Rhine for a week in February

from: Treis-Karden, on the Mosel

I don't know that I would bother to go all the way to Vienna for a day or two. There is a lot to see right there on the Rhein and the Mosel. Trier and Cologne are nearby. With a Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket, for 26 Euro, total, for up to five people, you can go all the way to Karlsruhe, and from there to the Black Forest. Jo will probably write and tell you what to see in Frankfurt.

Thanks Lee! What city are you landing in and flying out of? This will help figure out where to go and what to do. If you only have a week, I would rule out going to Vienna and France. There is plenty to see just in Germany. If nothing else, think not only Munich but add in of course Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Hannover, and myriad smaller towns that all have worthwhile things to see. Spend some time on these boards and you will read something that attracts you. As to night trains - I guess when I am visiting a new place, I want to see it. I adore riding the trains and seeing the landscapes that pass by my window. Lee here is the absolute expert on buying tickets. I am going to have him help me the next time I decide to travel somewhere!

You say you are teachers, but what do you teach? If you say world history or geography or economics, this will also help us give you advice.

Actually we teach Computers, but we love history! This is my second time to Europe (I lived in Florence, Italy for a year and traveled throughout Western Europe), but my husband has never been. He has a PhD in Clinical Psychology so his biggest dream is to visit Sigmund's house/museum (thus the Vienna stop). As for France...I actually never toured Paris while there in 1996 as I swore I would not go there until I was with someone I loved (crazy college girl I know). Since it is only 4 hours by train I figured we might be able to squeeze that in too. I am sure this response sheds more light on the matter now =) We also happen to have friends that live in Germany so free place to stay (and frequent flyer miles covered both our tickets)! We are hoping to fit in as much as possible for my husband who has never left the US.

ok, now it makes more sense. Well, coming from Washington and a 9 hour time difference, you will have to hit the ground running. Perhaps land in Paris, run around the city for 2 days, take the fast train to Cologne, walk around the city for the day, then take the slow train to Frankfurt so you can see the lovely Rhein river and all the vineyards, Loreley, etc. Get off the train in Bacharach or St. Goar and spend the night, then continue on to Frankfurt and spend at least a day there, then take the fast train to Vienna and spend whatever time you have left over there and fly home.

Remember, it gets dark around 1630 or so. Is this anything like what you want to do or see? Otherwise, I would forget Paris, just base yourself in Munich and pop down to Vienna. This way you can see the part of Germany that most tourists associate with being Germany, even though it isn't typical for the rest of the country.

Seriously, though, get out some maps and figure in your times spent in traveling and spend some more time on these boards seeing what interests you. I just think you are trying to see way too much in a week.

Hey Keri, I noticed you mentioned that you planned to stay at a friend's house near the Rhine River since it was free. Are you set on this? If so, let us know exactly which city along the Rhine River your friend lives. This will help us to figure out an itinerary that may be doable for you.

Keri, are you possibly staying in Rheine, Germany? If so, you're just one train stop from the Dutch border and very near the interesting cities of Muenster and Dortmund in Germany. Amsterdam is not far by train and Paris is definitely doable. If you don't have your tickets yet, you ought to fly open jaw, home from where you end up. I agree with others, Vienna is too far and deserves more time.