Munich, Vienna, and Rome. Specifically, i would like to know: 1. where to stay? 2. must see's 3. places to eat 4. local attractions 5. recommended travel books 6. best way to get around from town to town (train). 7. cheapest way to get eurail We have about a week in Munich, one night in Vienna, 3 nights in Tuscany, and 3 nights in Rome. Thanks in advance
Never been to Munich so I am no help there. Vienna is awesome if you like history. The entire town is classical music crazy. (Mostly Mozart) I forget the name, but you will see a big *** church in the middle of downtown. Go in and look at the architecture. It's amazing that is was erected in the 1600's in such detail. No eateries stick out, but you have to try the wienerschnitzel in any cafe. Not much to do in Tuscany other than to enjoy the scenery, wine and food. There are a million things to do in Rome sightseeing wise. I'm sure that you have researched the hotspots already. (Collesium, Spanish steps, Vatican, etc.) I would definatly go to the Cistene Chapel as it is awe inspiring to see the work. Lonely Planet is an excellent guide to stuff off the beaten track. I highly recommend picking one up. They also give you tourist phrases to assist you with the locals. Driving is nice if you want to be unrestricted with your schedule. But, I prefer travelling by train. More effecient and you can relax while basking in the countryside. Unfortunately, there are no Eurail saver passes that include Germany, Italy and Austria. You will have to buy a select pass that is more expensive. It's worth the couple extra $ to get 1st class or a sleeper. (I recommend the latter) Definately buy it in the US if you want to save the most money. Direct tickets are costly and the conversion rate to the Euro will kill you. The Link
I like Rick Steve's travel books for Europe. Not the usual regurgitated touristy drivel. Just good solid advice for anyone looking to save a Euro along the way. If you can fit in Florence, go for it. My favorite Italian city. It's worth going just to see Michelangelo's David.
Well, you probably don't want my advice since I like to travel with a backpack with only three extra changes of clothing, toothpaste, a bar of soap, one small bottle of shampoo, and a small towel. Oh, and I always take a language phrasebook and always try to speak to people in their language first. You'd be surprised how much difference it makes when you make the effort to speak their language. You can get an extra piece of fruit, bread, or cheese at the street markets if you speak to them in their language. You'll get a lower price at other vendor markets when you speak in their language. So to answer your questions with answers you probably don't want (and I haven't been to Munich or Vienna): 1. I stay in youth hostels. I presume you're travelling with someone else, so that may not be an option. However, they don't care how old you are anymore. Also, it'll only cost you about $15 a night in Rome. You can save a lot of cash this way and you'll meet a lot of interesting people and stay up all night drinking a few beers and having fun, instead of just going back to your hotel, taking a shower, having sex with your significant other, and going to bed. The most fun about travelling to me was all about meeting and talking to other people. (You can Google hostels to find your best deals.) 2. In Rome, definitely go to the Sistine Chapel. It's amazing. Nuff said. Obviously, you have to go to the Coliseum and the Forum too. Get used to saying prego and ciao, ciao bella. 3. As a backpacker, I ate off the street from the vendors, picked up my food from the markets, or stopped in little shops for cheap meals. I don't have any advice for you other than that. 4. When I was in Athens, I asked a guy who owned a leather shop where to eat dinner. He said, don't eat at the tables under the umbrellas in the main plaza where all of the tourists are -- there's a place around the corner, you'll have to go down some stairs because the restaurant is below street level. When I got there, I ordered speaking Greek, but the waiter understood that I didn't really know what I was saying ... so he offered me the opportunity to go into the kitchen and pick what I wanted to eat. They had several things cooking on the stove so I just pointed and said "parakalo, tha ithela ena afto." (Please, I want that.) 5. Travel books are all kind of the same. I've used Lonely Planet, Fodor's, Frommer's, Rick Steve's. You're going to get just about the same information out of any of them. 6. Use the train. The intercity bus system is ok but the train is better. I wouldn't rent a car, but that's your choice. I sure wish the US had a better hight speed rail option. 7. As far as Eurail passes go, buy it early and buy it here in the US (it's cheaper), but if you're only going for 2 weeks, I'll let you make the calculations regarding what is most cost effective. (There's eurail.com of course.) Anyway, regarding Tuscany ... and if you're talking about Cinque Terre ... and if you have 3 days there ... rent bicycles (you can give them names if you want) and ride between town to town If I get married again or meet a woman who is willing to spend time with me, that's where I'm going to go.
What's your budget? I stayed here in Vienna, pretty cool place. Normally for work I'd stay at the Marriott on Parkring. Walking around the center of town is great, Stephenskirche is the church, pretty impressive. There's a great restaurant called Menil's near Stephensplatz, its expensive by Vienna standards, but not so bad when compared to Dublin or London. Just below Menil's foodstore there is a wine bar that has some food too, good place to meet people. Or are you looking for something cheap?
Really liked this hotel when I stayed in Vienna...The Link - 3 star, reasonable price, great central location. When I stayed there, the manager told me a story about being friends with Tony Fritsch (sp?), former kicker for the Oilers.
It has been a number of years, but I stayed at the Pension Nossek in Vienna. It is literally right on the Stephansplatz, which is the main drag in the old part of town. It isn't a luxury hotel, but is clean and comfortable and great for a visit where you will be out sightseeing most of the time that you are there. You walk out the front door right onto the Stephansplatz, a few blocks down from St. Stephans and around the corner from some of the great old Hapsburg buildings. It is hard to go wrong in the main part of downtown. A trip out to Schonbrunn is interesting, but if you have seen Versailles in France you might find it to be a little bit of a let down.
St. Stephens...that was the church I couldn't remember in Vienna. The Link If you have time, I'd also recommend Bratislava, Slavakia. It is about a 45 minute trip outside of Vienna. A really nice and picturesq city. Plus...who ever goes to Slovakia?
Rick Steves' travel books are the best. One exception: he goes on and on about pickpockets. They really aren't that big of a deal. Just be smart with bags/purses and you won't have any problems. Re Roma: Just make sure your hotel is near a metro stop as the buses are frustrating and confusing. All the major sights (Colosseum, St. Peter's, The Vatican, etc.) have their own metro stop. You'll want to buy a weekly Metro pass for I think 10 euro. Good restaurants: Bruni Steakhouse Pretty romantic and no tourists. Delicious steaks come fairly rare. Take the metro to Giulio Cesare and walk 2 blocks. Take a cab home after 9pm. www.pastarito.it Huge portions for very good value. www.ilpeperoncinodispettoso.it Really good Napolitano Pizza. In fact, the best pizza I've ever had. Assuming this is a romantic voyage I really suggest you spend at least one evening dining on Piazza Navona. It is kind of touristy, but gorgeous. I took my girlfriend there her first night in Rome and she called it "surreal." The Pantheon is also romantic in the evening and a must see in the daytime, try to go at noon. Campo dei Fiori is an American-ish bar district. Think 20 year olds on 6th street. When going to the Vatican (Sistine Chapel) check the website for random early/complete closings. Try not to go on Saturday or in the middle of the day. I'm pretty sure that you can get in with long shorts (definitely can at St. Peter's) just no short skirts/shorts and no bare shoulders/backs for ladies. The cabs are great in Roma. In the daytime they'll make you go to a cabstand but they're pretty easy to find in the tourist areas. At night just flag one down. Go to Florence to see David and make a reservation. The non-rsvp line is completely ******* ridiculous. Seriously. Sienna is another nice, romantic, small Tuscan town. Driving in Tuscany is okay, I would seriously advise against driving in or to Rome. If you have other questions about Roma or Italia just ask. Have a fun, safe trip.
In Munich, I always stay at either the Marriott or Renaissance Hotel which is just north of the City Center (walking distance). I like it there because you can easily walk into the Englischer Gardens which is a huge park with 3 or 4 large beer gardens. In Munich you can go to see the glockenspiel, vist Dachau (concentration camp), and many museums. My favorite museum is the engineering one (cant' remember the name). You have to visit the Hoffbrau haus, even though it is very touristy, but at this time of year tourists should be minimal. Couldn'yt remember when you are going but Oktoberfest runs through the first week of October.
When are you in Vienna and Munich? I will be there the first week of October....starting in Vienna for work and then ending in Oktoberfest for drunk times.
It's been 11 years since I've hit those three cities. I remember Vienna being expensive as ****. We were going to hit the Opera House there but for whatever reason, we bailed. Is that where the Lippinzaner Stallions are? If so, that's really cool. Munich and Prague were my favorite European cities. If you like stereotypical German biergartens, Hofbrauhaus is where you want to go. I hope to have my ashes spread there when I die. I'm only half-kidding. The Englischer Garten was cool -- and we were there in the summer so there was plenty of all-nude sunbathing on the river. Rome is dripping with history -- and great food. The Trevi Fountain is hilarious if you like to see young Italian greaseballs try to pick up on pretty young tourists. The Colosseum was awesome and the Sistine Chapel is the most breathtaking thing I've seen in my lifetime. Take a day trip to Pompeii if you can.
Thanks to all for some great feedback. We're going in early November. Are there any weather concerns for our travels during this time of year?
I 'backpacked' through Europe last year. Of your three cities, we only hit up Rome. I'm not big into the Catholic faith, but seriously - the Vatican was unfreaking believable. It is like miles (literally) of painted rooms until you actually get Sistene Chappel (spelling?). Don't try to take a picture in the chappel because they'll pretty much kill you. Be really really watchful of pick-pockets. Of all the cities I hit up, Rome was the least tourist friendly.... you always had to watch your back. Oh... and pretty much anything associated with the old Roman Ruins (Colloseum, etc) is pretty amazing considering how old it is. Lastly, there is one plaza (I forget the name) that they literally filled up with water and had ship battles. All the buildings surrounding the plaza were water tight. It is unbelievable. They might have done this in the colloseum also, but this particular plaza was huge. Also - eat. Eat a lot.
Oh... and I did stand in the non-RSVP line to see David... and it indeed was freaking freaking long. In all honesty, David was the only thing worth my time in line at that particular museum, but David himself was worth every minute in line. That sculpture is awesome.
