August 13th - 24th, 2026

ITaly & germany

sample itinerary

Based off of my research, you’re correct- Traveling into Munich and out of Rome is the cheaper route and makes the most sense. That route is about $1,200 per person with one checked piece of luggage and the option to select your seat in the main cabin.
To Rome and home from Munich would be round $1,400-$1,500 per person.
To Frankfurt and home from Rome would be $1,100, so the savings isn’’t enough to warrant flying there and taking the train to Munich.

munich

The number of days spent in Munich will depend on what you would like to do there and in the surrounding area. Here’s what I can personally vouch for:

  • A full day tour to Neuschwanstien Castle. Many of the tours include Linderhof Palace as well but I haven’t been. Neuschwanstien Castle is absolutely beautiful and so is the area it’s in. You travel through the Black Forest to the base of the Alps where it’s perched on a steep hill/mountain that’s dwarfed by the Alps. Tours take you in a bus and it’s an easy day. Alternatively you can rent a car to skip the Palace or have the freedom to stop along the way. If you have a car you can take the Tegelberg Cable Car up to the peak of one of the mountains for a view of the Alps and the forests below. I’ve never done it but they also have a toboggan ride that looks fun. The tour may or may not include it but they have horse drawn carriages up to the castle too.
    The tours are about 10 hr 30 min and range in price from $135 - $235 per person. Car rentals are $250 or less and tickets to the castle are $25 per person.

  • The old district of Munich is very walkable and cute. You could spend the whole day visiting the outdoor market where they sell locally sourced food and hand crafted items. They have a Maypole that they still use during festivals in the middle of the market area. The old churches are free to enter and there are lots of shade trees and park benches to take rests. There are restaurants I can recommend as well. While in old town you have to see Rathaus-Glockenspiel, it’s really cool and people gather around to watch the cuckoo clock figures do their thing a few times a day. (11am, noon and 5pm). You may find live music outside that time of year. I was there in the shoulder season and saw three live performances on the street …one of them was even good! lol

Here’s what also looks interesting for you guys:

  • You can take the train to Dachau Concentration Camp for a tour

  • You can take a Third Reich walking tour (2hr 30min, $45 pp)

munich to venice

The train would take 7 hours without stops and would cost about $150 per person.

Flights are 1 hour non stop and cost about $225 per person

venice

The number of days spent here also depends on what you would like to do but I recommend two days. One of those days could be a travel day if you get in early enough though. Venice is surprisingly walkable and small.

  • My first tip on what to do with your time here is to consider planning nothing at all. Walk the streets, get lost and rest at little cafes. A gondola ride is a relaxing way to see the city from the water and it’s so much fun. It’s more expensive than you would think but it’s worth it to even add the extra to take the smaller canal routes are well as some of the main waterways.

Let’s make Panajachel home base for 5 nights

  • booked Two bedroom apartment $470

    Apartment on the third level, mountain views, has its own balcony, living room, dining room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, equipped kitchen, all utilities included, Wi-Fi, cable TV. Breakfast included and front office that is staffed 24/7

  • Double bed with private bathroom $395CAD

    Room with private bathroom, queen-size bed, hot water, cable TV, and breakfast included. Parking available. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Breakfast included and front office that is staffed 24/7

  • Two bedroom apartment fancy style $525

    Experience the gardens either from the veranda, from the terrace dining room or while enjoying a meal at the teak table. Located in the heart of Panajachel, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, this 2.5 bathroom, 2 bedroom residence impresses with its charming character.

    The property is located in the center of Panajachel. The main shopping street "Calle Santander" and the pier, from which various ferries depart around the lake, are just a few minutes' walk away.

  • Your own room with a little living area, $452CAD

    Breakfast $7CAD. Located 2 blocks from Lake Atitlan. It offers lush gardens and fruit trees, a hot tub and a Mayan-style sauna filled with relaxing aromatic herbs. Rooms here feature a balcony with garden views and come with free WiFi and flat-screen cable TV. The private bathrooms come with free toiletries and towels. Rates do not included meals or drinks. It has a tour desk, luggage storage and a laundry service. The hotel is located in a quiet street, just a 2-minute walk from shops and restaurants in Panajachel town. Ferries to Santa Cruz la Laguna leave from the nearby dock.

  • Two bedroom apartment $470CAD

    Cozy apartment just two blocks from the Lake and the main street Santander. A clean space with comfortable beds and 35 Mbps internet is just what you need to have the perfect relaxing vacation or combine it with remote work, if needed. One of us would have a twin so it may not be the best option. Half of me hangs off a twin lol

  • Queen bed, private bathroom $466

    Breakfast is $7CAD. Guests can relax in the garden or outdoor seating area. The hotel provides a coffee shop, outdoor seating, and free parking. Additional services include a paid shuttle, 24-hour front desk, concierge, and tour desk

11 Nights in Antigua

  • Two bedroom apartment $991CAD

    This cozy two bedroom apartment is centrally located in the heart of the Antigua just a few steps from the Santa Catalina Arch and 3 blocks from central square. It is equipped with all the amenities you will need to make your stay comfortable while you enjoy your time in the city. This property with colonial architecture, corridors, patio and terrace that will immerse you in the colonial atmosphere of Antigua

  • Two bedroom apartment $1425CAD

    No need to spend the extra money for this one but I’m adding it as an option because it has a pool It is a charming and exclusive place located near the center of Antigua Guatemala. It is surrounded by nature and has ample natural light, as well as a shared social area with a pool and barbecue, perfect for relaxing. It also has a jacuzzi for an additional cost of Q300 (subject to availability).

    The house consists of two spaces on two levels connected by covered exterior stairs. On the first level there is a kitchen, a small living room and a secondary bedroom with a private bathroom, while on the second level there is a spacious main room with a TV and a master bedroom with a private bathroom.

  • booked Two bedroom apartment $1028

    My favorite! It has a heated pool, jacuzzi, 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, living room, safe parking, hammocks, close to town, and has staff who manage the apartments on site in case we need something or have questions. They have safe water for drinking available They offer Spanish course that I would fail too.

2 nights in Guatemala City near the airport

  • Private room w/ bathroom $133CAD per night

    Breakfast included as well as a shuttle to and from the airport. This is the nicest, and most expensive, option i’ll recommend. It has a pool so you could swim waiting for your flight. Also, a gym, pool tables, restaurant, bar, etc

  • Two bedroom apartment $62CAD per night

    $14CAD for airport transfer, $10 for breakfast. Right next to the airport so some people walk. Not sure how safe that is though. This double room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom. Good reviews but little to do to kill time waiting for a flight. Maybe we stay here the night you arrive since you get in late and we leave in the morning. The night before you leave it would be better to stay somewhere more comfortable to spend time.

  • Cute room with private bathroom $82 per night

    Great middle ground between the two other options. Breakfast included, private room and bathroom. Right next to the airport but Uber when you arrive at night. Safe to walk to the airport in the morning/afternoon though. This is true for all of Guatemala City by the way.

  • BOOKED Private room w/ bathroom $42CAD per night

    Breakfast included and they will arrange a shuttle for a fee. This place has very good reviews and people say the hosts are amazing. There are no restaurants nearby but Uber will deliver food for dinner so it’s no biggie.

  • Private room w/bathroom $80CAD per night

    Breakfast and a free shuttle! This is a great option. It’s in a residential area but we can order dinner the night before we fly out. They have a garden and comfortable couches in the shared spaces.

  • Room with private bathroom $47 per night

    Breakfast included and guest say the hosts insist on taking them to the airport. Very good reviews. It isn’t the cutest place but it has some of the best reviews. People say the hosts are incredible. It doesn’t look like there is anything to do to kill time there but I bet they would be ok with late check out for free or for a small fee.