the town. For the other, you catch a bus in front of the post office (next to the first gondola station mentioned above) and ride to the Stechelberg gondola station. This gondola goes to Gimmelwald where you transfer to an adjoining gondola to Muerren.

It's possible that these gondolas are not closed for repair (although they could be). The gondola to the top of Shilthorn is yet another gondola that runs from Muerren to the top. This may be the one closed for repair.

It's all beautiful there. Go for the trip. You will not regret it.

Unless they're under repair, the main cable cars from Lauterbrunnen to Murren should remain open all year. The line to Gimmelwald closes, but a shuttle van will take you from Murren to Gimmelwald... or, you could just walk. The Piz Gloria restaurant on the summit (far above Murren) is open year-round.

Thanks all: this is good stuff. I may contact those "Space A"-experienced travelers individually with some follow-up questions. Thanks again!