Tour Austria & Germany Before Cruise To Venice

Terry,

Yes, you will be fine with just English. A German education reguires the English language and the German people are very friendly and helpful.

However, it is highly recommended by travellers that you learn a few basic phrases of courtesy, how to ask for directions, a doctor, or that you have an emergency (not to scare you). As Rick would say, this opens doors for you, and locals appreciate your efforts of courtesy and see them as sign of respect.

I have a few questions to ask to give best advice.
1) What month are you travelling?
2)Do you have 5 full days before your Venice cruise begins?
3)Your cruise begins in Venice and then it's a 5 day cruise including the first evening there?
4)Does the cruise allow you an additional evening in Venice?

With 5 days, I agree to drop Innsbrook. I agree to fly into Munich.

If you have an evening in Venice as Day 2 of your cruise, then I'd think of the following itinerary.
D1 Fly to Munich
D2 Arrival Day, Munich
D3 Munich
D4 Mid/Late afternoon train to Salzburg. Salzburg
D5 Salzburg
D6 Train/Bus to Venice.
This is Day 1 of your Venice cruise.

There is alot to see and do in Munich.
D2 A great activiy is take an 'Original Berlin Walking Tour". They are offered in the morning and afternoon. It get's you grounded, acquainted, and beats the jet lag.
D4 Salzburg is a short distance from Munich. Your time can be 1:35 to 2:00 hours w/o stops.

Hopefully this helps get you started. I learned these things from RS posts and books, experience,
and reading travel books for free in library or bookstores.

Thank you, we'll look into it. This will be first time in Europe may have to add a day .

Thank You,

We will fly in on Sunday into Munich stay for that night and another one, then to Salzburg for 2 nights by train, then onto Venice . Our Cruise leaves that Saturday on October 8, 2011 from Venice for 7 days and docks in Rome.