The train from Rothenberg to Steinach is a small local service, full of locals and schoolchildren. And, in December, lots of foreign tourists traveling to Rothenburg’s market. I meet several from the US and Japan. We all connect and disconnect at different stops, as there are many town markets to consider visiting. [...]

I´ve discovered a direct over-night train from Budapest to Warsaw that is not listed in the Eurail Timetable. This train is a great-time saver for anyone traveling East, as it saves connections in Vienna or Prague.

Dresden´s skyline along the Elbe river is reminiscent of Florence. It´s amazing to think that this city was nearly completely destroyed at the end of World War II.